i'm Talkathon

This isn't Parker speaking. It’s the i’m Initiative team.

As lots of you have pointed out, Parker's fictional. But in many ways, he's real for us. We took everyone we've met who's working to make the world a better place, rolled them into one, and added cooler hair: That's Parker. The Talkathon was inspired by this passion. Your passion.

So, thank you. Thank you for checking out the Talkathon. Thank you for following the story. Thank you for commenting. If you went so far as to sign up for the Initiative (so your e-mails and IMs can make a difference), thank you for that, too. And if you haven't yet—join now.

Also, we want to extend a huge "thank you" to our 10 partner causes. Thank you for everything you do. And thank you for letting us create this campaign on your behalf.

As we sign off, we'd like to leave you with last thought. And it isn't about using our products—although, of course, it'd be great if you did. More important is this: go make a difference.

Every day, cause organizations need your help. Not just during the holidays or fundraising efforts or Talkathons, but every day. Even the littlest things can matter. Changing light bulbs, volunteering for an hour, sharing a story, even watching your own health.

And, of course, joining the i'm Initiative and sending IMs and e-mails. And continuing to connect with other people.

This Talkathon is over. But in your hands, the i'm Initiative will keep on, stronger than ever. You keep talking. We'll keep giving.

Stay in touch,

The i'm Initiative team

I've noticed tons and tons of people posting their IM addresses. Which got me thinking: How else can you make a difference?

A great place to start is the "Spread the Word" section on im.live.com. It's full of digital tchotchkes you can download to help spread the word to your friends, associates, whomever. The more people you bring on board, the more money the causes get. You can also continue the conversation in the member center of im.live.com, called "i'm CONNECTED," where you can build yourself an avatar which will be, I promise, very cute.

Also, check out the "i'm Making a Difference" Facebook page. Become a fan. Converse with other fans. Join the conversation. Speak amongst yourselves. Change the world.

Above all, tell your friends. Let them know they can make a difference just by doing something they do every day.

If you have any other suggestions for spreading the word, what are they? People gotta know.

The Talkathon is almost over, and it's time to acknowledge and thank some folks.  Here are a few awards for some amazingly dedicated IMers and e-mailers.

The award for Rickrolling me the most times in a single day goes to: kahini_i

The award for the most press (negative or otherwise) goes to: loebage

The award for the most original emoticons goes to: Limpingpigeon1

The award for the best pizza rollz recipe goes to: vezzer03

The award for the longest uninterrupted IM conversation goes to: aren_vos

Now, a couple of special mentions. First, to Trevor: thanks for immersing yourself in the Talkathon and all things Internet. Your ideas were always entertaining and interesting, if not always "good."

Second, to my roommate, Danny: Thanks for putting up with a 30-day Talkathon happening 24/7 in our apartment. I can see how it might have made you lose it, above and beyond your usual state of lost-ness.

And to the rest of you (it would take me another 30 days to thank you all individually) who dropped by, sent IMs and e-mails, posted comments, told a friend about the i'm Initiative, downloaded a button, or otherwise supported me over the last month, thank you, thanks so very much.

Last but not least, thanks to the ten amazing causes. The work they do everyday puts this measley 30-day effort to shame. You can continue to help them with your IMs and e-mails-the i'm Talkathon's over, but the i'm Initiative lives on! 

And if you haven't joined the i'm Initiative yet, here's another chance. See? Never too late.

PW

In a nutshell, if you sign up for the i'm Initiative, Microsoft donates money to a social cause every time you send an e-mail with Windows Live Hotmail or an IM with Windows Live Messenger. The more you e-mail or IM, they more they give. The more people e-mailing and IMing, the more and more Microsoft gives.

That's the nutshell. Here's the nut.

1) Where does the money come from?

It's free for all of us users. The money comes from ad revenue. If you take a look at the products, you'll see little ads there. See? Ads. If you join the i'm Initiative, you're telling Microsoft, "I saw your ad. Now it's your turn." The i'm Initiative is a full-throttle, advertising-supported giving machine. Which should also shed light on some of the other, deeper questions I've been getting. Stuff about life, identity, mission, purpose, and the nature of digital existence.

2) How often do they give?

Every time you hit "send." Send an e-mail? Donation. Send an IM? Donation. Smiley face, smiley face, smiley face? Donation, donation, donation.

3) For more information:

Check out im.live.com. They've got all the information there. Also, I'm going to re-post the video I did with my buddy Ed that lays it out straight. OK, semi-straight.

That's not keeping me awake, either. So I'll ramble about wolves.

In general, wolves get a bad rap.  Has anyone actually seen a wolf huff and puff and blow anything down? I don’t think so. They’re essentially giant dogs that haven’t been domesticated, right? So, being dogs, they probably pant, but that’s not huffing and puffing.

OK, maybe they’re huffing, but they’re hardly puffing in the true sense of the word “puffing.”

I don’t really know (and I don’t recommend trying it) but I think if I walked up to a wolf slowly and put out my hand for him to sniff, everything would be fine. There’s a certain etiquette to meeting dog-types, and if you don’t follow it, you get growled at (or worse). It involves sniffing and getting sniffed, and if your smell checks out, I’m guessing you’d be OK. 

Speaking of sniffing: I stink. I hope I don’t have to test my theory before I get a chance to shower. 

I'm splitting my time pretty evenly between all of them. I pop into the programs every couple days and change my code, so I change where the donations are going.

Let me turn this around. Which cause are YOU supporting? And why?