.

Month: November 2009

Show Santa Claus some respect by highlighting the proliferation of Crappy Santas

Sad representational effigies of that secular symbol of the holiday season, good ol’ Santa Claus. Crappy Santas.

Rick Turoczy on November 30, 2009

You’ve all seen them. Sitting on trees. Decorating houses. And filling shelves throughout the retail environment. Sad representational effigies of that secular symbol of the holiday season, good ol’ Santa Claus.

They’re not pretty. They can easily change your happy holiday spirit into one of gloom and disgust. And something tells me that the folks who come up with them aren’t going to be getting anything but coal in their stockings.

But how do we fight back? Chris Kalani may have the answer: Crappy Santas. Read More

memePDX: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery… or something

Unfortunately, all I’ve got is Dr. Normal and Meagan Kate making fun of Cami Kaos and me by doing a parody of memePDX for Crazy Talk. So that’s what you’re getting.

Rick Turoczy on November 27, 2009

For those of you around the Portland area and around the US, I hope you’re enjoying your Thanksgiving break. If you’re shopping today, good luck. Here’s hoping you’re doing that from in front of your computer.

As you might imagine, startup tech news in the Silicon Forest has been a little slow today. Likely from a good dose of tryptophan. But I wanted to give you something to tide you over until it picks up again.

Unfortunately, all I’ve got is Dr. Normal and Meagan Kate making fun of Cami Kaos and me by doing a parody of memePDX for Crazy Talk. So that’s what you’re getting. Read More

memePDX 014 (Thanksgiving extravaganza): COLOURlovers themeleon, Touch Pets, Google Chromium OS, and talking turkey with Turkey Tracker, Bac’n, and Tofurky

This week, memePDX talks about COLOURlovers themeleon, Touch Pets, Google Chromium OS, and talking turkey with Turkey Tracker, Bac’n Thanksgiving recipes, and Tofurky.

Rick Turoczy on November 26, 2009

This is one of the best Thursdays of the year. No, not because you get another episode of memePDX. You get those every week, silly. No, you see, it’s one of the best Thursdays of the year because it’s Thanksgiving! Turkey Day! And all of that stuff.

So maybe you need a break from cooking, maybe you’re tired of parades and football, or maybe you’re just looking for somewhere to sit and digest. Whatever the case, Cami Kaos and I are here to help make your Thanksgiving just that much more festive. Read More

Wednesday is the new Friday: Special pre-Thanksgiving unofficial Beer and Blog Portland

And that’s why fans of Beer and Blog Portland are holding a special non-Friday unofficial edition of the tech happy hour at Green Dragon this afternoon. To get you all prepared for your Thanksgiving festivities in style.

Rick Turoczy on November 25, 2009

Stop what you’re doing and take a little gander around your office. Nobody is really doing any work. They’re either sitting their biding their time until they have to go hang out with their crazy uncles or trying to avoid the never-ending series of last minute runs to the grocery store.

It’s wasted time really.

But what if…? What if you could leave your place of employ for “a very important business meeting with local bloggers” later this afternoon? That might be nice, mightn’t it? Read More

Black Friday’s best deals? They’re likely on dealdar

If you’ve got a mobile handset, a simple yet effective Portland-based mobile site called dealdar could help you find the deal on that gift you’ve been seeking—at a better price than you had hoped

Rick Turoczy on November 24, 2009

We’re easing into what will easily be one of the most watched “Friday after Thanksgiving”s—Black Friday—in ages. Will the economy rebound? Will people stay home? Will it be a whimper or a roar?

At this point, it’s hard to say. But one thing is for sure: if you’ve got a mobile handset, a simple yet effective Portland-based mobile site called dealdar could help you find the deal on that gift you’ve been seeking—at a better price than you had hoped. Read More

If Turkey Tracker isn’t the quintessential Portland Thanksgiving activity, I don’t know what is

Now you can have holiday fun, tasty eats, and a good dose of Web-enabled turkey technology all as part of Thanksgiving thanks to Portland-based Turkey Tracker, the best Web-based Thanksgiving you’ll ever see.

Rick Turoczy on November 23, 2009

We here in good old Portland love our food. And we love our technology. And we love the Web. But far too often those loves remain separate and distinct. I mean, sure there’s some crossover—Whiffies and KoiFusion jump to mind—but by and large, our food and tech are usually two completely different realms.

Well not anymore, my friend. Now you can have holiday fun, tasty eats, and a good dose of Web-enabled turkey technology—all as part of Thanksgiving—thanks to Portland-based Turkey Tracker, the best Web-based Thanksgiving you’ll ever see. Read More

This ain’t your father’s Twitter background: COLOURlovers themeleon takes custom theming to a whole new level

Introducing COLOURlovers themeleon, an Web-based service that will let you create stunning Twitter backgrounds in a matter of seconds—and soon likely themes for any number of customizable sites.

Rick Turoczy on November 20, 2009

Now, I know, I know. I’ve doted on Portland-based COLOURlovers time and time again. If I’m waxing philosophic about the amazing community they’ve built around sharing color palettes then I’m highlighting another award or recognition they’ve received. It really and truly is one of the most beautiful sites in Portland—if not on the entire Web.

But their latest little venture has me a wee bit slackjawed. Not only is it an excellent application of the wealth of color knowledge they’ve accumulated, it’s also a tool that makes even the hue managing challenged—like yours truly—look like a true artiste.

Introducing COLOURlovers themeleon, an Web-based service that will let you create stunning Twitter backgrounds in a matter of seconds—and soon likely themes for any number of customizable sites. Read More

We [Already] Make the Media. Now, we need to organize a nonprofit to help Portland journalism prosper.

We Make the Media is a team of veteran journalists who have a vested interest in seeing journalism continue to persevere and survive—despite what may be happening in the world of media.

Rick Turoczy on November 20, 2009

You’re hearing it more and more. There’s something special happening in Portland these days. There’s a groundswell, a number of things coming together, and just a general feeling of momentum around the reinvention of how we both produce and consume media.

To date, it’s been very much of a grassroots effort. Separate people doing their own thing. Or small groups of independent blogs, podcasts, and publications fighting the good fight.

Now, there may be an organization to help. Introducing We Make the Media. Read More

memePDX 013: Ignite Portland 7, Back Fence PDX, Supercomputing 2009, ccSync, Tim O’Reilly, Wikipedia, and Obama has never tweeted

This week, Cami Kaos and I talk about Ignite Portland 7 and Backfence PDX on the same night, Supercomputing 2009, ccSync, Tim O’Reilly on the war for the Web, Wikipedia’s annual fund drive, and Obama has never tweeted. And of course, get well soon to MetaFilter’s Matt Haughey.

Rick Turoczy on November 20, 2009

Well, well, well. It’s another Thursday. Kinda. And that means it’s time for another episode of memePDX. Lucky number 13, in fact.

So what did we cover? Well, a whole bunch of stuff. But we’ve got one favor to ask. Just pretend it’s Thursday, pre-Ignite Portland and pre-Back Fence PDX. Okay? Okay.

This week, Cami Kaos and I talk about Ignite Portland 7 and Backfence PDX on the same night, Supercomputing 2009, ccSync, Tim O’Reilly on the war for the Web, Wikipedia’s annual fund drive, and Obama has never tweeted. And of course, get well soon to MetaFilter’s Matt Haughey. Read More

Stumptown Game Machine releases Touch Pets: Another Portland iPhone app, another runaway hit

And now, that bar just raised a little higher. Portland-based Stumptown Game Machine now boasts the number one free iPhone app in the App Store with its long awaited and much ballyhooed Touch Pets.

Rick Turoczy on November 19, 2009

Now if you’re building an iPhone app in Portland, the bar is already pretty high. What with apps like the Obama app, Air Sharing, and Fieldrunners, Portland has had its own fair share of runaway hits.

And now, that bar just raised a little higher. Portland-based Stumptown Game Machine now boasts the number one free iPhone app in the App Store with its long awaited and much ballyhooed Touch Pets.

The verdict? It was worth the wait. Read More

1 2 3 4