It’s been amazing to watch the growing prevalence of coding schools and platforms that are helping people learn how to develop in modern languages and technologies. It’s definitely the right first step in helping solve our industry’s issue with a dearth of dev talent. Read More
Month: February 2014
Really real real-time: Urban Airship adds iBeacon functionality
Portland’s Urban Airship was into the whole “push notification” game early. And they’ve managed to continue to lead the way as that market matures. Now, they’re getting into another complementary technology early. One that promises to drastically change the way companies communicate with their customers and would be customers. Urban Airship now supports iBeacon. Read More
Yo Dre! I got something to say: Portland's Dave Allen joins Beats Music
I always like it when Portland talent gets a larger stage to showcase their expertise. And Dave Allen just got a pretty big stage. You see, Dave has just joined Beats Music, the startup by musicians, for musicians. That’s looking to change the world of streaming music. Read More
Raising the bar: BarCamp Portland reimagines the local unconference
I’ve always been a huge fan of the BarCamp model—an unconference format that has participants decide and chair sessions on a variety of interests. And BarCamp Portland has always been one of the shining examples of that format. So it should come as no surprise that they’re rethinking BarCamp Portland—to provide more value to the community. Read More
Drone on: Drone Prize motivates drone enthusiasts to use their skills for good
Portland loves its drones. And so it only make sense that the passionate drone community around here is holding a competition to motivate drone enthusiasts to use their powers for good. Introducing the Drone Prize. Read More
Identifying more young tech talent: Announcing ChickTech: High School Tech Show 2014
ChickTech: High School—a yearlong program encouraging high school girls to get involved in the technology industry through hands-on events, mentoring, and internships—is kicking off this year’s series of events on March 1st and 2nd. We’ll have 100 girls, most of whom have never had the opportunity to create a technology project before, at the PSU engineering building all weekend working on a unique creation! Read More
Writing object-oriented code: Rubyist Sandi Metz gives New Relic FutureTalk, February 24
I’m really pleased at the traction New Relic is seeing with their FutureTalk program, not only are they highlighting thoughtful speakers but they’re also using their heft to give back to the Portland tech scene. This next talk on February 24 continues the trend. With Sandi Metz. Read More
And then the Portland startup scene got even more Incredible
Now, it’s no secret. I’m a little bullish on this whole “Portland startup scene” thing. I mean, I really, really, truly believe that there are a bunch of awesome people here. Doing a bunch of amazing things. And whenever I can help shed a little light on what’s happening here? I try to do that. Because Portland is awesome. But now? Now it’s also Incredible. Read More
Reminiscing and retrospecting: Strands of Simple's acquisition story pre-date the company's Portland existence
When the news of Simple’s acquisition hit this morning, it immediately dawned on me that I have been so incredibly lucky to be around—recording and blogging—the company’s entire Portland existence. Read More
Portland startup Simple acquired by BBVA for $117 million, ramping up hiring
What started with “building a bank that doesn’t suck” has resulted in building a product offering that has gotten sucked up by a bank. Portland startup Simple has been acquired by global banking presence BBVA for a reported $117 million. Read More