• by Lydia Loizides , Op-Ed Contributor, December 20, 2006

So, in the spirit of the holiday season, I give to you the last six of the 12 days of Techmas--my homage to some of the best uses of technology by the entertainment industry, altruists and media companies that fulfill the spirit of the season.  

7. Microsoft -- For donating $41 million in software and cash to NetHope and The Interagency Working Group on EmergencyCapacityBuilding, and for understanding how much technology can impact the efficacy of disaster response across the world.

8. JNW -- (JasmineNews Wires), for using SMS technology to reach its audience.  The company is described as "a group of working journalists [] modelled along the lines of international news agencies [that] reports Sri Lankan news for Sri Lankans and those who want to be informed of happenings in the island."

9. Fonpods -- for exploring and implementing a solution that helps to deliver on the promise of content anywhere, anytime. And besides, who could possibly not want to try this at least once?

10. Center for Children & Technology -- for the work the group is doing to further the understanding of  cognitive and social aspects of learning with technology. The Center continues to create, shape, investigate and inform new initiatives and approaches to foster learning, and improve teaching through the development and thoughtful use of educational technologies.

11. TED -- and Chris Andersen and his staff for handling the tireless work involved in producing what is arguably one of the most thought-provoking conferences out there today.  And if you can't get a seat, go online and watch the podcasts that are available.

12. i Project -- the makers of SoftBlocks, who have allowed my four-year-old to use this simple technology to build his very own village, complete with skyscrapers, an airport, NASA launch pad and the Museum of Natural History.

And with that, I bid each and every one of you a healthy and happy holiday!  I look forward to spending 2007 looking at, thinking and talking about all the weird, wonky and wonderful technologies that keep (some of) us awake at night. And remember, if you have something fun to share, you can always tell me.