12th Annual Golf Tournament

The Software Association of Oregon will host its 12th Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, June 22, 2007 at the famous Reserve Vineyards and Golf Course. This tournament has consistently proven to be an industry favorite over its 17-year history and this year will not be an exception.

Symantec has won the tournament for the past 3 years in a row. Teams from Microsoft, Serena Software, IBM and other local companies are threatening to treat Symantec the way Norton treats a virus.

The SAO Shootout will begin at 7:30 am with a Four-Person Scramble and end with a delicious barbeque lunch overlooking the North Course. The usual longest-drive and closest-to-the-pin prizes will be awarded, with many unique raffle prizes presented by our sponsoring companies. There will also be a chance to win a $500 Visa Gift Card, sponsored by Volt Technical Resources.

Money for the tournament helps the SAO fund its mission to sustain a healthy and strong software industry cluster in Oregon by helping companies START, creating an environment where companies and entrepreneurs want to MOVE and supporting company GROWTH.

The tournament is presented by Comcast. Other sponsors include Meridian Technology Group, Agilis Solutions, EdgeLink, Robert Half Technology, IBM and Volt Technical Resources.

There are still a few tee sponsorships remaining. To inquire about sponsorships or a foursome, contact Ericka Katz at Ericka@sao.org or 503.228.5452.

eMarketing Summit: How-to's for Search, Blogs, Pods, Web 2.0
By Kate McPherron and Chris Wain

Innotech's eMarketing summit offered a wealth of tips and insights starting with the basics of eMarketing and then focusing on Web 2.0. Watchwords for the two-day event: engagement, transparency, and community. "Everything has evolved at a lightning pace," said one panelist, "but a lot of strategies haven't changed." SAO writers covered each session.


Health IT: Making Positive Changes in Healthcare in Oregon
By Shaylene Keiner, Headhunters NW, and Linda Barney, Barney and Associates.

There is a major push in the United States to better implement technology into the healthcare system using health information technology (health IT). Electronic health records (EHRs) are a key element of changes designed to give healthcare providers and consumers better information for better care. SAO writers give an in-depth look at new and innovative EHR technologies and activities within the state of Oregon.


Unwire Oregon: Forging a New Economic Development Consensus
By Robert Bole, One Economy

One Economy Corporation (a multinational non-profit) and Oregon State University recently brought national leaders from the technology sector as well as Oregon civic and economic development representatives to Oregon's technology summit: Unwire Oregon. The conference sparked discussion around Oregon's role as a national mobile Internet leader.


New Web Technologies and the Face of the Future for Business
By Chris Wain

Business success for Internet-based companies means finding creative ways to keep abreast of the constant stream of new tools and technologies, according to 3 senior Internet executives participating in an SAO panel discussion. It's not enough be the first with the "new toy," or to embrace technology for its own sake.


InnoTech/SAO:EDGE Event – Bill Hill, director of Advanced Reading Technologies, Microsoft – Guest Speaker
By Ed Carroll, Agilis Solutions

On April 24th, Bill Hill – director of advanced reading technologies at Microsoft, and an inspiration behind the way people read on 90% of the desktop computers in the marketplace – presented his views on our digital future. According to Hill, even in today's world where all data is going digital, printed newspapers are going out of business and YouTube is seriously challenging Hollywood, "‘reading' is still our dominant means of communication."


Better Mileage with Hybrid Learning
By Kal Toth, associate professor, and Kathy Milhauser, adjunct faculty, Portland State University

Software practitioners seeking professional development not only want practical learning that will give them immediate benefits, but they also need flexible learning models that blend with their obligations at work and at home. Face-to-face lecture style courses taken in the edge hours – evenings and weekends – is one approach. Online learning over the web is another approach. Each of these approaches offers distinct benefits. But what about a hybrid model that blends face-to-face with online learning? Read on for more info about the hybrid model.


Company Profile: WebMD Health Services
By Shaylene Keiner, Headhunters NW

Can a NW start-up keep its culture when acquired by a NY company? Portland-based WellMed, founded in 1993, was acquired by NY-based WebMD in 2002, but continues to be an active, local member of the Oregon software industry.

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