Support SuperQuest and Tell a Teacher!
by Kathryn Schwartz, SAO
When students don't choose technology electives, those classes may be cancelled, leading to even fewer options. To counter this market-driven approach to technology education, the SAO Foundation is investing in programs that awaken a
passion for technology among students. So while students are out of school, many teachers will spend part of their summer at the SAO Foundation's SuperQuest professional development workshops. SuperQuest workshops improve teachers'
technical skills and their abilities to teach technology. Courses offered in 2006 include Introduction to Computer Science through Gaming, Lego Robotics, Exploring Options for Motion: Survey of Animation/Flash, How to Put Your Curriculum
on the Web, and AP Java.
The SAO Foundation raises money to underwrite much of the cost of SuperQuest, making it possible for more teachers to attend. SAO members invest in the future of technology education by donating to the Foundation and attending the Auction
and Wine Tasting event to be held October 7, 2006. For more information, email
kschwartz@sao.org or visit
www.superquest.org and tell a teacher!
Table of Contents
Industry News
Nanotechnology: What It Means to Oregon
by Geraldine M. Power
What exactly is nanotechnology, how are companies using it, and is it a cluster? This introduction to the term establishes some context for other articles in this issue on nanotechnology in Oregon and Southwest Washington. 
If It's Open, Will They Come?
by Jack Isselman, principal, Vista Strategies
The recent low primary election turnout has bolstered proponents for an open primary election. In an open primary, all voters Republicans, Democrats and Independents receive the same ballot. The top two vote getters in each race,
regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election. What's your take?
Quick Survey
Would you support an open primary in Oregon? Take a moment to answer this single question survey, so we can tally the results.
Click here to begin.
Resource Center News
ONAMI: Building a World-Class Nanoscience and Microtechnology Cluster in Oregon
by Linda Barney, Barney and Associates
Oregon recognized the importance of the nanoscience and microtechnology industry when it established the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI) in 2003. This in-depth article provides an overview of the exciting
research that ONAMI is doing in collaboration with its research partners. The article also includes extensive sections on research and activities at
Oregon State University,
Portland State University, the
University of Oregon and the
Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL).
Speaking the Language of Career Advancement
by Barbara Zolty, founder, Speaking of Results
To fast-track your career, you may need to stop working so hard and, instead, work to get noticed. Your technical skills will take you several rungs up the corporate ladder, but the climb to the top requires taking your communications to a
whole new level.
Direct Mail vs. Email
By Kim Frazier, principal of Frazier & Co. LLC
Walk through most marketing departments and you'll hear the debate: Is email or direct mail the best way to get our marketing message to customers, prospects and contacts? The challenge is how to make both methods complementary and
audience-directed while maintaining consistent messaging.
Internships: Many Perspectives – Unlimited Benefits!
by Stephanie Lambert, manager of Student & Educator Services, BEC
Internships are a win-win situation. For businesses, internships provide a flexible workforce solution with dedicated and excited students and educators ready to meet organization challenges and needs. Internships for both students and
educators are powerful tools for career exploration, skill development and education enhancement. Read on to uncover just how much of an impact internships can make on students, educators, businesses and our community.
Getting the Right Talent in the Right Jobs at the Right Time
by Roy Notowitz, partner, Generator Group
Imagine what business would be like if companies simply waited for parts to run out, and then scrambled to replace them, not knowing where to look. As disastrous as this sounds, this is the approach many companies take to staffing. See how
strategic staffing can help your organization get the right people in the right jobs at the right time.
Writing Effective Use Cases - Applying RAD
by Ed Carroll, executive, Agilis Solutions
Defining use cases for software products can drive people crazy. Those with domain information think it's so obvious that engineers should get every nuance in a single meeting. Conversely, some engineers are unsatisfied with anything less
than 300 pages of excruciating detail. See how facilitated workshops can shorten the time to define use cases for a complex system. Workshops focus the attention of key personnel, and can be integrated into short-cycle-time software
development methodologies.
Global Markets Represent New Frontier for Oregon
by Scott Goddin, director, Portland U.S. Export Assistance Center
The importance of trade to Oregon's economy is broad and deep. This overview of changes in global markets illustrates ongoing opportunities for pioneering Oregon companies.
Company Profile
Company Profile: FEI
by Cheryl Coupé, freelance technology writer, Scribo
The story goes that tool makers made more money in the gold rush than the gold miners. FEI likes to think of itself as delivering the picks and shovels of the nanotechnology era. FEI's tools for nanotech bring the nanoscale within the
reach of researchers, product developers and advanced process control engineers.
SAO News
Office Depot Enhances Offering for All SAO Members
Promotional Products from Office Depot – Promote your business and build your brand value with mugs, shirts, awards and even golf balls with a 10% discount on your whole order…Put your name in the hands of the customers and save with
Office Depot! Order a catalog today, item # 615-410.
Copy and Print Services – Visit any Office Depot Copy and Print Center for great pricing and expert design services. Black and white copies are $.03 and color copies are just $.039. Complete binding services are available at an
additional 15% off the already discounted retail price. To link your credit card to take advantage of these savings in the store and online please contact Jeff Castor at 503-240-4509 or email: jeff.castor@officedepot.com.
Who's New
If this newsletter should go to others in your organization, please contact
Judy Cumby-Law.
Member Headlines
New Online High School Opens its Virtual Doors Statewide for 2006-07 School Year
The Insight School of Washington was launched at an event that featured remarks from former Governor Gary Locke and introduced Bill Finkbeiner, former Senate Majority Leader in the State Legislature as the school's executive director.
LRS Solutions is Now LeanPath
This name change reflects LeanPath's commitment to improving efficiency for their clients through proactive guidance and a spirit of partnership. Phone numbers, address and support e-mail have not changed. LeanPath team members may now be
reached by e-mail at firstinitial+lastname@leanpath.com
WebTrends Broadens Leadership in US Financial Services Industry
WebTrends Inc., the market leader for web analytics and Marketing Performance Management solutions, announced at Forrester's Finance Forum 2006 that 72% of the top 50* U.S. financial services firms use WebTrends web analytics solutions to
analyze and improve their online initiatives, from optimizing marketing campaigns and growing online account subscriptions, to increasing customer value through targeted relationship marketing, improved cross-selling and more effective
partner and employee portals.
Tripwire's CEO Search Leads to Johnson
After a year-long search for a CEO, the board of network software company Tripwire Inc. had to go no further than down the hall. The directors have named Jim Johnson, Tripwire's interim CEO since May 2004, as its permanent leader.
California Bank Selects Corillian
Corillian Corp. announced it was selected by Tri Counties Bank, headquartered in Chico, Calif., to implement improved online banking and security services. Tri Counties Bank, the largest community bank in the Sacramento Valley with $1.85
billion in assets will use the Corillian Consumer Banking application to deliver enhanced, real-time online banking services. The service will include a Spanish version of Tri Counties' online banking site.
Pop Art to Design 24 Web Sites in 30 Weeks
The Pop Art Design team led by Creative Director, Justin Garrity, continued their Web Standards and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) evangelism by presenting for DevGroup NW in May. The event, titled "There's a Freightliner in my CSS Zen
Garden," examined the innovative design project Pop Art is currently undertaking: developing and designing 24 unique SelecTrucks dealer sites in 30 weeks. Each dealer site showcases a custom CSS design while all of the site content is
contributed by the SelecTrucks corporate organization.
Send us your Member News
Submit your announcements to
industrynews@sao.org
. No attachments, please. Send the headline and first paragraph in the body of the email, along with a URL for more information. All submissions are subject to review and acceptance by SAO Industry Update staff.
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