Lend a Helping Hard Drive

Today starts the only widespread community service project I've ever heard of inspired by a Web browser. As Tonic writer John Casey explained a couple weeks ago, the goal of Mozilla Service Week, organized by the makers of Firefox, is to connect technically savvy volunteers with projects in need of their geeky help.

Luckily, "geeky help" in this case can be as basic as teaching your local retirees how to surf the Web (just tell them it's a series of tubes; that ought to clear things up). If you're more inclined toward feats of electrical engineering, however, you're encouraged to do your worst, from installing wireless networks at schools to refurbishing hardware for a community center.

If you only have one day to help, consider making it September 22, which is OneWebDay, a day dedicated to events and activities aimed at "broadening the public’s awareness of Internet and Web issues while deepening a culture of participation in building a Web that works for everyone." Last year, the day included volunteer-driven initiatives in at least 34 different cities globally.

Interested in geeking out for a good cause? Mozy over to Idealist, a partner for Service Week, which is connecting volunteers with opportunities. The list includes organizations that need everything from bloggers to Web developers to computer coaches and all-round "techies."

Photo courtesy of stock.xchng