Apple has been lauded this week for its reaction to the disasters in Japan. about a friend of his who works at an Apple store in Japan, and who relayed the happenings at the store following the earthquake. Apple welcomed all comers into the store to watch the news and communicate with loved ones via Apple devices (or even Android devices connected to hotspots at the store).  Rose’s friend wrote in part:

"You know how in disaster movies, people on the street gather around electronic shops that have TVs in the display windows so they can stay informed with what is going on?  In this digital age, that's what the Tokyo Apple stores became.  Staff brought out surge protectors and extension cords with 10s of iOS device adapters so people could charge their phones & pads and contact their loved ones.  Even after we finally had to close 10pm, crowds of people huddled in front of our stores to use the wifi into the night, as it was still the only way to get access to the outside world."

Apple is taking Red Cross to support relief efforts in Japan.

in Network World's Data Center section.