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THE FUTURE OF TELECOMMUTING IS HERE
A conversation with Ed Stern
By Rodika Tollefson |
| For the past 18 months, a Techno-Tools & Telework Team, under the auspices of Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council, has been studying and pushing the idea of a telework pilot project in Kitsap County. The pilot project would create a blueprint that could be used in other areas of the state, and show how to manage teleworkers, identify the best candidates, gauge off-site productivity and so on. This year’s Legislature bought into the proposal, earmarking $150,000 through Department of Transportation... (Full Article) |
Location-based: The future of advertising?
By Rodika Tollefson |
| Imagine walking down a street or through the mall and having virtual advertising screens pop up in front of you, reminding you the pub around the corner has 5 p.m. specials, or enticing you to switch your brand of X merchandise, with the right store just happening to be within a few feet. Sounds like those futuristic movies we’ve all seen — but the reality of this is not so far removed... (Full Article) |
VoIP: Coming to a phone near you — and soon
By Jim Kendall |
| VoIP. It is an acronym that means “Voice Over Internet Protocol” and can be described as telephone services over the Internet. Or, as the FCC Website says: “Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that allows you to make voice calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line... (Full Article) |
Port Orchard seeking bids for
major Web site upgrade
RFP out, closes May 9 |
| The City of Port Orchard has published a Request For Proposals (RFP) to upgrade its Web site in order to provide increased services to its citizens. Earlier this year, the City Development and Public Works Departments started posting a building and land use permit status report online, in what is one of many new additions planned, according to Development Director James Weaver... (Full Article) |
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New Name for Local Technology Association |
| The West Sound Technology Professionals Association has changed its name to the West Sound Technology Association (WSTA). The new name better reflects the organization’s mission for the last five years to embrace all current and future members who “value technology as a tool to realize efficiency and stimulate economic vitality, whether or not they are actually technology professionals,” according to President Doña Keating... (Full Article) |
ShopLocalBiz.com reveals newly
designed websites |
| Randy Chafé of ShopLocalBiz.com recently announced the release of six newly designed websites... (Full Article) |
Shiloh Schroeder Design debuts
redesigned Web site |
| Shiloh Schroeder Design recently announced its recent launch of Silver City Restaurant & Brewery’s completely redesigned website at www.silvercitybrewery.com. The new site features an assortment of new photos highlighting the brewery, restaurant and its many offerings as well as downloadable menus and current specials. To see more websites and design projects by Shiloh Schroeder Design, visit www.shilohprint.com. |
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Southworth ferry finally gets Wi-Fi |
| Parsons, the company contracted to provide Wi-Fi service on Washington State Ferries, announced that wireless service was activated on the so-called Triangle Route, servicing the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth run. The service costs $29.95 a month and also offers daily rates. |
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Paladin continues its sales force expansion |
| As part of the on-going expansion of its InterLocking Software products group, Paladin Data Systems has hired Jonathan Byrd. He will be involved with Paladin’s land information systems products, including software solutions for county and city: permitting, licensing, utility billing, appraisal and tax assessment, tax collection and special assessments. Byrd comes to Paladin with a strong sales background, ranking in the top 9 percent for Prudential.
Paladin’s recruiting coordinator Michelle Dvorak reported, “We are finding some very high quality candidates for our sales and marketing positions, and Byrd is at the top of that group. We are having a much tougher time finding qualified software programmers in Kitsap County right now, and we have several unfilled openings in our technical ranks.”
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Apple ships Mac OS X mega update
Security Update 2008-002 covers scores of critical vulnerabilities that could lead to remote code execution attacks
By Ryan Naraine, e-Week |
| It’s officially Patch Day in the land of the Mac. On the heels of the release of Safari 3.1, with patches for more than a dozen browser vulnerabilities, Apple has shipped a mega update for its flagship Mac operating system, fixing at least 80 documented vulnerabilities in a wide range of core components... (Full Article) |
Facebook gets more private
By Clint Boulton |
| The social networking site adds greater granularity to what viewers can share with their friends as the company closes on MySpace... (Full Article) |
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Olympic Printer Resources now offers computer and IT support services |
| Olympic Printer Resources, Inc. has added Dave Lucas (Luke) as vice president of computer and Information Technology (IT) Resources. Lukas, formerly of Computer Port and Delphinus Engineering, brings over twenty years of extensive business IT experience in the following areas... (Full Article) |
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WSTA to hold Marketing SIG kickoff event |
| There is more to online marketing than just having a web site. Search engine optimization, paid search, banner advertising, email marketing, landing pages, conversion rates, and traffic analysis are just some of the concepts marketers must understand and know when to apply. Armed with an understanding of the tools available to you, and which will achieve the desired result, online marketing techniques can help you cost effectively build awareness, generate leads and communicate with customers, partners and constituents... (Full Article) |
Moff Interactive completes internet
projects for local firms |
| Moff Interactive of Kingston recently reported completing a pair of online projects for local firms. For Skelleyworks of Poulsbo, www.skelleyworks.com, Moff designed a web site that integrated the look and feel of the firm’s logo. The site was optimized for search engines and included a text based dropdown menu allowing for easy updating and navigation. A photo gallery (using flash animation) displays examples of “environmentally aware” land development and excavation work.
For Majestic Mountain Coffee of Kingston, www.majesticmountaincoffee.com, Moff integrated their design with a professional shopping cart enabling easy addition of products and e-commerce store management. Their customers are now able to create accounts, sign in, and purchase coffee on-line.
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Shiloh Schroeder Design
debuts redesigned website |
| Shiloh Schroeder Design, a Poulsbo-based graphic and web design firm, specializing in helping small companies build the visual tools essential to business, recently announced the launch of its newly redesigned website: www.shilohprint.com.
Introduced on the new website is easy-to-use navigation tools, helpful information about working with the firm, and a completely updated portfolio containing work from the past year. The portfolio currently spotlights three categories, Identity, Print Design and Web Design, and will soon add Book Covers to its compass. Schroeder also offers a free consultation for anyone interested in adding or refreshing their printed or web-based marketing materials.
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Kitsap Bank promotes Simons
to VP/Network Admin |
| Kitsap Bank recently announced the promotion of Eddy Simons to assistant vice president/network administrator. During his time at Kitsap Bank, Simons has worked on several technology initiatives to enhance security, eliminate redundancy, and create reliable technology systems and services. Simons holds numerous certifications, including Microsoft Systems Engineer and Novell Engineer, along with security and incident credentials.
“Since joining the bank in the fall of 2006, Simons has been instrumental in the success of the Information Technology Department,” stated Chad Gregg, vice president/CTO, “His technical expertise, ability to multi-task, and commitment to project planning, allows the department to complete initiatives correctly and on time.”
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To blog or not to blog...
By Rodika Tollefson |
| Harry Brelsford calls himself “an old print guy.” The Bainbridge Island author and owner/CEO of SMB Nation (www.smbnation.com) has about 20,000 clients worldwide — technology and IT consultants for small and medium businesses. And while technology is something he’s very familiar with, it took Brelsford a long time to embrace one of the latest tends: blogging... (Full Article) |
AG McKenna announces nationwide
agreement with MySpace to protect kids |
| Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna recently announced that MySpace has agreed to take significant steps to better protect children on its popular Web site. McKenna joined attorneys general nationwide in signing an agreement with MySpace that creates an industry-wide task force to develop technology to verify the age and identity of users... (Full Article) |
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Apple debuts ultra-thin MacBook Air |
| It’s ultrathin, ultraportable, and ultra unlike anything else. Apple’s new Macbook Air, which debuted in late January, has been streamlined, and then streamlined again... (Full Article) |
Tech job sector to grow
at record pace through 2016
By Deborah Perelman |
| The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) 10-year economic and employment predictions have cheers for computer professionals, but jeers for programmers. Many computer programmers could find themselves out of work, despite the computer professionals’ job market growing at record paces through 2016, according to the BLS’ 10-year economic and employment predictions released Dec. 4... (Full Article) |
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iPhone spurs Web traffic |
| While Apple did not introduce any significant iPhone upgrades at its annual Macworld convention, which ran Jan. 14-18 in San Francisco, the iconic device still made waves... (Full Article) |
Autonomix announces two
earn Microsoft certifications |
| Dennis M. Johnson of the Bainbridge Island-based IT firm Autonomix, recently bolstered his certification credentials by passing the qualifying Microsoft exam “Designing, Deploying and Managing a Network Solution for a Small- and Medium-Sized Business.” Johnson, a network technician, currently holds Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MSCE) and Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) credentials.
Autonomix also announced that Christopher Kelley is now a Microsoft Certified Professional, having passed the qualifying exam “Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment. Kelley has worked at Autonomix as a network technician since 2006.
For more information about Autonomix, visit www.autonomix.com or call (800) 655-7494.
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IBM, Apple take on Microsoft |
| IBM has a new ally in its fight with Microsoft over share in the office productivity software market — Apple.
Big Blue has unveiled an e-mail package for Lotus Notes that runs on Apple’s iPod Touch music player and the smash hit, the iPhone, at its Lotusphere conference in Orlando, Fla.
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State of Georgia elects to outsource all IT
Georgia’s governor feels that his state’s IT is inefficient
and ineffective, and has decided to outsource it
By Deborah Perelman
From eWeek |
| It’s a bad day to be an IT professional in Georgia, where state Governor Sonny Perdue has announced that he is moving all of the state’s IT over to the private sector... (Full Article) |
Google enables more apps for the iPhone
The optimization of Search, Gmail, Calendar and Reader
for the iPhone is the latest step in Google’s mobile march
By Clint Boulton |
| One day after Google announced Apple’s iPhone was the most frequently searched word in 2007, Google Dec. 5 released an application that lets users access the company’s search, Gmail, Calendar and other applications on the popular device... (Full Article) |
Seattle-based PhotoWorks launches
self-publishing site for photographers
By Sean Gallagher |
| PhotoWorks, a Seattle-based imaging software company and photo printing service, has launched a new self-publishing service for photographers. The new service, called My Storefront, allows users of PhotoWorks’ site for photographers to create an e-commerce site to sell their work in print or book form... (Full Article) |
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Employee changes at Splyce Software |
| Splyce Inc, a software company located in Gig Harbor, announced the hiring of Deryl McCartney as director of marketing and sales. He will be responsible for driving expansion into new markets. “We are proud to embrace someone with Deryl’s background and experience” said Christie VonDitter, chief operating officer of Splyce. She added that “Deryl has already helped solidify our expansion plans and he will be instrumental in the growth of our company. I’m excited to have him on board... (Full Article) |
New service provides directions
via text to a cell phone |
| D-I-R-E-C-T-I-O-N-S service has launched nationwide. Now anyone with a cell phone can call and request Mapquest directions to any location, and receive them by text message. The service covers every city in the U.S.
How it works: dial D-I-R-E-C-T-I-O-N-S on your keypad (347-327-4667); tell the voice-activated service your starting location and destination (any address or business chain); and receive directions instantly by text message. It’s free and works on any cell phone — no web plan or GPS needed.
Also introduced in the nationwide launch is a unique “mobile invitation” service that lets callers quickly create social events, invite friends, and send directions – for free by cell phone call.
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Washington State Technology Summit set |
| The Washington Technology Center is hosting the Washington State Technology Summit, at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, on April 15. The day-long event will bring together more than 400 technology leaders and innovators who are driving industry development in clean technology, renewable energy, global health, and advanced materials and manufacturing. The event runs from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will include the companies, researchers and opportunities at the forefront of Washington’s emerging economic sector. |
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Restaurant career center is top job board |
| Washington Restaurant Association’s new online Career Center has surpassed CareerBuilder.com and Monster.com for hospitality job postings in Washington, making it the most trafficked hospitality job board. The association launched the board last March after hearing from members that finding qualified applicants was a top issue. National Restaurant Association had also confirmed the number one issue restaurants across the nation were facing was filling positions. The association partnered with Texas-based Affiniscape. Affiniscape produces on-demand association Web sites, membership relationship management systems, online communities, online marketplaces, online career centers and affinity programs for associations in the U.S. For more information, visit wra.associationcareernetwork.com. |
Vista migration scaring off IT pros
By Deborah Perelman
From eWeek |
| When weighing the difficulties involved in a Vista upgrade, techies fail to see its value. Now more than a year out of the business gate, Microsoft’s Vista operating system is having trouble making friends in the exact place it needs them the most — the IT department. When asked, rather than express excitement over Vista’s promised better security, networking features and fancy GUI, IT professionals admit trepidation over the looming upgrade and the trouble it will cause... (Full Article) |
AOL takes a stab at video ads
Latest alternative to pre-roll and overlaying ads that tick off users. |
| AOL began showing video ticker ads for video content shown over the Internet on Nov. 19, the latest alternative to pre-roll online ads that put off impatient consumers. Developed with the help of the TickerBoy technology from PointRoll, AOL’s video ticker ad is a graphic banner ad integrated within a streaming video... (Full Article) |
EFF supports right to repair,
resell patented goods |
| The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has urged the U.S. Supreme Court to protect consumers’ traditional right to use, repair, and resell the products they own, even if those products are patented. At stake is the enforceability of “single use” and “not for resale” labels on patented products... (Full Article) |
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Google testing its own wireless network |
| Google is in the process of testing its own wireless network to prepare for the Federal Communication Commission’s 700 MHz spectrum auction in January, according to the Wall Street Journal... (Full Article) |
Super WebGroup, Inc. closes
but SuperWebCMS lives on |
| Super WebGroup (SWG) closed up shop as of Nov. 1 but its SuperWebCMS software will live on thanks to an exclusive reseller agreement with Arbutus Software. Jane Lindley closed her company to take a job as a lead program manager — user interface with Rosetta Solutions, Inc. in Poulsbo... (Full Article) |
Apple unshackles digital music
By Rick Aristotle Munarriz
From The Motley Fool |
| If you’ve drawn “digital rights management” (DRM) in the office death pool, hold that ticket tight. The end may be near now that Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) has dramatically reduced the price of its available DRM-free library... (Full Article) |
Yahoo embraces Social Search
A new social search approach could help Yahoo
compete with Google
By Clint Boulton
Reprinted From eWEEK |
| Yahoo is following in the footsteps of its rivals by revamping its Yahoo Search platform, a product that is more intuitive than the company’s previous search offering and that symbolizes Yahoo’s transformation... (Full Article) |
Advanced Medical Imaging opens
new office in South Kitsap |
| Advanced Medical Imaging (AMI) recently announced that a new office will be opening in Port Orchard offering Direct Digital Mammography and DEXA Bone Density scans to patients in the South Kitsap area. For the convenience of the 7,000 women in the Port Orchard, Mason County and Gig Harbor areas who are AMI patients, the new location will make these exams much more convenient. The office will be located on the Harrison Medical Center South Kitsap campus at 450 South Kitsap Blvd, Suite 1240, in Port Orchard... (Full Article) |
Winifred Whitfield speaks
at photographer’s conference |
| On October 14, Winifred Whitfield, owner of Intimate Portraits for Women in Poulsbo, spoke to the Texas Professional Photographers of America conference in San Antonio, Tex. Her presentation included a large display of her elegant and very artistic portraits, a slideshow of her work and a speech on the subject of self esteem and honoring and expressing ones uniqueness as an artist... (Full Article) |
Congress scrutinizes Google’s
purchase of DoubleClick |
| Google’s proposed buyout of online advertising company DoubleClick is being scrutinized by the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is likely to focus on a controversial marketing strategy created by DoubleClick several years ago but later abandoned over consumer privacy concerns... (Full Article) |
Kitsap and Beyond P. I.’s
top neighborhood blog |
| After three months of blogging, Kitsap and Beyond, (www.KitsapandBeyond.com) is the number one neighborhood blog on the Seattle PI website and number 11 of a total of 98 blogs.
Kitsap and Beyond covers all things Kitsap; things to do, places to go; some news (the Zombies are coming — movie to be filmed in Port Gamble), lots of photos, maps to help you find the places and more. July was the first month of the blog with 4,263 visitors and in September there were 10,031 visitors.
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