People in New York were charging up cell phones and using computers in clever ways. Someone sent me a photo of the inside of a Chase Bank. Chase brought in generators for their branch offices and put out extension cords in the lobby. There were crowds of customers on the floor using digital equipment. This was good PR for the bank.
Food trucks did a booming business. Many of them offered power connections. The fashion industry did their part: "How Victoria’s Secret Saved the National Guard During Hurricane Sandy" http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/11/victorias-secret-sandy/ They provided 2 MW of electricity to New York Army National Guard’s 69th Infantry Regiment. The "69th" seems strangely appropriate. - Jed
