{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1", "title": "Tech Community on Jamie Thingelstad", "icon": "https://avatars.micro.blog/avatars/2025/14/1545.jpg", "home_page_url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/", "feed_url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/feed.json", "items": [ { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2026/10/11/my-maker-space-is-now.html", "content_html": "

My Maker Space is now in a totally workable and ready spot!

\n\"Basement\n", "date_published": "2026-10-11T16:11:55-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2026/10/11/my-maker-space-is-now.html", "tags": ["Technology","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2026/10/01/watt-window-was-my-other.html", "content_html": "

Watt Window was my other demo highlight from Minnedemo. Combination of hardware and software to monitor industrial motors and increase efficiency. This is a real-world use case for how you can lower the carbon footprint of a plant. And, reliably predict equipment failures! Impressive!

\n

\"A\"The

\n", "date_published": "2026-10-01T21:50:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2026/10/01/watt-window-was-my-other.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2026/10/01/beastbox-was-an-amazing-demo.html", "content_html": "

Beastbox was an amazing demo at Minnedemo. The engineering required to do signal detection in about 10ms to keep the time from beatboxing with your mouth to the audio being triggered is impressive.

\n

\n", "date_published": "2026-10-01T21:45:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2026/10/01/beastbox-was-an-amazing-demo.html", "tags": ["Videos","Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2026/10/01/it-was-great-to-connect.html", "content_html": "

It was great to connect with the Twin Cities tech community tonight at Minnedemo! The Ordway was a beautiful venue for this one. Save the date for Minnebar 21 on May 1, 2027!

\n

\"Two\"A

\n", "date_published": "2026-10-01T21:30:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2026/10/01/it-was-great-to-connect.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2026/05/02/tyler-and-i-were-lucky.html", "content_html": "

Tyler and I were lucky enough to be interviewed for the Minnebar 20 special video today.

\n\"Teen\n", "date_published": "2026-05-02T17:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2026/05/02/tyler-and-i-were-lucky.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2026/05/02/tyler-led-his-first-session.html", "content_html": "

Tyler led his first session at Minnebar today! He did an amazing job talking about AI in Schools and what is good, bad, and how schools should adapt. 👏

\n\"Young\n", "date_published": "2026-05-02T15:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2026/05/02/tyler-led-his-first-session.html", "tags": ["Family","Minnestar","AI","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2026/05/02/great-teamsps-group-at-minnebar.html", "content_html": "

Great TeamSPS group at Minnebar 20!

\n\"Group\n", "date_published": "2026-05-02T13:34:37-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2026/05/02/great-teamsps-group-at-minnebar.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2026/05/02/amazing-collection-of-minnebar-tshirts.html", "content_html": "

Amazing collection of Minnebar t-shirts over the years!

\n\"Collection\n", "date_published": "2026-05-02T09:41:06-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2026/05/02/amazing-collection-of-minnebar-tshirts.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2026/05/02/im-very-happy-that-sps.html", "content_html": "

I’m very happy that SPS Commerce continues to be a decade-plus sponsor of Minnestar and the amazing tech community in the Twin Cities.

\n\"Two\n", "date_published": "2026-05-02T08:54:54-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2026/05/02/im-very-happy-that-sps.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2026/05/02/so-great-to-connect-with.html", "content_html": "

So great to connect with Minnebar OG’s this morning. Awesome to have Ben and Luke here to celebrate Minnebar 20!

\n\"Seven\n", "date_published": "2026-05-02T08:38:09-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2026/05/02/so-great-to-connect-with.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2026/04/17/tyler-and-i-are-going.html", "content_html": "

Tyler and I are going to do a Minnebar session this year — Elixir: Creating An Ai Agent For Our Clash Royale Clan. This will be a lot of fun to share with everyone and tell some of the POAP KINGS and Elixir story.

\n", "date_published": "2026-04-17T19:47:45-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2026/04/17/tyler-and-i-are-going.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","AI","Games","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2026/04/09/good-final-cio-panel-at.html", "content_html": "

Good final CIO Panel at MnTech Connect with Teddy Bekele (Land O’Lakes), Sutha Sivasubramaniam (Optum), Jennifer Czaplewski (Target), and Mike Bollinger (Livefront) and a special appearance from Senator Amy Klobuchar via video.

\n

\"Five\"Conference

\n", "date_published": "2026-04-09T16:30:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2026/04/09/good-final-cio-panel-at.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2026/04/09/we-got-most-of-the.html", "content_html": "

We got most of the TeamSPS folks at MnTech Connect together for a group photo.

\n\"Group\n", "date_published": "2026-04-09T15:38:46-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2026/04/09/we-got-most-of-the.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2026/04/09/great-session-on-ai-transformation.html", "content_html": "

Great session on AI transformation from Matthew Green of Accenture at MnTech Connect today.

\n\"Older\n", "date_published": "2026-04-09T15:36:28-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2026/04/09/great-session-on-ai-transformation.html", "tags": ["AI","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2026/04/09/great-session-on-shipping-a.html", "content_html": "

Great session on Shipping a Customer-Facing Al Agent: Lessons from Moving Fast Without Breaking Trust with Valentin Kornukh this morning. Shared learnings we have from creating SPS MAX!

\n\"Conference\n", "date_published": "2026-04-09T10:56:38-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2026/04/09/great-session-on-shipping-a.html", "tags": ["AI","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2026/04/09/looking-forward-to-a-meaningful.html", "content_html": "

Looking forward to a meaningful day of learning at today’s MnTech Connect event! Many good sessions on AI transformation including two led by TeamSPS! 🎉

\n

\"Crowded\"Speaker

\n", "date_published": "2026-04-09T08:34:08-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2026/04/09/looking-forward-to-a-meaningful.html", "tags": ["AI","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/12/11/mntech-outlook.html", "title": "MnTech Outlook 2026", "content_html": "

Interesting comments on big goals for their organizations and the community this morning at MnTech Outlook 2026.

\n\"Six\n

Some observations:

\n\n

Thanks to\nRenee Edwards (Optum),\nEric Pratt (Senator),\nAngie Schulke (Star Tribune),\nKristin Bahner (Representative), and\nTarek Tomes (State of Minnesota)\nfor sharing with everyone.

\n", "date_published": "2025-12-11T20:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/12/11/mntech-outlook.html", "tags": ["Software Development","AI","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/11/20/mntech-elevate-was-hosted-in.html", "content_html": "

MnTech Elevate was hosted in the Delta Sky360° Club at U.S. Bank Stadium and we got to take tours of the stadium including the locker room, going onto the field, seeing the Gjallarhorn, and the nicest couches you could watch a football game from.

\n

\"Minnesota\"Minnesota\"Man\"Minnesota\"Purple\"Gjallarhorn\"Luxury\"Hundreds

\n", "date_published": "2025-11-20T21:37:53-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/11/20/mntech-elevate-was-hosted-in.html", "tags": ["Sports","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/11/20/we-had-a-great-teamsps.html", "content_html": "

We had a great TeamSPS presence at MnTech Elevate tonight celebrating the local technology community and recognizing Tekne award winners! 🏆

\n\"Group\n", "date_published": "2025-11-20T21:27:31-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/11/20/we-had-a-great-teamsps.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/11/20/selfie-with-joel-crandall-ceo.html", "content_html": "

Selfie with Joel Crandall, CEO of MnTech, moments before we kick off the very first MnTech Elevate event!

\n\"Two\n", "date_published": "2025-11-20T17:28:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/11/20/selfie-with-joel-crandall-ceo.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/09/18/sps-techjam.html", "title": "SPS TechJam 2025", "content_html": "

We wrapped up the 10th anniversary of SPS TechJam 2025 today. TechJam is our internal “unconference” led by members of our team that volunteer to give talks. We had so many great presentations and tons of learning. All of it wrapped around an AI focused Hackathon. It was incredible.

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2025-09-18T12:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/09/18/sps-techjam.html", "tags": ["AI","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/09/17/poap-for-sps-women-in.html", "content_html": "

POAP 7453396 for SPS Women in Tech Q3 2025 Lunch & Learn.

\n\"Circular\n

The image for this POAP was created via GPT-5 with the prompt:

\n
\n

I would like you to generate an image for a circular POAP badge with a vibrant teal-to-orange gradient background. At the center is the Women in Tech (WiT) logo — a clean, minimal flat-style laptop with coffee and charts inside, outlined in white. Radiating outward are subtle glowing neural network dots and arcs, minimal and elegant, giving an AI-inspired futuristic vibe. At the bottom-right inside the circle is a small playful line-art outline portrait of Jamie Thingelstad, wearing a hat with a bird perched on it, drawn in the same minimal outlined style as the WiT logo. Inside the circle edges, curved text: on top “WiT Q3 Lunch & Learn”, on bottom “How AI is Transforming Product Creation”. A small ribbon banner under the logo reads “Jamie Thingelstad · Sept 18, 2025”. Fun, playful, but clean and polished, with all elements fully contained within the circle for cropping.

\n
\n", "date_published": "2025-09-17T09:33:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/09/17/poap-for-sps-women-in.html", "tags": ["POAP","POAP Claims","AI","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/08/13/first-time-at-a-tedxminneapolis.html", "content_html": "

First time at a TEDxMinneapolis event! Looking forward to tonight’s speakers at Orchesta Hall.

\n\"Audience\n", "date_published": "2025-08-13T18:00:46-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/08/13/first-time-at-a-tedxminneapolis.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/07/16/a-brand-new-ai-startup.html", "content_html": "

A brand new AI startup with great pedigree and a $12 billion valuation.

\n
\n

Thinking Machines Lab, a buzzy AI startup founded by Mira Murati, raised $2bn in new capital, valuing the firm at $12bn. Ms Murati has recruited an impressive roster of researchers from OpenAI, where she was previously chief technology officer. That helped to persuade Nvidia and AMD, two giant chipmakers, to invest, even though the firm currently lacks much of a strategy (or revenue). — Economist, World in Brief, July 16, 2025

\n
\n

These numbers make the “dot com” bubble look like nothing.

\n", "date_published": "2025-07-16T06:38:18-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/07/16/a-brand-new-ai-startup.html", "tags": ["AI","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/06/18/im-going-to-be-sharing.html", "content_html": "

I’m going to be sharing my love of POAPs at the Minnesota Blockchain meetup on June 30th — Creating Community with POAPs! Will include 612 POAP Challenge as an example and will also be sharing a POAP for the evening of course!

\n\"MNblockchain\n", "date_published": "2025-06-18T21:43:30-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/06/18/im-going-to-be-sharing.html", "tags": ["Crypto","POAP","612 POAP Challenge","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/05/07/end-of-day-teamsps-photo.html", "content_html": "

End of day #TeamSPS photo at MnTech Tech Connect 2025. Sitting in the chair was by popular demand. 😬😊

\n\"Group\n", "date_published": "2025-05-07T21:25:52-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/05/07/end-of-day-teamsps-photo.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/05/07/was-fun-to-share-the.html", "content_html": "

Was fun to share the stage with Melissa Flicek and Jenn Zmuda at the final session of MnTech Tech Connect 2025 during the CIO & CTO Panel. Many topics around AI adoption and leading digital transformations.

\n\"Four\n", "date_published": "2025-05-07T21:22:32-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/05/07/was-fun-to-share-the.html", "tags": ["AI","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/05/07/learned-a-lot-at-economic.html", "content_html": "

Learned a lot at “Economic Update - Tariffs & General Economic Trends” with Matt Haggerty of RSM at MnTech Tech Connect 2025.

\n

55% chance of recession — Economist speak for “very high”. Predicted April will be the last month of positive job growth. Many false signals due to tariff “pull-ins”.

\n\"Presenter\n", "date_published": "2025-05-07T21:19:43-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/05/07/learned-a-lot-at-economic.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Current Events"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/05/07/wonderful-teamsps-group-photo-at.html", "content_html": "

Wonderful #TeamSPS group photo at MnTech Tech Connect 2025. Was very sad that I missed the photo — I got talking to people after the morning keynote and completely missed it!

\n\"Group\n", "date_published": "2025-05-07T13:50:26-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/05/07/wonderful-teamsps-group-photo-at.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/05/07/fun-to-see-sam-pierson.html", "content_html": "

Fun to see Sam Pierson, TeamSPS alumni, at MnTech Tech Connect 2025. Was cool to hear what their team at Qlik is creating.

\n\"Two\n", "date_published": "2025-05-07T13:39:19-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/05/07/fun-to-see-sam-pierson.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/05/07/great-exploration-of-spatial-computing.html", "content_html": "

Great exploration of Spatial Computing at MnTech Tech Connect 2025 with Amir Berenjian of REM5 Studios. Pragmatic view highlighting where these solutions are solving big problems.

\n\"Two\n", "date_published": "2025-05-07T13:31:26-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/05/07/great-exploration-of-spatial-computing.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Apple"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/05/07/great-start-to-mntech-tech.html", "content_html": "

Great start to MnTech Tech Connect 2025 this morning with Joel Crandell starting things off and then John Sweeney leading a wonderful keynote on having an innovative mindset and being comfortable being uncomfortable. 👏

\n

\"Attendees\"Bald\"Man

\n", "date_published": "2025-05-07T10:35:26-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/05/07/great-start-to-mntech-tech.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/05/06/what-does-minnebar-mean.html", "title": "What does Minnebar mean?", "content_html": "

I was having a conversation last week about Minnebar and there was a question about the name. What does it mean? Why Minnebar? It has nothing to do with being a bar with drinks. And it isn’t mini!

\n

A super abbreviated history to get to the name.

\n

It starts with Tim O’Reilly and O’Reilly Media. At one point O’Reilly hosted these “Friends of O’Reilly” events which as an acronym is FOO. It was Friends of O’Reilly, or Foo Camp. These were special events with an open agenda. Think wiki meets conference — or unconference.

\n

The community decided there should be more of these to encourage sharing ideas in an unstructured way. In 2005 the first BarCamp was hosted to do that. In programming the most common variable reference is foobar, which isn’t the military fubar. So, not FooCamp but BarCamp.

\n

There were BarCamps all over the place. It was a big trend. So when Ben, Luke, and a handful of folks decided we should have one in Minneapolis. But instead of it being BarCamp Minneapolis, let’s brand it a bit. Minnebar!

\n

That is how you get there. So Minnebar is the largest unconference in North America, and I’m nearly positive it is also the longest running.

\n", "date_published": "2025-05-06T21:30:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/05/06/what-does-minnebar-mean.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/05/06/my-minnebar-in-sessions.html", "title": "My Minnebar 19 in Sessions", "content_html": "\"A\n

Session 0 feat. Dr. AnnMarie Thomas!

\n

AnnMarie Thomas

\n
\n

AnnMarie is an engineer. An artist. An educator. A maker. A writer. A lifelong learner who built her career mixing science, art, tech, and curiosity into something new – over and over again.

\n

From Squishy Circuits (playdough that lights up!) to OK Go Sandbox (music videos as STEAM playgrounds), to founding the Playful Learning Lab (at the University of St. Thomas), her work reminds us: when we make space for play, we make space for possibility.

\n

Today, she leads Listo Idea Co., LLC, where she consults on projects ranging from workshop design to ocean focused VR/AR. She’s also an enthusiastic amateur in a wide range of hobbies – including trapeze and magic.

\n
\n

Recipe for play:

\n\n

Playful learning rules:

\n\n\"A\n

This Machine ____s Fascists (fill in the blank)

\n

Paul Cantrell

\n
\n

Around the world and at home, democracy is in decline and authoritarianism is on the rise. Technology is smack dab at the center of this authoritarian movement, both in terms of how it spreads and in terms of the damage it can do. Unfortunately, as designers, builders, managers, and funders of technology, we cannot look away.

\n

What actions can we, the creators and stewards of technology, take to protect democracy and human rights? What power do we have when our own spheres of influence feel small? What harms are preventable? What harms are not obvious? What choices do we have? What kinds of action can we take?

\n

When presented with an ethical dilemma, how will you fill in that blank?

\n
\n\n\"A\n

🐝 Honeybees: Click to Save

\n

Joe Meyer

\n
\n

Technology and beekeeping might seem like an unlikely pairing, but the “Save the Bees” movement has inspired a surge of tech innovation in the hive. In this session, we’ll take a look at the gadgets and technologies gaining traction in the beekeeping world. I’ll also talk about my own personal journey developing an app using AI not to disrupt tradition, but to support it. This talk is for anyone interested in the tension between tradition and innovation, and how we can design technology that honors the communities it’s meant to serve.

\n
\n\n\"A\n

Deepfakes 101: What’s Real, What’s Not, and What to Do About It

\n

Greg Swan, Jenny Swan

\n
\n

Deepfake fraud attempts have skyrocketed by 2137% in just three years. And today, it takes less than 27 seconds to clone someone’s voice.

\n

But what is a deepfake, and why should you care? AI-generated misinformation is more than just a tech curiosity–it’s a growing threat to trust, security, and even your personal identity. If people can’t tell reality from manipulation, skepticism toward AI will only grow.

\n

Join Jenny and Greg Swan from _The Cave Project_as they break down how deepfakes work, the risks they pose, and (most importantly) what you can actually do about it. From setting up family passwords to recognizing red flags, this session will arm you with the knowledge to stay ahead of the fake.

\n
\n\n\"A\n

Minimal Viable Polka: My 100 day plan to win valentines day

\n

Jim Bernard

\n
\n

This personal narrative includes practical tips and easy-to-implement suggestions that can be applied to your life. Bring your groaning to-do list, spiraling imposter syndrome and be prepared to be bossed into doing that thing that you’ve always wanted to do. You’ve got this!

\n

WARNING: This session will include a modest amount of beginner accordion music.

\n
\n\n\"People\n

3D Printing: How to Get Started

\n

Cameron MacDonald

\n
\n

Are you interested in 3D printing but don’t know how to get started?

\n

This session is to give newcomers to 3D printing a rundown of what it is, what it isn’t, and how to start trying it out if you’re interested.

\n

We’ll be exploring:

\n\n

There will be time for a Q&A at the end for anyone who has specific questions. 3D printing is an exciting, fun, sometimes frustrating, and extremely vast and deep hobby. I hope you’ll join and find out more about one of my favorite hobbies!

\n
\n

Materials from talk.

\n\"A\n

Build game changing products using Product Discovery workshops

\n

Bill Gintz, David Quinn

\n
\n

This presentation will delve into the dynamic use of Product Discovery workshops within our organization. We’ll explore the insights our team has garnered through these sessions and illustrate how they can help synchronize product, delivery, and stakeholder teams. This alignment will pave the way for a more efficient, stress-free delivery process, ultimately leading to the creation of game-changing products.

\n
\n

Great TeamSPS presentation on using discovery to make sure your doing the right things in the right way.

\n

How To Newsletter

\n

This was my session, you can read the article version.

\n", "date_published": "2025-05-06T21:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/05/06/my-minnebar-in-sessions.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Technology","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/05/03/me-and-my-cousin-quinn.html", "content_html": "

Me and my cousin Quinn wrapping up a great day at Minnebar 19 — it was my 19th Minnebar and his 1st! Related, I’m the oldest of the cousins and he is the youngest, with 13 more between us.

\n\"Two\n", "date_published": "2025-05-03T17:05:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/05/03/me-and-my-cousin-quinn.html", "tags": ["Family","Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/05/03/i-love-the-passion-and.html", "content_html": "

I love the passion and excitement that people bring to the Mega-Minne-Multi-Indie-Mini Arcade at Minnebar.

\n\"People\n", "date_published": "2025-05-03T15:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/05/03/i-love-the-passion-and.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Games","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/05/03/garrick-van-buren-jim-bernard.html", "content_html": "

Garrick van Buren, Jim Bernard, and I after his Minimal Viable Polka session at Minnebar 19. I feel very confident that this is the first accordion experience at Minnebar — and it was a great time!

\n\"Three\n", "date_published": "2025-05-03T13:45:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/05/03/garrick-van-buren-jim-bernard.html", "tags": ["Music","Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/05/03/great-to-have-so-many.html", "content_html": "

Great to have so many #TeamSPS folks here at #Minnebar19! Know more to be more! 💙

\n\"Group\n", "date_published": "2025-05-03T12:45:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/05/03/great-to-have-so-many.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Minnestar","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/05/03/stats-on-minnebar-largest-minnebar.html", "content_html": "

Stats on Minnebar 19:

\n\n

Wow! 😮

\n

Super strong kickoff to Minnebar — one of the best I can recall. Great energy, logistics well orchestrated, materials very well done. Amazing. 👏👏👏

\n\"Large\n\"Crowded\n", "date_published": "2025-05-03T09:09:30-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/05/03/stats-on-minnebar-largest-minnebar.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/05/03/hey-minnebar-attendees-you-can.html", "content_html": "

Hey #Minnebar19 attendees — you can get your awesome Minnebar 19 POAP by tapping your phone on the “NFC discs” at the t-shirt table, newbie desk, or by the main stage!

\n

\"Minnebar\"Black\"NFC

\n", "date_published": "2025-05-03T08:35:08-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/05/03/hey-minnebar-attendees-you-can.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","POAP","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/04/28/minnebar-poap.html", "title": "Minnebar 19 POAP", "content_html": "

Minnebar 19 is coming up this Saturday and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to create a special Minnebar 19 POAP token for folks at the event to get and commemorate the event! I did a POAP for Minnebar 17 two years ago.

\n

For this POAP I reached out to Meg Steuer at Minnestar and she was kind enough to share the graphics that are being used for the t-shirts. It was a super cool shirt and after consider it for a bit it worked absolutely perfect for an animated image. I’m loving this loop!

\n\"Red\n

I have several hundred tokens loaded on three different POAP NFC discs that will be placed around the event. Just bring your phone near the disc and tap the center — you’ll get directed to a link to mint your token!

\n

If you want to get ready for the day, download the POAP Home app to be ready for iOS and Android. Using this app you can also upload photos from the event to POAP Memories to share with others that hold the same token.

\n

I’ll also be sharing my You Met Me POAP as well as a one for my How to Newsletter Session.

\n", "date_published": "2025-04-28T21:02:35-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/04/28/minnebar-poap.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","POAP","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/04/28/we-met-at-minnebar-poap.html", "title": "We Met at Minnebar 19 POAP", "content_html": "

Are you going to be at Minnebar 19 this Saturday? Come and introduce yourself and I’d love to share my You Met Jamie Thingelstad at Minnebar 19 POAP token with you! I’ll have it loaded on my IYK card easily redeemed with a tap.

\n\"Round\n", "date_published": "2025-04-28T20:49:58-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/04/28/we-met-at-minnebar-poap.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","POAP","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/04/27/created-the-designs-for-three.html", "content_html": "

Created the designs for three different POAPs for Minnebar 19 next week. Have a very cool one for the event, made a special one just for my session, and of course a You’ve Met Me one to share at Minnebar!

\n", "date_published": "2025-04-27T09:36:31-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/04/27/created-the-designs-for-three.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","POAP","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/04/06/poap-planing-for-minnebar.html", "title": "POAP Planing for Minnebar 19", "content_html": "

I’m going to distribute a POAP for Minnebar 19! This isn’t official (yet) — but something I’m doing for the community. I’ll have three IYK POAP Discs at the venue for claiming the tokens. This will be simpler and easier to distribute than what I did for Minnebar 17.

\n

I’ll also have a POAP Card at my newsletter session for a special POAP just for that session, as well as a personal IYK Card loaded with my “You’ve met me POAP” to share at the event.

\n

Getting ready? Install the POAP Home App (iOS, Android) and you are good to go!

\n", "date_published": "2025-04-06T07:51:32-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/04/06/poap-planing-for-minnebar.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","POAP","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/27/i-signed-up-to-run.html", "content_html": "

I signed up to run a session at Minnebar 19! I’m going to host How to Newsletter: Lessons from 300 issues of the Weekly Thing. I had originally planned do this at Minnebar 17 but had to cancel. I’m looking forward to going deep and broad on how I do all this! Come if you are in Minneapolis!

\n", "date_published": "2025-03-27T20:45:28-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/27/i-signed-up-to-run.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Weekly Thing","Blogging","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/27/got-my-tickets-to-minnebar.html", "content_html": "

Got my tickets to Minnebar 19! Tyler and I are both going. I’m planning on doing a session this year as well. More to come!

\n\"Minnebar\n", "date_published": "2025-03-27T20:35:09-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/27/got-my-tickets-to-minnebar.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2025/03/24/im-super-excited-to-see.html", "content_html": "

I’m super excited to see Ben Edwards @alttext now on micro.blog! Ben has a done a bunch but in my mind he’s always one of the folks that got minnestar off the ground. He was emailing me over the weekend about blogging stuff — I think you’re gonna like it Ben! Picture from Minnebar 2009. 🙌

\n\"Ben\n", "date_published": "2025-03-24T20:03:58-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2025/03/24/im-super-excited-to-see.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Blogging","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2024/11/14/this-melin-hat.html", "content_html": "

This Melin hat may be one of my favorite new pieces of SPS swag. 🤩🧢

\n\"Man\n", "date_published": "2024-11-14T16:46:12-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2024/11/14/this-melin-hat.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2024/11/14/incredible-morning-building.html", "content_html": "

Incredible morning building connections at SPS Growth Summit! Incredible keynote from Riaz Meghji! So much great energy and talent as we continue to grow the world’s retail network.#TeamSPS

\n\"Chad\n\"Three\n\"Stage\n\"Conference\n\"Riaz\n\"Large\n\"Several\n\"Production\n", "date_published": "2024-11-14T12:38:15-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2024/11/14/incredible-morning-building.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2024/09/19/minnedemo.html", "title": "Minnedemo 40", "content_html": "

The 40th installment of Minnedemo had me wondering about the first one — I was there for Holiday Minnedemo in October of 2006! I have a lot of Minnedemo blog posts. 🤩

\n

HabitAware

\n

Aneela Idnani + Sameer Kumar

\n\"A\n

App along with a bracelet that attempts to interrupt someone that is habitually picking on their skin, pulling their hair, or some other body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB). One of the founders successfully used this to stop a hair pulling habit. They demoed their solution now working as an app on an Apple Watch. They also have a new version of the bracelet on the way.

\n

OmegaVR

\n

Dagmawe Mamo, Mahamud Hussien + Keleabe Mamo

\n\"A\n

Focused on creating accessible technology specifically to allow VR usage for people that have mobility limitations. Allow user to move around VR space with eye tracking and other assistive methods. Uses EEG to monitor brain activity to allow navigation via thought.

\n

tinkl: Pee in Peace

\n

Essie Schlotterbeck

\n\"Smartphone\n

Not a launched app but will be soon. The app uses an established database with user generated content layered on to help locate gender neutral bathrooms. The app was originally built as part of Prime Academy program. Great name!

\n

Attentio: Latent Signal Descent & Context Stacking

\n

Lukas Valine

\n\"A\n

Platform to allow training and custom weights of an LLM using plain text. You can simply describe facets and data and then tell the LLM to save that and it will respond with that from then on. It was a good demo. It wasn’t clear to me how different it is from a Custom GPT in ChatGPT. It does work on significantly smaller and cheaper models.

\n\"A\n

Abe

\n

Isaac Kamsin

\n\"A\n

Platform that connects DIY home repair people to others to help them solve problems in the home via online video sharing. Buy on demand expertise that can help you navigate projects. Particularly good where YouTube videos just don’t address the specific questions you have. Much cheaper than a handyman or tradesperson visiting, and perhaps a way for a tradesperson to generate additional income? The demo was replacing a flapper in a toilet. 🚽

\n\"\"\n

HLRBO

\n

Heath Schubert + Cookie Lithyouvong

\n\"Smartphone\n

Interesting idea that has market traction and raised investment round. Like VRBO, but for Hunting Leases. Provides a market for landowners to put the hunting rights up for lease, and provides the legal lease documents as well as hosting assets to better explain the plot of land. Seems like a solid idea taking an existing proven model and applying to a different asset.

\n\"\"\n

The Poopcopter

\n

Caleb Olson

\n

Olson presented a classic Minnedemo that will be remembered for years — a drone that flies around and finding and removing dog poop. He has an operational drone that uses computer vision to spot dog poop, then descends onto it and uses a twisting motion to close a custom designed “scoop” which then flies away to collect it. Practical? No. Fun? Absolutely! 💩

\n\"\"\n

See also official Minnedemo 40 recap!

\n", "date_published": "2024-09-19T21:45:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2024/09/19/minnedemo.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2024/09/19/was-great-to.html", "content_html": "

Was great to run into this amazing group of Minnestar superstars at Minnedemo 40: Adrienne Peirce, Lindsi Gish, Jenna Pederson, and Justin Porter!

\n\"Five\n", "date_published": "2024-09-19T20:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2024/09/19/was-great-to.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2024/09/19/ran-into-justin.html", "content_html": "

Ran into Justin Porter as I arrived at Minnedemo 40! FORTY!

\n\"Two \n

We got a similar photo at Minnedemo 39!

\n", "date_published": "2024-09-19T19:00:15-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2024/09/19/ran-into-justin.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2024/05/08/mntech-tech-connect.html", "title": "MnTech Tech Connect 2024", "content_html": "

Today was Tech Connect 2024 hosted by MnTech at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. There were over 600 people this year and a number of good presentations.

\n

Sessions I attended:

\n\n

Overall observations:

\n\n\"Bald\n\"Speaker\n\"Large\n\"Four\n\"Large\n\"Group\n", "date_published": "2024-05-08T20:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2024/05/08/mntech-tech-connect.html", "tags": ["Technology","AI","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2024/05/06/im-looking-forward.html", "content_html": "

I’m looking forward to Minnesota Technology Association Tech Connect 2024 event on Wednesday. To have a little fun I created a You’ve met Jamie Thingelstad at Tech Connect 2024 POAP to share with folks that I see there. If you are at the event say Hi and I’ll give you a claim code! 🤝

\n\"Circular\n", "date_published": "2024-05-06T21:31:33-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2024/05/06/im-looking-forward.html", "tags": ["POAP","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2024/04/20/minnebar.html", "title": "Minnebar 18", "content_html": "

Today was one of the biggest days of the year for the technology community of the Twin Cities — Minnebar 18! Once again Best Buy Headquarters was a gracious host sponsor and Minnestar welcome over 1,000 passionate technolgies to partake in at least 80 sessions led by members of the community. Tyler and I had a great time and attended many sessions.

\n\n

\"Large
\nThe main room as the day gets kicked off.

\n

\"Purple
\nMinnebar 18 t-shirts ready! They look amazing!

\n

\"Two
\nRan into Colin Hirdman who had this incredible display integrated with his shirt.

\n

\"Packed
\nOne of our sessions learning about LLM techniques.

\n

\"Man
\nSteve Buchanan introducing himself as he gets Session 0 (aka Minnebar Keynote) going.

\n

\"Large
\nVery, very long line for pizza.

\n

\"Six
\nGreat to see Maria Boland Ploessl, Benjamin Ortega, me, Jeff Sellner, Tony Collen, and Adrienne Peirce.

\n

\"Presenter
\nThe session we attended Retro Hardware.

\n

\"Bearded
\nSPS Commerce is a terabyte sponsor of Minnestar!

\n

\"Group
\nWe didn’t get everyone, but several of #TeamSPS got together for a team photo at Minnebar 18!

\n

👋 Awesome community members that I got to say Hi to at Minnebar (incomplete and unordered)…

\n

Bridget Kromhout,\nNate Anderson,\nLevi McCormick,\nJeanette Dorazio,\nJustin Porter,\nCasey Helbling,\nPaul DeBettignies,\nJohn Roberts,\nJenna Pederson,\nColin Hirdman,\nSamantha Grumdahl,\nMatt Decuir,\nGordon Raup,\nMaria Boland Ploessl,\nAdrienne Peirce,\nJeff Sellner,\nTony Collen,\nBenjamin Ortega,\nCorwin Diamond,\nBode Falade,\nMark Gritter,\nNikki Riemersma,\nJim Bernard,\nPete Clark,\nTor Flatebo,\nTori Peraza,\nMelissa Buening,\nJade Barker,\nDavid Duccini,\nPeter Edstrom,\nGraeme Thickins,\nMolly Doyle,\nRobert Weber,\nJohn Murphy,\nJohn Kelly, and\nRobert Speer.

\n

See also Minnebar collection.

\n", "date_published": "2024-04-20T17:40:21-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2024/04/20/minnebar.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Minnestar","AI","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2024/04/18/minnesota-aspirations-in.html", "title": "2024 Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Award Ceremony", "content_html": "

The annual Aspirations in Computing event highlights the accomplishments of incredible young women that are doing amazing things in technology. For the eighth year running SPS Commerce has sponsored this program and we’ve hosted dozens of Aspirations interns now, including some that have gone on to be college interns and even then team members! This was also the first year for Aspirations in Computing since finding a new home with the MnTech Foundation and holding the event at the Metropolitan Ballroom.

\n

Many members of TeamSPS volunteer and are engaged with Aspirations in Computing, but special recognition for Amy Patton who has put so much into this great program! 👏

\n\"Sponsor \n_Thank you to all the sponsors of this great program!_\n\"Group \n_The 2024 Aspirations in Computing honorees._\n\"Group\n_TeamSPS members with our four Aspirations interns for 2024._\n\"Group\n_How many people can you get in front of a small photo booth?_\n

Aspirations is fundraising for eight scholarships for winners that need assistance with their next steps to college. If you can, add your support for these amazing young women!

\n

See Aspirations Awards events from\n2016,\n2019,\n2020,\n2021, or\n2024.

\n", "date_published": "2024-04-18T21:30:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2024/04/18/minnesota-aspirations-in.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2024/03/08/in-recognition-of.html", "content_html": "

In recognition of International Women’s Day continuing my commitment to empowering all women, particularly in technology and leadership. #IWD2024 #InspireInclusion

\n\"Man\n

See IWD 2024, 2021, 2020, 2020 @ SPS, and 2018.

\n", "date_published": "2024-03-08T12:11:43-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2024/03/08/in-recognition-of.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2024/01/30/a-warm-welcome.html", "content_html": "

A warm welcome to the newest slate of Minnestar board members: Kathryn Frengs, Tim Herby, Muneeb B. Hafeez, Kevin Jansen, Robert Tomb, Matt Decuir, and Valerie Lockhart. I continue to be a big fan of Minnestar and their mission to catalyze the Twin Cities technology community.

\n", "date_published": "2024-01-30T21:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2024/01/30/a-warm-welcome.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/12/20/i-dig-the.html", "content_html": "

I dig the simple and distinct look of the new Minnesota state flag. Certainly a more modern look.

\n

Several years ago when I was still on the board of Minnestar we created a new branding system that looks almost like a precursor to the new flag.

\n\"Minnesota\n", "date_published": "2023-12-20T21:56:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/12/20/i-dig-the.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community","Current Events"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/12/14/it-was-fun.html", "content_html": "

It was fun to be able to speak at the Mntech Tech Outlook 2024 event today. Dan Abdul, Sarah Engstrom, Eric Hanson, and I introduced our companies and covered a lot of ground with Jeff Tollefson moderating. Topics ranged from GenAI, talent development, technology strategy, and more.

\n\"Four\n", "date_published": "2023-12-14T23:22:54-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/12/14/it-was-fun.html", "tags": ["AI","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/11/02/speaking-on-a.html", "content_html": "

Speaking on a panel at Minneapolis CIO Summit this afternoon — Generative AI: Will it Revolutionize Customer and Employee Experiences? Looking forward to sharing some of the wins we’ve seen.

\n\"Audience\n

Update: See LinkedIn post with photos of panel.

\n", "date_published": "2023-11-02T12:51:26-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/11/02/speaking-on-a.html", "tags": ["AI","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/09/29/starting-ai-for.html", "content_html": "

Starting AI for Business conference at Carlson School of Management, Management Information Systems Research Center (MISRC). Looking forward to a focused day of learning on one of the most critical topics of the moment.

\n\"Packed\n", "date_published": "2023-09-29T08:57:24-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/09/29/starting-ai-for.html", "tags": ["AI","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/09/19/minnedemo-was-awesome.html", "content_html": "

Minnedemo 39 was awesome! It was great to see so many from our fabulous technology community, and to see the great demos that everyone shared.

\n

Thanks to Caedence, Showcrow, Evergreen, Charles Edge, Request Metrics, and Raise a Hood for presenting!

\n\"Two\n\"Crowd\n\"Five\n", "date_published": "2023-09-19T21:57:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/09/19/minnedemo-was-awesome.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/05/19/google-cloud-voltage.html", "content_html": "

Google Cloud & Voltage party at Backyard.

\n\"Three\n", "date_published": "2023-05-19T17:16:33-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/05/19/google-cloud-voltage.html", "tags": ["Travel","Crypto","Tech Community","Bitcoin 2023"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/05/19/jack-mallers-of.html", "content_html": "

Jack Mallers of Strike closed out Friday at Bitcoin 2023 with massive announcement of global expansion and Lightning improvements. ⚡️

\n\"Speaker\n", "date_published": "2023-05-19T17:15:15-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/05/19/jack-mallers-of.html", "tags": ["Travel","Crypto","Tech Community","Bitcoin 2023"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/05/19/excited-to-see.html", "content_html": "

Excited to see Arthur Hayes and Michael Lewis on stage at Bitcoin 2023.

\n\"Two\n", "date_published": "2023-05-19T14:35:53-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/05/19/excited-to-see.html", "tags": ["Travel","Crypto","Tech Community","Bitcoin 2023"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/05/19/michael-saylor-of.html", "content_html": "

Michael Saylor of MicroStrategy with Bill Miller IV on Nakamoto Stage at Bitcoin 2023.

\n

“The universal frequent flyer mile is the Satoshi.” Interesting concept of using Sats to enable very different systems.

\n

\"Two\"Large

\n", "date_published": "2023-05-19T12:14:36-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/05/19/michael-saylor-of.html", "tags": ["Travel","Crypto","Tech Community","Bitcoin 2023"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/05/19/connected-with-vlad.html", "content_html": "

Connected with Vlad Stan of LNBits after the Nostr session and got one of the DIY signing kits he was sharing. Love a group huddled around a laptop with devices geeking out.

\n\"Two\n\"Two\n", "date_published": "2023-05-19T10:28:22-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/05/19/connected-with-vlad.html", "tags": ["Travel","Crypto","Tech Community","Bitcoin 2023"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/05/19/got-to-meet.html", "content_html": "

Got to meet Will Casarin, developer of Damus, after the Nostr session.

\n\"Two\n", "date_published": "2023-05-19T10:25:17-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/05/19/got-to-meet.html", "tags": ["Travel","Crypto","Tech Community","Bitcoin 2023"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/05/19/hector-kerry-and.html", "content_html": "

Hector, Kerry, and I kicking off the day at Bitcoin 2023 in Miami!

\n\"Three\n\"Three\n", "date_published": "2023-05-19T08:19:09-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/05/19/hector-kerry-and.html", "tags": ["Travel","Crypto","Tech Community","Bitcoin 2023"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/05/18/departing-for-bitcoin.html", "content_html": "

Departing for Bitcoin 2023 in Miami Beach! Meeting up with Hector there.

\n\"Man\n", "date_published": "2023-05-18T21:54:59-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/05/18/departing-for-bitcoin.html", "tags": ["Travel","Crypto","Tech Community","Bitcoin 2023"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/05/03/mntech-tech-connect.html", "title": "MnTech Tech Connect 2023", "content_html": "

I had a good time learning new topics and connecting with other technology leaders at the MnTech Tech Connect event today.

\n

My sessions:

\n\n

\"Large\"Speaker\"Panel

\n", "date_published": "2023-05-03T18:20:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/05/03/mntech-tech-connect.html", "tags": ["Technology","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/04/25/it-was-cool.html", "content_html": "

It was cool to see the Minnebar 17 POAPs highlighted in the April 25 issue of This Week in POAP!

\n
\n

Minnebar, America’s “largest and longest-running technology unconference” was held at Best Buy’s corporate headquarters in Minneapolis and dropped POAPs for attendees, presenters, and organizers, as well as a POAP during a session on creating digital community with POAP (LinkedIn post highlighting the POAPs).

\n
\n

I also really like how the POAP images turned out.

\n\"Three\n", "date_published": "2023-04-25T18:37:39-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/04/25/it-was-cool.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","POAP","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/04/22/hector-and-i.html", "content_html": "

Hector and I at Minnebar 17! I’m sporting my Community Supporter tag, as well as my awesome POAP pin!

\n\"Two\n

See also Minnebar collection.

\n", "date_published": "2023-04-22T14:15:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/04/22/hector-and-i.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","POAP","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/04/12/it-was-great.html", "title": "2022 Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Award Ceremony", "content_html": "

It was great to join the Aspirations in Computing annual award ceremony and celebrate the impressive accomplishments of these young women. We are also excited to welcome four award winners to internships with TeamSPS this summer! 👏

\n\"Group\n

See Aspirations Awards events from\n2016,\n2019,\n2020,\n2021, or\n2024.

\n", "date_published": "2023-04-12T21:26:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/04/12/it-was-great.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/03/28/minnebar-staynftympls-series.html", "title": "Minnebar 17 StayNftyMpls 612 Series Giveaway", "content_html": "

Minnebar 17 is coming up on April 22nd! For the first time ever, there will be Minnebar 17 POAPs given to all attendees, presenters, and organizers. I am excited to share that there will also be a free POAP Raffle in partnership with StayNftyMpls for everyone that collects any of the event POAPs.

\n

StayNftyMpls is a supportive community that shares, celebrates, and encourages the creativity of our community by exploring and leveraging NFTs and blockchain technology. Erik Halaas started StayNftyMpls and launched the 612 Series (also on OpenSea) as its first collection.

\n

\"\"

\n

The 612 Series highlights landmarks around the Twin Cities area — places that many of us have memories and stories to share about. This is a local project, with local landmarks, from a local artist!

\n

This is all completely free and for fun! And there will be thirty-two winners!

\n

The thirty-two 612 Series collectibles are currently in the raffle.Minnebar.eth wallet. The raffle will draw 32 winners at 4:45pm on Saturday, April 22nd. The winners will be given items from the 612 Series as follows:

\n
    \n
  1. 113 Al’s Breakfast (1 of 2) contributed from thingelstad.eth
    2. \n
  2. 015 Midtown Global Market (1 of 8)
    3. \n
  3. 099 Wells Fargo Center (1 of 8)
    4. \n
  4. 137 Grain Belt Sign (1 of 8)
    5. \n
  5. 244 Foshay Tower (1 of 8)
    6. \n
  6. 277 Goldy (1 of 8)
    7. \n
  7. 368 Capella Tower (1 of 8)
    8. \n
  8. 432 Riverside Plaza (1 of 8)
    9. \n
  9. 437 Gold Medal Building (1 of 8)
    10. \n
  10. 451 Target Headquarters (1 of 8)
    11. \n
  11. 493 IDS Tower (1 of 8)
    12. \n
  12. 609 Northrup Chair (1 of 8)
    13. \n
  13. 197 Campbell Mithun Tower (1 of 9)
    14. \n
  14. 294 Martin Olav Sabo Bridge (1 of 19)
    15. \n
  15. 538 Washington Avenue Bridge (1 of 23)
    16. \n
  16. 346 Basilica (1 of 24)
    17. \n
  17. 473 Lake Nokomis (1 of 24)
    18. \n
  18. 522 Bde Maka Ska (1 of 24)
    19. \n
  19. 564 Lake Hiawatha (1 of 24)
    20. \n
  20. 416 Minnehaha Falls (1 of 25)
    21. \n
  21. 111 35W Bridge (1 of 28)
    22. \n
  22. 207 Lake Harriet (1 of 28)
    23. \n
  23. 396 Lake of the Isles (1 of 28)
    24. \n
  24. 401 Hennepin Ave Bridge (1 of 28)
    25. \n
  25. 555 Cherry and Spoon (1 of 29)
    26. \n
  26. 118 Guthrie (1 of 32)
    27. \n
  27. 212 The Walker (1 of 32)
    28. \n
  28. 275 Stone Arch Bridge (1 of 32)
    29. \n
  29. 299 Lowry Ave Bridge (1 of 32)
    30. \n
  30. 349 Witches Tower (1 of 32)
    31. \n
  31. 509 Lowry Ave Bridge (1 of 32)
    32. \n
  32. 128 MIA (1 of 36)
    33. \n
\n

Once the raffle is completed, each item will be transfered to the respective winners from raffle.Minnebar.eth within three days. No action is required.

\n", "date_published": "2023-03-28T18:16:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/03/28/minnebar-staynftympls-series.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Crypto","POAP","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/03/04/hosting-minnebar-creating.html", "title": "Hosting Minnebar 17: Creating Digital Community with POAPs", "content_html": "

I’m going to host a session at Minnebar 17 on Creating Digital Community with POAPs! It is my first time back to hosting sessions at Minnebar in several years, and I can’t wait to share all the fun you can have with POAPs in your projects and communities. If this is interesting, sign up on the Sessionizer and indicate that you might attend this!

\n
\n

Now that you’ve claimed your Minnebar 17 POAPs, let’s talk about how you can use POAP to build digital community for on your own!

\n

On June 7, 2021 I claimed my very first POAP and was intrigued. I quickly developed a love of these digital tokens that allow me to collect and remember fun events. I’ve created over 40 different POAP events for hobbies, personal use, family events, and professional.

\n

We will cover:

\n\n

POAPs are an incredible asset to create digital communities, and there is a vibrant ecosystem built around them to enhance and add utility.

\n", "date_published": "2023-03-04T18:24:56-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/03/04/hosting-minnebar-creating.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","POAP","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/03/04/hosting-minnebar-how.html", "title": "Hosting Minnebar 17: How to Newsletter", "content_html": "

Update: Sorry to say that this session had to be cancelled. We had some travel plans come up and we will only be able to attend Minnebar 17 for half the day. We are still going to do the POAP session though.

\n

I’m going to host a session at Minnebar 17 on How to Newsletter: Lessons from 250 Issues of The Weekly Thing. This is my first time presenting at Minnebar in several years. I’m excited to do it again!

\n

If this is interesting to you, register on the Sessionizer and indicate that you might attend this session.

\n
\n

I have been publishing The Weekly Thing since May of 2017. With 250 issues of the newsletter complete I’m hosting this session to share the common questions that I get about:

\n\n

Additionally I will be covering:

\n\n

This session will be focused on the creator and building. We will not be covering marketing, social media, or anything related to newsletter monetization or subscriptions.

\n", "date_published": "2023-03-04T18:16:53-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/03/04/hosting-minnebar-how.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","POAP","Weekly Thing","Blogging","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/03/04/minnebar-poaps.html", "title": "Minnebar 17 POAPs", "content_html": "

I am excited to share that all attendees to Minnebar 17 will be getting a POAP token! In addition to the traditional t-shirt, there will be a unique claim code given to everyone so that they can claim a permanent collectible from the event. 🎉

\n

What is a POAP? Technically it is an NFT that is issued as a collectible for an event or occasion. It is like a digital version of a sticker or shirt. I’ve collected over 80 of them, see my collection for some examples.

\n

POAP is pronounced “poh-ap”.

\n

Update: Also see the Minnebar 17 StayNftyMpls 612 Series Giveaway!

\n

The POAPs

\n

There will actually be three POAP tokens given at Minnebar 17. 🤩

\n

Attendee: All attendees will be given a claim code when they check in on arrival. Everyone that attends will get one of these.
\nPresenter: All presenters that sign up via the Sessionizer will have a claim code sent to them.
\nOrganizer: All organizers who help put the event on will have a claim code sent to them.

\n

Any holder of these POAPs will also be eligible to enter into a raffle at no cost to win something special. Stay tuned for more information on that!

\n

I also plan to have my personal You’ve met thingelstad.eth tokens ready for distribution. Ask me for one at the event. 😊

\n

How to get ready?

\n

If you want to get ready ahead of time so that you can claim these easily you can do two things.

\n

First, you need an Ethereum wallet and address. If you don’t have one, I highly recommend using Rainbow on iOS or Android. It is a very well done wallet and is simple to setup and get started with. It is totally free.

\n

Once you have an address you are ready to go, but if you want to make it even easier you can install the POAP App too. This is also available on iOS and Android. If you configure this with your wallet address you can automatically claim a POAP just by scanning a QR code or tapping an NFC device.

\n

Questions

\n

What is a POAP?

\n

POAP stands for Proof of Attendance Protocol. The POAP website has a good explainer. Functionally they are ERC-721 tokens issued on the Gnosis blockchain. The smart contracts for POAPs have a number of additional applications built around them to add additional utility.

\n

How much does this cost?

\n

Nothing. No funds or crypto are required to collect as many POAPs as you want. All gas fees for minting the POAPs are covered by POAP.

\n

What is the environmental impact?

\n

POAPs are issued on the Gnosis blockchain which uses a proof-of-stake validator mechanism similar to modern Ethereum. As such, it uses minimal power.

\n

Can I sell the POAP?

\n

POAPs are meant to collect and curate memories, not make money. It is strongly discouraged to sell a POAP, but technically you can. As an ERC-721 NFT you can send POAPs from one wallet to another on Gnosis chain. You can also migrate the POAP to Ethereum mainnet, however there is a 0.1 ETH fee for doing that which is largely intended to keep people from attempting to sell them.

\n

Why do some POAP owners have names?

\n

POAPs are held by wallets, and if you buy and configure an Ethereum Name Service name the wallet address can be displayed as a name. If you would like to do this, go to the ENS app and buy your preferred name, remember to set the reverse address lookup, and your name will be shown instead of an address.

\n

If you have other questions, check out the POAP Help Center.

\n", "date_published": "2023-03-04T17:59:38-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/03/04/minnebar-poaps.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","POAP","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/02/11/extending-the-minnestar.html", "title": "Extending the Minnestar Community Supporter Program", "content_html": "

In a recent conversation with Minnestar Executive Director Maria Boland Ploessl I was very pleased to hear about the amazing growth of the Minnestar Community Supporter program. Community Supporters were something that we launched when I was on the board of Minnestar to create an opportunity for individuals to support Minnebar and Minnedemo, in addition to companies. It was always significant, even on the first year, but it has grown a lot in recent years. The biggest part of that growth has been the structured year-end giving program which I was happy to be a matching supporter of this year.

\n

The growth is awesome, but the program itself hasn’t changed materially since the launch. The primary benefit of being a Community Supporter is that you are guaranteed a ticket to the highly in-demand events that Minnestar hosts. That is a great benefit, but I’ve always wondered what more could be done for this great group of people that are helping support our technology community. Particularly what could be done outside of events.

\n

In my opinion, being a Community Supporter of Minnestar should be table stakes for any technology leader in the region. It should be the most direct way to give back to the technology community we are all part of, and provide meaningful value to the supporter individually. I think supporting the events and community is solid, but the only meaningful value to the individual is a guaranteed ticket.

\n

So what more could be done to grow the program? Some ideas…

\n

Create Connection

\n

People that become Community Supporters are a pretty special and fun group. Creating more connection in that group could be incredibly valuable. This could be done with in two phases.

\n

First, launch an every-other week newsletter just for Community Supporters. This newsletter could include:

\n\n

The newsletter could be the whole thing, but if there is an increase in engagement a forum for Community Supporters could get traction. I specifically do not mean Slack or Discord. Those are far too high engagement. A platform like Discourse seems much better suited to this. I think Minnestar could benefit from a Discourse like platform for everything, with Community Supporters being a member only section.

\n

Membership

\n

There needs to be more ways to show a persons affiliation with Minnestar, and recognize that support. I’ve been a Minnesota Public Radio member since 1995. How do I know that? My member card says it. I’ve been an Electronic Frontier Foundation member since 2010. It’s on my member card.

\n

First step of this should be to issue an actual Minnestar Community Supporter member card. Cards have to be printed, they expire, etc. There is effort to do this but it gives me something to carry with me and show my membership.

\n

This should also be extended into the digital world with POAP tokens. There should be a POAP for each year given to community supporters. Over the years, you collect each yearly POAP.

\n

This would also be an opportunity to highlight the work of a local artist and create a uniquely designed card and token each year that isn’t just membership, but something that people feel like collecting.

\n

I’ve been a Community Supporter member since the program started, but I have no idea how long that has been!

\n

Input & Direction

\n

Community Supporters as a group could be given the opportunity to have input on Minnestar activities. As a group votes could be taken. Thought would have to be given on what the votes are on. There is a Minnestar Board and various committees, and they should continue to do what they do. But there could be decisions that the community supporters are asked to give a vote on.

\n

I had long thought that it would be really great for one of the Minnestar board seats to be a Community Supporter seat. In this case, the Community Supporters would elect amongst themselves one member that would represent them on the board. This could be facilitated via the forum above, with members raising their hands to serve and make their case followed by an official voting period.

\n

This would lend itself exceptionally well to a Minnestar DAO, with membership gated via the Community Supporter POAP that you receive each year.

\n

Ecosystem Benefits

\n

It would be interesting to explore ways that other organizations in the technology community may want to extend benefit to Community Supporters of Minnestar. This is one of the key reasons to create Membership with a card and a token. Perhaps Twin Cities Startup Week would offer some unique opportunity. Or Tech.MN give a discount on membership. Or early access to certain events.

\n

This would require that Minnestar reach out to have conversations around this with other events, and require proof of being a Community Supporter without access to Minnestar resources. I think this could work, and may be welcome from other organizations as well.

\n", "date_published": "2023-02-11T09:26:34-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/02/11/extending-the-minnestar.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","POAP","Tech Community","Giving"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2023/02/02/the-product-partner.html", "content_html": "

The Product Partner Fair for #TeamSPS 2023 Sales Kickoff is a whole new level of awesome! Tremendous amount of information, and even an incredible Command Center theatre experience! 🥸

\n

\"Crowd\"Busy\"Crowded\"Five

\n", "date_published": "2023-02-02T12:04:48-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2023/02/02/the-product-partner.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2022/11/08/geoffrey-moore-gave.html", "content_html": "

Geoffrey Moore gave an amazing keynote at Growth Summit 2023 today. His strategies have been our playbook for many years. It was incredible to hear directly from such an influential strategist!

\n\"Man\n", "date_published": "2022-11-08T21:13:10-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2022/11/08/geoffrey-moore-gave.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2022/11/08/looking-forward-to.html", "content_html": "

Looking forward to an amazing Growth Summit 2023 with #TeamSPS today! 🙌

\n\"Large\n", "date_published": "2022-11-08T09:05:41-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2022/11/08/looking-forward-to.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2022/10/13/at-todays-mntech.html", "content_html": "

At today’s MnTech board meeting we heard presentations from the 2022 ACE Leadership participants as they finished the program. Wonderful group of gifted leaders bringing innovative ideas forward.

\n\"Large\n", "date_published": "2022-10-13T19:42:55-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2022/10/13/at-todays-mntech.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2022/09/22/minnedemo.html", "title": "Minnedemo 37", "content_html": "

It was great to see the Twin Cities technology community back together for Minnedemo tonight at the Reverview Theater. Minnedemo was also part of the Twin Cities Startup Week lineup.

\n\"Entrance\n

The presenters for tonight were great. I also have a special affinity for the vibe of the Riverview Minnedemos. Theatre snacks, food trucks, and a gorgeous evening are a pretty awesome combination.

\n\"Three\n

The demos were really impressive!

\n

Sunsett.io: Well designed and easy-to-use product to merge reporting information from many platforms into a single view for small- to mid-sized companies.

\n

Teqnizan Bluetooth Earrings: Cool idea of an earbud that is mounted into an earring and works outside of the ear canal.

\n

Collab Spot: Allows you to overlay a collaboration layer on top of any website allowing people to build a website to work together in the actual site.

\n

IntelligentRx: Mind boggling free tool that allows you to find discounts and coupons to apply to medications and save as much as 90% off the retail price. Incredibly impressive. Self-funded and growing.

\n

Seraph7 Studios: Presenter had to cancel. 🙁 Guessing Covid.

\n

Aurelius 3.0: Solution that collects end-user feedback, does speech-to-text analysis, and allows you to curate and analyze aggregate feedback.

\n

SitEat: Service specifically designed to allow concession operators at sports venues to allow fans to order from their seat and get orders fulfilled much faster.

\n

I thought IntelligentRx had the most promise to be very impactful for people. SitEat is something I would love to use at MN United games.

\n

Even after 37 sessions, 259 demos, I’m still amazed at the creativity and ingenuity of the technology community here.

\n\"Three \nFormer Minnestar Board members: Me, [Adrienne Peirce](http://adriennepeirce.com), and [Jim Bernard](https://www.jimbernard.net).\n", "date_published": "2022-09-22T22:19:26-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2022/09/22/minnedemo.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2022/09/21/great-morning-sharing.html", "content_html": "

Great morning sharing keynote for Protolabs GTX event on Innovation Accelerated! Thanks to Rob Bodor for the invitation and Oleg Ryaboy there new CTO for the introduction!

\n\"Three\n\"Large\n", "date_published": "2022-09-21T10:53:02-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2022/09/21/great-morning-sharing.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2022/03/03/tech-inclusion-alliance.html", "title": "Tech Inclusion Alliance at MnTech Tech Talent", "content_html": "

It was great to get to be part of the MnTech Tech Talent event today with Caroline Karanja as she shared the details of the new Tech Inclusion Alliance, and then a brief panel discussion with Tarek Tomes and myself on what companies are doing that is working to bring more diverse talent into technology.

\n

My key points:

\n
    \n
  1. Companies need to solve this problem or it will limit their growth as they are unable the available talent pool isn’t growing fast enough.
    2. \n
  2. Companies can do more to lower the barriers to bringing talent into their organization. Technology choices are hiring choices!
    3. \n
\n\"Promotional\n

The video for the session is up now.

\n
\n \n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-03-03T22:22:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2022/03/03/tech-inclusion-alliance.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2022/02/06/remembering-matthew-dornquast.html", "title": "Remembering Matthew Dornquast", "content_html": "

I first met Matthew when he was CTO at Fallon. It must have been 1997. I don’t remember how we got introduced to each other. We both went to the University of Minnesota in Computer Science but Matthew was a few years ahead of me and we didn’t overlap there. I do remember meeting Matthew though. We were building BigCharts and Matthew and I immediately connected on our shared passion for technology and specifically the Internet and the rapidly evolving web. Matthew was very smart, passionate, focused. I remember him talking about moving on and doing something new, the thing that eventually became Code42. Not before I tried to persuade him to join our ragtag band at BigCharts. But it was very clear that he wanted to pursue something on his own.

\n

We stayed in touch over the years and would regularly meetup to chat technology, the Internet, startups, etc. He returned my favor of gently trying to bring him into BigCharts when we had lunch downtown and he gauged my interest in joining them as they started to build out CrashPlan. I was an early user of the peer-to-peer version of CrashPlan and used it to for a neighbor and I to be each others offsite backup. As always, Matthew was passionate, excited, driven and always focused on the technology.

\n

Matthew and I would regularly connect around our shared passions and joint focus on doing everything we could to make the Twin Cities technology community stronger. Matthew was always a dedicated supporter of Minnebar and Minnedemo. He cared deeply about the technology community around him, and always showed up to support and grow the talent around him. I will forever miss that about him.

\n

Matthew and I never did get to do a project together. I have an incredible amount of respect for what he built. Through the consulting business of Code42 they bootstrapped a product that became the largest Series A investment in Minnesota history. In the middle Matthew made several bets in early stage companies by building the technology in return for some equity.

\n

Unfortunately it has been a few years since we connected. After Matthew moved on from Code42 and moved to New York we didn’t have those serendipitous moments to connect. But by his tweets you can see that his passion for technology was present through all of his life. It is sad to see a mind as bright as his go so early in life.

\n

Thank you Matthew for all you did for the technology community, and for building so many things that continue to provide value today. You will be missed.

\n\"Smiling\n

Related

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-02-06T11:42:15-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2022/02/06/remembering-matthew-dornquast.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","BigCharts","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2021/09/14/had-my-mini.html", "content_html": "

Had my mini studio setup today to present at the MnTech CIO Forum: Straight talk on emerging technologies event. Green screen, mic, key light improve things a lot!

\n\"Home\n", "date_published": "2021-09-14T15:03:48-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2021/09/14/had-my-mini.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Home"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2021/08/19/i-am-happy.html", "content_html": "

I am happy to back the Hack the Gap Book on Kickstarter! I’m looking forward to reading, and learning, from the stories of women and non-binary people in tech. Join me in supporting this project today!

\n\"Book\n", "date_published": "2021-08-19T14:06:18-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2021/08/19/i-am-happy.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Books"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2021/04/14/minnesota-aspirations-in.html", "title": "2021 Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Award Ceremony", "content_html": "

Great night joining the Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Award Ceremony tonight and recognizing so many young women that are making their mark in STEM. I also want to welcome our four #TeamSPS summer interns Ezigbo, Caroline, Claire, and Cecelia to SPS Commerce. I can’t wait to see what you create! Lastly, a huge thanks to Jade Denson of MnTech for emceeing and bringing so much fun and energy to the event!

\n\"Zoom\n

See Aspirations Awards events from\n2016,\n2019,\n2020,\n2021, or\n2024.

\n", "date_published": "2021-04-14T20:04:28-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2021/04/14/minnesota-aspirations-in.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Tech Community","Giving"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2021/03/15/from-todays-economist.html", "content_html": "

From today’s Economist Espresso:

\n
\n

The valuation of Stripe reached $95bn in its latest funding round, the highest of any privately held startup in America, and more than either Facebook or Uber before they went public. The online payments processor raised $600m of new equity from investors including Allianz, AXA, Baillie Gifford, Fidelity and Sequoia Capital.

\n
\n

I think Stripe is a great company and one I would love to invest in. Rather than getting into the public markets, the upside potential here will be locked in even longer to only those limited VC’s and those with access. 🤨

\n", "date_published": "2021-03-15T20:30:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2021/03/15/from-todays-economist.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Current Events"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2021/01/18/dr-martin-luther.html", "title": "2021 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast", "content_html": "

I was able to attend the 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast this morning. It was a great way to reflect on the messages of King as part of the holiday.

\n\"Event\n

I was impressed that this was the 31st year of this event. General Mills took some incredible leadership in making this event happen, and in bringing diversity and equity to their organization. It was also great to see the fabulous work of the UNCF highlighted.

\n", "date_published": "2021-01-18T12:12:16-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2021/01/18/dr-martin-luther.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Current Events"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2020/10/11/in-paul-jarvishttpspjrvscom.html", "content_html": "

In Paul Jarvis Sunday Dispatch today he highlights how he disagrees with the assumption in “main-stream startup culture” that you have to “move at break-neck speed”. I started writing a reply in email and decided to make it a post instead. 🙂

\n

I think Jarvis is largely right on this. I strongly dislike the growing use of the word “hustle” in startups. It feel cheap and underhanded (to pressure or coerce). Hustle and pivot are now widely accepted terms, and both describe what are likely failure modes.

\n

Also bringing in physics, fast isn’t enough. Speed in a direction is needed. Velocity. A lot of speed at all costs ignores the fundamental question of “where are we going?”

\n

Maybe ignoring where you are going is why pivot and hustle are so prominent in the language?

\n", "date_published": "2020-10-11T16:03:58-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2020/10/11/in-paul-jarvishttpspjrvscom.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2020/10/09/it-was-great.html", "content_html": "

It was great to see the current ACE Leadership class present at todays MnTech Board meeting. They formed multiple teams and engaged with Genesys Works, Lunar Startups, Reve Academy, PCs for People, and Technovation[MN]. These teams worked with their non-profit partners to do analysis on recommendations, new programs and other ways to continue to drive their mission forward. This was a great way to learn more about these groups and what they are doing, further develop technology talent with real world experience, and give back to organizations that are doing good in our community! 👏

\n", "date_published": "2020-10-09T10:07:58-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2020/10/09/it-was-great.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work","Giving"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2020/09/15/it-was-great.html", "content_html": "

It was great to be on a panel today as part of Twin Cities Startup Week talking about Managing Global Teams During a Pandemic. Many thanks to the organization and fellow panelists Shivani Stumpf, Teddy Bekele, Jadee Hanson, and Amy Patton!

\n\"TCSW\n", "date_published": "2020-09-15T19:48:27-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2020/09/15/it-was-great.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2020/08/25/just-finished-an.html", "content_html": "

Just finished an interview with tech.mn Jac Stark and Livefront Nels Pederson for their CTO Spotlight series. Looking forward to the published version! 🎙

\n

Update Jan 2021: This is now published.

\n", "date_published": "2020-08-25T11:59:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2020/08/25/just-finished-an.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2020/05/20/minnesota-aspirations-in.html", "title": "2020 Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Award Ceremony", "content_html": "

It was great to attend the Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Award Ceremony tonight held online. The accomplishments of these young women are incredibly impressive. It is an honor that SPS Commerce is one of the sponsors of the program, and we are hosting multiple interns this summer from the program, as we have for multiple years before. A big shout out to Amy Patton of #TeamSPS who has put so much into this program, as well as many others! “Photos” of Erin Mitchell (Keynote), John Bartucz (Educator Honoree), Afiya Ward (State Winner), Amy Patton (Intern Program), Stuti Arora (Intern Speaker), and Russell Fraenkel (Committee Member).

\n
\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"
\n

See Aspirations Awards events from\n2016,\n2019,\n2020,\n2021, or\n2024.

\n", "date_published": "2020-05-20T22:47:56-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2020/05/20/minnesota-aspirations-in.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Family","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2020/04/25/attending-mini-minnebar.html", "title": "(mini) Minnebar", "content_html": "

Attending (mini) Minnebar this morning, the very first online Minnebar! It is awesome to see minnestar pivoting to further its mission during the Covid-19 pandemic. 👏

\n

Dan Lew’s opening session on “What Tech Can Do About Climate Change” was a great way to get started.

\n\"Crowdcast\n

Of course very proud that SPS Commerce is a terabyte supporter! 💙

\n\"Crowdcast\n

This is my first time using Crowdcast and the experience is very good. 👏

\n

Joe Karlsson with “An Introduction To IoT (Internet of Toilets 🚽); Or How I Built an IoT Kitty Litter Box Using JavaScript”. Fun to see the interesting projects he’s doing. Predicts we will see this continuing to grow. For sure! 👍

\n

Having Minnebar online is an interesting tradeoff. Something I could never do that I just did, was send the link to a number of friends, none in the Twin Cities, and suggest they sign on. There is a big inclusivity win with events moving online. 🤔

\n

Kisha Delain with “Pair programming: Supporting Your Jr Devs Right”. It is so great to see #TeamSPS presenting at Minnebar! Kisha brought some great observations on what works to make pairing work well, which is one of the most critical ways that developers learn. 💻

\n\"Crowdcast\n

It is interesting to me that online events tend to have a structured method for facilitating Q&A from the audience. This is one of the things that seems to work way better in online events. Asking questions in an auditorium with 500 people is almost always a bust.

\n

… due to other commitments I had to cut out after the first three talks. I really enjoyed this Minnebar and can’t wait to see the next iterations of events from minnestar like this! They even made the playlist available if you dug the tunes! 🎶

\n

See also Minnebar collection.

\n", "date_published": "2020-04-25T10:06:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2020/04/25/attending-mini-minnebar.html", "tags": ["Music","TeamSPS","Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2020/03/08/celebrating-international-womens-day-iwd.html", "content_html": "

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2020! 👍 #IWD2020 #EachforEqual

\n\"Four\n

See IWD 2024, 2021, 2020, 2020 @ SPS, and 2018.

\n", "date_published": "2020-03-08T17:58:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2020/03/08/celebrating-international-womens-day-iwd.html", "tags": ["Family","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2020/03/05/international-womens-day.html", "title": "International Women's Day 2020", "content_html": "

We had a great event recognizing International Women’s Day at SPS Commerce. Great keynote and exercise around vulnerability and bias led by Brave New Workshop’s Margi Simmons and a wonderful panel from women leaders in #TeamSPS! Thank you Kara Boespflug, Jenny Nolan, Anna Picchetti, Nikki Riemersma, and Bre Taft.

\n\"Audience\n\"Six\n\"A\n\"Margi\n

See IWD 2024, 2021, 2020, 2020 @ SPS, and 2018.

\n", "date_published": "2020-03-05T21:25:50-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2020/03/05/international-womens-day.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/10/10/adrienne-peirce-and.html", "content_html": "

Adrienne Peirce and I were honored to be recognized for 9 years as Founding Board Members of Minnestar. We finish our board service at the end of this year, along with Kevin Spreng, who wasn’t able to be there tonight. It’s been an honor to be part of this organization!

\n\"Two\n", "date_published": "2019-10-10T22:47:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/10/10/adrienne-peirce-and.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community","Giving"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/10/10/minnedemo-tonight-was.html", "content_html": "

Minnedemo tonight was absolutely fabulous. Such a great variety of demos! A couple apps I installed while watching the demo!

\n\"Presenter\n", "date_published": "2019-10-10T22:41:29-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/10/10/minnedemo-tonight-was.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/10/10/crowd-queuing-up.html", "content_html": "

Crowd queuing up for Minnedemo 33 at the Riverview Theater!

\n\"Crowd\n", "date_published": "2019-10-10T21:27:34-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/10/10/crowd-queuing-up.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/10/08/151356.html", "title": "Solid State from MHTA", "content_html": "

Attending the premier of Solid State: Minnesota’s High Tech History hosted by MHTA.

\n\"Audience\n

Good panel conversation following screening of Solid State.

\n\"Packed\n", "date_published": "2019-10-08T15:13:56-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/10/08/151356.html", "tags": ["Technology","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/10/06/im-very-happy.html", "content_html": "

I’m very happy that SPS Commerce and #TeamSPS are able to sponsor and volunteer at Hack the Gap again! This is a great organization and event hacking the diversity gap! 👏

\n

\"Hack\"SPS

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-06T13:39:16-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/10/06/im-very-happy.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/08/07/devopsdays-msp-day.html", "title": "DevOpsDays MSP 2019 - Day 2", "content_html": "

DevOpsDays MSP has done a fabulous job creating an inclusive event. Hearing from so many diverse voices is refreshing. With all of that goodness, it is jarring when sponsors address the group with “hey guys”. Make sure your message reaches the entire audience.

\n

Day 2 opening keynote for DevOpsDays MSP from John Engelman on Cascading Failure. DevOpsDays MSP

\n\"Man\n

“We were super confident in that answer, and we were super wrong.” John Engelman. I’ve been there many times in incidents. Whenever you are “super confident”, use that as a trigger for what you might be missing.

\n\"Speaker\n

Great SPS Commerce overview from Nate Anderson, Sanjesh Kumar, and Olivia Alberts sharing some of the amazing things our team does, the powerful tech we use, and our learning culture! Come join our team! #TeamSPS 🤩

\n\"Three\n\"Three\n\"Three\n

Martez Reed now sharing with DevOpsDays MSP about Intelligent Deployment Pipelines.

\n\"Speaker\n

Next up at DevOpsDays MSP, Serena Tiede covering Security Logging and the keys to making it work well.

\n\"Speaker\n

Alice Goldfuss bringing an awesome closing keynote “The Container Operator’s Manual” for DevOpsDays Minneapolis!

\n\"Speaker\n

Super engaging, enlightening, and humorous container talk from Alice Goldfuss! 🙌😁

\n\"Speaker\n", "date_published": "2019-08-07T09:12:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/08/07/devopsdays-msp-day.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/08/06/devopsdays-msp-day.html", "title": "DevOpsDays MSP 2019 - Day 1", "content_html": "

I’m so happy that SPS Commerce can join these amazing sponsors in support of the organizers of DevOpsDays MSP to create an amazing event for our community!

\n\"DevOpsDays\n

We have a bunch of #TeamSPS members representing SPS Commerce at DevOpsDays MSP today!

\n\"Four\n\"Four\n

Bridget Kromhout kicking off DevOpsDays MSP! Bridget is such an amazing contributor to our great community!

\n\"A\n\"Large\n

DevOpsDays MSP keynote from Liz Fong-Jones @lizthegrey on reducing complexity in systems.

\n\"Speaker\n

“Heroism isn’t sustainable.” Liz Fong-Jones. This is more than an individual thing, it’s a culture thing. Always beware of hidden incentives that encourage heroism in your culture.

\n\"Speaker\n

“Lack of observability is a systemic risk.” Liz Fong-Jones. This is a strong way to position observability, and frame it in a broader context. Very good keynote to start DevOpsDays MSP!

\n\"Speaker\n

Yolonda Smith bringing always important security topics to DevOpsDays MSP!

\n\"Speaker\n

Yolonda Smith with valuable perspectives on security. Teams need to acknowledge and address all of these perspectives in order to move forward effectively to create more secure services.

\n\"Speaker\n\"Slide\n

Jessica Kerr sharing Principles of Collaborative Automation at DevOpsDays MSP.

\n\"Speaker\n

I learned a new word from Jessica Kerr “symmathesy”. Mutual learning in living systems. I like giving this powerful process a definition. This is key to continuous improvement. 🤔

\n\"Speaker\n

This is a great message from Jessica Kerr, with reference to John Allspaw, success begets complexity. That complexity delivers value, and more success. Repeat. 👍

\n\"Speaker\n

Nivia Sedai sharing about the Ghost in the Machine, the boundaries of AI and ML in our technology systems.

\n\"Speaker\n

Nivia Sedai with a powerful message highlighting many examples of the negative impacts from the lack of diversity in technology teams. Also a strong message around technology ethics.

\n\"Speaker\n", "date_published": "2019-08-06T09:13:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/08/06/devopsdays-msp-day.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/06/26/excited-to-attend.html", "content_html": "

Excited to attend the Minneapolis Women in Tech Breakfast with Jenn Tejada, CEO of PagerDuty this morning! #MNWITBreakfast

\n\"Packed\n", "date_published": "2019-06-26T08:35:54-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/06/26/excited-to-attend.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/05/23/minnestar-board-strategy.html", "content_html": "

Minnestar board strategy and future planning session! Great group and an amazing community! 👍

\n\"Group\n", "date_published": "2019-05-23T15:16:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/05/23/minnestar-board-strategy.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community","Giving"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/05/10/time-for-demos.html", "content_html": "

Time for demos at the end of the #TeamSPS TechJam 2019 Hackathon! 13 teams built creative, fast, and new projects to share! 🙌🤩🚀

\n\"Large\n", "date_published": "2019-05-10T15:09:31-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/05/10/time-for-demos.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/05/09/080643.html", "title": "SPS TechJam 2019", "content_html": "

Today is #TeamSPS TechJam 2019, where we collect as a community to share and learn from each other! We have presenters covering a wide range of topics, and representing many parts of our team!

\n\"Cartoon\n

I love the creativity that our team puts into our #TeamSPS activities, and I just 💙 this TechJam “comic” sticker! So nicely done @ken_korth!

\n\"Comic-book\n

“One of these cords isn’t working right!” Thad making it all work for #TeamSPS TechJam. 🤓

\n\"Man\n

A huge thank you to the amazing organizers of TechJam 2019! Community events cannot happen without individuals that are willing to put personal passion and energy to make them happen! 👏

\n\"Group\n

Inspiring keynote from Chris Williams of Badass Agile at TechJam 2019! Good way to start off the day!

\n

Awesome that we have presenters at TechJam from Minneapolis 🇺🇸, Kyiv 🇺🇦, Toronto 🇨🇦, and New Jersey 🇺🇸! Global teams FTW!

\n

Break time hacky sack - great way to stretch between sessions!

\n\"Three\n

SPS TechJam 2019!

\n\"Bearded\n

Great talks at TechJam 2019, and incredible breadth. How about a lightning talk on emotional intelligence?

\n\"Presenter\n

SPS TechJam 2019!

\n\"Large\n", "date_published": "2019-05-09T08:06:43-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/05/09/080643.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/04/27/minnebar.html", "title": "Minnebar 14", "content_html": "

Minnebar 14 kicking off! Looking forward to learning a ton again this year! 💙 this event, organization, and the community that makes it!

\n\"Four\n

Great energy going into Session 0 at Minnebar 14! Record registrations!

\n\"Large\n

We have a growing, thriving technology community in the Twin Cities and Minnebar is an integral part of that community! I’ve been lucky to be involved with this organization since the beginning and love that SPS Commerce is a terabyte sponsor!

\n\"Man\n

Good Session 0 at Minnebar 14 with a wake-up call from Sharon Kennedy Vickers on the issues that come from a lack of diversity in technology, and what we can do to improve as an ecosystem!

\n\"Speaker\n

Good Minnebar open session on Product Management with Adrienne Peirce, Shawn Heller, and Jeremy Moede. Lot of knowledge sharing!

\n\"Audience\n

See also Minnebar collection.

\n", "date_published": "2019-04-27T08:49:18-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/04/27/minnebar.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/04/17/minnesota-aspirations-in.html", "title": "2019 Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Award Ceremony", "content_html": "

Excited to be at the 2019 Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Awards honoring amazing young women starting careers in technology! Very happy that #TeamSPS can be part of it!

\n\"Large\n

Fun and inspiring keynote at Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Awards from Amy Alexander, Senior Biomedical Engineer at Mayo Clinic, sharing some of the incredible work she does to help patients. #MNAiC2019

\n\"Woman\n

The 2019 Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Awards Honorees tonight were very impressive! Congratulations to all of you! 🎉 #TeamSPS was there to celebrate and welcome the four interns joining SPS Commerce this summer. #MNAiC2019

\n\"Group\n

See Aspirations Awards events from\n2016,\n2019,\n2020,\n2021, or\n2024.

\n", "date_published": "2019-04-17T19:00:29-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/04/17/minnesota-aspirations-in.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/03/09/one-of-our.html", "content_html": "

I had a great time checking out the fun and creative projects one of our #TeamSPS teams did during a post-release Hackathon! Several API mashups, productivity quick wins, mobile, and of course Slack bots! 👍😎

\n\"Man\n\"Woman\n", "date_published": "2019-03-09T19:01:59-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/03/09/one-of-our.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Software Development","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/02/28/mhta-tech-talent.html", "title": "MHTA Tech Talent 2019", "content_html": "

At MHTA Tech Talent event today, participating in panel shortly. Mike McNamara, CIO of Target, kicking it off. Event focused on efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in technology. Looking forward to sharing our progress at SPS Commerce.

\n\"Man\n

Some very insightful data being shared this morning at MHTA Tech Talent event from Deb Broberg of RealTime Talent, Allison Liuzzi of Minnesota Compass Project, Matt Lewis of Make It. MSP.!

\n\"Woman\n\"Man\n

Improving diversity In tech: York Solutions; Genesis10; Prime Digital Academy; Creating IT Futures; Software Guild; Summit Academy; Minnesota State IT Center of Excellence; Dougherty Family College; Apprenti; Keyot Crew212; Twin Cities Rise; Genesys Works; SciTechsperience

\n\"Presenter\n\"Large\n

It was great to be able to share the impressive work we’ve done at SPS Commerce to make a technology career more inclusive and accessible. A lot of progress and momentum for more! Thanks to Amy Patton for the picture!

\n\"Panel\n", "date_published": "2019-02-28T09:47:33-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/02/28/mhta-tech-talent.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/02/07/232024.html", "content_html": "

I had a great night celebrating at the #TeamSPS Sales Awards Dinner! Awesome to see a team support and recognize each other so enthusiastically! 🙌

\n\"SPS\n\"Awards\n\"Group\n\"Man\n", "date_published": "2019-02-08T00:20:24-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/02/07/232024.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/02/07/a-tremendous-talk.html", "content_html": "

A tremendous talk on happiness by Shawn Achor was a great way to cap off the day at #TeamSPS 2019 Sales Kickoff! The content was great, delivered with wit and humor, and connected back to well-researched effects.

\n\"Man\n", "date_published": "2019-02-07T18:03:49-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/02/07/a-tremendous-talk.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/02/03/i-visited-minnehack.html", "content_html": "

I visited Minnehack tonight and introduced SPS Commerce to 300+ students before we fed them a mountain of pizza! 🍕

\n\"Large\n\"Two\n", "date_published": "2019-02-02T22:44:35-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/02/02/i-visited-minnehack.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2019/01/30/tech-summit.html", "title": "Tech Summit 2019", "content_html": "

View from the control room as we get ready to start #TeamSPS Tech Summit 2019!

\n\"Two\n

Yesterday’s rehearsal for #TeamSPS Tech Summit 2019! Excited for a great day, braving the Bold North’s -20F! 🙌🔥🥶

\n\"Audience\n

Great start to our #TeamSPS 2019 Tech Summit with sessions from Jim Frome, Dan Juckniess, and Karin Lucas!

\n\"Large\n\"Man\n\"Speaker\n

Great highlights from more teams at #TeamSPS 2019 Tech Summit! Security, Australian Team, Career Paths, Tech Patterns & Frameworks!

\n\"Two\n\"Four\n\"Four\n\"Six\n

“Worry-as-a-Service” 🤣 Cloud database engineering managing hundreds of distributed databases for #TeamSPS

\n\"Two\n

Fabulous third session for #TeamSPS Tech Summit 2019! Service team wins all over the place! 🙌

\n\"Three\n\"Four\n\"Bald\n\"Two\n

We finished the fourth session of #TeamSPS Tech Summit 2019 with more service team wins! 🙌🥳🏆

\n\"Three\n\"Woman\n\"Two\n\"Two\n

Time to socialize and mingle for #TeamSPS Tech!

\n\"Five\n\"Three\n\"Six\n\"Six\n\"Six\n

How do you wrap up the #TeamSPS Tech Summit for 2019? Trivia Mafia!

\n\"Large\n\"Dozens\n

Hashtags IRL! #SPSTech #TeamSPS Should have gotten this before the Hors d’ouevre’s were cashed!

\n\"Buffet\n

Over 50 members of #TeamSPS Tech shared demos, milestones, learnings, and upcoming plans today. It was incredible to see how we are continuing to advance! Great tech organizations are learning organizations, and we learn fast! I am humbled to be surrounded by so much talent!

\n", "date_published": "2019-01-30T08:37:39-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2019/01/30/tech-summit.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2020/04/21/hack-the-gap.html", "title": "Hack the Gap 2019", "content_html": "

Hack the Gap hosted their 5th annual Hackathon for women and non-binary individuals this weekend. I was able to attend the demo event today where each team showcased what they created. There were cool ideas, with a lot of progress in such a short period of time.

\n\"Circular\n

The organizers kicked the demos off.

\n\"Two\n

Securiosity!

\n\"Group\n

Security education for non-technical people. Built with React. They worked as a group to get the initial things running, then split into feature teams. Design friendly focus. Humaaans free and inclusive image library. Accessibility focused.

\n

🏆 I put my voting coin in for this team. I liked their design and approach to security education.

\n

whenIneedU

\n\"Group\n

Helping people break out of episodes of anxiety or depression. Used JavaScript, Java, Android, Twilio. Sends personalized affirmations, relaxing activities, and helps you connect with friends and family. Watches your location and detect if you haven’t gone anywhere for a long time. Uses text messages to reach out and request connections on your behalf.

\n

Ready Play

\n\"Four\n

Help navigate family daycare, activities and camps for kids, focused on summer activities. Complexity around logistics, themes, and costs. Built using React.js and Elastic Search backend. Framework provided fast mocking, and allowed easy acquisition of real data.

\n

Hack the Bra

\n\"Six\n

Help with sizing and determining best fit for bras. Focusing on measurement for fit. Built with React.js. The “BRA-culator” with video walk-through to guide you through measurement. Discovery, rapid prototyping and co-creation were the focus for the team. Not focusing on e-commerce, but instead education.

\n

Make Friends Minnesota

\n\"Team\n

Connect the 5.6 million people in Minnesota. Meet people, make friends, and have fun. Recommends friends. Focused on starting connections safe and easy. Uses Facebook for login. Builds a profile using an interest survey. Built using Node and Express with EJS templating engine.

\n

Seshat Swap

\n\"Four\n

Making access to books written by people of color more accessible, focusing on very long hold times at the library. Try to get more access without having to purchase the book. Allow users to exchange, or indicate wish lists of books, in marginalized communities. Built with React with Firebase. Non-profit effort to pay for shipping costs. Sort of a virtual, crowd funded library.

\n

Cat Flat

\n\"Seven\n

Small, connected DIY cat shelter that detects health of the cat and provides shelter, warmth and a place for stray cats to stay safe. React app with Express server and SQL database. Particle Photon and Particle Cloud in cat shelter to run sensors. Node server to send data to the server. Revenue by selling the flats pre-made.

\n

A bit to my surprise, I almost voted for this team. I really liked how they used the IoT stuff to make this a smart device.

\n

Little Free Library

\n\"Six\n

Leveraging the existing library of micro-libraries. Largest predictor of kids reading levels is the quantity of books in the home. Goal is to make it possible to get 100 books in every home. Card catalog of free libraries close to you, with inventory capabilities to check out or indicate that you are going to keep it. Allow steward to manage their inventory.

\n

Sweat Connect

\n\"Four\n

Need a workout friend? Increase frequency and help friends with anxiety about going to the gym. Create profile and facilitate connecting with others to workout. Built with Angular 7, to allow for desktop and mobile. Gather specific data around your gym, time preferences and goals.

\n

I think this team could have put a go-to-market strategy of partnering with gyms and offering a white-label version of their service.

\n

Planet

\n\"Group\n

Planning tools for coordinating gatherings. Event planning templates, collaborate on tasks, and good for discovery. Built React and Node. Google Maps for location.

\n

Give Back

\n

It makes me happy that we at SPS Commerce have been able to support Hack the Gap for a number of years now!

\n\"Sponsor\n", "date_published": "2019-01-27T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2020/04/21/hack-the-gap.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2018/11/28/104016.html", "content_html": "

Very fun to see my former Dow Jones colleague Dean Del Vecchio on stage at AWS re:Invent 2018! 👏 Guardian Life Insurance Selects AWS as Its Preferred Cloud Provider

\n

The house band thing at AWS re:Invent just doesn’t work for me. ✋

\n

“Announcing AWS Lake Formation!” — “Sounds glacial!” 🤣

\n

AWS re:Invent house band playing Blackbird from The Beatles went from just being bad to actually making me angry. 😡

\n

Amazon Quantum Ledger Database and Managed Blockchain look like good building blocks.

\n", "date_published": "2018-11-28T11:40:16-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2018/11/28/104016.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2018/10/12/excited-for-minnedemo.html", "title": "Minnedemo 30", "content_html": "

Excited for Minnedemo 30 tonight! And always proud to have SPS Commerce as a Terabyte sponsor!

\n

\"Theater\"SPS

\n", "date_published": "2018-10-11T19:11:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2018/10/11/excited-for-minnedemo.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2018/06/07/devops-minneapolis-changing.html", "title": "DevOps Minneapolis: Changing the Enterprise Session", "content_html": "

I had a great time talking about Changing the Enterprise at this week’s DevOps Minneapolis Meetup with Heather Mickman and Bridget Kromhout! My mic wasn’t working in the beginning but gets fixed a little later in the video.

\n
\n \n
\n\n

It was a fun opportunity to talk about some of the concepts I’ve thought about with risk management, refactoring costs, how Agile and DevOps come together.

\n", "date_published": "2018-06-07T18:14:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2018/06/07/devops-minneapolis-changing.html", "tags": ["Videos","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2018/06/07/200951.html", "content_html": "

Great Minnestar board meeting today! Lucky to be part of a great organization helping to connect the Twin Cities technology community. 🙌

\n", "date_published": "2018-06-07T15:09:51-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2018/06/07/200951.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2018/06/06/nice-turnout-tonight.html", "content_html": "

Nice turnout tonight for the Dev Ops Minneapolis meetup. 👍 It makes me happy that we can host the community at SPS Commerce! 🙌

\n\"Crowded\n", "date_published": "2018-06-05T21:27:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2018/06/05/nice-turnout-tonight.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2018/06/06/i-had-a.html", "content_html": "

I had a great time talking about Changing the Enterprise at tonight’s DevOps Minneapolis Meetup with Heather Mickman and Bridget Kromhout! Great insights and an amazing community!

\n\"Three\n", "date_published": "2018-06-05T20:51:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2018/06/05/i-had-a.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2018/05/16/sps-techjam.html", "title": "SPS TechJam 2018", "content_html": "

Today is our annual #TeamSPS TechJam event bringing the global SPS technology team together to learn, share, and have fun. The agenda is packed with over two dozen presenters. Automation, GraphQL, Containers, Architecture and more on the agenda! 🙌🏆

\n\"Gold\n

A huge thank you to the #TeamSPS TechJam event organizers! 👏 Your passion and drive make us a better team!

\n\"Large\n

Bridget Kromhout getting SPS TechJam started off! Computers are easy, people are hard! 👏

\n\"Woman\n

Great #TeamSPS speakers at SPS TechJam! Thank you for sharing! 🙌🏆

\n\"Man\n\"Pregnant\n\"Man\n\"Man\n

Today we have people from United States 🇺🇸 (multiple cities), Ukraine 🇺🇦, Canada 🇨🇦, India 🇮🇳 and Bulgaria 🇧🇬 with #TeamSPS and partners here in Minneapolis. Global! 🌏

\n

Evolutionary architecture, Kotlin, and GraphQL. Great 2nd half of the morning at SPS TechJam! 🙌🏆

\n\"Young\n\"Man\n

Afternoon sessions for SPS TechJam. 🙌🏆

\n\"Large\n

Women in Tech sharing with #TeamSPS the great work they are leading! 🙌🏆

\n\"Large\n

I left my iPad at my seat while stepping away and #TeamSPS security was on the job with a good reminder! 🔐

\n\"iPad\n

“At SPS it might be Kube or Kubb!” Kelly Hamm at SumoLogic knows #TeamSPS — and thanks for the Kubb set!

\n\"Wooden\n

Another great #TeamSPS TechJam! Wonderful topics, great speakers and an amazing team! 🙌🏆

\n\"Cartoon\n\"Blue\n

Not sure about the Paul DeCoursey sticker in the lower right. 😳

\n\"Four\n

Time for some fun socializing for #TeamSPS at TechJam! 🍻

\n\"Large\n", "date_published": "2018-05-16T07:11:23-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2018/05/16/sps-techjam.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Kubb","Software Development","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2018/05/15/hanging-out-with.html", "content_html": "

Hanging out with the amazing Bridget Kromhout at our SPS TechJam speaker dinner! Looking forward to a day of learning and exploration tomorrow with Bridget kicking it off! 🙌🏆

\n\"Two\n", "date_published": "2018-05-15T18:51:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2018/05/15/hanging-out-with.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2018/04/14/minnebar.html", "title": "Minnebar 13", "content_html": "

Today I went to my 13th Minnebar — I haven’t missed one yet! For the first time ever we had a blizzard to contend with. Usually Minnebar is competing with the first great days of spring. This year, we were worried if people could get to the event because of the snow. This was also the first Minnebar for our new Maria Ploessl, our new Executive Director, to take the lead on. The event went off great, with more coordination than the last couple of years.

\n

The sessions I went to today at Minnebar.

\n\n

Here are some pictures from some of the sessions I went to.

\n\"Audience\n\"Presenter\n\"Crowded\n\"Woman\n

See also Minnebar collection.

\n", "date_published": "2018-04-14T17:20:32-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2018/04/14/minnebar.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2018/04/14/minnebar-lunch-panorama.html", "content_html": "

Minnebar lunch panorama.

\n\"Panoramic\n", "date_published": "2018-04-14T17:07:07-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2018/04/14/minnebar-lunch-panorama.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2018/04/14/people-flying-their.html", "content_html": "

People flying their drones through VR goggles looks kind of creepy. 😬

\n\"Four\n", "date_published": "2018-04-14T17:05:52-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2018/04/14/people-flying-their.html", "tags": ["Technology","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2018/04/14/215754.html", "content_html": "

Had a great time at my 13th Minnebar today! 🌟

\n\"Minnestar\n", "date_published": "2018-04-14T16:57:54-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2018/04/14/215754.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2018/04/14/143739.html", "content_html": "

Join me in supporting Minnestar and the Twin Cities technology community by becoming a Community Supporter. As a board member, we are matching the first $10,000 in donations over the next 100 days! Donate today!

\n\"Minnestar\n", "date_published": "2018-04-14T09:37:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2018/04/14/143739.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community","Giving"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2018/04/14/bridget-kromhouthttpsbridgetkromhoutcom-kicking.html", "content_html": "

Bridget Kromhout kicking off Minnebar 13 Session 0. 👏

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2018-04-14T08:57:10-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2018/04/14/bridget-kromhouthttpsbridgetkromhoutcom-kicking.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2018/03/08/173845.html", "content_html": "

We got to celebrate International Women’s Day while in Pune with Bristlecone. It was an honor to get to celebrate with everyone and even say a few words. It was fabulous to see so many women working in technology here! 👏🏻

\n\"Large\n

See IWD 2024, 2021, 2020, 2020 @ SPS, and 2018.

\n", "date_published": "2018-03-08T12:38:45-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2018/03/08/173845.html", "tags": ["Travel","Tech Community","Work","India 2018"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2018/01/23/three-new-board.html", "content_html": "

Three new board members joining the Minnestar board! Great to have more talented people driving this organization forward! 👏

\n", "date_published": "2018-01-23T17:23:03-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2018/01/23/three-new-board.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/12/08/great-minnestarhttpsminnestarorg-board.html", "content_html": "

Great Minnestar board meeting today. It’s very rewarding to think about how far this organization and the events have come. More good things on the horizon! I’m honored to get to be part of such an impactful non-profit!

\n", "date_published": "2017-12-08T15:17:41-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/12/08/great-minnestarhttpsminnestarorg-board.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community","Giving"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/11/30/114115.html", "content_html": "

Watching the AWS re:Invent day 2 keynote and I keep noting that the they spend a lot of time talking and describing a problem, and then much less time talking about how the problem is solved. Should flip that around to focus on the solution.

\n

AWS Cloud 9 IDE is a pretty interesting announcement. Pushes AWS into some of the space that Azure does well at.

\n", "date_published": "2017-11-30T12:41:15-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/11/30/114115.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/11/30/looking-forward-to.html", "content_html": "

Looking forward to speaking at the MHTA Annual CIO Panel next week!

\n", "date_published": "2017-11-29T20:14:12-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/11/29/looking-forward-to.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/11/29/aws-reinvent-keynote.html", "title": "AWS re:Invent Keynote 2017", "content_html": "\n", "date_published": "2017-11-29T11:32:15-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/11/29/aws-reinvent-keynote.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/10/18/excited-to-be.html", "content_html": "

Excited to be able to attend the Dev Ops Meetup tonight hosted at SPS Commerce!

\n

\"Selfie\"Large\"Large

\n", "date_published": "2017-10-18T18:52:30-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/10/18/excited-to-be.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/10/13/missing-minnedemo-tonight.html", "content_html": "

Missing Minnedemo tonight — coached Tyler’s soccer and home stuff. Have a great event!

\n", "date_published": "2017-10-12T20:17:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/10/12/missing-minnedemo-tonight.html", "tags": ["Sports","Family","Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/09/23/closest-ill-come.html", "content_html": "

Closest I’ll come to a picture with Vanilla Ice!

\n\"Man\n", "date_published": "2017-09-23T12:13:39-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/09/23/closest-ill-come.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/07/14/it-was-great.html", "content_html": "

It was great to see so many friendly new and familiar faces at Minnedemo tonight! I ❤️ our tech community!

\n", "date_published": "2017-07-13T21:21:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/07/13/it-was-great.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/07/14/minnedemo.html", "content_html": "

Minnedemo!

\n\n", "date_published": "2017-07-13T19:19:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/07/13/minnedemo.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/07/11/love-my-presenter.html", "content_html": "

Love my presenter page on the new Minnestar website!

\n", "date_published": "2017-07-11T17:18:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/07/11/love-my-presenter.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/06/03/found-a-tardishttpsenwikipediaorgwikitardis.html", "title": "Maker Faire 2017", "content_html": "

Found a TARDIS at Maker Faire!

\n\n

USS Missouri in Legos from Brickmania!

\n\n

Got to congratulate Paul Boswell in person on his successful Kickstarter for Turing Tumble! Looking forward to getting mine!

\n\n

Hanging with R2-D2 at Maker Faire.

\n\n", "date_published": "2017-06-03T12:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/06/03/found-a-tardishttpsenwikipediaorgwikitardis.html", "tags": ["Games","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/05/30/turing-tumble-on.html", "title": "Turing Tumble on Kickstarter", "content_html": "

My mother sent me a link to Turing Tumble on Kickstarter and the video totally got me. It is a super cool concept and a great way to explore the fundamental concepts of computing. The bits that can be flipped and other various objects are really neat.

\n

I backed this and am looking forward (and hoping!) for the November delivery. This will be a great present for the kids (and me!) for Christmas.

\n

The results of the Kickstarter are impressive. It has been live for less than 1 day and it’s very close to hitting it’s goal!

\n", "date_published": "2017-05-30T07:06:39-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/05/30/turing-tumble-on.html", "tags": ["Technology","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/05/26/speaker-suggestions.html", "title": "Speaker Suggestions", "content_html": "

Through my work and being an active member in the technology community, I have a chance to see a lot of people present. Some of these are formal presentations with slides and ceremony, many of them are demos. As a result, I get a lot of chances to see people lead an audience through a topic.

\n

Here are some things I see speakers do that I would recommend never to do.

\n

“Utilized”

\n

I challenge if there is any place where utilized is a necessary word. In conversation, we may talk about how we use something, and if discussing systems, it’s common to discuss the utilization of something. But utilized? The most common place to see this word is on a resume. I tend to find this word starts coming out when people feel a need to formalize or make a topic bigger than it is. Speakers often talk about how teams utilized something to their benefit. You just used it.

\n

Also, apply the above to leveraged. Keep your vocabulary simple and conversational.

\n

This is worth the time

\n

Sometimes speakers will start out by saying we’ll “get through it quick.” Maybe a reference to “I’m the only thing between you and happy hour.” The assumption is this is humor, but it immediately frames your listener to start thinking about the next thing, instead of you. Either your content is worth the time or not, whether it is before lunch or happy hour shouldn’t impact that.

\n

Related to this is an even worse pattern of “I’ll try not to bore you too much.” Self-deprecation is a common thing from speakers, but I really can’t think of a worse way to start your presentation.

\n

Don’t steal your thunder

\n

An anti-pattern I see very often is a presenter giving a demo but before the demo showing a slide that has bullets for all the things they are going to demo. It’s immensely more powerful to show the demo! There are a handful of capabilities that you want to highlight, but don’t highlight those in a static bullet list beforehand. Your audience wants to see it working, and you’re stealing your thunder by highlighting the capability before people see it!

\n

Imagine if before unveiling the iPhone Steve Jobs would have shown pictures of it in slides, highlighted all the key features and capabilities, all in slides. And then after you’ve seen all that, showing you the demo. You can’t imagine it because it wouldn’t happen. Show the product, hit your key value points afterward when the audience has taken in the awesome stuff you have created. Those are the items you want them to leave with, and they will care more about them after they see it working.

\n

I believe there is a corollary to this. The more “slideware” and bullet lists that precede showing working software — the worse the working software is. The slides and bullets are compensating for a poor solution.

\n", "date_published": "2017-05-26T21:35:28-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/05/26/speaker-suggestions.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/05/19/great-minnestar-board.html", "content_html": "

Great Minnestar board meeting today! Very exciting things in the works over the next few months! 👍🏻

\n", "date_published": "2017-05-19T13:25:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/05/19/great-minnestar-board.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/04/22/great-event-great.html", "content_html": "

Great event, great lineup and great organizers.

\n

Great speakers for @devopsdaysmsp! Join us in July for @aneel @bryanl @duretti @eryno @wiredferret @jessfraz @michellenoorali @petecheslock! pic.twitter.com/GsngmG4dZu

— Bridget Kromhout (@bridgetkromhout) April 22, 2017
\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2017-04-22T14:53:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/04/22/great-event-great.html", "tags": ["Tweets","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/04/14/well-deserved-congrats.html", "content_html": "

Well deserved! Congrats Nick Roseth!

\n

#honored #grateful #MSPBJtitans pic.twitter.com/IPtPBDW102

— nickros.eth (@nickroseth) April 13, 2017
\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2017-04-13T21:22:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/04/13/well-deserved-congrats.html", "tags": ["Tweets","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/03/25/minnebar.html", "title": "Minnebar 12", "content_html": "\"T-shirt\n

Session 0

\n\"Man\n\n

Minnebar 12 on Minnebar

\n\"Bearded\n\n

Zen and the Art of Agility

\n\"Woman\n\n

Blockchains are coming!

\n\"Audience\n\n

Introduction to Functional Reactive Programming

\n\"A\n\n

So you don’t hire Jr. Devs? Tell me more

\n\"Large\n\n

Privacy for Everyone

\n\"Presenter\n\n

Communicating When Stuff Is Going Wrong

\n\"Presenter\n\n

See also Minnebar collection.

\n", "date_published": "2017-03-25T21:50:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/03/25/minnebar.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/02/18/a-minnebar-ticketing.html", "title": "A Minnebar Ticketing Proposal", "content_html": "

I’ve recently put some thought into how tickets are managed for Minnebar and Minnedemo. I’ve been very close to these events for a long time, and on the board for several years now, while our ticketing process has remained relatively unchanged over that long time.

\n

The Problems

\n

Why spend cycles thinking about the ticketing issue? I think there are some large problems with the way that tickets are managed.

\n

Timeliness

\n

The ticketing process encourages people to act immediately upon issuance and get tickets since they will all be taken immediately. Often people will take a ticket before they have even made sure they can attend. This timeliness requirement unfairly penalizes people that are occupied and not watching Twitter at that exact moment.

\n

Understanding Churn

\n

The current process reduces our ability to understand how many people have stopped going to our events. We routinely see a high number of “first-time” attendees, and along with that a high amount of churn. Is the churn because people weren’t ready the second that tickets came out, or because they don’t want to come?

\n

Redemption

\n

Many tickets go unused. We manage around this by predicting what percentage of tickets will be unused, but it is more art than science. The rushed nature of ticketing may decrease redemption rate as people just jump on tickets as quick as possible.

\n

Quantify Demand

\n

All of these events “sell out” (to the extent a free event can sell out) within minutes. This removes our ability to know the true demand for the events. If 800 tickets are picked up within 15 minutes of release, how many people wanted to go? 900? 3,000? That is anyone’s guess.

\n

Limitations

\n

When considering how to better manage tickets, it is important to consider some limitations.

\n

Identity Is Unknown

\n

There are numerous ways to manage ticket redemption that would focus on reputation. Mainly this is a means to solve redemption and put rules in place such as not being allowed a ticket if you don’t use the last three tickets.

\n

Cannot Be Complex

\n

We’ve entertained some options that avoid identity and reputation but encourage careful assignment of tickets. The most commonly referenced one is to use some form of a cash deposit. For example, you would pay $5, $10 or $20 to get your ticket to the event and that money would be refunded back to you when you show up at the event. This would certainly reduce the number of unused tickets but at the cost of managing a significant amount of complexity and risk.

\n

Requirements

\n

Before looking at the proposal let’s recap from above what our requirements are:

\n
    \n
  1. The solution must not require managing identity. You cannot know a ticket holder from one event to another.
    2. \n
  2. The solution would ideally allow us to understand how many people would like to come to an event.
    3. \n
  3. The solution would be able to manage preferential access for certain groups.
    4. \n
  4. The solution would allow for improving the precision of “no shows”.
    5. \n
\n

It is important to note that while “no shows” are something to consider, I believe it is a lesser problem than understanding the true demand for the events, churn and making the ticketing process more equitable.

\n

Proposal

\n

Taking these objectives into place, I propose the following ticketing process.

\n

Phase 1: Get in line!

\n

First thing, get in line. Rather than distributing tickets in groups we propose everyone get in a line (or list) to attend. This line opens up at a prescribed date and time, and anyone and everyone that wants to come to the event would then get in line. The line will close at another prescribed time, but as long as the line is open more and, more people can get in line.

\n

This line dampens the urgency to take immediate action. Please note though that Phase 3 does reward people for getting in line early. It is valuable to the organization to get a sense of demand quickly, so getting people in line sooner is a good thing. However, no matter when you get in line you may get a ticket.

\n

Phase 2: Priority Access

\n

Once the line is complete and closed we then deal with priority access. There are some groups that get priority access to the events and are guaranteed a ticket:

\n\n

Once these special groups have priority access, we’ve used some of the tickets and now have a smaller line.

\n

Phase 3: Ticketing Groups

\n

The remaining line is now divided into groups. This is where some further math and heuristics could be applied to better manage tickets over time. For now, just assume that all these numbers are potential variables and you could optimize the solution over time.

\n

Take the remainder of the line, let’s say there are 1,000 people still left, and for easy math put them in 5 groups of 200 people.

\n

Each one of these groups is then ticketed. Remember that these groups are in the order they got in line, so the early people are in the front and the last person to get in line is at the end in position 1,000.

\n

We also at this point know how many tickets were assigned to priority access groups and can make a determination about their “no show” rate. Likely those groups have a very high redemption rate, so assume most are used. The remaining tickets will be assigned to the five groups of 200 people in a decreasing percentage. All of the people in group 1 get tickets. 70% of the people in group 2 get tickets. 40% of the people in group 3 get tickets and so on until we get to something like 10% of people in group 5 getting tickets.

\n

Over time these groups may be able to provide more accurate data on redemption, and we may know that Group 1 people redeem tickets at a higher rate than Group 5 so we can assign more tickets in Group 5 knowing more will go unused.

\n

Additionally, it is important that any tickets that get returned before the event, when people realize they cannot come and notify us of that, should be returned to the group it was assigned to. So, if a person in Group 3 returns there ticket, it should go to another random person in Group 3. This could be managed by creating different classes or types of tickets for each group. If there are no people left in that group without a ticket, like Group 1, then flow the returned ticket to the next group in line.

\n

Summary

\n

This may seem complex at first, but I think the implementation could be reasonable. Eventbrite could still be used to get in line but getting a “Line Ticket”. The list of registered email addresses could then be manipulated with a small program to do the rest.

\n

I do think that this would meet our goals of:

\n
    \n
  1. Understanding true demand for the events.
    2. \n
  2. Allowing special access to some groups.
    3. \n
  3. More fairly assigning tickets to the remaining people.
    4. \n
  4. Minimizing the urgency around ticketing.
    5. \n
  5. Optimize “no show” management over time.
    6. \n
\n

Very importantly this would also help us understand people that stop coming to events. If you get in line we know you want to come, but if you don’t get in line many times in a row you are deciding our events aren’t worthwhile and we’d like to know that.

\n

If you have suggestions or comments contact me. If you would like to help solution this that would be great too!

\n", "date_published": "2017-02-18T18:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/02/18/a-minnebar-ticketing.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2017/02/17/minnedemo-recap.html", "title": "Minnedemo 25 Recap", "content_html": "

Minnedemo 25 was last night, and it was fabulous. I’ve gone to all but a few Minnedemo events and realize that sometimes the demos are just a bit better than other times. Last nights was a great serving of everything that Minnedemo can be. We had very polished demos with clear paths to markets alongside passion projects. We had a team that was formed only five weeks prior at a hackathon. We even had the perennial bombed demo due to technical difficulties that still gets shown the warmth of the community.

\n

\"Minnedemo

\n

Update (Feb 22): Tech.MN posted videos of all the demos.

\n

Talkative Chef

\n

A group of 8 women that met at Hack the Gap built this product in just the last few weeks. They started working on this concept and showed a pretty well put together alpha of that work. The product helps you cook and bake hands-free by using voice commands with your computer. It worked well, and it was impressive to me that it was all done in the browser. As soon as they showed it, I thought this should be an Alexa skill package, but they highlighted that they were doing it in the browser to make it accessible to a wider audience. It’s not clear to me that this is a company or if it’s just a hobby project, but the concept of hands-free guides makes a lot of sense and in more than just the kitchen. The same concept could apply to repair projects in the house and having a screen to show diagrams or pictures while you talk could be helpful as well. Cool idea, well executed, great demo and great to see an all-female team building this, and it coming from a hackathon.

\n

VennPT

\n

Interesting take on preparing physical therapy programs. They showed a platform that allowed a PT specialist to design a program and then assign it to their patients. Very similar in concept to what you would have a personal trainer do by building workouts and assigning them. Two unique features that hit me in the demo:

\n
    \n
  1. The ability to record on your mobile a brand new video and create a\nunique exercise just for this one person. This is probably a big\ndeal with physical therapy where you might create a specific\nactivity for someone and to be able just to record and produce it\nright away seems compelling.
    2. \n
  2. Capability to export the assigned PT program using a text template\ninto an EMR system makes sense for the therapist. I would imagine\nthat is a significant time saving for them.
    3. \n
\n

Inkit

\n

This demo reminded me a bit of Twilio. Twilio took something old, plain old telephone service, and make it accessible via API’s and the cloud. Inkit feels similar in taking something old, direct mail, and making it accessible in the way that modern digital marketers think of the world. Makes sense to me but strikes me as a market with a lot of competition. Well done product and demo.

\n

EnduraData

\n

I was looking forward to this demo because it was the most technical of the bunch. EnduraData has software that moves large volumes of sensitive data between multiple locations and does it better, faster. You can buy expensive devices to do this, but their software delivers the same benefit. Unfortunately, to do the demo, they had a virtual machine in another country set up and were going to shuffle data around, and the WiFi in the room failed them. They were going to try showing a video as a backup, but that couldn’t work either. I was excited that this was the only demo of the night that was running Ubuntu, but bummed we didn’t get to see it.

\n

Newt One

\n

Newt One is a non-violent game concept where the characters only have a positive impact on the game environment. The concept was cool, the art and music were very nice, and it looked fun to play. We don’t get a lot of game demos at Minnedemo, so this was fun to see.

\n

Trout Spotr

\n

Trout Spotr stole the show and is one of those passion projects that I love to see at Minnedemo. The presenter started by saying “I built a website for my Dad.” and then went on to show how he used open data, various software packages and created a stunning website that allows you to find trout streams that are on public land. The visuals were well done using D3 and mashing up a lot of other web technology. The presenter also had a ton of energy and excitement. Great demo!

\n

Player’s Health

\n

Players Health has an interesting product that allows youth sports programs to deal with injury information in a much more sophisticated way. This demo opened the door to a problem that seems significant but underserved and showed a service that provides a lot of value to parents, coaches and even creates a data set that can be used to improve the youth sports world. I was impressed by the quality of the demo and that it appears to be serving a real need around injury management.

\n", "date_published": "2017-02-17T01:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2017/02/17/minnedemo-recap.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/11/27/163948.html", "content_html": "

Very sad to miss AWS re:Invent this year. Don’t schedule on peak retail!

\n

Wow, @ajassy says 32k expected at #reinvent. Remember: Comfortable shoes! https://t.co/v2RESxWsaL

— Tim Bray (@timbray) November 27, 2016
\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2016-11-27T11:39:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/11/27/163948.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/11/16/very-happy-that.html", "content_html": "

Very happy that SPS Commerce can host these great community technology events like DevOpsDays Minneapolis! Lot of people!…

\n", "date_published": "2016-11-16T14:44:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/11/16/very-happy-that.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/11/02/185524.html", "content_html": "

Great to see Leah Cunningham spreading the good word!

\n

#teamsps @cunningleah standing room only #adtc2016 going into the zen of agility! pic.twitter.com/tVkQC8b59W

— Andy Domeier (@AndyJD_) November 2, 2016
\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2016-11-02T13:55:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/11/02/185524.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/09/23/012440.html", "title": "DocuMNtary Premiere", "content_html": "

Super excited to be at the premier of DocuMNtary! Amazing project Nick Roseth!

\n\"Bearded\n

That’s me helping kick things off!

\n

@thingles Speaking at the #docuMNtary premiere! @documntary #teamsps pic.twitter.com/9dqJ7tDrVi

— Jodi Hill (@JPHill_MN) September 23, 2016
\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2016-09-22T20:24:40-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/09/22/012440.html", "tags": ["Movies","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/09/22/040527.html", "content_html": "

Looking forward to seeing this on Thursday and happy SPS Commerce could support it!

\n

Big thanks to Supporting Sponsor @SPS_Commerce for supporting DocuMNtary - release this Thursday https://t.co/aL9E5eVTWM

— docuMNtary (@documntary) September 21, 2016
\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2016-09-21T23:05:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/09/21/040527.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/09/22/always-honored-to.html", "content_html": "

Always honored to be able to be whatever small part of great tech events!

\n

Thank you so much @SPS_Commerce for your support of the community! 🙌🏽 #minnedemo

— minnestar (@minnestar) September 22, 2016
\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2016-09-21T22:46:15-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/09/21/always-honored-to.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/09/21/minnedemo.html", "title": "Minnedemo 24", "content_html": "

Raisable

\n\"Two\n

Interesting chatbot demo to create a fundraising campaign. All built around a chatbot using Facebook messenger.

\n

Binary Bride / CrossCare

\n\"Woman\n

Instance of a simple, easy to use EMR. Allows organizations to move through quickly. Doesn’t rely on internet.

\n

Civic Eagle

\n\"Presenter\n

Focusing on raising civic engagement. Minnesota leads the country on civic engagement. Allows you to register to vote. Debate feature, microvideo format? Impressive demo with some cool capabilities. Shooting to have side-by-side video debates.

\n

Termi

\n\"Presenter\n

IoT mouse trap? IoT hack day project. Tell if something was caught. Data collected to identify rodent populations.

\n

Evereve

\n\"Presenter\n

Stylist application to allow people to create a profile and allow a stylist to custom pick wardrobes. Minnesota based retailer. Allow stylist to see purchases and wishlist items to further refine recommendations. Interesting idea.

\n

Marbles / Live Beyond the Label

\n\"Presenter\n

Free 24/7 mental health support. 100% anonymous. Track mental health metrics (self collected). Peer to peer support. Seems really prone to trolls and abuse.

\n

Fanschool

\n\"Presenter\n

Fantasy sports like games for school content and current events. Fan games like fantasy football but for countries or states.

\n", "date_published": "2016-09-21T21:50:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/09/21/minnedemo.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/08/17/so-excited-to.html", "content_html": "

So excited to see DocuMNtary launch! Honored to be included.

\n

Big thanks to @thingles for supporting and participating in DocuMNtary and the work you have done to help make our community strong.

— docuMNtary (@documntary) August 15, 2016
\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2016-08-16T19:34:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/08/16/so-excited-to.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/07/21/right-column-th.html", "content_html": "

Right column, 4th row ➡️ SPS Commerce! Of course we support our local tech community!

\n

The sponsor awesomeness of @devopsdaysmsp! #devopsdays pic.twitter.com/YVZMIRQ5r7

— Andy Domeier (@AndyJD_) July 20, 2016
\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-20T19:41:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/07/20/right-column-th.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/07/15/minnedemo-has-gone.html", "content_html": "

minnedemo has gone so far since the 1st one years ago. Honored to be a Minnestar board member.

\n", "date_published": "2016-07-14T19:21:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/07/14/minnedemo-has-gone.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/07/15/000704.html", "content_html": "

Proud that SPS Commerce is a sponsor of Minnedemo! Minnestar is a great org!

\n\"Three\n\"Man\n", "date_published": "2016-07-14T19:07:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/07/14/000704.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/06/04/sumologic-sumosighting-on.html", "title": "Sumo Sighting", "content_html": "

SumoLogic Sumo Sighting on Kubb King at #TeamSPS TechJam event…

\n\"SumoLogic\n

Sumo Sighting with Surly Brewing at #TeamSPS TechJam event…

\n\"SumoLogic\n", "date_published": "2016-06-04T06:48:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/06/04/sumologic-sumosighting-on.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Kubb","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/05/19/075921.html", "title": "SPS TechJam 2016", "content_html": "

Excited for Ian Malpass to kick off #TeamSPS TechJam with talk on planning for failure.

\n\"Man\n

TechJam in full swing with presentation from AppDynamics on best use of graphs for understanding systems.

\n\"Large\n

Speaker just threw the gauntlet down with Tufte on color in graphs. Them’s fighting words!

\n

TechJam talk from PagerDuty Ophir Ronen on discovering signal in the cacophony.

\n\"Bald\n

TechJam Ophir Ronen “going full unicorn!”

\n\"Bald\n", "date_published": "2016-05-19T08:59:21-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/05/19/075921.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/04/29/still-absorbing-and.html", "content_html": "

Still absorbing and reflecting on Simon Sinek talk at SPS In:fluence today. Great perspective and insights!

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2016-04-28T19:21:15-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/04/28/still-absorbing-and.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/04/23/excited-to-see.html", "title": "Minnebar 11", "content_html": "

Excited to see another Minnebar kick off!

\n\"Large\n

SPS Commerce is a proud sponsor of Minnebar! Growing our tech community through passion and learning!

\n\"Large\n

This years shirt rocks — as usual!

\n\"Navy\n

Love seeing LaTeX and R in Peter Edstrom session at Minnebar. And good old make!

\n

At Minnebar, and look at all the local support for DocuMNtary!

\n\"Classroom\n

At Minnebar, and Nick Roseth passion around DocuMNtary and the local tech community is contagious. Great stuff.

\n\"A\n

Nice call out to University of Minnesota Computer Science @grouplens at Minnebar session on recommenders by Mike Navarro.

\n\"Audience\n

See also Minnebar collection.

\n", "date_published": "2016-04-23T08:35:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/04/23/excited-to-see.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/04/21/mhta-spring-event.html", "title": "MHTA Spring Event 2016", "content_html": "

Thought provoking opening presentation by Susan Brower, Minnesota State Demographer, on workforce trends.

\n\"Woman\n

Smart overview of the IoT landscape from Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino, Global IoT Designer & Entrepreneur.

\n\"Speaker\n

Evolution of Mobile talk from Mike Bollinger, Livefront.

\n\"Man\n", "date_published": "2016-04-21T09:14:15-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/04/21/mhta-spring-event.html", "tags": ["Technology","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/04/20/great-speech-nicely.html", "content_html": "

Great speech! Nicely done!

\n

State winner Ariana Pope has such an inspiring story! From @BDPA to #AspirationsAwards winner. She rocks! pic.twitter.com/iNbrF0U2oy

— MN State IT Center of Excellence (@ITinMN) April 20, 2016
\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2016-04-19T20:13:43-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/04/19/great-speech-nicely.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/04/19/proud-that-spscommerce.html", "content_html": "

Proud that SPS Commerce is a sponsor of the Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Award Ceremony. Amy Patton, Briana Birkholz, Milinda Stone, Lisa Sacquitne, and Danielle Tsai representing #TeamSPS. I am looking forward to tonights awards!

\n\"Five\n

See Aspirations Awards events from\n2016,\n2019,\n2020,\n2021, or\n2024.

\n", "date_published": "2016-04-19T16:28:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/04/19/proud-that-spscommerce.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2016/01/13/very-happy-to.html", "content_html": "

Very happy to grow the Minnestar board with these new community leaders!

\n", "date_published": "2016-01-13T15:41:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2016/01/13/very-happy-to.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/10/09/155857.html", "content_html": "

Had a great time at AWS re:Invent. Learned a lot and invigorated with new ideas!

\n", "date_published": "2015-10-09T10:58:57-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/10/09/155857.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/10/09/aws-replay.html", "title": "AWS re:Play", "content_html": "\"The\n

Holy crap Zedd! Lost my re:Invent badge while dancing — recovered it!

\n\"Dense\n\"DJ\n

Zedd put the volume on 11 and never let up.

\n\"Crowd\n", "date_published": "2015-10-09T02:10:31-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/10/09/aws-replay.html", "tags": ["Music","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/10/08/aws-reinvent-day.html", "title": "AWS re:Invent - Day 2", "content_html": "

Good seat for Werner Vogels AWS re:Invent tech keynote. Looking forward to announcements!

\n\"Large\n

X1 instance with 2TB of RAM and 100 cores? Wow.

\n

Looking forward to doing some Python Lambda functions! WikiApiary bots would be perfect!

\n

Now available, several exciting new Lambda features including Python support. http://t.co/JombWFWl0h #reInvent 🐍 pic.twitter.com/uBF4KOBkmi

— Amazon Web Services (@awscloud) October 8, 2015
\n\n\n\n

Wonder if AWS Lambda functions in Python can use the Requests library? Yep, any pip module can be used in Lambda. Requests in this example.

\n", "date_published": "2015-10-08T15:59:46-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/10/08/aws-reinvent-day.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/10/07/aws-reinvent-day.html", "title": "AWS re:Invent - Day 1", "content_html": "

Excited to hear Andy Jassy give the first AWS re:Invent keynote!

\n\"Large\n

Amazon Snowball very good idea. Make it easy.

\n

Would be equally nice to use Snowball to get data OUT of AWS.

\n

Awesome to see MariaDB now in Amazon RDS! I’ve been running MariaDB personally for years and it’s solid.

\n

Very impressive!

\n

.@ajassy - Amazon Aurora is the fastest growing service in #AWS history #reInvent pic.twitter.com/PW1ulEWTay

— AWS Events (@AWSEvents) October 7, 2015
\n\n\n\n

SPS Reaper RIP. #TeamSPS

\n

Thanks #aws for making our ec2 "reaper" redundant!!! These new #conigrules show you #listentoyourcustomers #awsreinvent

— Luke Samaha (@LukeSamaha) October 7, 2015
\n\n\n\n

Blown away at the pace of innovation from AWS. Faster and faster!

\n

Making #TeamSPS more and more secure!

\n

I'm pretty stoked about this: https://t.co/Dmno2MHIzy

— Beezow Doo-doo Zopittybop-bop-bop (@theojpeterson) October 7, 2015
\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2015-10-07T16:25:49-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/10/07/aws-reinvent-day.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/10/06/aws-reinvent-day.html", "title": "AWS re:Invent - Day 0", "content_html": "

My room? Very last one on the right. Won’t have to worry about getting steps in.

\n\"Long\n

AWS re:Invent busy tonight.

\n\"Crowded\n

Go #TeamSPS!

\n\"Crowded\n

Asking folks at AWS re:Invent about Mesos. #TeamSPS leading the charge with Mesos in production already.

\n

Great hanging with some of the SumoLogic cofounders and getting into tech details. #TeamSPS doing tons with Sumo.

\n

Great chat with Christian Beedgen! Thanks.

\n

@thingles @sumologic Great dinner and special thx to Christian Beedgen, CTO. #aws #reinvent Sumo has been a great addition to #TeamSPS.

— Amy Patton (@pattonamyj) October 7, 2015
\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2015-10-06T19:39:06-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/10/06/aws-reinvent-day.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/10/06/two-more-days.html", "content_html": "

Two more days left to be part of this upcoming project on the Minnesota tech scene!

\n

Thanks to @thingles @DarenCotter @JonPitton @orbitalturtle @rmorlok #erinmiska @stevehebert for supporting #MNTech http://t.co/ZXRD9lTbeS

— docuMNtary (@documntary) October 6, 2015
\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2015-10-06T16:53:54-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/10/06/two-more-days.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/10/06/congrats-to-code.html", "content_html": "

Congrats to Code42 on another successful fundraising!

\n

Series B stands for "Big" at @code42 — firm lands $85M, easily MN's top tech funding deal of 2015, via @MSPBJnews http://t.co/JpoD6mKBJf

— Mark Reilly (@mspbjReilly) October 6, 2015
\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2015-10-06T10:46:49-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/10/06/congrats-to-code.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/10/04/125724.html", "content_html": "

I just backed DocuMNtary on Kickstarter.

\n", "date_published": "2015-10-04T07:57:24-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/10/04/125724.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/10/03/open-source-north.html", "title": "Open Source North 2015", "content_html": "

Looking forward to presenting today at Open Source North!

\n\"Dark\n

SPS Recruiters at Open Source North looking for talented technologists with a bias to open source! Go #TeamSPS!

\n\"SPS\n

Jeff Urban kicking off Open Source North.

\n\"Crowded\n

Enjoying Joel Crabb’s session on becoming an engineering manager. Great perspective. Agree 100%!

\n\"Audience\n

I ask every engineer pursuing management this. Doing personally and doing organizationally are different!

\n\"Conference\n

Presenting next at Open Source North on Transforming Your Organization with Open Source!

\n

I wasn’t able to stay for the entire day but the event was very well run, good lineup of speakers and very good attendance as well.

\n

I’m hoping they plan to organize this again next year, I can definitely see this growing into a substantial event.

\n", "date_published": "2015-10-03T08:51:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/10/03/open-source-north.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Software Development","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/09/16/dreamforce-keynote.html", "title": "Dreamforce Keynote", "content_html": "

There sure is a lot of waiting in lines at Dreamforce

\n

Dear people of Dreamforce: for the love of God stop force quitting your iOS apps! See step 3.

\n

Seated for Marc Benioff keynote at Dreamforce. Huge room.

\n\"Large\n

Dreamforce 2½ hour keynote? Marathon session.

\n", "date_published": "2015-09-16T13:38:40-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/09/16/dreamforce-keynote.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/09/15/heading-to-my.html", "content_html": "

Heading to my first Dreamforce event tomorrow. Expecting to be very overwhelmed by the size of it.

\n", "date_published": "2015-09-14T20:17:48-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/09/14/heading-to-my.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/08/12/203500.html", "content_html": "\n", "date_published": "2015-08-12T15:35:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/08/12/203500.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/07/28/great-video-from.html", "content_html": "

Great video from past Minnedemo presenters! Go Minnestar!

\n
\n \n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-07-28T15:59:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/07/28/great-video-from.html", "tags": ["Videos","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/07/22/213826.html", "content_html": "

Excited to be speaking at Open Source North!

\n

Registration is open! Excited to have @thingles (@SPS_Commerce ), @joelcrabb (@BestBuyJobsCorp), @schtool (@liferay) speaking.

— Open Source North (@OpenSourceNorth) July 22, 2015
\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2015-07-22T16:38:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/07/22/213826.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/07/02/awesome-looking-new.html", "content_html": "

Awesome looking new space SportNgin!

\n

Inaugural @SportNgin Donut Day is in the books! #HighlightCenter pic.twitter.com/IPhWJNIoRb

— Carson Kipfer (@ckipfer) July 2, 2015
\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2015-07-02T11:51:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/07/02/awesome-looking-new.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/04/29/day-of-spsinfluence.html", "content_html": "

Day 2 of SPS In:fluence keynote with Sucharita Kodali of Forrester.

\n\"Woman\n", "date_published": "2015-04-29T13:33:20-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/04/29/day-of-spsinfluence.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/04/28/great-overview-of.html", "content_html": "

Great overview of the #TeamSPS work on new products from Shivani Khanna Stumpf and Robert Davis at SPS In:fluence!

\n", "date_published": "2015-04-28T09:14:08-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/04/28/great-overview-of.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/04/28/134408.html", "content_html": "

Peter Zaballos kicking off SPS In:fluence!

\n\"Large\n", "date_published": "2015-04-28T08:44:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/04/28/134408.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/04/12/daughter-excited-to.html", "content_html": "

Daughter excited to get her fresh ipHouse notebook from Minnebar! Thanks Bil MacLeslie!

\n\"Young\n", "date_published": "2015-04-11T19:13:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/04/11/daughter-excited-to.html", "tags": ["Family","Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/04/11/071800.html", "title": "Minnebar 10", "content_html": "

Notes from Minnebar 10:

\n\n

See also Minnebar collection.

\n", "date_published": "2015-04-11T10:18:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/04/11/071800.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/03/28/congrats-to-zivixllc.html", "content_html": "

Congrats to Zivix (and my friend Dennys Bisogno) on another successful Kickstarter campaign!

\n", "date_published": "2015-03-28T08:07:21-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/03/28/congrats-to-zivixllc.html", "tags": ["Music","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2015/02/07/the-minnedemo-liveblog.html", "content_html": "

The Minnedemo 19 liveblog is pretty cool.

\n", "date_published": "2015-02-07T11:55:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2015/02/07/the-minnedemo-liveblog.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/12/11/083622.html", "content_html": "

Starting day at Salesforce World Tour in data analysis session!

\n\"Large\n

Overview from Billy Cripe of Field Nation use of Salesforce.

\n\"Packed\n

Salesforce Tour keynote starting.

\n\"Two\n

Disappointing Salesforce Tour session on Wave / Analytics. How about adding one data source? All sizzle, no steak.

\n", "date_published": "2014-12-11T09:36:22-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/12/11/083622.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/11/13/aws-replay.html", "title": "AWS re:Play", "content_html": "

AWS re:Invent re:Play event! Containers?

\n\"Large\n

Big beat! 🎧

\n\"Performer\n\"Concert\n", "date_published": "2014-11-13T23:13:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/11/13/aws-replay.html", "tags": ["Music","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/11/13/aws-reinvent-day.html", "title": "AWS re:Invent - Day 2", "content_html": "

Excited for Werner Vogels AWS re:Invent keynote!

\n\"Large\n

Great groove!

\n

Excited to have @iamjacknovak spinning on stage before my keynote at #reinvent pic.twitter.com/QFSzZaHXOq

— Werner Vogels (@Werner) November 13, 2014
\n\n\n\n

Awesome! AWS container service!

\n

AWS is first cloud platform with container support. Yes?

\n

Some CLI geekdom in the AWS re:Invent keynote. Nice!

\n\"Large\n

Impressive Docker AWS container demo at re:Invent!

\n

AWS Lambda announced! AWS Lambda has big potential for #TeamSPS!

\n

Skrillex performing at re:Play!

\n

Expecting a packed Lambda breakout session at re:Invent!

\n\"Packed\n

AWS #reinvent should hand out copies of Strucuture of Computer Programs to celebrate Lambda.

\n\"Book\n

Love AWS Lambda bringing cloud scale to functional workloads. Opens up amazing potentials.

\n

Lots of buzz in conversations about Lambda.

\n

Wonder how long until social feeds like Gnip allow connecting AWS Lambda functions. Seems obvious.

\n

Line for AWS ECS session is insane.

\n

At the most in-demand re:Invent session of AWS Container Service. Packed!

\n\"Packed\n

Every session at re:Invent touching on containers or Docker have been completely full with lines out the door.

\n

When did “fleet” overtake the term “farm”. Tertiary impact of all this container talk?

\n

The Container Service slides seem to have gone without review from the AWS brand managers. 🙂 Refreshing actually.

\n

“Server farm” v “server fleet”. Fleet sounds bigger. Better to be transportation system than farmers?

\n

Very cool elastic container service demo.

\n", "date_published": "2014-11-13T20:02:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/11/13/aws-reinvent-day.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/11/12/aws-reinvent-day.html", "title": "AWS re:Invent - Day 1", "content_html": "

Seated for AWS re:Invent keynote!

\n\"Large\n

Andy Jassy “Cloud has become the new normal.” True for many!

\n\"Large\n

“shower cycles”? New term to me.

\n

Amazon Aurora looks compelling.

\n

Impressed by first day keynote and all the work going on!

\n

At the re:Invent Security Keynote. AWS capabilities for security has radically changed and improved in recent years. AWS has 5 to 7 thousand instances running continual security tests against internal systems constantly.

\n

Lunch for 9,500.

\n\"Large\n

You will not miss Michael Ducy. Very sparkly!

\n\"Smiling\n

Nice demo of Datadog.

\n

Attending impressive session on Key Management in AWS with Amy Patton. Wishing Milinda Rambel Stone, our security leader for #TeamSPS, was here too!

\n", "date_published": "2014-11-12T19:02:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/11/12/aws-reinvent-day.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Software Development","Tech Community","Privacy \u0026 Security"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/11/11/aws-reinvent-day.html", "title": "AWS re:Invent - Day 0", "content_html": "

Looking forward to connecting with the rest of #TeamSPS at #reinvent!

\n

68 °F and the cab driver had the heat on. Opened window. #vegas

\n

Hotel is pretty full so got upgraded to a suite. Nice digs.

\n\"Spacious\n", "date_published": "2014-11-11T22:04:25-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/11/11/aws-reinvent-day.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/10/21/congrats-to-dcgrigsby.html", "content_html": "

Drivetrain Agency sold to Toronto shopping tech company SlyceIt → Congrats to Dan Grigsby and team!

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-21T15:44:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/10/21/congrats-to-dcgrigsby.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/09/15/restarting-aws-mn.html", "title": "Restarting AWS MN", "content_html": "

A couple of months ago Bridget Kromhout and I started talking about coordinating with the Twin Cities Amazon Web Services User Group organizers to get the meetup group going again. The first thing we did was change the name to something a bit shorter, AWS MN.

\n

We had our first meetup a month ago to get things going again with a pretty loose agenda. This Wednesday we have a presentation I’m super excited about on Automating AWS with Ansible by David Federlein. We already have presentations for October and December as well. Want to present for November? 😀

\n

This is my first time organizing a meetup and I’m super excited to be doing this with Bridget who is frankly awesome at all of this (you should follow her on Twitter, @bridgetkromhout). We are also using GitHub issues to coordinate our work which is working really well and hosting at SPS Commerce using our training facility which also works fabulous for this and is nicely located in core downtown.

\n

If you have an interest in AWS and topics related to it, you should definitely join the meetup and come to our sessions. They are the third Wednesday of every month at 6pm! Also follow @aws_mn on Twitter!

\n", "date_published": "2014-09-15T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/09/15/restarting-aws-mn.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/08/04/excited-to-partner.html", "content_html": "

Excited to partner up with Bridget Kromhout and get the AWS MN Amazon Web Services Twin Cities meetup group revived!

\n", "date_published": "2014-08-03T19:57:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/08/03/excited-to-partner.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/07/31/201100.html", "content_html": "

Always fun night for Minnedemo!

\n

Peter Zaballos introducing SPS Commerce to Minnedemo crowd! Go #TeamSPS!

\n\"Man\n

Proud to be part of Minnedemo (Minnebar & Minnestar) in three different ways!

\n\"Three\n", "date_published": "2014-07-31T19:11:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/07/31/201100.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/07/18/devopsdays-msp.html", "title": "DevOpsDays MSP 2014", "content_html": "\n", "date_published": "2014-07-18T09:22:42-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/07/18/devopsdays-msp.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/06/21/rebeccapurple.html", "title": "rebeccapurple", "content_html": "

It’s great to see the human side of the technology\ncommunity\nshine.

\n", "date_published": "2014-06-21T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/06/21/rebeccapurple.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/06/20/great-lunch-today.html", "content_html": "

Great lunch today with Elwin Loomis and Heather Mickman about the Minnestar mission with fellow board members Justin Porter, Casey Helbling, and Alex Ryan!

\n", "date_published": "2014-06-19T20:11:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/06/19/great-lunch-today.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community","Giving"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/04/12/minnebar.html", "title": "Minnebar 9", "content_html": "

Notes from Minnebar 9:

\n\n

See also Minnebar collection.

\n", "date_published": "2014-04-12T22:59:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/04/12/minnebar.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/04/11/231722.html", "content_html": "

Good luck to #TeamSPS members Chuck Mallott and Colin Walker in this weekends Overnight Website Challenge!

\n

Related: See my Overnight Website Challenge Photos from 2009.

\n", "date_published": "2014-04-11T18:17:22-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/04/11/231722.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/04/08/fabulous-breakfast-this.html", "content_html": "

Fabulous breakfast this morning with Minnestar board member and catalyst Justin Porter.

\n", "date_published": "2014-04-08T08:50:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/04/08/fabulous-breakfast-this.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/03/23/debating-if-there.html", "content_html": "

Debating if there would be enough interest at Minnebar in a session on the CTO part of a technology organization.

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-22T20:51:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/03/22/debating-if-there.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/03/23/ill-be-hosting.html", "content_html": "

I’ll be hosting another Minnebar on Minnebar session this year. Join the conversation!

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-22T20:19:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/03/22/ill-be-hosting.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/03/13/congrats-to-elmerbaldwin.html", "content_html": "

Internet Broadcasting Systems sold for $20 million ← Congrats to Elmer Baldwin, Todd Carter, and Internet Broadcasting team on todays news!

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-13T10:32:02-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/03/13/congrats-to-elmerbaldwin.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/03/07/congrats-to-kaufenberg.html", "content_html": "

Congrats to Justin Kaufenberg and team!

\n
\n

@TECHdotMN: Minneapolis startup @SportNgin closes $15m series D funding.

\n
\n", "date_published": "2014-03-07T09:43:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/03/07/congrats-to-kaufenberg.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/03/07/you-should-go.html", "content_html": "

You should go see Bridget Kromhout present at DevOps Minneapolis meetup next week! She’s awesome! 👍

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-06T20:31:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/03/06/you-should-go.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/03/06/010000.html", "title": "Remembering Farhan Muhammad", "content_html": "\"Man\nOn Tuesday morning I was shocked to get an email from Jennifer at ILM\nProfessional Services informing us that Farhan Muhammad, the CEO of ILM,\nhad passed away in his sleep on Sunday night. I see Farhan regularly and\nI've worked with him and his firm on projects for several years. To my\nknowledge he had no health issues and he was a mere *41 years old*!\nFarhan and I had been emailing back and forth just days prior on a\nproject that I was framing up to get him and his firm involved in. This\nnews was so unimaginable it took a while to even process it.\n

In the past decade I’ve done several projects with Farhan over the course of three different companies. He was a true partner in every aspect of the word. I knew that if Farhan told me that the consultants he had to work on a project were great, I didn’t need to verify. I knew as a fellow technologist I could just go with what he said. He was an “ace in the hole” so to speak. When I knew I needed to extend beyond my team, and get some outside folks in, he and his firm would rise to the challenge. And, if he knew he couldn’t, he would be plain and direct and help redirect to a path that would work.

\n

I remember on multiple occasions calling him that I needed help getting a project started, and needed to start yesterday with a solid team that could execute in weeks not months. He was always able to make magic happen.

\n

On top of being a great business partner, he was also just an awesome guy. You couldn’t work with him long without seeing the pride and joy he had in his family. His wife and their two kids came up in conversations a lot. My heart goes out to them with this sudden and unexpected loss. Farhan was born in Pakistan and moved here straight after high school. His extended family was a big part of his life as well, and one of the drivers to extra bedrooms in their home so they could stay for weeks and months at a time.

\n

Perhaps the most amazing thing is after a near decade of doing projects, technology projects with high risk, I don’t even remember a single time having a meeting or discussion with Farhan that was frustrating, challenging or dredging through a project gone wrong or technology poorly designed. That’s amazing!

\n

I was right in the middle of framing up the next project I wanted to work with Farhan and his team on. I was really eager to get Farhan’s take on the approach, and we were excited to totally reinvent how this service worked and how people would engage with it. I’m saddened to not have the opportunity to do that again.

\n

To all of Farhan’s family, friends and coworkers I want to send my deepest sympathies and regrets. I was able to attend the funeral service today to pay my respects and it was so nice to hear from so many that had great memories of working and living with him. His impact will be felt for a very long time, and he will not be forgotten. The Twin Cities technology community lost a great technologist, entrepreneur and supporter this week.

\n
\n

Related:

\n\n
\n", "date_published": "2014-03-06T01:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/03/06/010000.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/03/02/walk-into-a.html", "content_html": "

Over recent years I’ve been growing increasingly concerned about the\nlack of women in technology careers. Perhaps it’s being a dad, or just\ngetting older. Either way, I think this is bad for our industry. I\nbelieve we would have healthier cultures, better teams and make better\nsoftware and products if we had more diversity.

\n

I recently got an email invite to an event in town for tech\nentrepreneurs. The headline of the email exclaimed in large type…

\n

Walk into a room of people just like you.

\n

In the email were three photos to highlight the people just like you.\nAll set in the gorgeous CoCo Minneapolis space.

\n\"Five\n\"Group\n\"Men\n

Notably a room of people just like you, if you are a young, white man.

\n

I’m not highlighting it because I think there was anything intentional\nwith these images. But instead just to highlight something that I don’t\nthink many in tech even see. We rarely notice the absence of any women\nin these scenes. We need to work harder to create an inclusive\nenvironment that draws the great women technologists into our events\ntoo.

\n

On a related note, many know I’m on the board\nof minnestar which hosts minnedemo and minnebar. We\nare continuing to work hard to make sure we get all technologists to our\nevents. We have a lot of work to do, but making sure that our imagery\ndisplays an open and accepting event is an important start.

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-02T01:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/03/02/walk-into-a.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/02/13/minnedemo-anna-klombies.html", "title": "Minnedemo", "content_html": "

Minnedemo tonight! Anna Klombies and Jim Bernard are ready for the demos.

\n\"Two\n

Cool to see PCs for People and the great work they do at Minnedemo!

\n

Great to see SportNgin’s Carson Kipfer presenting their mobile app at Minnedemo!

\n

At least 15 people from #TeamSPS at Minnedemo tonight! Say Hi!

\n

Very impressive demo from Kidizen, very fluid UI and great mobile experience.

\n

I think I need to get a Double Robotics for our #TeamSPS Tech Centers!

\n

Nice demo from CartStack.

\n

Minnedemo wouldn’t happen without the volunteers. A personal thank you to all of you! You make our tech community great!

\n", "date_published": "2014-02-13T20:03:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/02/13/minnedemo-anna-klombies.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/01/30/highlight-of-the.html", "content_html": "

Highlight of the day? Meeting with David Hussman! Minneapolis is lucky to have a talent like him here!

\n", "date_published": "2014-01-29T19:51:52-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/01/29/highlight-of-the.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2014/01/01/infracoder-meetup-means.html", "content_html": "

Infracoder meetup means I’ll finally get to meet Donnie Berkholz too! 😊

\n", "date_published": "2014-01-01T16:47:16-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2014/01/01/infracoder-meetup-means.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/12/06/very-good-minnestar.html", "content_html": "

Very good Minnestar board meeting this morning. Such a great organization. Planning for next Minnebar!

\n", "date_published": "2013-12-06T10:19:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/12/06/very-good-minnestar.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/11/14/aws-reinvent-day.html", "title": "AWS re:Invent - Day 2", "content_html": "

Great seats for day 2 AWS re:Invent keynote by Amazon CTO Werner Vogels.

\n\"Large\n

The kerning on the ’ in the AWS re:Invent font could use some help.

\n\"re:Play\n

Amazon releases RDS for PostgreSQL today! Nice!

\n

Great to watch Werner giving AWS re:Invent keynote.

\n\"Bald\n

Wow. New i2 instances are crazy. New c3 instances = super computer on demand. EC2 spot market is revolutionary. Allows a model that has never been available before.

\n

Amazon Kinesis for managing streaming data. This looks very interesting. I think Amazon Kinesis just revamped a project #TeamSPS is starting right now. Awesome. This Kinesis demo has awesome visuals. AWS Kinesis looks huge.

\n

Werner Vogels sporting Red Hot Chili Peppers shirt now. Nirvana this morning. My guess is for tonight shirt? Foo Fighters.

\n

Attending the Kinesis introduction session at AWS re:Invent. Kinesis for stock market data seems like such an awesome fit. I’m guessing Stephen Orban and Dow Jones are already testing. 😀 Kinesis streams != Queues.

\n

Saying goodbye to AWS re:Invent and heading home. Really happy I came. Fun things ahead for #TeamSPS!

\n", "date_published": "2013-11-14T21:05:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/11/14/aws-reinvent-day.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/11/13/aws-reinvent.html", "title": "AWS re:Invent - Day 1", "content_html": "

Ready for AWS re:Invent!

\n\"AWS\n

Perhaps the largest dining hall ever. AWS re:Invent

\n\"Panoramic\n

Great seat for AWS re:Invent keynote.

\n\"Large\n

Rob Krystyniak, @maas_8128,@zwingocom, @LukeSamaha, @scottbjer, and @pixelsnbits 👍 #TeamSPS ready for AWS re:Invent keynote!

\n\"Group\n

“we are finally data center free!” quote from AWS re:Invent

\n

9,000 attendees from 57 countries. AWS re:Invent

\n

Amazon Workspaces. Huh.

\n

Great to see former colleagues at Dow Jones getting highlighted at AWS re:Invent! Congrats all!

\n

Amazon AppStream looks interesting.

\n

Tradeworx segment of #awsreinvent keynote is mind blowing.

\n

Terabyte of data added a day to S3.

\n

This graph shows the power of AWS.

\n\"Conference\n

Attending Big Data: State of the Union session by Paul Duffy at AWS re:Invent.

\n

Morning keynote at AWS re:Invent was great. Hit right topics. Expanded thinking.

\n

Crap. Phone is at 12% battery already! Argh.

\n

Love the Amazon Public Datasets and Big Open Data effort. Great stuff.

\n

You could make a lot of $$$ selling precharged battery packs for phones at #awsreinvent.

\n

I don’t know what’s more impressive: AWS scaling or the dining service feeding 9,000 people.

\n

Pro tip for those in #awsreinvent dining hangar and trying to find people. The pillars have numbers.

\n

At session about Amazon Redshift at #awsreinvent with Rob Krystyniak.

\n

Going to Netflix Development Patterns for Rapid Iteration, Scale, Performance & Availability session at AWS re:Invent next.

\n

Someone should make a twitter client optimized for conferences.

\n

Netflix red, black and blue systems concept is very smart. Did something similar at Dow Jones but no blue concept.

\n

I think it might finally be time to move all my personal web stuff to AWS.

\n

Guys in suit coats playing ping pong at #awsreinvent Dev Lounge.

\n\"Bald\n

Fun running into @jondahl at AWS re:Invent!

\n", "date_published": "2013-11-13T19:57:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/11/13/aws-reinvent.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/11/12/aws-reinvent-day.html", "title": "AWS re:Invent - Day 0", "content_html": "

Looking forward to joining other #teamsps folks at AWS re:Invent!

\n

I’m not sure why, but I always find it a little sad to fly out at night.

\n

AWS re:Invent iOS app could use some help. 😕 just not as useful as it should be.

\n", "date_published": "2013-11-12T19:58:23-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/11/12/aws-reinvent-day.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/11/10/star-tribune-in.html", "title": "Star Tribune in April 1999 on BigCharts Acquisition", "content_html": "

I’ve been cleaning through old files and found the copy of the April 30, 1999 issue of the Star Tribune that I had saved with the article about BigCharts being acquired by CBS MarketWatch. I couldn’t just recycle this before running it through the scanner. Phil sure had some hair back then. 😀

\n

\"Star

\n

\"Star

\n

Funny that Phil actually did relocate to San Francisco area, just about 10 years later than this article and had nothing to do with BigCharts or MarketWatch.

\n", "date_published": "2013-11-10T01:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/11/10/star-tribune-in.html", "tags": ["BigCharts","MarketWatch","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/10/27/im-doing-presentations.html", "content_html": "

I’m doing 8 presentations this week. Slide deck overload!

\n", "date_published": "2013-10-27T16:27:47-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/10/27/im-doing-presentations.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/10/09/minnedemo.html", "title": "Minnedemo 15", "content_html": "

Minnedemo 15 was great!

\n

Proud to have SPS Commerce sponsoring Minnedemo 15!

\n\"SPS\n

Nice to see Lou Abramowski demoing Unbenchable!

\n

Very impressive UI on Dash demo. Super polished.

\n\"Illuminated\n", "date_published": "2013-10-09T22:24:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/10/09/minnedemo.html", "tags": ["TeamSPS","Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/10/04/excited-to-officially.html", "content_html": "

Casey Helbling and Justin Porter Join Minnestar Board ← Excited to officially welcome Justin Porter and Casey Helbling to the Minnestar board!

\n", "date_published": "2013-10-04T06:57:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/10/04/excited-to-officially.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/09/25/huge-news-congrats.html", "content_html": "

Google picks CoCo for ‘Tech Hub’ program ← Huge news, congrats CoCo MSP team! 🎉

\n", "date_published": "2013-09-25T13:26:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/09/25/huge-news-congrats.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/08/27/i-sure-know.html", "content_html": "

I sure know a lot of folks at VMworld. I may have to attend next year.

\n", "date_published": "2013-08-27T14:34:42-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/08/27/i-sure-know.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/07/19/great-crowd-at.html", "content_html": "

Great crowd at Minnedemo tonight.

\n\"Large\n", "date_published": "2013-07-18T19:28:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/07/18/great-crowd-at.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/05/02/great-lunch-with.html", "content_html": "

Great lunch with Matt Hardy learning about Kidblog. Cool stuff going on there!

\n", "date_published": "2013-05-02T14:40:26-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/05/02/great-lunch-with.html", "tags": ["Technology","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/05/02/fun-panel-conversation.html", "content_html": "

Fun panel conversation this morning at The Collaborative event with Justin Kaufenberg.

\n", "date_published": "2013-05-02T14:38:14-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/05/02/fun-panel-conversation.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/04/07/slides-from-my.html", "content_html": "

Slides from my Minnebar Build Advanced MediaWiki Websites are on the wiki.

\n", "date_published": "2013-04-07T09:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/04/07/slides-from-my.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/04/07/sessions-for-minnebar.html", "content_html": "

Sessions for Minnebar 8 are now on the wiki. Presenters please add any materials to your sessions.

\n", "date_published": "2013-04-07T08:43:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/04/07/sessions-for-minnebar.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/04/06/084400.html", "title": "Minnebar 8", "content_html": "\n\"Large\n

See also Minnebar collection.

\n", "date_published": "2013-04-06T08:44:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/04/06/084400.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/03/30/excited-to-drop.html", "content_html": "

Excited to “drop some science” at my MediaWiki session at Minnebar.

\n", "date_published": "2013-03-29T22:57:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/03/29/excited-to-drop.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/03/16/congrats-to-mikebollinger.html", "content_html": "

Congrats to Mike Bollinger on the 40 Under Forty Award!

\n", "date_published": "2013-03-15T19:57:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/03/15/congrats-to-mikebollinger.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/03/12/im-presenting-at.html", "content_html": "\n", "date_published": "2013-03-12T00:40:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/03/12/im-presenting-at.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2013/03/08/204323.html", "content_html": "

One of my Minnebar 8 sessions: Build and Deploy Ridiculously Advanced MediaWiki Websites.

\n", "date_published": "2013-03-08T15:43:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2013/03/08/204323.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2012/12/12/crowd-filling-in.html", "content_html": "

Crowd filling in at Minnedemo.

\n\"Large\n

Great demo from Spark Devices! Great demo from Smart Things! TripleMap demo was impressive. Cosit may be the funniest demo yet. 🙂

\n", "date_published": "2012-12-11T19:37:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2012/12/11/crowd-filling-in.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2012/11/02/nice-line-from.html", "title": "Agile Day Twin Cities 2012", "content_html": "

Presenting at Twin Cities Agile Day today!

\n

Minneapolis Institute of Art is nice venue for Twin Cities Agile Day.

\n

Attending Jeff Sussna session on continuous delivery.

\n\"Attendees\n

Andon on Wikipedia.

\n

Nice line from David Hussman: (Value) = (Why) / (How)

\n", "date_published": "2012-11-02T11:58:51-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2012/11/02/nice-line-from.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2012/07/27/050815.html", "content_html": "

Bummed that I was out of town for Luke Francl last Minnedemo (for a while at least).

\n", "date_published": "2012-07-27T00:08:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2012/07/26/050815.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2012/05/22/130917.html", "title": "The Collaborative Technology Summit 2012", "content_html": "\n", "date_published": "2012-05-22T08:09:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2012/05/22/130917.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2012/05/15/on-this-day.html", "content_html": "

On this day in 1997 Philip Hotchkiss, me and a team of 6 launched BigCharts.com. Great memories!

\n", "date_published": "2012-05-15T13:17:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2012/05/15/on-this-day.html", "tags": ["BigCharts","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2012/05/15/my-sessions-at.html", "title": "My Sessions at MinneBar 7", "content_html": "

MinneBar 7 was just a little over a month ago and the videos the two sessions I did are now online.

\n

Running a Virtual Server with Confidence

\n

I gave one talk on Running a Virtual Server with Confidence. I got a lot of really good feedback from this session, people found it really useful and adopted a number of the suggestions I made. I didn’t use slides for this, instead I just walked through my build notes and shared that URL.

\n
\n \n
\n\n

Every HTTP Status Code

\n

Garrick and I also thought it would be fun to do a talk on Every HTTP Status Code. We made it fun and walked through each one.

\n
\n \n
\n\n", "date_published": "2012-05-15T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2012/05/15/my-sessions-at.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2012/05/09/my-running-a.html", "content_html": "

My Running a VPS with Confidence session from Minnebar just got online.

\n", "date_published": "2012-05-09T15:19:14-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2012/05/09/my-running-a.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2012/04/24/graphitelaunch-day-go.html", "content_html": "

Graphite launch day! Go team!

\n\"Group\n", "date_published": "2012-04-24T10:42:21-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2012/04/24/graphitelaunch-day-go.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2012/04/18/i-seriously-think.html", "content_html": "

I seriously think Minnebar is breaking some records getting video from sessions up so fast!

\n", "date_published": "2012-04-17T22:54:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2012/04/17/i-seriously-think.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2012/04/11/bummer-dornquast-not.html", "content_html": "

Bummer. Matthew Dornquast not able to attend award ceremony. Congrats!

\n\"Two\n", "date_published": "2012-04-11T18:21:25-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2012/04/11/bummer-dornquast-not.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2012/04/07/presenting-running-vps.html", "title": "Minnebar 7", "content_html": "

Dug out my MinneBar 4 shirt for Minnebar 7.

\n

Final edits to the Minnebar 7 post event survey done.

\n

This year’s Minnebar shirt rocks!

\n

These earrings are awesome!

\n

@AdriennePeirce models her custom-made @minnebar earrings pic.twitter.com/IpFyDapr

— Luke Francl (@lof) April 7, 2012
\n\n\n\n

Happy to have my Mophie Juice Pack Air for Minnebar day. No dead battery for me.

\n

git pulling my presentation

\n

Color Theory session by John Mindiola III at Minnebar was awesome.

\n

Crowd lined up for Maker Bot session at Minnebar.

\n\"Large\n

MinneBar keeping BarCampy.

\n\"Whiteboard\n

Good Varnish session at Minnebar from Mike Willbanks.

\n

Presenting Running VPS with Confidence in 15 minutes.

\n

See also Minnebar collection.

\n", "date_published": "2012-04-07T15:36:10-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2012/04/07/presenting-running-vps.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2012/04/07/panorama-photo-from.html", "content_html": "

Panorama photo from the stage right before Minnebar 7 started.

\n\"Large\n", "date_published": "2012-04-07T08:34:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2012/04/07/panorama-photo-from.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2012/04/07/at-the-minnebar.html", "content_html": "

At the Minnebar preparty!

\n\"MinneBar\n", "date_published": "2012-04-06T19:43:07-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2012/04/06/at-the-minnebar.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2012/01/19/005920.html", "content_html": "

Missing Minnedemo tonight. BIG customer launch. Will be a memorable event with Code42 announcement!

\n", "date_published": "2012-01-18T19:59:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2012/01/18/005920.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2011/11/18/152109.html", "content_html": "

Great Minnestar board meeting this morning with strong plans for Minnebar and Minnedemo in 2012!

\n", "date_published": "2011-11-18T10:21:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2011/11/18/152109.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2011/10/07/great-night-for.html", "content_html": "

Great night for Minnedemo! Thanks to St. Thomas for hosting. 8thBridge demoing tonight! Watching Mike Bjerkness changing the code on the demo. 14 mins to go. Hope the git push works! 😀

\n", "date_published": "2011-10-06T19:22:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2011/10/06/great-night-for.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2011/09/21/hoping-that-the.html", "content_html": "

Hoping that the materials for SMWCon are shared for those that can’t attend.

\n", "date_published": "2011-09-21T07:16:16-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2011/09/21/hoping-that-the.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2011/05/16/160502.html", "content_html": "

Great Minnestar board meeting this morning. Things are coming together nicely!

\n", "date_published": "2011-05-16T11:05:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2011/05/16/160502.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2011/05/08/214512.html", "content_html": "

One of my favorite photos from Minnebar. Paul DeBettignies prepared to deal with power challenges.

\n\"Man\n", "date_published": "2011-05-08T16:45:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2011/05/08/214512.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2011/05/08/created-two-new.html", "content_html": "

Created two new address book groups “MinneBar Pings” and “MinneDemo Pings” so I remember to nag people to get to events.

\n", "date_published": "2011-05-08T15:12:55-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2011/05/08/created-two-new.html", "tags": ["Productivity","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2011/05/08/minnebar-photos.html", "title": "MinneBar 6 Photos", "content_html": "

Yesterday was an absolutely great MinneBar event. I lugged the big camera around to get some shots. I didn’t get that many because I presented for the first three sessions. I got some good shots from the kick-off and a handful of others.

\n\"Group\n\"Crowd\n\"Several\n\"Rows\n\"Gray\n\"Three\n\"Large\n\"Man\n\"Three\n\"Man\n\"Three\n\"Three\n\"Large\n\"Man\n\"Man\n\"Man\n\"Small\n\"Man\n\"Crowd\n\"Crowded\n", "date_published": "2011-05-08T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2011/05/08/minnebar-photos.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2011/05/07/000000.html", "title": "Minnebar 6", "content_html": "\n\"Panoramic\n

See photos from Minnebar 6 and Minnebar collection.

\n", "date_published": "2011-05-07T13:14:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2011/05/07/000000.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2011/05/07/really-bummed-to.html", "content_html": "

Really bummed to be missing the Minnebar organizer/sponsor dinner tonight. I’m on Dad duty all weekend and couldn’t swing it tonight.

\n", "date_published": "2011-05-06T21:02:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2011/05/06/really-bummed-to.html", "tags": ["Family","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2011/04/12/congrats-techdotmn-zencoder.html", "content_html": "

Congratsulations!

\n
\n

@TECHdotMN: Zencoder Raises $2M for Cloud-based Video Encoding

\n
\n", "date_published": "2011-04-12T17:26:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2011/04/12/congrats-techdotmn-zencoder.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2011/04/05/finally-got-an.html", "content_html": "

Got an Ignite Minneapolis ticket. That was too hard. Please charge something for the next one.

\n", "date_published": "2011-04-05T18:45:39-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2011/04/05/finally-got-an.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2011/03/01/presenting-from-ipad.html", "content_html": "

I gave a talk today at a class at the University of Minnesota. I used it as a trial run for presenting right off of my iPad in Keynote. Worked great! Was liberating to have such a small device to present from.

\n\"iPad\n", "date_published": "2011-03-01T01:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2011/03/01/presenting-from-ipad.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Apple"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2011/01/13/my-buddy-ira.html", "content_html": "

The new Minnedemo demo room is huge, which is great. Nice to have a place to sit. My buddy Ira grabbed a photo of me with my spiffy MacBook Air.

\n\"Overhead\n

View from the balcony of Minnedemo!

\n\"Overhead\n", "date_published": "2011-01-13T01:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2011/01/13/my-buddy-ira.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2010/12/03/very-fun-evening.html", "content_html": "

Very fun evening at Pizza Luce for the Drivetrain Agency event. Thanks Dan Grigsby!

\n", "date_published": "2010-12-02T21:52:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2010/12/02/very-fun-evening.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2010/10/21/check-out-eventburn.html", "content_html": "

Check out Eventburn. Built by my friend Dan Frankowski and Max Harper. Social media view of events. Cool!

\n", "date_published": "2010-10-21T13:16:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2010/10/21/check-out-eventburn.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Social Media"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2010/09/16/at-collabtech-event.html", "content_html": "

At The Collaborative Technology Summit event this morning. Will be on the 4th panel discussing tech successes in town.

\n", "date_published": "2010-09-16T10:04:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2010/09/16/at-collabtech-event.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2010/08/04/this-new-talk.html", "content_html": "

This new talk from Larry Lessig is worth watching. Great stuff.

\n
\n", "date_published": "2010-08-03T21:11:10-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2010/08/03/this-new-talk.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Privacy \u0026 Security"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2010/05/22/minnebar.html", "title": "Minnebar 5", "content_html": "

Another record breaking attendance for Minnebar! It’s great that even in year 5 Minnebar is drawing a large group of new people still. What a vibrant community! The group in this one session is as big as the entire group from the first Minnebar.

\n

At the JavaScript session at Minnebar. Full house.

\n

Checking out GPU accelerated development on the iPad session at Minnebar. This is a good reminder why mathematical thinking matters when coding.

\n

At Intro to Git session at Minnebar. The story of git’s creation by Linus always reminds me of a story from the Bible.

\n

See also Minnebar collection.

\n", "date_published": "2010-05-22T09:12:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2010/05/22/minnebar.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2010/02/06/at-minnedemo-tonight.html", "content_html": "

Great Minnedemo tonight! Way to go everyone that demoed!

\n", "date_published": "2010-02-05T20:15:19-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2010/02/05/at-minnedemo-tonight.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2009/11/22/for-fun-here.html", "content_html": "

For fun, here are my photos from the first Minnebar in 2006. The whole group looks like one of todays sessions.

\n

Add photos that were previously on Flickr.

\n", "date_published": "2009-11-22T01:35:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2009/11/22/for-fun-here.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2009/10/12/inspired-software-keynote.html", "title": "Inspired Software Keynote", "content_html": "

I was honored this year to be invited by the Computer Science department at the University of Minnesota to give the keynote for the 2009 Computer Science Open House. The department has an open house every other year and it is a great opportunity for all the various research groups to present the work they are doing. The common area of the building was filled with researchers talking through their research and what the impacts will be. Really great stuff. Informative, inspiring, interesting.

\n

The audience for the keynote was a mix of students and people from the industry. I decided right away that I wanted to take the opportunity evangelize my perspective that software has a critical, fundamental, role in our society and that we as the people who make that software are responsible to create elegant and inspired environments. The anti-codemonkey.

\n

The talk was really put together in three sections. First, a quick brief on the huge impact that software has had on people. I was shocked in my research to find that 6 in 10 people, in the world, have a mobile phone. Talk about amazing adoption rates! I then made the case that open source is not just an alternative means of making code, but is perhaps the means that is best suited to the giant role that software plays in the world. And lastly, I wanted to reinforce the role that the individual developers has in making inspired software a reality.

\n

Related: Open House Keynote Speakers

\n", "date_published": "2009-10-12T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2009/10/12/inspired-software-keynote.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2009/07/30/entrepreneur-in-residence.html", "title": "Entrepreneur in Residence at Split Rock Partners", "content_html": "

Earlier this week Split Rock Partners did a press release regarding my entrepreneur in residence (EIR) with the firm. The first question friends of mine have asked is “What exactly is an entrepreneur in residence?” Wikipedia highlights an EIR as:

\n
\n

The EIR role is often designed to fill one of three primary functions:

\n\n
\n

That is a great recap of what I will be doing with Split Rock. The partners have given me a place to office and the opportunity to get and give early feedback around potential business ventures.

\n

A couple of other items about EIR roles. There are other “in residence"programs. For example, artist in residence seems to be a fairly well established. I’ve also seen writer in residence as well as journalist in residence pop up. Lastly, just to be clear, the EIR role is a partnership. I’m not an employee at the firm, and this isn’t a “job”. It is a formal collaboration and a vehicle for us to work together.

\n

I am excited to work with the partners at Split Rock and will make the most of such a unique opportunity!

\n

Jamie Thingelstad joins Split Rock Partners as an Entrepreneur in Residence

\n

Former Dow Jones executive will focus on emerging opportunities in digital media

\n

Minneapolis, MN, July 27 – Split Rock Partners, a venture capital firm focused on emerging software and internet services companies, is pleased to announce that Jamie Thingelstad, former Vice President, Chief Technology Officer of the Wall Street Journal Digital Network, the consumer division of Dow Jones & Company and Chief Technology Officer of MarketWatch, Inc., is affiliated with the firm as an Entrepreneur in Residence (“EIR”).

\n

Mr. Thingelstad was founding Chief Technology Officer of BigCharts, Inc. through its acquisition by MarketWatch in 1999. BigCharts was a pioneer in delivering real-time financial information via the web, and provided financial tools offered by the majority of top financial services firms at the time of the acquisition.

\n

MarketWatch was subsequently acquired by Dow Jones, and Mr. Thingelstad continued to take on progressively larger responsibilities within the Dow Jones organization. In his last role, he served as Chief Technology Officer of the Wall Street Journal Digital Network, a leading provider of financial and investment news through sites sites such as the Wall Street Journal, MarketWatch and Barrons. During his tenure, the network properties grew substantially in audience, and introduced several new product offerings. Prior to that Mr. Thingelstad was Chief Technology Officer for the Enterprise Media Group of Dow Jones where he oversaw the development efforts for Dow Jones Newswires, Dow Jones Indexes and other business services offered by the company.

\n

“Jamie is an accomplished entrepreneur and brings great insight into the intersection of the internet, new media, and the implications for next-generation business models,” said Michael Gorman, a Managing Director at Split Rock Partners. “As a pioneer in digital media, he is intimately familiar with the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the convergence of new technologies, consumer behavior, advertiser objectives and industry economics. We look forward to applying his insights to the process of identifying the most promising opportunities taking advantage of these dynamic trends.”

\n

As an EIR with Split Rock Partners, Mr. Thingelstad will be evaluating opportunities defining the next generation of digital media, the increasing opportunities in social applications on the web as well as the continuous evolution of the web as a platform.

\n

“I am excited to explore how new technologies can build upon the foundation of traditional media, while creating new opportunities to meet the needs of consumers and businesses in unanticipated ways,” said Mr. Thingelstad. “We are still at an early stage in the transformation of digital content production, delivery and consumption, and in that transformation lies opportunity. I am pleased to partner with the Split Rock team given their track record of partnering with entrepreneurs to translate the potential of breakthrough ideas into leading companies.”

\n\nAbout Split Rock Partners\n

Split Rock Partners, with offices in Minneapolis and Menlo Park, seeks emerging opportunities in healthcare, software, and Internet services primarily in the Upper Midwest and West Coast. Split Rock was formed in June 2004 by the teams responsible for healthcare, software and Internet services investments for St. Paul Venture Capital (SPVC) and continues to manage SPVC’s portfolio in those sectors. Split Rock closed a $275 million inaugural fund in April of 2005, and a $300 million second fund in May, 2008. Representative companies backed by Split Rock’s team include Atritech, Disc Dynamics, EBR, eBureau, Entellus, Evalve, Gearworks, Internet Broadcasting, HireRight, LowerMyBills.com, MyNewPlace, QuinStreet, and Tornier. Additional information about the firm can be found at www.splitrock.com.\n

\n

See this release on MarketWatch.com.

\n", "date_published": "2009-07-30T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2009/07/30/entrepreneur-in-residence.html", "tags": ["BigCharts","MarketWatch","Tech Community","Work"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2009/05/13/entrepreneurship-class-at.html", "title": "Entrepreneurship Class at Carlson", "content_html": "

About a month ago I spoke at an entrepreneurship class at the Carlson School of Management. Nice group with a lot of good questions.

\n\"Large\n", "date_published": "2009-05-13T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2009/05/13/entrepreneurship-class-at.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2009/05/07/191324.html", "content_html": "

Great time at Minnedemo tonight. Awesome night. Thanks to Luke and Ben for making it all happen! Maybe Minnedemo should start having press accommodations. 😕

\n", "date_published": "2009-05-07T19:13:24-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2009/05/07/191324.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2009/04/29/000000.html", "content_html": "
\n

Starting a business is the most public, most expensive, riskiest way\nof all to be wrong. — The Bootstrapper’s Bible by Seth\nGodin

\n
\n", "date_published": "2009-04-29T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2009/04/29/000000.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2009/04/22/minnedemo-on-may.html", "title": "Minnedemo on May 7th, 2009", "content_html": "

The next Minnedemo is now scheduled for May 7, 2009 at 6:00pm. It is free (as always), but registration is required so get signed up. There are 324 open tickets left at this point.

\n

I’m a big fan of Minnedemo and find it a great place to connect with people and hear about some of the products and cool projects everyone is working on. Hope to see you there!

\n", "date_published": "2009-04-22T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2009/04/22/minnedemo-on-may.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2009/04/07/just-got-back.html", "content_html": "

Just got back from presenting to a class at the Carlson School. Tired out.

\n", "date_published": "2009-04-06T21:19:01-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2009/04/06/just-got-back.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2009/03/24/nice-night-at.html", "content_html": "

Nice night at iPhone Pub Night. Thanks to Dan Grigsby for organizing!

\n", "date_published": "2009-03-23T21:45:55-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2009/03/23/nice-night-at.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Apple"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2009/03/06/photos-from-overnight.html", "title": "Photos from Overnight Website Challenge", "content_html": "

Last weekend I made three trips to the Sierra Bravo Overnight Website Challenge to get some photos of the start, middle and end. I lugged a decent bit of gear and tried my first attempt at event photography.

\n

The event wasn’t simple to capture. The room wasn’t very interesting so it was hard to get a decent backdrop on people. The podium where people presented had natural light behind it which made it nearly impossible to photograph. I tried some long exposure stuff and it was a little interesting. All in all, a tough room. I think my favorite shot is the one I took of the Ruby.MN 2.2 Team right before the event started.

\n\"A\n

I thought there would be more opportunities for pictures of people sleeping but there were surprising few that actually caught any sleep. I tried, unsuccessfully, to get one of the teams to do a human pyramid.

\n
\"A\"A\"A\"A\"A\"A\"A\"A\"A\"A\"A\"A\"A\"A\"Several\"A\"A\"A\"A\"A\"Several\"A\"A\"A\"A\"Several\"A\"A\"A\"Four\"People\"A\"A
\n", "date_published": "2009-03-06T01:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2009/03/06/photos-from-overnight.html", "tags": ["Gallery","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2009/02/28/leaving-to-go-shoot-the.html", "content_html": "

Leaving to go shoot the Overnight Website Challenge. Full kit-belt geared up.

\n\"Camera\n

Related: See Photos from Overnight Website Challenge.

\n", "date_published": "2009-02-28T07:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2009/02/28/leaving-to-go-shoot-the.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2009/01/20/next-minnedemo-is.html", "content_html": "

The next Minnedemo is now scheduled for\nFebruary 6, 2009 at 7:00pm. It is free (as always), but registration is\nrequired so go there and get signed\nup. There are about 260 open tickets\nleft at this point.

\n\"Minnedemo\n

Even though it is free that doesn’t mean you can leave your wallet at\nhome. Intermedia Arts is the host for\nMinnedemo and they have fallen on some difficult\ntimes. There will be\nan opportunity to donate Intermedia Arts (read more about\nthem) and I think the\nMinnedemo/Minnebar\ncommunity should show its support with some donations.

\n

I really enjoyed the last Minnedemo (at the same venue). It is a great\nchance to connect with a great group of local developers, entrepreneurs\nand a wide variety of other people – each of them very interesting!

\n

Hope to see you there!

\n

Update (January 25th)

\n

I didn’t do a good enough job looking through my calendar. It turns out\nwe are going to be heading out of town on the morning on February 6th\nfor a ski weekend up north. I’m going to miss this Minnedemo. Bummer.\nHope everyone else has a great time!

\n", "date_published": "2009-01-20T01:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2009/01/20/next-minnedemo-is.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2008/09/17/141933.html", "content_html": "

Waiting to speak at Dan Grigsby’s class and watching him pulling off the Professor thing like a Pro!

\n", "date_published": "2008-09-17T14:19:33-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2008/09/17/141933.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2008/08/14/first-altnet-meetup.html", "title": "First ALT.NET Meetup", "content_html": "\"Vintage-style\n

I received an email this morning from Ira Mitchell clueing me in on a group that Freemind is helping get going called ALT.NET. The first thing I noticed was that they have a really cool Minneapolis-inspired logo for the group and then I started trying to figure out what it was all about. From the ALT.NET site:

\n
\n

At it’s purest, the driving force behind the ALT.NET developer community may be described simply as “The pursuit of happiness.” While Microsoft has provided developers with a powerful framework and a bunch of very good tools and packages to build upon, it often feels like too much effort was put into a “one-size-fits-all” design philosophy that can make it complex, tedious, or just plain impossible to do things that don’t follow Microsoft’s prescribed approach.

\n

With other development platforms and languages offering so much choice (Java and it’s many quality open source offerings) and elegance (Ruby on Rails with its “beautiful” code and “convention over configuration” philosophy), .NET developers longed to craft cleaner, more elegant solutions without having to leave a framework that has so much to offer.

\n

ALT.NET is about following your own beliefs about application design, and using the .NET platform to support your ideas, rather than retro-fitting your ideas to the platform.

\n
\n

Sounds cool! The first meet-up is at The Bulldog NE, the same place where people meet before Ruby Users of Minnesota meetings. Check it out; the beer will be good, the food will be good and hanging out with hip people working with cool technology will be good as well.

\n", "date_published": "2008-08-14T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2008/08/14/first-altnet-meetup.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2008/06/03/railsconf-recap.html", "title": "RailsConf 2008 Recap", "content_html": "\"RailsConf\n

We just left Portland today on our continuing Summer of Love trip. You wont find much about Portland from me though. Our stop in Portland for me was a visit to RailsConf 2008. Tammy did post about her thoughts on Portland. It was totally awesome that our good friends, the Tangen’s were able to come out and join us in Portland. Kent attended RailsConf with me, and Maril, Simon and Caroline hung out with Tammy and Mazie. Mazie just adored Caroline the whole time.

\n

Let me share some of my comments on RailsConf 2008. I’m not going to dive into super detail on the Rails 2.1 release announced at the conference, or the details of various sessions. You can find that elsewhere online and many of the presentations and sessions are now up on the RailsConf wiki.

\n

Sessions

\n

Here are the sessions I attended:

\n\n

Sadly, I missed Kent Beck’s Keynote on Saturday evening. I hear it was really good.

\n

Highlights

\n

The conference started off on a strong note with Joel Spolsky’s keynote. Some of you that have mentioned Spolsky to me may have heard my immediate rant. Prior to his keynote I wasn’t a Joel fan. However, his keynote was great. He had a good message, presented it very well, and really got his point across. I liked it a lot, and take back anything bad I’ve said about Joel in the past (or at least most of it). It was really good.

\n

I liked the Entrepreneur session quiet a bit. Unfortunately halfway through it the fire marshall ordered about 1/4th of the people out of the room because it was standing room only. Ryan Singer’s session on design and Rails was awesome. Ryan was preaching what I truly believe is the model for designers and developers to engage and work collaboratively to make great things. The world needs more Ryan Singer’s out there evangelizing and showing how this can be done to do great things. Jeremy Kemper’s keynote on Rails 2.1 was really good as well. The 2.1 feature set looks great.

\n

Perhaps the most high-density presentation was Scott Chacon’s Git presentation. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten barraged with so much high-density information so quickly. At one point I turned to Kent and joked “I feel stupid.” Directed acyclic graphs were being thrown around as quickly and furious as could ever be done. Great presentation though, really liked his stuff. I recommend checking out his site, Gitcasts.

\n

David Heinemeier Hansson’s keynote on Friday night was a little odd. He steered away from any technical topics and really focused on giving some input on creating great products and being a great developer. I’m not sure how the talk went over with the audience. DHH is the creator of Rails, and as a result I doubt anyone would pan it that much. He drew a full crowd back from dinner at 8:00pm after all. His talk however seemed to me to be trying to get people to appreciate the aesthetics of code. To admire the beauty of architecture. It seemed clear to me that he was trying to send a message beyond Rails, to creating great things and continuing creative inspiration. I liked the message, but I wondered how many people in the room really heard it.

\n

Lowlights

\n

There weren’t any bad sessions that I went to. Some could have been better, but I wouldn’t say any of them were horrible. However, I would have liked to see a bit more technical depth and heavy lifting in the sessions. Too many of them seemed to gloss on big topics of scaling, deployment and architecture. I realize it’s a big conference, but more technical depth would have been good.

\n

The WiFi network for the conference was a general disaster. It had 14Mb and was 100% full every single day except Sunday. Not sure what was using that bandwidth, but it made even checking email painful.

\n

With that said, I almost wish they would just get rid of the WiFi. There was simply too much social networking, messaging going on. RailsConf has an “official” back-channel in IRC at the #railsconf channel. I hopped on it at one point to see what was going on and found 200 people bitching, whining and making inappropriate comments in the channel. It was horrible. The worst of anonymous streaming spew that you could find. In several sessions I watched more than a couple of people just sit there and type into the IRC channel the entire time. Yikes!

\n

Lastly, I really wish there was some more diversity in the developer community. There was maybe 1 woman in attendance for every 50 or 100 men. The group could use more diversity, I think it would help the developer community in a number of different ways.

\n", "date_published": "2008-06-03T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2008/06/03/railsconf-recap.html", "tags": ["Travel","Software Development","Tech Community","Summer of Love 2008"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2008/05/10/minnebar.html", "title": "Minnebar 3", "content_html": "\n

See also Minnebar collection.

\n", "date_published": "2008-05-10T10:04:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2008/05/10/minnebar.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2008/05/10/013238.html", "content_html": "

Nearly done with tomorrows (errr, todays) Minnebar session materials.

\n

Wow – 50 sets of handouts in full color is $170. Black & White of same, on 100% recycled paper, $27. Pass on color.

\n", "date_published": "2008-05-10T01:32:38-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2008/05/10/013238.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2008/05/10/power-wordpress-presentation.html", "title": "Power WordPress Presentation Materials", "content_html": "

I’m doing my Power WordPress presentation at Minnebar today. I decided to do the presentation today without any slides but instead give everyone handouts with the relevant tips & tricks. To share the wealth here are links to the PDF files for the three sections I’m covering, Performance, Plugin\nReview and SEO Basics.

\n", "date_published": "2008-05-10T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2008/05/10/power-wordpress-presentation.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Software Development","Blogging","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2008/05/05/power-wordpress-session.html", "title": "Power WordPress Session at Minnebar", "content_html": "

Minnebar is approaching this weekend, May 10th! I’m really excited and I just couldn’t stand to not be presenting this year so I decided to put my name up and do a session on Power WordPress usage. I plan to hit on must-have plugins that can save you a ton of time as well as some great SEO tactics for driving more traffic to your site. It should be a lot of fun!

\n

I also hope to get some feedback and talk a bit about doing a WordCamp in the fall.

\n", "date_published": "2008-05-05T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2008/05/05/power-wordpress-session.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Software Development","Blogging","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2008/03/31/t780441936.html", "content_html": "

Heading to The Bulldog for early ruby.mn fun.

\n", "date_published": "2008-03-30T19:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2008/03/30/t780441936.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2008/03/30/t779506078.html", "content_html": "

Watching Clifford Stoll’s TED video. Dude seems totally insane.

\n
\n", "date_published": "2008-03-29T19:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2008/03/29/t779506078.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2008/03/27/flashback-bigcharts-on.html", "title": "Flashback: BigCharts on CNBC", "content_html": "

Flashback to February 4, 1998! Here are a couple of videos that I stumbled upon on my machine recently. These are an extraordinary walk down memory lane for me, back to the early days of starting BigCharts.com.

\n

We were still very early in the development BigCharts. There were only a dozen or so people in the company. I was sitting at my desk talking to our ISP about getting some more bandwidth. At the time we had a single T1 with a now trivial 1.5 Mbps of bandwidth, about what my cable modem at home does, and only used about a quarter of that. In those days I always had a TV with CNBC on in my office and this came on the screen with no warning.

\n

\n

I sat in my chair stunned in silence, and then hung up on the person I was talking to. At the time we served BigCharts off of a single Sparc 20 clone. The site ran with a clunky combination of Perl and CGI work sitting behind a very early version of Apache. With that clip on CNBC an avalanche of people started to come to the site. To be fair, back then that probably meant a couple of thousand. I really don’t know how many it was since we didn’t even have log analytics back then. Small numbers in 1998. I tried to get onto the server via console and it wouldn’t respond. The load average had spiked so high that I couldn’t get enough CPU to even get a prompt. We ended up pulling the ethernet cable to kill the traffic just to get onto the machine.

\n

February 4th was a Wednesday. This was the first week that my friend Chris had joined BigCharts. We immediately got everyone together and I sat on the Sparc and figured out what, if anything, we could do. We realized our load average was up over 100 because we were forking Perl processes everywhere. Remember, this was old CGI stuff, no mod_perl here. So on his third day at work I started handing Chris Perl programs that he translated into C and gave me an executable for. As we replaced each piece the next one fell down, and we repeated the translation process.

\n

After a couple of hours traffic subsided and we had converted enough things to native executables that we were okay. So the next day this video segment aired.

\n

\n

I love this bit. It is so quaint. I love how Bill Griffeth gives us a total pass on the site going down. It’s just taken as a given, when a lot of people go to a website, the server goes down. Few things highlight so starkly for me how the web has matured over the last decade.

\n

Anyway, obviously with a mere 24 hour gap and being a startup with no real money we had the same issue. A ton of people pointed their browsers at us, the server got overloaded and we had a challenging couple of hours. If I remember right we just let the system ride through it on the second day since we’d already optimized as much as we could in that window.

\n

Shortly after this we started a total revamp of our code. The final stage was a migration to Windows and distributing on multiple servers. But right away we started to push a lot of things that we were doing in CGI/Perl down into Javascript functions on the browser. If only the concept of a CDN existed back then that would have helped us a lot too.

\n

Ahh… good times.

\n

PS - Final comment. The “viewer” that sent the note into CNBC was our CEO and Founder, Philip Hotchkiss!

\n", "date_published": "2008-03-27T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2008/03/27/flashback-bigcharts-on.html", "tags": ["Videos","BigCharts","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2008/03/10/t769146585.html", "content_html": "

Really happy I didn’t waste time and money to go to SxSW for soap operas and parties.

\n", "date_published": "2008-03-09T19:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2008/03/09/t769146585.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2008/02/16/interested-in-a.html", "title": "Interested in a Minneapolis WordCamp?", "content_html": "

I’m conducting a quick test to see how much interest there would be in hosting a Minneapolis WordCamp. WordCamp is an unconference focused on WordPress users and developers, including general topics on blogging as well.

\n\"WordCamp\n

I’ve put a wiki page up at where you can read more and link to additional information about WordCamps. If you would like to see an event like this happen, put your name on the sign up sheet!

\n

Please help spread the word and tell your friends that may be interested in this event about it too!

\n", "date_published": "2008-02-16T01:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2008/02/16/interested-in-a.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Blogging","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2008/02/01/jumpnode-network-appliance.html", "title": "Jumpnode Network Appliance", "content_html": "\"Small\n

For the last few months I’ve had a Jumpnode appliance in my house keeping a tab on all of my computers, the network and other infrastructure. The Jumpnode is an appliance created by a Minneapolis startup that allows people to keep an eye on technology in remote offices, server performance or anything else that you can query via SNMP or WMI. It delivers on it’s promise of ease-of-use and exceptionally simple setup.

\n

When you get your Jumpnode you simply unbox it, record the unique serial number and plug it into your network. Everything else is done with a slick Flash application that is hosted by Jumpnode.

\n", "date_published": "2008-02-01T01:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2008/02/01/jumpnode-network-appliance.html", "tags": ["Technology","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2008/01/29/registered-for-railsconf.html", "title": "Registered for RailsConf 2008", "content_html": "

Registration just opened up for RailsConf 2008 in Portland, Oregon. I’m heading out to my first RailsConf!

\n\"RailsConf\n", "date_published": "2008-01-29T01:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2008/01/29/registered-for-railsconf.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2007/12/04/open-thread-presenting.html", "title": "Open Thread: Presenting at Code Freeze 2008", "content_html": "\"Code\n

I’m presenting at Code Freeze 2008 in January. The title of my presentation is Innovation in Product Development.

\n
\n

Everyone wants to have the next hot product. We are constantly “pushing the envelope” and “thinking out of the box”. We have the aspiration, but in many cases it doesn’t happen. In this discussion we will review key aspects to fostering innovation in a development team, creating room to play and ultimately making great products.

\n
\n

I’ve got some ideas for my presentation and a theme I’m thinking of winding it through. However, I’m curious if you all have anything to say on this topic. What do you think drives innovation in product development? What are the key contributing factors that you see?

\n

Let me know what you think.

\n", "date_published": "2007-12-04T01:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2007/12/04/open-thread-presenting.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2007/10/26/minnedemo-a-wrap.html", "title": "Minnedemo 3 a Wrap", "content_html": "

Does anyone know where the reference to Mo’ started? Like, we got our mo’ in the second half. Our products really selling, we’ve got mo’. Hiring is a breeze because we have mo’! If your not following here mo’ is momentum. After leaving Minnedemo 3 a couple weeks ago, it was clear that the Minneapolis technology community is building mo'.

\n\"Minnedemo\n

I’m a bit late in writing about Minnedemo 2. Graeme Thickens did a thorough job in his post. Minnedemo continued it’s template of 15-minute demo’s from a variety of people working on interesting things. Notable this time was the CrashPlan demo from Matthew Dornquast at Code42. I’ve seen CrashPlan several times and have followed it’s progression from the sidelines. The product has really expanded and I think that Code42’s recent additions focused on businesses (using the E word, enterprises) is really smart and smartly built. Fanchatter also had a cool demo, although I’d tweak the product here and there. I don’t think they are going to hit that uber-viral point as is. There were also demos from SOTAcomm, Wonderfile, Pokeware and Adaptive Avenue. I missed much of the last half chatting with people I ran into at Minnedemo.

\n

There were approximately 300 people at Minnedemo and it was great to see so many familiar faces. Having at O’Garas Garage was great to accommodate the size of the crowd, but people need to be a bit more polite to the speakers. Shhhh…

\n

I was surprised to hear an announcement of a Christmas Edition (December 6th! Mark your calendar!) of Minnedemo coming in just a couple of months. Yeah! See you all there!

\n

See Minnedemo 2.

\n", "date_published": "2007-10-26T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2007/10/26/minnedemo-a-wrap.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2007/10/10/minnedemo.html", "title": "Minnedemo", "content_html": "

On my way to Minnedemo!

\n

Open WiFi at O’Gara’s! Yeah!

\n

Crashplan demo at Minnedemo!

\n

FanChatter demo.

\n

Leaving Minnedemo. Great night!

\n", "date_published": "2007-10-10T19:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2007/10/10/minnedemo.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2007/10/02/t307230802.html", "content_html": "

Viewing a PowerPoint presentation that would make Edward Tufte scream.

\n", "date_published": "2007-10-01T19:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2007/10/01/t307230802.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2007/06/11/t99834592.html", "title": "Push Conference 2007", "content_html": "

Listening to director of National Institute of Play.

\n

Listening to Clyde Prestowitz, author of Rogue Nation and leader of Economic Strategy Institute.

\n", "date_published": "2007-06-10T19:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2007/06/10/t99834592.html", "tags": ["Tech Community","Current Events"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2007/05/15/t65007432.html", "content_html": "

Leaving Enterprise Search Summit conference. I give it a C.

\n", "date_published": "2007-05-14T19:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2007/05/14/t65007432.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2007/05/10/t58529492.html", "content_html": "

At the Metropolitan for morning seminar. Crazy room!

\n", "date_published": "2007-05-09T19:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2007/05/09/t58529492.html", "tags": ["Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2007/05/08/minnebar.html", "title": "Minnebar 2", "content_html": "

I’m rather late doing my writeup on Minnebar 2007. I guess the advantage of being so late is that I get to reference all the great write-ups that other people have done about Minnebar 2007. Let me start by highlighting that Ben Edwards, Luke Francl and Dan Grigsby did an absolutely amazing, fantastic supercalifragilistic job of putting together Minnebar. It was simply stunning guys – and you’ve set an incredible bar to try to exceed next year.

\n\"Minnebar\n

Here is the only thing that is hard about Minnebar. Both this year and last year it happened to coincide with one of the first, really nice weekends of spring. It’s hard being a Minnesotan and foregoing one of those great days to hang out inside. However, you are handsomely rewarded for the tradeoff. I didn’t see a lot of the people I had invited. You all missed out!

\n\"Two\n

This year was simply great. The attendance was nearly triple last year. There were so many people that I knew in attendance that I ended up not going to that many sessions. In addition to the folks I knew, there were a lot of new faces to meet. I didn’t do any formal presenting this year, but I did get asked to lead the Q&A session with David Heinemeier Hansson, the creator of Ruby on Rails. It was a fun time, David is a really cool guy and I liked much of what he had to say. Tim Elliott got a recording of the session, with David’s permission, and I’m putting a copy of that here for archival purposes, with permission from Tim. (How Creative Commons of us all.)

\n

\n

I also want to give a big thanks to the guys from ip:House who provided the free WiFi service for the event. It was simply stunning in quality and capability, and not a single hitch the whole day. Great job guys!

\n

I’m already looking forward to the next Minnedemo, and the next Minnebar in 2008!

\n

Transcript

\n

Jamie: Good afternoon everybody. Hope everybody had a good lunch. We filled up with some good pizza. I wanted to start the afternoon session with a discussion on the proverbial couch here. Maybe next time we can get a bigger couch. [laughter] But we were lucky enough to have David Hanson join us. And he’s going to take a moment to sit down and answer some questions on a variety of different topics. The format for today’s, this session is that I have a number of questions. I can certainly fill the whole time with questions, but I know that you all probably have some questions as well. So I’ll kind of guide things along and get things started, but then as you have questions, feel free to raise your hand and we’ll take whatever things you guys want to throw out as well. For those of you that don’t know David, David is the creator of the Ruby on Rails framework and is one of the major partners behind 37Signals, the maker of many great products that I think a lot of people in the room here use, and a resident of Chicago. So if you can join me in welcoming David. [applause] Wow. Can anybody see us? You think so? How’s this? This is better? I was joking earlier that somebody asked to give David a Windows laptop and we’ll call it Dignation. Alright. Soon we will– Soon we will be in position. I think the thing that Dan doesn’t recognize is that he’s significantly lighter than I am. [laughter] There may not be a couch after this. Alright, so just to get things started, David, can you take a moment just to share with us in your words what is Rails?\n00:00

\n

David: Sure. So Rails is a web application framework which is really a fancy word for a bunch of tools to make it easier to produce dynamic websites. And Rails then approached this from the angle of not only making– or not only helping people make dynamic websites but also making them happy in that progress. So we’ve really focused on the notion of just having happy programmers around doing the work that they love to do. So Rails doesn’t focus only on optimizing, say, speed or memory usage or any of the traditional computer science values, but just as much as on optimizing the happiness of the programmer working with the framework. So that would be the short spiel for it.\n02:38

\n

Jamie: Many people were curious what is the genesis of Rails? Where did it start? Where did it come from? How did this enter your head?\n03:32

\n

David: Sure. So Rails wasn’t really born as some great idea of wanting to conquer web application frameworks. It was extracted from me working on an application called Basecamp, which is one of the applications or products we have at 37sigmals, the company I work at. And I worked on this Basecamp application as the first thing I did in Ruby. And I came to Ruby from a background of PHP and Java, not being particularly fond of either, and just stumbled across Ruby and thought that’d be a great way to try this on a new web application that I was building for 37sigmals. And it turned out that even though I might not have loved working in either PHP or Java, there was a lot of things about both of those languages that I did enjoy, and I wanted to bring all that into Ruby. Because Ruby, when I came to it, was in some ways a little bit bare on the web application side of things. There definitely were some web application frameworks, but they didn’t quite fit what I was doing. So I pretty much embarked on just creating a web application framework one step at a time. Creating the pieces as I needed them, which meant basically working on Basecamp for a little bit, looking at what I did for Basecamp, trying to pull that out, trying to take the generic pieces and put them into a box that I could use for the next application we were going to do. So I started work on Basecamp in summer of 2003, which was also when I picked up on Ruby. And we released Basecamp in February of ‘04, and by that point, I had pretty much decided that these tools I was creating for Basecamp, I wanted to share them, because Ruby is open source. We’ve been using an open source stack. I’ve gotten so many great things out of using open source that it was pretty natural that when I was working on something new, that that would have to be open source too. So by the time of the release of Basecamp, I had decided that that’s what I wanted to do. But on a number of points, I didn’t want this to be like a lot of other open source projects that I’ve been using. I didn’t want it to be woefully under-documented. I wanted it to be fairly complete. So I didn’t want to release version 0.01. So I spent another six months or so cleaning things up, actually writing documentation, trying to put it together as a wholesome package, and then finally released it in, I believe, June of ‘04.\n03:42

\n

Jamie: Would Rails exist if you want to discover Ruby? 06:30

\n

David: I actually tried to create Rails working in PHP. Let’s see. It didn’t go that well. Because the kind of things that I wanted to extract, the kind of things that I thought I saw patterns of usage, whenever I tried to extract that using PHP, I felt immense pushback from the language. It felt like the language didn’t want me to do these things. I took a hint and tried to use something else. It’s not that PHP is a bad language by any means. I worked at it for close to five years, and I got a lot of stuff done. So I definitely got a lot of stuff done, and people were getting stuff done in a similar way to what we’re getting done in PHP with Rails. But to me, it’s not just about getting things done. It’s not just about making the application work. It’s also about me enjoying that progress. And I wasn’t enjoying trying to extract Rails in PHP. It didn’t lead to what I perceived to be beautiful code. It didn’t lead to me feeling happy about what I’ve extracted. So that was a time for me to try something else that wouldn’t lead to those things.\n06:36

\n

Jamie: Feel free to raise your hand if you have a question. I’ll find you and bug out. So one of the things that you mentioned to yourself, you just said beautiful code. The Ruby community, particularly the Rails community, focus a lot on code aesthetics. You hear words like beautiful, elegant, much more than you do in other environments. And it’s really clear that there’s a culture to Rails and there’s a culture to Ruby that’s different than most other development environments. How do you think that first of all, why do you think that’s so important or is it so important? And how does that guide the continuing development of the environment?\n08:00

\n

David: So that’s one of the things that originally attracted me so much to Ruby. That Matt’s creative language had as his primary motivation for creating Ruby, that he wanted to see happy programmers. He wanted to make people happy about what they did. I thought that was just immensely inspiring. And so Matt wanted to make programmers at large happy about what they were doing. And I kind of picked up on that and said let’s try to do the same thing just for a more narrow scope of just web applications and web application builders. And part of what makes me happy about programming is to create aesthetically pleasing code. And that sounds in some ways superficial and it sounds like why is that important? The user doesn’t see the code. The user doesn’t feel any of this beauty and most normal sane people wouldn’t call a piece of code beautiful. But I…

\n

08:44

\n

Jamie: Present company excluded.\n09:38

\n

David: But I found it to be that creating beautiful code, creating code that I actually like working with is one of the most powerful motivational tools that I know of. There’s one thing that can get me to really dig in and get a lot of work done. It’s if I strike upon a path that’s creating aesthetically beautiful code and I’m then finding that when I’m inspired about something, when I’m happy about what I’m doing, I’m immensely productive. I really get a lot of stuff done really fast and it tends to be fairly good code if it’s aesthetically pleasing. So, I found that just to be my secret weapon for getting a ton of stuff done. More so than any of the individual pros and cons of language design per se. It’s, for me, the most important part of Ruby is how it makes me feel as a programmer. How I respond to it as a motivational tool. And the direct correlation I’m seeing between my personal motivation and my personal productivity. And that’s basically part of the thesis of why I think Rails is successful in some kind is other people finding that to be true too. If they’re enjoying the code that they’re working with, if they’re feeling that that’s producing something that they really like, they just tend to get more done. They tend to be more excited about what they’re working on. And that in itself leads to great productivity boosts. And maybe the part of what’s aesthetically pleasing or whether that leads to motivation is a little wishy-washy, but the correlation between motivation and productivity is not wishy-washy. It’s like proven from 20, 30 years of studies into programmer productivity. Steve McConnell, the author of Code Complete, among other books, has this great field. He’s summing up all these studies done for showing that motivation is the single most important factor in programmer productivity. That’s really what we honed in on and tried to optimize for.\n09:40

\n

Jamie: How did you come to programming yourself?\n11:54

\n

David: I came to programming through meeting programs. So I started doing actually game journalism back in the late 90s. And getting into that was kind of hard before the internet. There was one way and that was magazines. I didn’t particularly want to go that route, so I thought, “Hey, you can throw up a website and you can write whatever you want about games and maybe that’s a way to go forward.” So I found that to get a gaming website going, I needed some programming. So I got involved with just enough programming to throw up a content page with reviews of games and slowly just got into it through that way.\n11:56

\n

Jamie: Go ahead.\n12:42

\n

Audience: [ inaudible ] [ inaudible ] [ inaudible ] [ inaudible ] 12:44

\n

Jamie: Just to highlight for those of you in the back, there’s a statement that beauty does imply efficiency in ongoing maintenance and support of code. That’s why it does have a long life cycle. Would you say that?\n13:21

\n

David: Oh, totally. And I think that one of the things that, in general, makes people most depressed about working on maintenance work is that they end up with, like, write-only code, like code that was written to optimize for various properties where none of those were aesthetically pleasing. And that’s kind of fine when you’re in the flow and you actually know what’s going on, but if you have to return to that code three months later and work on it again, those optimizations are not fresh in your memory, so you’re just stuck with the code that was actually produced, which is often not very aesthetically pleasing. And if you’re lucky, it might have documentation, but I always found code documentation to be kind of a prod. It’s kind of just a way around the fact that I’m producing ugly, unreadable code. Like, what about just making readable code from the get-go, something that people can actually understand from just reading the code? And then you don’t need to explain to them how this ugliness works. So that’s been one of the major driving forces, actually, and we pretty much have a policy at 37Signals of no code documentation. If your code needs documentation, you’re probably doing it wrong. Sometimes that’s not true. Sometimes you have to work around some library or some idiosyncrasy of the language or something else where you need to document that this is weird, this is something special, but that should be the exception. You should not assume that your code is ugly, unreadable, unmaintainable. If you assume those three things, it’s a pretty good guarantee that it’s going to be ugly, unreadable, and unmaintainable. So it’s just about changing that whole mindset of saying code should not be those things. Code can be readable, maintainable, and so on. And you get a lot of derivative attributes for free when you start focusing on aesthetics. So a 40-line method is probably not aesthetically pleasing. A method that goes in and out and in and out because it has a ton of control structures and three layers of nested ifs, that’s not going to look pretty. If you try to optimize that to look pretty, you usually end up with five methods instead of one. You end up with methods that are named what they do, surprisingly, or just a few lines of code, which doesn’t have nested control structures, doesn’t have all of these other desirable attributes that we kind of say, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, it’s good not to have nested control structures.” But if you don’t have aesthetics as a driving, important principle in the work that you do, it’s very easy to just brush that off. “Hey, it works.” Right now it does.\n13:33

\n

Jamie: Do you think that it’s hard that– many engineers I know don’t really have a sense of aesthetics. Is that something–I mean, do you see that? I won’t comment that David has really exceptional shoes on today.\n16:14

\n

David: I think that’s true to some extent, but it’s not really true, because a lot of geeks and engineers are fascinated by beautiful things outside of fashion. Mathematical proofs, things in nature, things that are just consistent, and a machine that has fewer moving parts. All of these things that are true to nature of engineers can very well be described as beautiful. If you try to relate it in those terms, it’s a lot easier. Aesthetics is not just about pretty things. I think that’s probably–code is never pretty. It’s not going to be pretty, but it can very well be aesthetically pleasing. Just as an implementation of some machine can be aesthetically pleasing. Like an engine, how an engine works. I find a lot of car engines to be very aesthetically pleasing. You wouldn’t point at it and say it’s pretty. There’s just more shades of words you can use to describe this. If you route around the notion of aesthetically pleasing, meaning fashion or pretty or these things, you find that there’s a lot of other areas where this is still true. It’s something that naturally appeals to engineers and programmers.\n16:35

\n

Jamie: Any questions? Just put your hand up. In your blog, you wrote about– you talk a little bit about some of the things coming up in Rails, but you highlight it specifically, and it’s interesting. The history of Rails comes out of Basecamp, and you highlight it specifically in the development of the new application from your company HiRise and some of the extensions to Rails as a result of that. Could you just comment on some of the things that you think are most exciting to you that we’ll see in future releases of Rails as a result of that?\n17:54

\n

David: Sure. For HiRise, which is the newest application from 37SQL that I’ve been working on for too long, I’m working right now on the API, so the way to talk to this web application through other means than a browser. Make some program that can talk to HiRise. Just as quick, HiRise is like a shared contact manager where you can share contacts with the rest of your company, what you’re talking to them about, and what you need to do next. It’s kind of like Salesforce but fun, sort of. Right. In some ways, it does kind of relate to the CRM-ish kind of thing, but without all the sales pipelining and so on. Just focused on people, what you did with them, and what you need to do with them next. For that work, I’ve been working on an API, and I had the intention of working on an API from the get-go. That’s really what kick-started my interest in the whole idea of REST. So using the web and the techniques native to the web to produce an API to run programs again. For a long time now, that’s probably been the major overarching theme of new, exciting things in Rails. The whole push for getting things to be natively REST-form. Part of that is something called Active Resource, which is basically– Active Record is the database mapping layer in Rails, which basically makes it such that you can talk to a database in Ruby, and it’s fairly pleasant to do so. Active Resource is basically the same thing, but for web API. So you treat a website like a database, and you interact with it that way. I’ve been just recently doing a lot of work with Active Resource, with making Rails easy to produce XML that Active Resource can easily digest. Through that whole process, we came up with a number of interesting points that has had a pretty big impact on how a lot of modern Rails applications are produced. A side note to that is it’s kind of interesting that REST has been out now for 2.5 years, a little bit more than that, and even in that short period of time, we have the notion of “modern” and “old.” But anyway, the modern approach to doing web applications in Rails is by and large this RESTful approach. We’ve been building a bunch of conventions on top of that that makes the controller parts of these things look very much the same across everything, making it just incredibly easy to think of your web application as more than HTML producer. For Highrise, for example, we’re dealing with contact data. Contact data often wants to come in a number of different formats than HTML, like CSV files. Somebody has an Excel spreadsheet with everybody for this conference that they want to get into Highrise. How do you work on that? You need to make your application understand CSV. And Vcards, like the standard for moving contact data between Outlook and AdWords Book on OS X, those kind of formats are something that we want the web applications to natively produce. And we don’t want it to be a hack-off. We don’t want it to be an action called “contact to CSV.” We want it to be part of the natural flow of the application and be just as valid as HTML. So this whole notion of perceiving your web application as basically multi-view. HTML is still, by and large, the primary format, but there’s a ton of other formats out there who can take advantage of exactly the same infrastructure set up. There doesn’t need to be exceptions. And when it’s not exceptions, and it does take advantage of the setup you already built for HTML, you almost get it for kind of free. And that’s the notion we’ve had with having HiRise produce XML, for example. A lot of the actions we have will just have, say, “person.toXML,” as that’s part of its–one of its return options that can return to XML. And I think that that’s just been really powerful as a change of mindset of what web applications are, how hard is it to accept and produce other formats, and what does APIs mean to this whole thing. So my hope is that this thing spreads more, and people just start natively thinking of their applications as multi-views from day one and not as APIs or these weird hack-on things we need to do because somebody’s requesting it down the road. And once you get that, we can start treating more web applications as databases in the sort that– I can work with HiRise for Basecamp and other applications we have just by instantiating an active resource object, and I don’t need to build all this stuff from scratch.\n18:26

\n

Jamie: It’s interesting because much of what you’re talking about sounds to me similar to when you hear Tim Berners-Lee talk about semantic web. And so is this kind of allowing us to drive Rails applications to become more part of future semantic web?\n23:44

\n

David: First of all, I’ve got to say that Tim Berners-Lee is a wonderful man, but I don’t have a lot of hope or faith in semantic web. I don’t have a lot of hope or faith in widespread adoption of perfect and marked-up data. I just don’t think it’s going to happen. The same reason that people go all the time on the desktop. If only people would add metadata to their PDFs, if they only would fill in the greater fields, what this was about, the description, and so on, people don’t. And they’re never going to. And we might as well just realize that. And I think that’s why Google is so fantastic, why Google works. And I think that’s the way forward, just recognizing human behavior and saying, “Okay, I’m not going to change how humans work. I just have to accept that for a fact. They’re not going to do the pre-filing.” That’s a big part of why tags became so big. Nobody wanted to set up a huge, hierarchical category structure up front and then file their little things into them. That’s just not how most people work. Most people are just not that organized. So tags allowed people to, after the fact, say, “Oh, by the way, this is a customer. This is a VIP. These things I can use to describe it for. I don’t need to have all the categorizations to be perfect up front.” And I think in some ways the semantic web, to me, I have a, I’ve got to say a disclaimer, a limited understanding, and even in some ways interest in the semantic web. So I might be wrong on it, but it seems to me that it requires too much structure too soon. And I don’t see people buying into that.\n24:02

\n

Jamie: I may want to throw a question out, and I’ll repeat it. 25:50

\n

Audience: From your perspective, if it has, how has Rails impacted the evolution of the Ruby language?\n25:54

\n

Jamie: So the question was, how has Rails impacted the development of Ruby? 26:01

\n

David: In some ways, I shouldn’t say surprising, that’s assuming, but very little. Like, the version of Ruby that I started using two and a half years ago, pretty much the version of Ruby we use today. Ruby doesn’t move that fast. And in some ways that’s great, because Ruby doesn’t have to use that fast, move that fast, because we can extend Ruby. So we are not settled with whatever Ruby is shipped with. In a lot of ways, Rails is a special version of Ruby. We have something called Active Support, which is basically all our ideas of what Ruby should be able to do more for this particular niche. We put it into a box, and we wrapped it around Ruby in such a way that when I start up a vanilla IRB, I kind of don’t understand this vanilla Ruby syntax. Because it doesn’t have all these things that I’m used to having. It doesn’t need to, it’s great. I have no rush for a new Ruby. I know a lot of people have this notion that only when Ruby 2 comes out and we get native threads and magic performance, things will be wonderful. Okay, I don’t really care. First of all, I don’t need a much faster Ruby. It’d be nice to have. It’d be nice to have an ice cream right now. I’m not going to die if I don’t get one. And I mean, that’s kind of how I feel. It’d just be nice. Free performance. Who would say no to that? You don’t need it. I don’t need it, and you probably don’t. I’ve got into trouble of saying that people don’t need performance, but I’ll say it anyway. Most people just don’t need a faster Ruby. They think they do. They think they’re going to be the next Amazon or MySpace or Twitter. Dreams are important, even– [laughter] Every kid on the block thinks he’s got to play in the NBA. Sorry, dude. Reality sets in, and ten people start doing that a year. And one startup out of hundreds or thousands will ever get that problem where they actually have to start worrying about these things. But that’s a hard sell. And I found that to be true, that everybody wants to think that they’re special, and who can blame them, even if they’re not? In that aspect of applications, I’m sure you’re all very special people. [laughter] So in some ways, we’re, I think, selling too much reality for some people. And it’s hard selling reality. What was the question? [laughter]\n26:06

\n

Jamie: I think we answered it. Ben.\n28:45

\n

David: Yeah, sure. Two questions. First, is there any gems or plugins that I use in my work that’s not yet in Rails? In some ways, Rails is my plugin. So I’m kind of self-serving in the fact that if I need something, it pretty often goes straight into Rails. I do have a number of plugins, though, for things that are not quite baked yet. That’s HTTP authentication, for example. I use a plugin for that. I use a plugin for OpenID. I use a plugin for… let’s see. I have a few other plugins. Nothing major. I tend to think of plugins as… they’re best when they’re tiny. I have a plugin that’s three lines of code, and I love it. That’s the kind of size I want to get for my plugins. I don’t want to get these huge honking beasts of plugins. So I tend to not use that many plugins. And if what I really… I’m a little bit ambivalent on the whole plugin thing. It’s great that we have this architecture so that people can extend Rails without actually bothering us about it. But at the same time, it kind of creates this atmosphere that, as part of this question, like, what are the secret plugins? What are those magic plugins that makes everything great? They’re just not there. There are not these special magic plugins, and you don’t have to use plugins. A lot of applications would do very fine if they had zero plugins. So I mostly just want to combat the whole notion that you need plugins. Sometimes they’re nice to have, but very often if you feel like you need plugins because something is hard, or you think something is hard, authentication is the bane of my existence. Just the number one plugin people have started asking about from day one, even though they hardly touch Rails at all, like, how do I get an authentication plugin? How do I get the user setup and ACL and blah, blah, blah? I re-implement that stuff every time from scratch. It’s really not a big deal. The problem with plugins are that they keep people in the illusion that it’s a big deal. Because they add this magic black box that they think does magic voodoo tricks, and really it doesn’t. Like, it’s a few lines of code. So, that was plugins. Gems? I really don’t like dependencies. That kind of means that for the vast majority of gems out there, I would prefer if they were part of the application. So, a few gems like Rake, system-wide tool that everybody will use all the time, like the MySQL C database connection, Rake, Capistrano, those kind of tools are great as gems. Stuff like Redcloth, for example. Redcloth is an implementation in Ruby of text style, which is a text formatting thing. I think it’s a bad fit for a gem. Because once you start relying on too many of these dependencies, shit just always breaks. You never have to plug the gem in the right version, or you rely on it, then you upload it to the server and it breaks. I’m not a big fan of dependencies. So, I try to shove everything I can into the application box. And I don’t mind the duplication. I think some of the things that really turned me off this stuff was Debian. So, Ruby on Debian comes, at least it used to, in 43 distinct packages. They took Ruby, not a huge language, and chopped it up into 43 pieces to make sure that there would never be any duplication, that you never had more than exactly what you needed. Who cares? Ruby is 5 megabytes of space. People who need to worry about getting 3.7 megabytes Ruby distribution rather than 5 megabytes of distribution, not the majority. Most people are fine just having a 5 megabyte Ruby distribution. That’s the same as everybody else has. And we’ve just had so many problems with that. Oh, I forgot to install the 41st package. Got it, now my application doesn’t work. I brought this ship too much into the– I’m trying to snap as much into– That’s also why Rails ships with a good number of other frameworks. We could have added probably at least 10 more dependencies on things that I– This is 75 lines of Ruby code. I’m not going to add a dependency to get that in. I’m just going to shove it right in there and kindly ask if I can bungle it under an MIT license. [laughter] Actually, we did get permission after the fact for all the things we’ve bunged. [laughter] Question number two was–\n29:02

\n

Jamie: It was the R spec. - Oh, yeah.\n34:03

\n

David: So there’s–TDD or test-driven development has always been a big thing in the Rails camp. And I’ve been a big proponent of not test-first and test-along development. I don’t necessarily–I’m not religious about the test-first thing. And I actually find that a lot of times test-first doesn’t work for me. I kind of need to work on the API sometimes a few times before I have to test. I don’t know what my result is actually going to look like before I start working on it. And now there’s this BDD, behavior-driven development, which is basically like test-first but calling your things something else. Which is–that’s not to be discounted. Sometimes the names of things matter tremendously. And I think that’s actually the most important skill a programmer can have is being good about picking names. Names for variables, names for classes, names for methods. All of these things are hugely important, so I don’t want to discount that. I’m just finding in the BDD case that I took one thing away, which was saying–use the word “should.” If you use the word “should” in your test case, like “overdue subscription should not process payment,” that very much frames this one test case about one thing, which is much better than “test overdue subscription.” There could be a lot of things about the overdue subscription that you could want to test, and you often end up with a test case that has, like, five different assertions that are not really that related. So I took that away, and I just shoved it into the test setup we have now, and I’m finding that that’s good enough for me. I totally don’t want to discount that other people need more stuff and their assertions should say “should” too. It’s just not a big deal for me.\n34:06

\n

Audience: David, you moved here from Illinois and moved to Chicago to be part of 37Signals. You’ve been working with 37Signals for a while. Do you have any thoughts about doing cloud projects or actually joining 37Signals, and how that experience can be of value to you as a small company? Do you have any thoughts about that?\n36:03

\n

David: Sure.\n36:25

\n

Jamie: The question was just how did you get connected with 37Signals, and a little reflection on how that’s happened.\n36:29

\n

David: So I started working with 37– Actually, the funny thing is, 37Signals was my first paid programming job back in 2001, 2002. I started working for Jason, which is my partner at 37Signals now, on an application called SingleFile, which is manager, book collection, online, kind of inventory database application. We did PHP back then. Since then, I worked with the company for about 3 1/2 years or so, during which time I was in school. I just worked as a contractor. 37Signals back then was doing design work for clients, and they would often pitch a design project, and I would do the programming side of things. So that worked out great while I was in school. And then once I was done with that, we were getting started with Basecamp, and I was done with school, and I had a decision to want to go for a master’s degree or start my own company, or whatever I wanted to do. And one thing I knew was if I was going to work at a company, I was going to work in some essence for myself. There was not going to be– At that time in my life, or still, at that time in my life two years ago, it was– I could sustain a lot of risk. So if 37Signals didn’t work out, fine. I didn’t get paid that much in the beginning. There wasn’t that much, and that’s how it is when you’re equity-based. You trade up front– You get risk and up front not much pay or something. Anyway, that worked out fine at the time, so the choice was really simple. Either I was going to be a partner at 37Signals, or I was not going to be with 37Signals. So luckily Jason thought, “Hey, I’ll be a part of the company rather than go somewhere else.”\n36:36

\n

Jamie: - A question on that, just coming into what 37Signals has been doing. Any hint on what’s going to be next from 37Signals?\n38:41

\n

David: - Sure. So we just launched FireEyes about a month ago, and I think going forward we have now five applications, and we’re going to make those work better. And we’re going to do more applications. So there’s no real major revelation or revolution there. We’re just going to continue to work on applications that we feel we need for our own problems, try to solve them the best we can, and improve the stuff we have already. We have no big plans to take over the world in some areas and niches that we don’t know a lot about or don’t care about. So we’re going to stay within the space of productivity and collaboration and tools to run the business that we run. That’s how we came up with FireEyes, was that we started needing, keeping track of the people we were talking with and what we had to do next and what we said to them. And that’s been the road pretty much in all the applications we’ve done, something we need for ourselves. And I think that’s just the easiest way to get a great application. Find a problem that you find annoying and valuable, something that you would pay for yourself if somebody else did it, and then start working on it. I think that that’s a very good driver. You can certainly do good and great applications working on behalf of somebody else, trying to get into their mind and figure out what their problems are. But that problem is not twice as hard. It’s ten times as hard. And I really don’t like hard work. [laughter]\n38:52

\n

Jamie: Does 37signals have– I mean, do you have– I would assume you have specific designers versus engineers. What’s the ratio? I’m just curious.\n40:31

\n

David: First of all, we don’t have any engineers. I hate the word “engineers.” Engineers are people who build bridges so they don’t fall down. They’ll get a piece of Ruby code and think it’s beautiful. So we have developers and programmers, and we actually have a fair amount of bleed-over. We have a good number of developers who have some sense of design, and we have designers who have developed some sense of programming flair. So we have currently, what, four developers, myself included, three designers and a systems administrator and a contract-based person to help out with customer support that just started recently. So that’s pretty much the supply. So we’re a little front-loaded on developers right now. It used to be more the other way around. I used to be the only developer, and now I’m one of three other designers.\n40:40

\n

Audience: What has your experience been working for a startup in a city that’s not really known for the high-security?\n41:46

\n

Jamie: The question was, what has your experience been working in a startup in Chicago, which is not necessarily known as a technology hub?\n41:53

\n

David: First of all, 30 Seconds Eagles is not a startup. We’ve been around since ‘99. We actually make money selling products that people want. I think that pretty much rules out 80% of startups. [laughter] So I kind of– a startup is something that doesn’t apply to us. We don’t work out of a garage. We don’t have VC funding. And we take it pretty easy in the fact of just working on stuff that’s profitable. So to me, we’re just a company. I think that term somehow got lost along the way in technology, that either you’re a startup or you’re this huge, massive corporation. We’re just a company. But being in Chicago, I think it’s wonderful. I think the times I’ve been in San Francisco, and especially lately in the West Coast in general, is how do people get anything done? [laughter] I don’t understand how, like, between all the parties and shit going on, it’s got to be kind of hard getting stuff done. And that’s what I like about Chicago. There’s not a tech scene that you kind of have to be part of and these things that you have to participate in. And along with that comes a mindset of actually just getting shit done. And I think that’s very helpful for us. That’s very helpful when you’re eight people and not looking to hire another 24 next month. Like, you actually need people to just get work done. So I think it’s led us to be way more… restrained in how we spend resources. We don’t hire a ton of people. We don’t think we need to hire a ton of people. We don’t throw elaborate launch parties and that kind of stuff. And I like that. It’s in some ways separating more that there’s… I’d like to do other stuff too. Like, not just be in this echo chamber of, like, tech startups.\n42:00

\n

Jamie: I’m curious. You’ve been writing a lot on your site about OpenID, and it seems like you’re pretty excited about it. What are your thoughts on OpenID, and do you think it’s going to make it?\n44:13

\n

David: Sure. So OpenID is basically a centralized, single sign-on with extra stuff. So basically, I’ve had the problem with other applications that I might have or be involved with four different base camps, and I have different passwords for all of them, and I can’t remember any of them. And OpenID just gives you basically one log-in to all your applications. And I find that to be pretty cool, pretty much. Or maybe in some aspects, because of all the work I don’t have to do. We have a lot of customers who keep clamoring, “When do you add single sign-on to all the third-sem sequence apps?” And, “Hey, somebody else went ahead and did it for me.” I love that kind of work. So OpenID, in our minds, has replaced the notion that everybody needs to build their own single sign-on systems. And I think that’s a huge help. And I also think that the implementation is very pragmatic, especially the 1.0 spec. We’re going to work with what’s there, we’re going to make a few hacks, and it works. There’s not too much to it, and somebody could implement that in a very short period of time. I’m a little disconcerned about the direction the next evolution of the spec is taking. Usually when somebody sees a good, simple thing, they’re like, “Great, this is so simple, it just works. Let’s make it complex and screw it up.” [laughter] I don’t want to say that’s what’s happening, because smart people are involved, and I’m sure we’re going to end up with something nice, but SOAP started out being kind of simple.\n44:27

\n

Jamie: I was waiting for you to say that.\n46:02

\n

David: It’s not so today. It’s completely fucked up by all the complexity being added into the mix. And in some ways, that just comes from people’s natural enthusiasm. They see something they like, and, “Hey, what if it also had a horn on this side?” I mean, it doesn’t need a horn on this side. Just let it be what it is. We get that all the time with our applications. I really love Basecamp. It’s wonderful, and people understand it right away, and I don’t need to train people, and it’s so simple. And by the way, could you please add Gantt charts, critical path calculations, and these three other things? That’d be perfect. It’s so funny. A lot of people can’t see the disconnect. You like this because it doesn’t do all these things. If you started adding all these things back in, you wouldn’t like it. And you want five things. If we said yes to all the people who want those five things, it’d be this honking monster. I think it’s called SharePoint. [laughter] And I mean, that’s just not the kind of work we do. And that’s the whole notion of not only the work we do with 37signals, but I think with Rails, too, is we try not to work on the request of customers or people. Don’t do what they say. Do what they need. So you work on behalf of somebody. You try to understand what are the underlying concepts of what they’re trying to do. And unfortunately, it works in the sense of you get an application that a lot of people like, but they can’t necessarily put their finger on why they like it. And if you try to explain to them why it is that they like it, they think you’re arrogant. They think you’re being paternalistic. They think you’re trying to make decisions of what’s better for them. And in some ways, frankly, you are. Because a lot of people just don’t know what’s good for them. And hey, that’s just not something a lot of people want to hear. But they want to hear that my needs are important and we value all your contributions. And we do. As we say, we listen to everybody. That goes for Rails, it goes for 37 Signals, it goes for pretty much anything. We listen to what people say. We just don’t necessarily agree. And people have a very hard time understanding it. They understand it, they just don’t agree. Customers in particular, and even not customers, people just using Rails, if they have a request for something and you say, “That’s interesting, but I don’t agree. That’s not going to happen.” You’re an arrogant prick for turning them down. They wanted something, and why are you not doing it right now? So that’s kind of just the flip side of what you have to just be able to put up with if you really want to work on behalf of somebody rather than on the request of somebody.\n46:04

\n

Jamie: Also called building great products. Question? 48:57

\n

Audience: With the ease of use of OpenID, do you see the web applications having a problem of creating a distinction between using it as an identification and not as an authentication?\n49:02

\n

Jamie: So the question was, with OpenID being so easy, do you worry about the use of authentication versus kind of a title-less management? Did I get that right?\n49:12

\n

Audience: Using it to identify a person instead of proving that it’s them. 49:24

\n

David: I don’t care one way or the other. To me, it’s kind of all the same. And we use it for identification and authentication. When we look somebody up as authenticating with OpenID, we use their OpenID to look up who they are. It’s more than just– they don’t have a separate thing to identify themselves. They have their identity URL. So in some ways, that’s the whole authentication thing. There’s a lot of people who thought a lot about it, and that’s great. I think what’s good about OpenID in its current form is that it feels like this was just somebody who needed to get some stuff done. Didn’t necessarily need to think that much about the conceptual differences between the different aspects of it. And that, I think, makes it simple. Versus a lot of other authentication approaches that have been proposed by people who really know a lot about authentication end up being very complex because it relies on a lot of this deeper understanding. I think that’s kind of the special gift you get when you jump into some niche or some culture and you don’t really fully understand what’s going on. You tend to demolish a lot of preconceptions about how things should work. When I first came to Ruby, I didn’t really understand Ruby. So I just wanted– why couldn’t this be different? Why is the web stuff not like this? And I did a lot of things to change Ruby in some ways to make it work like I thought it should work because I didn’t understand it all. If I understood it all, I’d say, “Yeah, that is kind of a pain point, “but I understand why it is for this and this reason.” And you get to be too sympathetic to complexities. Once you understand something to the core, it’s very hard to change it, I find. Anyway.\n49:29

\n

Jamie: Rails has been adopted with wild abandon in the open source community. It’s growing extremely fast. But we’re just now starting to see Rails getting into the enterprise. What do you think about that? Is that for you at all? Do you cheer, say, “Hey, that’s great”? What do you think?\n51:31

\n

David: I think that programmers anywhere being more happy because they use Rails, I think that’s great. People who want to get Rails into the enterprise and feel that Rails needs to become enterprise-ready software to do that, it’s not so great. The whole enterprise-ready thing, I think, is a big crock. To me, enterprise is a bad word. If you call something enterprise, you better be able to get your hands up. That’s an insult. That’s picking a fight. If you call my software enterprise, I’m not going to take that lightly. I find enterprise to mean overpriced, overcomplex, and not really that useful. I think that enterprise is usually something that happens when people need to use something or different from the people who commission something. People buy something for other people to use. They love enterprise. Enterprise is golf and sticks and strippers and hookers and expense accounts. That’s awesome. What’s that like about enterprise? People taking you out on their dime and kissing your ass? That’s awesome. You just happen to end up with the software that these guys produced, which is not so awesome. But what do you care? I think that’s a big part of why enterprise works. I don’t have an expense account to wine and die on, and frankly, I don’t care. We’re not playing the same game. That’s just how it’s different. I think that’s good. I think it’s awesome if enterprise customers want to use Rails, but maybe they should realize or at least sympathize with why it is that they want to use it in the first place and not just buy another package from, insert favorite paint enterprise producer. I’m not going to name anybody. That’s the reason I got attracted to it in the first place, because it wasn’t all of these things that they already have. And that’s painting a brush, I know, and stereotypes are more fun than delicate realities, and that’s what I have for a two-minute answer.\n51:54

\n

Jamie: We’re going to wrap up, but I wanted to ask two quick questions before we wrap up. And also thank you for the time and for your answers. One, I was curious to know what you thought about being known as DHH.\n54:12

\n

David: I freaking hate it. Please stop. Being an acronym, I can’t think of something worse. Like, CRM is an acronym, and I hate that. Being your own acronym sucks. My name is David, and that’s not that hard to say.\n54:32

\n

Jamie: I was just curious, I mean, you’re a young man, you’ve done a lot, you’ve created this thing that is changing a lot of environments, changing how developers are working in a lot of areas. What’s next? What’s next for you? What are your thoughts? What do you look out 10, 20 years and say, “Where am I at that point?”\n54:49

\n

David: I don’t. I think plans are for fools. For that kind of look out, I didn’t know where I was going to be two years ago, and if I thought I knew, I probably wouldn’t be this. And I probably would rather want this than what I thought two years ago would be a nice place to be. So I try to make no plans. I try to just enjoy what I do right now, and perhaps next week. That’s a pretty good plan. “What do I need to do next week?” Kind of like that. Longer than that, it’s just guessing, and that’s just not that interesting. It’s much more fun just doing something and trying to hypothesize what the future’s going to look like.\n55:11

\n

Jamie: Well, thank you.\n55:52

\n

Audience: [applause] [applause continues] [applause continues] [applause continues] [APPLAUSE]\n55:54

\n

Related

\n

See LinkedIn discussion via Jeff Lin on this session.

\n\"Man\n", "date_published": "2007-05-08T20:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2007/05/08/minnebar.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2007/05/01/starting-minnelightroom.html", "title": "Starting MinneLightroom", "content_html": "\"Logo\n

I continue to really love Lightroom. I’ve been finding more and more value out of my 35,000 photos with additional metadata. I haven’t even really gotten out of the Library module of Lightroom and I’m still supremely happy with it.

\n

A month or so ago I suggested to a couple of friends that we should start a Lightroom User Group. This idea got a turbo-boost when I ran into two developers from the Lightroom team that work in the Adobe office in Minneapolis. It turns out that the Twin Cities is just a great place to do Lightroom stuff!

\n

Tonight MinneLightroom is officially launched! I have no idea how much uptake this will get. We are going to work with folks at Adobe and the Twin Cities Photoshop User Group to get the word out. I’m hoping that we can get some momentum and have a group of fun photography people to discuss how to use Lightroom the best!

\n", "date_published": "2007-05-01T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2007/05/01/starting-minnelightroom.html", "tags": ["Photography","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2007/04/25/t39017132.html", "content_html": "

Got first run at MinneLightroom website up and running.

\n", "date_published": "2007-04-24T19:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2007/04/24/t39017132.html", "tags": ["Photography","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2007/03/23/minnebar-on-april.html", "title": "Minnebar 2 on April 21st", "content_html": "

Spring is here, and along with it is the 2nd annual Minnebar “unconference”. Reserve the date now and block out April 21st on your calendar. Yes it’s a Saturday, and it’s going to be a nice day in early spring, but it’s a great time and you’ll learn a lot and meet some great people. Go to the site and sign up on the wikipage now.

\n\"Minnebar\n

If you are curious, Minnebar is the close relative of Minnedemo. Minnedemo is focused on demo’s and occurs twice a year, just for an evening. The most recent one was the Holiday Minnedemo. Minnebar is a complete conference and is focused on topics, taking a full day.

\n", "date_published": "2007-03-23T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2007/03/23/minnebar-on-april.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2006/10/24/first-rum-meeting.html", "title": "First RUM Meeting", "content_html": "

I attended my first Ruby Users of Minnesota (RUM) meeting tonight. I’ve wanted to go for a long time but the meetings seemed to always fall on days when I was typically out of town for business. It all worked out this time so I was excited to go. I’ve been on the mailing list for a long time and it’s a really good group of people.

\n

Of particular note was my friend Dan presented a side-project he did using rex and racc (Ruby versions of lex and yacc) to create a parser and validator for math equations written in LaTeX on Road Sign Math. This was pretty cool. He hacked it up quickly and solved most of the hard problems. He got to the point so he can evaluate that 3 \\times \\sqrt{4} = 6 is a valid statement. It will be a nice thing to wrap into Road Sign Math 3.0 when the time is right.

\n

I left the RUM meeting feeling a little scared though. I sat next to a kid named Chris who I can only imagine was dropped off by his Dad since I can’t imagine he was old enough to drive. He was obviously brilliant and immersed in all things Internet, Ruby, Mac and whatever else. Why scared? It’s so amazingly hard to stay on top of the things that you need to know in this world of computer geekdom. Anyway, I’m not going to dwell on that but instead continue to be involved in these sorts of activities that expose you to new thinking.

\n

I have about a dozen of URL’s, notes and such to followup on from the meeting and am looking forward to the next one. (OmniGraffle Pro, parse tree, Gruff for Ruby, Nick Sieger, fuzz testing, Rinda)

\n

Funny side note – I did a count of laptops in the room. 11 Mac laptops (mostly MacBook) including me (one of only 2 black ones) and a whopping 2 Wintel laptops. 🙂

\n", "date_published": "2006-10-24T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2006/10/24/first-rum-meeting.html", "tags": ["Road Sign Math","Software Development","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2006/10/13/holiday-minnedemo.html", "title": "Holiday MinneDemo", "content_html": "

Minneapolis is becoming a much cooler place to be a techie geek, startup business sort of guy. Thanks to the hard work of a very small group of people last year Minneapolis had it’s first ever Minnebar. MinneBar is a BarCamp event, also known as an “unconference”. The idea is simple, a bunch of people of like interests (in this case all things geek) convene on one spot and self-organize into a worthwhile conference. It’s like wiki meets conference.

\n

Anyway, the 2nd edition of the more frequent and shorter minnedemo has been scheduled for December 11th at Acadia Cafe.

\n\"Logo\n

Minnedemo is different than Minnebar in that it’s shorter, somewhat more social, and features short demos rather than longer form presentations. I missed the first one due to a business trip, but I’m definitely going to be at the 2nd edition!

\n

Check it out, sign up, and meet some great people. Plus, Road Sign Math is a sponsor. 🙂

\n", "date_published": "2006-10-13T23:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2006/10/13/holiday-minnedemo.html", "tags": ["Minnestar","Road Sign Math","Tech Community"] }, { "id": "http://jthingelstad.micro.blog/2005/04/26/edward-tufte.html", "title": "Edward Tufte", "content_html": "

Yesterday I attended Presenting Data and Informtion taught by Edward Tufte. A number of people that I work with had gone to this one-day session and come back raving, so I finally decided to attend this myself. After attending I can see why they were raving!

\n

If you are unfamiliar, Edward Tufte is one of the leading world experts on visualization of data. I’m pleased to say that not only is Tufte an excellent academic, he’s also a wonderful speaker. He could do a radio program in no time flat. He’s got a great presenting style. I thought the class was going to give him a standing ovation at the end.

\n

I’m not going to repeat the class contents here, I could not do it justice. Check out the website and see for yourself. If you ever have to give presentations, I would highly recommend attending this session.

\n", "date_published": "2005-04-26T00:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.thingelstad.com/2005/04/26/edward-tufte.html", "tags": ["Software Development","Tech Community"] } ] }