i'm Talkathon - Support Social Causes

THIS IS NOT THE END.

Parker__W — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:59:00 GMT

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

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Thanksgiving

Parker__W — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:12:00 GMT

(Please visit the site to view this media)

FAQ 7: How can I spread the word?

Parker__W — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:28:00 GMT

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.

Scraping the barrel for topics

ParkerW — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:27:00 GMT

(Please visit the site to view this media)

The Whittle Awards

ParkerW — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:40:00 GMT

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

FAQ 6: How does the i'm Initiative work?

Parker__W — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:36:00 GMT

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.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Counting sheep puts you to sleep. So I’m counting wolves.

Parker__W — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:27:00 GMT

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.

No - sleeping zone

Parker__W — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:16:00 GMT

(Please visit the site to view this media)

FAQ 5: Which cause are you supporting?

ParkerW — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:44:00 GMT

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?

Interview with Evan McElroy, Sr. VP of Marketing and Communications for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America

ParkerW — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:52:00 GMT

Parker says (9:45 AM):

Hi, thanks for IMing.

Evan says (9:45 AM):

Absolutely.

Parker says (9:45 AM):

When did the Boys & Girls Clubs start?

Evan says (9:46 AM):

In 1860. Three women in Connecticut opened a Club to help delinquent local kids.

Parker says (9:46 AM):

That long ago?

Evan says (9:47 AM):

The Boys Clubs of America, the national organization, was founded in 1906.

Parker says (9:47 AM):

You say “Boys Clubs.” What gives?

Evan says (9:47 AM):

The name was changed to Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 1990.

Parker says (9:48 AM):

Why?

Evan says (9:48 AM):

We have girls. Both boys and girls. In the clubs.

Parker says (9:48 AM):

Do the kids run the show?

Evan says (9:49 AM):

No. Adults give guidance, serve as role models, provide safe places where kids feel secure and can participate in enriching programs…

Evan says (9:49 AM):

And just be themselves and have fun!

Parker says (9:50 AM):

What’s the organization’s goal?

Evan says (9:50 AM):

To help all young people become productive, caring, responsible citizens.

Parker says (9:51 AM):

Pretty ambitious.

Evan says (9:51 AM):

It is, but we’ve got more than 4,300 Clubs serving around 4.8 million youth.

Parker says (9:52 AM):

That’s huge.

Evan says (9:52 AM):

We’ve more than doubled in ten years. But there are still some 14 million youth left alone during the critical hours when violent juvenile crime is at its worst.

Parker says (9:53 AM):

Lots of celebrities are alumni, right?

Evan says (9:53 AM):

True…Denzel Washington, Jennifer Lopez and General Wesley Clark, to name a few.

Parker says (9:54 AM):

Do you think they impact the current kids?

Evan says (9:54 AM):

They definitely inspire. We’re very intentional about sharing Club success stories.

Parker says (9:55 AM):

How can UN-FAMOUS people help?

Evan says (9:55 AM):

They can always donate at www.bgca.org Or join the i’m Initiative and select BGCA as their cause.

Parker says (9:55 AM):

What has the i’m Initiative meant for BGCA?

Evan says (9:56 AM):

It’s helped us tap into the social networking space and reach our advocates and alumni, and also new audiences.

Evan says (9:56 AM):

The awareness leads to engagement. When that happens, more kids are reached, more communities are improved, and more lives are changed.

Today is Boys & Girls Clubs of America Day

ParkerW — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:25:00 GMT

Let's talk about role models.

I've had some interesting ones. My fourth grade teacher, Mr. DiBiasi, once caught me stealing a pencil. How'd he handle it? He asked me to write, "I will not steal pencils" one time, and then told me I could keep the pencil if I wanted it. I didn't.

Later in life, I had a boss and mentor at Contropic (who I can't name, according to the settlement) who had a much more "relaxed" attitude toward stealing.

The thing is, after the whole Contropic debacle, it was people like Mr. DiBiasi who helped me remember the importance of values. Role models. Indispensible.

Now, imagine you're growing up in a less fortunate neighborhood in America. Say you've got a single parent who's always working, or a parent with substance problems, or neighbor kids who pressure you to do bad things. Where do you find role models?

Boys & Girls Clubs of America, that's where.

They provide safe, positive places for kids who don't have them. They offer sports and art and computer classes and study halls and guidance. They give kids a sense of competence, usefulness, and belonging. They provide something every kid needs-the feeling that someone cares about them.

Club alumni have very strong feelings about their individual Club experiences. Eighty percent said Club staff helped them learn right from wrong. Ninety-five percent said the Club was the best thing available in their community. Fifty-two percent said participating in the Club "saved my life."

That says a lot about this amazing organization, and today I'm going to learn more. I'll be conducting an IM chat with Evan McElroy, Sr. Vice President, Marketing & Communications. Check back to read the transcript.

Fourth Life

ParkerW — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 09:19:00 GMT

(Please visit the site to view this media)

State of my karma address

Parker__W — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:14:00 GMT

How’s my karma? It’s good. When I set out to do this Talkathon I was looking to do a little karma cleansing, to put things right in terms of my place in the universe. I feel like that’s happening, but what I found is that a couple of days into the Talkathon I completely forgot about myself, and that’s the point when the cleansing started.

The Talkathon gave me a chance to step out of the daily grind. By that I mean the “wake up and go to the gym then go to work and try to scratch my way up the corporate ladder and go home and make dinner then do it all over again” kind of grind. All it took was some time to reflect on little ways I can make a positive difference, do some good, and help others for a change. No brainer, you say? Maybe so, but I needed this experience to see it.

I don’t think it would be very good karma to grade my own karma on a scale of 1 to 10, so let me put it this way: Let’s say that before the Talkathon my karma was an urban pigeon, with one bad leg and greasy feathers hobbling along the gutter. Well, now my karma is a falcon—no, what’s better than a falcon? An eagle, soaring on a thermal updraft above a lush green valley. At sunset. In the company of an attractive she-eagle. Near a rainbow.

To put it another way.

If to the statement “My karma is better than ever” I could:

1. Disagree.

2. Disagree somewhat.

3. Neither agree nor disagree.

4. Somewhat agree.

5. Agree.

6. Strongly agree.

I would go with 6, strongly agree.

Seriously, I feel that good.

FAQ 4: I live outside the U.S. Can I join the i'm Initiative?

Parker__W — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:57:00 GMT

Right now, it's only available in the U.S.

My sources at Microsoft (yes, I have sources) tell me they want to expand it to other countries. But it's a pretty complicated gig to set up, and the U.S. alone took months and months. It's still pretty new here.

Here's an idea: If you want the i'm Initiative in your country, sound off. Something tells me Microsoft will read it.

Hand Cramps! Hand Cramps!

ParkerW — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 06:04:00 GMT

(Please visit the site to view this media)