Shift Happens
I knew we were moving fast, but … This 4:46 video gives a pretty good overview of the profound changes that have happened in the last couple years. One interesting note: The computer in your cell phone today is a million times cheaper, and a thousand times more powerful, and about a hundred thousand times smaller than the one computer at MIT in 1965. Another: more video was uploaded to YouTube in the last two months than if ABC, NBC, and CBS had been airing new content 24/7/365 since 1948 (which was when ABC started broadcasting. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ILQrUrEWe8?wmode=transparent] It’s all Read more…
Soderbergh’s “The Informant!”
Steven Soderbergh's new movie The Informant is a lot of fun. With a soundtrack like circus music, the movie's depiction of its real-life hero Mark Whitacre is humane, interesting, and very funny. Damon's performance is really good. And as we get deeper and start to peel back just exactly what kind of man Whitacre is, it's hard not to shake your head. I don't want to spoil anything, but it's pretty unbelievable. And yet true! Here's the preview. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR-YaikU_x4?wmode=transparent]
New Tacoma Tech event coming up in October!
We've put together another Tacoma tech event coming up next month–"Side Project Demo Night!" Here's a chance for techies to show off their "work that's not their work"–their side projects that keep them up late programming. Whether its a twitter app, a Firefox plugin, an iPhone game, or the next Google, these kinds of projects usually start out "on the side." I know of at least five presenters so far. If you're interested in presenting or in just coming to see what Tacoma's working on, please send me an email to get on the RSVP list! Basic info: Thursday, October 22, Read more…
Toward a “long now” view of Tacoma’s technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
There's an interesting discussion on Exit133 about the status of Tacoma's "entrepreneurial ecosystem." Mainly: do we have one? Principally, do we have a technological entrepreneurial ecosystem? Considering that two companies have recently announced their departure–first Russell then a small tech start-up called Blue Box Group–this is a particularly relevant question. What do we have in Tacoma right now? My knee-jerk response is, yes there is an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Tacoma. Thanks to my work on the Steering Committee of the South Sound Technology Conference and putting together some tech-related events, I've met some of those budding entrepreneurs. But they aren't Read more…
South Sound Technology Conference announces keynoter on privacy
Keynoting at the event will be Richard Purcell, CEO of the Corporate Privacy Group. Purcell ranks among the original Chief Privacy Officers in the United States. He created the position at Microsoft in the late 90s, becoming a leading voice in addressing consumer privacy and data protection, domestically and internationally. From the Tacoma Tech Connect blog I’m on the Steering Committee for the conference, which will have a focus on data security and protection, an area in which Tacoma actually has a good cluster of businesses. The conference is coming up November 21 at UWT! Sign up for updates at http://www.sstconference.org
My presentation about Online Identity last night at Pecha Kucha Tacoma:
Watching it in the light of day … No, you probably won’t say anything online to make your parents hate you. That was a little hyperbole. Otherwise, I think this holds up pretty well! [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P3GjptAw80?wmode=transparent]
Now, cameras in cars …
A small audio/video recording device installed behind the rearview mirror of the car driven by your teen. When triggered by erratic vehicle movements, such as extreme braking, acceleration, cornering or a collision, the device provides a video clip of what occurred the 10 seconds before and after the event. The recorded event is sent wirelessly to analysts, where it is reviewed and scored and coaching tips are offered. Each week parents and teens are encouraged to review and discuss the results, which they access through a secure Website. via amfam.com As I’ve said, one of my early points in my Read more…
I just registered for @startupday 2009. Any others in the @tacomatech community interested in going?
I have an idea or two that I'm kicking the tires on, and I'm hoping to pick up some good information here. I've learned a lot starting up businesses like Mary Holste Design, The Horatio, and Suite133. And I learned tons from managing a mature business (the Grand). And one thing I've learned … is how much I still just don't know. Going to SXSW, I heard from a lot of entrepreneurs and business owners and am looking forward to hearing from some who are more local. This day-long conference is September 26 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. According Read more…
Two topics, one video.
The first half of this is a discussion about Obama’s school speech, which is why I watched it. The second half caught my eye because there’s some good stuff there about online identity, which is the topic of my presentation Wednesday night at Pecha Kucha. Thomas Friedman is scared: MR. FRIEDMAN: Tell your kids, OK, tell your kids, OK, be careful. Every move they make is now a digital footprint. You are on “Candid Camera.” And unfortunately, the real message to young people, from all of these incidents, OK, and I’m not here defending anything anyone said, but from all Read more…
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