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Month: January 2009

Silicon Florist’s links arrangement for January 23

Rick Turoczy on January 24, 2009

Amid Economic Downturn, Tech Industry Struggles

The News Hour with Jim Lehrer featured a number of Portland, Oregon, companies in a segment on the tech industry’s trials and tribulations, including Ambric, Elemental, and TriQuint.

Getting Things Done | Oregon Blogs

From the ORBlogs 2.0 team “I feel like we have been stalling a bit, so I have done a few things recently to try to make the development process more transparent, as well as easier for anyone who wants to just jump in and do what they can, but may have been stymied by not knowing where to start.”

Looking forward: Keiretsu Forum, Tektronix, InnoTech – Silicon Forest – The Oregonian – OregonLive.com

Mike Rogoway digs for some positive news on a less than positive week.

Federal Reserve, designed by Pietro Belluschi, gets renovation

Via Daily Journal of Commerce “Also altering The Reserve is a new, 13,000-square-foot penthouse that was built on top of the original building. Taking advantage of the building’s view of the city, Hennebery Eddy designed the penthouse with floor-ceiling windows and a wrap-around porch with a continuous overhang to provide shade and block intense sunlight. Once it’s completed this week, the $5 million penthouse will belong to tenant Jive Software, which has occupied the building’s third and fourth floors since May 2008.”

Who Wants a Free Web Application?

Via the Symfony Project “Looking for something to do with all that brain power? We’re happy to announce an upcoming community event that will harness the power of the symfony community toward a variety of social causes. Help us get the word out! This event will take on the basic structure of other 48 hour web application development competitions, such as Rails Rumble, but with a special twist unique to symfony. The applications we create during the course of the competition will be gifted to different socially-minded organizations around the world. Once the fun is over, our work will live on and hopefully do a lot of good.”

Nerdabout Portland : Open Tech Space

Amber Case writes “There’s just one little problem. You live in a house. You work at an office or coffeeshop. There’s no really large space with tons of powertools, saws, and electronic equipment nearby. Your garage is lacking a 9′ wood lathe, and the basement has no more room for electronics. Enter Open Tech Space.”

OpenID Case Study: AFI Begin Transmission Project

Via the JanRain blog “We’ve been building a portfolio of OpenID case studies and just finished one that is pretty exciting, so wanted to share it with the community. AFI is a leading rock band with an exciting approach to fan engagement – a competition for six fans to perform on their next album.”

Elan3.com : Plenty of Layoffs But No Hiring Freeze

Tim Sears writes “Despite this dark news we keep seeing in companies across the tech industry, I keep asking myself if things are really as bad as they seem. Microsoft is actually still hiring a large number of Software Development Engineers – over 150, in fact – to help grow and support a variety of their different product platforms. Some positions were posted as recently as today. Intel, on the other hand, does not have anywhere near as many position openings, but there is no clear evidence of a hiring freeze.”

The iPhone App Store Gold Rush

Jason Grigsby writes “Don’t get me wrong. There are a lot of good applications being built based on solid business plans. And after evangelizing mobile for so long, I’m pleased that people are excited about the possibilities. It’s just important to recognize that it is a gold rush. During a gold rush, there is a lot of money to be made. But the part that makes it a rush is the irrational exuberance of the chase.”

Nerdabout Portland : Top Ten Places to Find Tech Nerds

Amber Case writes “Need help with your software project? Looking for a logo or WordPress hack? Interested in some of the brightest minds in Portland Tech? Whether you’re looking for community, coffee, or Wifi, Portland Tech hangouts abound. I’ve compiled a list of the top ten Portland Tech hangouts and what they’re like. If you’re in the area, make sure to stop by, or follow me on Twitter @caseorganic and I’ll give you tips on where we’re going to be next. “

Tech Strategy 2009: More for Less at Lucky Lab beer hall (Tuesday January 27, 2009) – Upcoming

Via NTEN “This meeting will be talking overall tech strategy. Do you have a technology plan in place? What types of things should you be thinking of? We’re going to take a look at the big picture and help you see what ways you can be using technology to make your nonprofit’s work more efficient. This will be a joint meetup with the Nonprofit Technology Network’s, Portland 501 Tech Club. Speaker details are still being finalized but be sure it will be some great local tech talent!” (Don’t be so sure. It’s me.)

View all my bookmarks on Ma.gnolia

Silicon Florist’s links arrangement for January 22

Rick Turoczy on January 23, 2009

Top 10 Tech Companies to Work For in Portland, Oregon

Amber Case writes “I’m putting together a list of Top 10 Tech Companies to Work for In Portland, Oregon and I need your advice. If I don’t get your advice, I’ll probably choose the wrong ones. After all, I’m not capable of knowing which ones are the best to work for — you are. And while I’ve consulted with many interesting Portland Tech Companies (this excludes design companies, which will be covered in a later roundup), I don’t have the inside perspective that you can provide.”

Las Vegas Weekly : – Suds and buds

Thanks to Justin Kistner, Portland’s Beer and Blog is all growed up. Via Las Vegas Weekly “As with most things that come to Vegas, Beer & Blog originated somewhere else, in this case Portland, Oregon. Last Thursday, Justin Kistner, the founder of Beer & Blog, was on hand (beer in hand) for the Vegas inaugural, held at the Freakin’ Frog. And, as is so often not the case, Vegas got into Beer & Blog early enough to be almost at the vanguard. “We started January 16, 2008,” Kistner says. ‘And now there are five cities.’ Three are in Oregon, and the fourth is St. Louis. Vegas is No. 5.”

View all my bookmarks on Ma.gnolia

Got an open gig? Need a gig? End Joblessness with Beer and Blog and OTBC, this Saturday

Rick Turoczy on January 22, 2009

Smokey says Only YOU can end joblessnessGood news for a down economy. The folks over at Beer and Blog have teamed up with the OTBC to put together a mini job fair called—appropriately enough—End Joblessness.

Full size jobs, mind you. It’s just the event that’s mini.

So if you’re a company that has so open positions to fill or if you’re a someone looking to get a new gig, head on over to the OTBC this Saturday, January 24.

Here’s how it will work:

  • 12:00-1:00pm will be mingling and a beer;
  • 1:00-2:00pm employers will get 2 minutes to share their jobs, contracts, and opportunities with the group;
  • 2:00-3:00pm work seekers chat with employers to explore working together

Remember. Only YOU can end joblessness.

For more information, visit Portland Beer and Blog. To RSVP, see the End Joblessness event on Upcoming.

Silicon Florist’s links arrangement for January 21

Rick Turoczy on January 22, 2009

1 year anniversary, job fair, and 15 Seconds of Flame, oh my! at Beer and Blog Portland

Via Beer and Blog “This Friday we’re going to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of our first Beer and Blog meet up. Naturally, this calls for a celebration!! So, we’re going to have a cake and maybe some party hats.”

SXSW Interactive Rocks Portland’s Tech Community | SXSW.com

Via the SXSW Interactive blog “Last night, Portlanders turned out to meet, greet, socialize, nibble, and talk about the state of tech in general and SXSW Interactive specifically…. Portland truly proved it is a sister city to Austin last night, and we have the feeling this is only the beginning of a beautiful friendship!”

Engaging the Mobile Market with iPhone Web Apps

Via StepChange Group “Some of our own data shows that average times spent viewing an iPhone web app (versus, say, a similarly focused widget targeted for desktop browsers) is noticeably lower. This isn’t surprising; in fact, it reinforces one of the things we know about mobile users: they’re less likely to be generous with their time. What’s interesting is that the number of actions a user takes per visit is actually slightly higher on an iPhone app, despite the shorter visit times. In short, the growing popularity of mobile browsers gives you another opportunity to engage your users.”

IP5 Talk Idea Clock Goes Tick Tock at Ignite Portland

Via Ignite Portland “Did you know that the deadline to submit a talk idea for Ignite Portland 5 is only about 3 days away? After 11:59 PM PST on Saturday January 24, it’ll be too late. That burning idea in your head wants to be free! It wants to be shared on stage at IP5 with 500 of your closest friends! Head over to the “Submit a Talk” page and set that burning idea free.”

451 CAOS Theory » Obama administration seeks advice on benefits of open source

Via The 451 Group “President Obama has already been positioned as a friend of open source, starting with his support for universally accessible formats, the technology used to run his campaign, and his use of collaboration techniques, not to mention some of his early policy group appointments and his promotion of ‘open source democracy.'”

View all my bookmarks on Ma.gnolia

Silicon Florist’s links arrangement for January 20

Rick Turoczy on January 21, 2009

Get Ready – Tickets to Ignite Portland 5 Become Available Feb. 5 at 10AM at Ignite Portland

Via the Ignite Portland blog “So, to hopefully make the process a little more accessible to everyone, we’re pre-announcing when we’re going to make the free tickets to Ignite Portland 5 available – 10AM PST on Thursday, February 5, 2009. When the time comes, details will be posted here at http://www.igniteportland.com. Make sure you’re subscribed to the feed, and follow @igniteportland on Twitter.”

Why Websites Should Accept Multiple Third Party Identity Account Logins

Via the JanRain blog “There’s been some discussion lately about the ‘competition’ between Facebook Connect and OpenID-based third party authentication. From our experience, its in the best interest of most websites to accept multiple third party authentication solutions, since users may prefer to use a wide variety of accounts to facilitate registration and login. Why would you want to tie the success of your website to only one third party identity provider and risk missing some prospective user registrations or not let your users login with their preferred provider?”

Our Man on the DC Scene

Via OurPDX “Dieselboi’s at the inauguration RIGHT NOW! And while he’s having spotty cell connectivity, I thought I’d throw up one or two links so you can vicariously live through his experiences RIGHT NOW!”

View all my bookmarks on Ma.gnolia

WebVisions 2009 gets BoingBoinged! Oh wait, that’s “Boing Boing Ed.” Mark Frauenfelder

Rick Turoczy on January 20, 2009

WebVisions, the premiere Web design and development gathering that calls Portland, Oregon, home, has continued to draw a number of influential Web types to the Rose City, year after year.

This year promises to be no different.

So who did the WebVisions team convince to come speak here this May? None other than Mark Frauenfelder, the founder of Boing Boing, which—in addition to being a constant source of strange and wonderful things—remains one of the most popular sites on the Web.

Boing Boing

How popular? The substantial and dedicated reader base of Boing Boing always carries with it the potential of being “BoingBoinged“—akin to being “slashdotted” or hitting the Digg front page—where a simple link from the popular blog can send a server-crushing load of traffic to even the most prepared site.

This is a big win for WebVisions—and for Portland in general. Aside from thousands of local fans, Mark’s keynote is sure to draw attendees—and attention—from across the US.

And Mark’s not the only noteworthy speaker. WebVisions always manages to gather an impressive roster of interesting people.

So what are you waiting for? May 20 is only four months away. Get moving. To RSVP and see who else is attending, head on over to WebVisions on Upcoming. To register for the event, visit WebVisions.

Silicon Florist’s links arrangement for January 19

Rick Turoczy on January 20, 2009

 

Portland’s burgeoning tech scene

Garett Croft Stenson writes “Want to get acquainted with Portland’s under/above ground tech scene? Want to start a tech business in Portland? Maybe network a bit more? Things you might look into/research below.”

ReadWriteWeb on New Zealand’s TV3

Given that ReadWriteWeb has such an established Portland presence, it seems only fitting to share a recent piece on the blog. (If you’re not interested in the other news, feel free to fast forward to about the 12:00 mark.)

TweetDeck’s Funding Shows Good Ideas Can Still Attract Good Money

Take heed Portland. Louis Gray makes a very good point. “The popular Twitter application, which has only been around for just six months’ time, spent very little time in obscurity, jumping out of the gate and racing to the top of the charts, alongside Thwirl and Twitterific. While most of the headlines in the financial space of late have been filled with doom and gloom, Dodsworth’s strike of fortune displays the best apps showing serious momentum can still attract forward-thinking investors.”

Open Source Bridge: Hitting the ground running in 2009

Via the Open Source Bridge blog “Maybe it’s just me, but today seems an especially appropriate day to talk about dreams. While Selena’s and Audrey’s dream might not be as far-reaching as the dreams of Dr. King, it is a significant dream, nonetheless. It’s a dream of an Open Source conference for developers, by developers. An Open Source conference that focuses on being a good Open Source citizen, rather than focusing on the languages in which those citizens choose to code. An Open Source conference where the Open Source culture permeates the entire event—from the composition of the tracks to the volunteer-based management of the event. “

Three Useful Research Tactics I Learned Last Week

Marshall Kirkpatrick writes “I’m always trying to figure out how to get more out of the tools I find online. I spend a lot of time figuring out new ways to discover good sources of information on a wide variety of topics; setting up systems for our writing staff at ReadWriteWeb and for consulting clients through my personal blog. Some of the things I’ve discovered lately I can’t disclose publicly, but here are three I can share. I hope you find them useful.”

View all my bookmarks on Ma.gnolia

Somebody get this on the calendar: Calagator’s birthday is today

Rick Turoczy on January 19, 2009

CalagatorOn January 19, 2008, a group of folks got together for a codefest.

Today several of us met during the Code Sprint gathering at CubeSpace to talk and work on the calendar.
Participants: Audrey Eschright, Selena Deckelmann, Igal Koshevoy, Reid Beels, Paige Saez, Daniel Etra, Anselm Hook, and Bill Burcham.

I was a little slow on the uptake. But a few days later, I managed to crank out a post about the “Portland Tech Calendar” project, highlighting:

Last Saturday, the Portland Tech Calendar group dove headlong into a code sprint around the problem of aggregating all of the tech calendars for Portland, Oregon, and the surrounding areas. The result? Calagator.

The group made a great deal of progress during the code sprint. A full recap is available via Google Groups. Highlights are available on the Calagator blog. (That’s right, they have the beginnings of code and a blog. These guys have accomplished more in a weekend than I’ve accomplished in the last six months.)

What came out of that initial meeting was more than code, and more than an app. Much more.

Calagator remains one of my favorite examples of Portland ingenuity, Open-Source teamwork, and the underlying culture of Portland’s Web tech community. And I sincerely hope that they continue doing the same kinds of things they’ve managed to do over the past year.

Happy Birthday, Calagator. And thank you. Not only for aggregating the Portland tech calendar, but for providing a shining example of that which this community is capable.

OpenID curious? Portland contingent on RWW Live can help

Rick Turoczy on January 19, 2009

OpenIDI like to proffer that Portland, Oregon, is the hub of OpenID (whether it’s true or not). That’s why I love days like today that only add credence to my assertion.

Today, RWW Live—the podcast for ReadWriteWeb—will be focused on OpenID. As such, it will be pulling in a whole bunch of Portland connections to participate.

But just how much Portland-associated influence will there be on the show? Well, we’re lucky to have some of the heavy hitters from the world of OpenID—and Portland—in attendance. Brian Kissel of Portland-based JanRain, Scott Kveton of Portland-based Vidoop, Chris “@factoryjoe” Messina of Vidoop (who doesn’t live in Portland, but thankfully, travels up here on a regular basis), and David Recordon of Six Apart (who is originally from Portland). And, of course, Marshall Kirkpatrick, who heads up ReadWriteWeb content development, is a Portland resident, as well.

That’s a lot of Portland. And a lot of OpenID knowledge.

Today, the group will be discussing ideas for increasing adoption of OpenID, plans for the OpenID Foundation, and opinions on Google Friend Connect and Facebook Connect. If there’s a topic you’d like to propose, visit the RWW Live post to offer it as potential discussion point or throw it out in the chat room during the call.

Speaking of chat rooms… it would probably be wise to tell you how to participate:

The show will be broadcast LIVE at 3.30pm PST Monday (6.30pm EST). We invite you to tune in and interact with us via the chat, by clicking here. You can also use the Calliflower Facebook app to listen and participate.

Can’t make the show? No worries. RWW Live is a podcast, after all. You can always listen to the discussion by heading over to ReadWriteTalk, the archive of all ReadWriteWeb podcasts.

So whether you’re saying “Open wha…?”, a staunch OpenID proponent, or an OpenID opponent, it would be well worth your time to swing by the podcast and hear these knowledgeable folks talk about the future of managing your identity on the Web.

REMINDER: Portland SXSW Interactive meetup tonight

Rick Turoczy on January 19, 2009

SXSW InteractiveJust a quick reminder that if you’re from the Portland area and you’re going to SXSW Interactive 2009, thinking about going to SXSW, or should be going to SXSW (you know who you are), then tonight would be a great opportunity to meet up with some folks of a similar ilk.

That’s right. I said “ilk.”

Surely, we can eclipse San Francisco’s paltry attendance of 250 people, can’t we?

What’s that? Oh. I see.

Well, in any case, come on out tonight! The get-together will be held at the Fez Ballroom, starting at 6. For more information, see Calagator. To RSVP, send an email to interpress@sxsw.com with “Portland” in the subject. As in “Portland is awesome,” “Portland r0xx0rs,” or “RSVP Portland meetup.”

Still on the fence? Maybe this will help:

Also, one lucky attendee at the Portland party will win a FREE registration to the 2009 SXSW Interactive Festival. Bring your business card so you can enter the drawing!

It will be great to see what kind of Portland contingent is headed down to the event. And it’s never too early for us to strategize about who’s going to save seats at Iron Works and Las Manitas.

Looking forward to seeing you tonight.

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