Comments on: Guest Editorial: Scott Kveton

By: OSCON 2008: Prepping for Portland, Oregon » Silicon Florist

OSCON 2008: Prepping for Portland, Oregon » Silicon Florist — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:24:12 +0000

[…] Falling in love with Portland, again and again “This is the beginning of a fantastic renaissance period for Portland. It’s such a vibrant, eclectic, talented and diverse city with so many things going on, that it inspires the mind and spirit around every corner you turn.” […]

By: Vidoop Troop #1: Portland by way of Tulsa » Silicon Florist

Vidoop Troop #1: Portland by way of Tulsa » Silicon Florist — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:37:43 +0000

[…] Scott Kveton, the original Portvangelist, has arranged to bring members of the Vidoop team up here in waves, introducing them to Portland […]

By: Canyon Russell

Canyon Russell — Sat, 31 May 2008 13:50:43 +0000

Well Scott,
I have to say that we can’t wait to check out Portland. It seems that it has everything to like and so little (traffic, i hear) to complain about. I think the part I’m looking forward to the most is being so near to both the beach and the mountains. Camping in OK is fine but your only two options are hills or flat.

By: Isaacman

Isaacman — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:11:06 +0000

I’m careful about who I tell about Portland. Mostly because there are lots of people who will come here because it’s “cool,” but then move to the suburbs, shop at the malls and cause more sprawl and more Chili’s and Wolfgang Pucks to fester. What people love about Portland that I’ve seen listed above are the unique places that can’t really be duplicated. Sure, there are more jobs and “opportunities” in Sili Valley, but there’s more humanity in Portland. And I guess there’s a side of me that thinks that an open cattle-call for people to relocate here could mess that up. Then we’d just be ordinary.

Keep Portland weird.

By: Alex Williams

Alex Williams — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 02:29:22 +0000

For weekend guests, nothing quite like The Goodfoot on a Friday night, especially when a breakdance battle starts up.

Also, I like to take people to the first place I was taken to on my maiden visit to PDX, The Space Room on Hawthorne. Nothing more Portlandy than that place IMO.

By: Scott Kveton

Scott Kveton — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:19:27 +0000

Via email from Bill Winet:

Hi,

I read your guest email from Silicon Florist, and I have some recommendations for you. It seems to me that your itinerary is for one specific audience. But I think you’re missing others – people with children, people interested in the arts… So here are some recommendations:

· OMSI

· Oregon Ballet Theatre at the Keller

· Oregon Symphony

· Check out other theatrical productions

· Portland Art Museum

· Chinese Garden

· Washington Park, Tryon State Park…

· The zoo

· Portland City Grill (great view of the city)

Regards,

Bill

By: Audrey

Audrey — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:10:36 +0000

JT: One of the interesting things happening in Portland is that a lot of us geeks are working remotely, for companies based elsewhere. And I don’t know about anyone else, but my current job was not on Dice or Craigslist. I think the real key is to show up looking to connect with people. Work is available, but you won’t find it without getting out and meeting people.

By: Tori

Tori — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:55:46 +0000

Saturday Market and Le Happy for crepes late at night. Oh and the trip wouldn’t be complete without going to Le Bistro Montage.

By: John Todd

John Todd — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:31:02 +0000

If you’re trying to attract tech folks, then perhaps a special mention and trip should be made to Powell’s Technical Book Store. I frequently take Bay Area visitors there (who are in the computer/networking biz) and they are astonished at the store that caters to all of their geeky interests.

The downside of Portland as a destination for tech folks is that there are actually very few jobs here, and even fewere that pay well. There are some low-paying tech jobs (and lots of non-profits!) but in order to earn a decent living, the Bay Area still is the best destination. I actually (phyiscally and tele) commute to San Mateo, since the startup environment here is so bleak. Yes, there are some, but nowhere near the density required for an adequate open jobs market.

Try this experiment: go to Dice or Monster or whatever. Type in “VoIP” or “Cisco” or “unix” and compare Silicon Valley to Portland. On Dice, VoIP returned 9 hits for PDX. It returned 146 for Silicon Valley.

I love Portland and won’t move, but it’s not a place to arrive without a job or a willingness to work in food service.

By: Michelle Dennis

Michelle Dennis — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:03:04 +0000

Yes! Yes! on the breweries, and I love all you said about your must-sees. I would add Stumptown Coffee, McMenamin’s Edgefield, Voodoo Doughnuts, Alberta Street Art Walk (and First Thursday Art Walk), Council Crest, Mount Tabor, Live Wire at The Aladdin, Powell’s City of Books, a performance of LRSD, March Fourth, Roller Derby at the Expo Center, Storm Large at Dante’s, a show at the Doug Fir… Hmm, so many, and so little time!

Thanks, Scott! I’m so energized now! Oh, and I am a Portland native.

Kudos!