Tech News Roundup and a Weekend of PDX Tech Events

A targeted attack exposed sensitive information about the company that runs the popular Twitter service, Microsoft set to open stores to compete with Apple and more news rounds up this week's Tech Expert Topic notes from Newsradio 750 KXL.

Employees at Twitter uses a hosted version of productivity software known as Google Apps. An intruder was able to foil security and obtain access to sensitive data from the company behind the popular social networking service Twitter. This data contained juicy financials, candidate interview records and a reality TV show pitch. The information was then offered to various blogs and news outlets. At least a few took the bait and published the information.

While Twitter is comparing the event this week to having someone "rifle through your underwear drawer" (as in, embarrassing but not exactly revealing), it does serve as a good reminder to change your passwords and use strong passwords.

With one exception, users of the Twitter service itself are not affected. Still, it wouldn't hurt to change your Twitter password anyway. It's just good practice.

Microsoft and Apple
Microsoft this week revealed just a tad more about the retail locations it plans to open. Apple's slice of the computer market dips from 4th place this past winder down to 5th place. Finally, with new more attractive prices on many systems including the popular Macbook line, Apple is calling foul on Microsoft's Laptop Hunter TV spots.

This Week In Local Tech Events...

• Join me for an action-packed series of rapid-fire talks as Ignite Portland 6 takes place --free, no ticket required-- at the Baghdad Theatre.
  
• Tomorrow it's Beer & Blog Happy Hour from 4-6pm, then head down to Pioneer Courthouse Square for KGW's Live at 7 where you can watch the show live (no doubt we'll be outside on the bricks!) and I'll stick around afterwards.
  
• Then on Saturday, Join me at a special "End Bloglessness 2" event (Downtown from 12p-5p, free) if you've always wanted to start a blog... experts (i.e. those that know FAR more than I do) will be on hand to answer questions, get you set up and tech you best practices. (While you're at it, add WordCamp/PDX to your calendar NOW.)

For more on this story, listen to my report (MP3), as heard on Newsradio 750 KXL during Portland's Morning News 16 Jul 2009.

Ignite Seattle April 29 Schedule Released

Brady, pioneer of the now worldwide Ignite format of talks, sent out the schedule for the next Ignite Seattle. The event takes place Wednesday, 4/29 at downtown's King Cat Theatre. The event is free.

7PM - Doors Open

7:30 PM - Paper Tower Contest Begins - Build the tallest tower you can out
of just 5 sheets of paper and tape (See Details)

8:30 - First Set of Talks
Hillel Cooperman (@hillel) - The Secret Underground World of Lego
Dawn Rutherford (@dawnoftheread) - Public Library Hacking
Roy Leban (@royleban) - Worst Case User Experience: Alzheimer’s
Shelly Farnham (@ShellyShelly) Community Genius: Leveraging Community to
Increase your Creative Powers
Dominic Muren (@dmuren) - Humblefacturing a Sustainable Electronic Future
Ken Beegle (@kbeegle) - Decoding Sticks and Waves
Maya Bisineer (@thinkmaya) - Geek Girl - A life Story
Scott Berkun (Scottberkun.com)- How and Why to Give an Ignite Talk
Scotto Moore (Scotto.org)- Intangible Method

9:45 PM - Second Set of Talks
Secret Guest Speaker from Ignite Portland
Mike Tykka - The Invention of the Wheel
Jen Zug (@jenzug) - The Sanity Hacks of a Stay At Home Mom
Jason Preston (@Jasonp107) - Goobye Tolstoy: How to say anything in 140
characters or less
Chris DiBona (@cdibona) - The Coolness of Telemedicine
Ron Burk - The Psychology of Incompetence
Katherine Hernandez (@ipodtouchgirl) - The Mac Spy
Jamie Gower JamieGower.com) - I Am %0.0002 Cyborg
Beth Goza (@bethgo) - Knitting in Code

RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=68373213866

Ignite Portland and Other PDX Tech Events

UPDATE: Ignite Portland 5 tickets were gone in 5 min. 29 seconds! If you didn't get yours, add yourself to the waiting list here or show up (early!) to the Bagdad Theater on the 19th for "general admission".

Why should you play bridge? Have you ever wanted to learn the history of fonts? These topics and more are among the 18 slated for the fifth installment of Ignite Portland. Held a few times a year, the free event at the Bagdad Theater highlights inspiring talks, educational presentations, and a fun evening of networking -- all with McMenamin's-level hospitality (read: good beer!).

I'll be at Ignite Portland 5 coming up in two weeks and look forward to seeing as many listeners (and viewers!) there as I can! Get your tickets now or show up on the 19th.

The event takes place Thursday, February 19th at the Bagdad Theater at 3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd from 7-10pm. If you have a ticket (free), you can take your seat as early as 5:15pm. Those without tickets (lots of seats held for non-ticketholders and there's even a "waitlist") line up early and enter at 6pm.

Get your tickets (FREE) starting at 10AM Thursday: IgnitePortland.com

Other area tech events I'm attending where you can catch up with me (feel free to buy me a beer!) and say hello:

Thu 19 Feb 09 -- Ignite Portland 5 (free) at Bagdad Theater. Doors at 5:15pm w/tickets, Doors at 6:00pm for non-ticketholders.

Fri 20 Feb 09 -- Beer & Blog (weekly, free) at The Green Dragon. Weekly tech scene happy hour. Get help with your blog or just come mix and mingle with felow Portland techies.

Mon 23 Feb 09 -- Social Media Club PDX.

For more information on area tech events, be sure to visit: calagator.org, Portland's Tech Calendar.

To hear this story, as broadcast on Newsradio 750 KXL on 5 February 2009, click here (MP3).

Ignite Seattle: Tonight at CHAC

The geeks are gathering in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood tonight for Ignite 5. Join Seattle's elite geekery for a series of fast-paced and time-boxed presentations.

I'll be attending (so apparently it's not just the 'elite' afterall), if anything for the social aspects and photo opportunities, and will bring you a recap tomorrow.

Do you have similar events you would like to share with readers? Other Northwest happenings I should check out? Leave a comment in the blogs or send me an email: techexpert (at) brianwestbrook (dot) com.