Austin, San Jose, Seattle, and even Colorado Springs, CO have dedicated technical job sites for their cities. San Antonio doesn't (at least not that I can find).

Do we need one? I think we do, if we are serious about building our image as a tech city.

Anyone interested in helping me build one? I am willing to help with site design, business aspects of the site, finding a suitable domain, spec'ing the project, finding hosting, etc - but I don't have the time to actually build (read CODE) the site. If you are interested in helping, email me at rob{at}lagesse{dot}org.

There's probably no money in this - just a service I think we need, and maybe something fun to do outside your day job. I envision a very social community job site, not just a bunch of listings. Think "MySpace" meets "LinkedIn" meets a friendly community.

Microsoft Live Labs - Announcing Microsoft Live Labs Photosynth Technology Preview

After watching the video on the Photosynth blog site, and reading everything else I could find on the product I am simply amazed by the potential of this tool, and I can't wait to get my hands on it.  I have over 12,800 digital photos, and I would love to see what Photosynth does with them.

Some of the things that impress me is that a) Microsoft bought a startup for what appears to be their "zooming technology", b) they put together a team, and developed this product in a few short months, c) they will offer it FREE, and d) the potential for the application after it becomes more "web aware".

"Texas capacity stands at 2,370 megawatts, enough to power 600,000
average-sized homes a year, according to a midyear report released
Tuesday by the American Wind Energy Association. That puts Texas
slightly ahead of California, the nation's leader since 1981.
California has 2,323 megawatts of capacity.

The total U.S. capacity is 9,971 megawatts. So far this year, Texas
has added 375 megawatts, or 46 percent of the total 822 megawatts
brought online nationwide.

Last year, wind energy generation grew 35 percent nationwide, adding
2,431 megawatts, but that fell short of the projected 2,500. The wind
association believes it can add 3,000 megawatts nationwide this year,
even if that means another 2,178 megawatts by year's end."

Read the full article at the source:
Wired News: Wind Energy: Texas Blows Hot Air

Business 2.0: 50 People who matter

I love it that business, and the Main Stream Media (MSM) are finally figuring out that YOU are importnant. Follow the link, and click on YOU - it's a short but interesting read.

Personally, I don't think Bill Gates should be as far down the list as he is (at #21) - not because he's still the head of Microsoft, but I think him taking more time to spend on his foundation, and putting all of those billions to use around the world make him pretty much a guy that could matter more now then he ever did working for a little software company.

Suit claims Web site encouraged users to copy his protected materials
I don't understand this - I've tried several times to save a YouTube video to my hard drive.  It can be done, but it certainly isn't easy, and YouTube certainly doesn't provide me with any information on accomplishing it.

Journalist sues YouTube over digital rights - Tech News & Reviews - MSNBC.com

This sounds like fun for all:

An Evening in the Park featuring a showing of the movie, "E.T." Entertainment from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Extended swimming hours at the pool until 8 p.m. Movie begins at sunset. Free face painting, balloon art and snowcones for the kids. Bring your blankets and chairs to this free family event. Lady Bird Johnson Park, 10700 Nacogdoches Road. Presented by Time Warner Cable San Antonio. 207-3000.

PUC warns of possible power outages due to sweltering heat - San Antonio Business Journal:

Some ways to save:

• If you have an electric stove or oven, cook outside instead. Nothing like a little beef on the BBQ!
• Turn the thermostat up a bit - if everyone turns things up just two degrees it will make a huge difference.
• Minimize how many times you open the icebox, and try to cut back a bit on hot water (especially if you have an electric water heater).
• If you normally put your computer in standby or just leave it on, shut it off instead for the next week or so.
• Replace all-night outdoor lighting with motion-activated lighting. It's cheap, easy to do, saves you money, and is more effective at scaring people away then an "always on" light.