The May Report: 11/30/2010: Who said that December is a slow month — for events or deals?; With a possible sale of Groupon to Google, the energy is just in the air — right now, is there any place you’d rather be than Chicago — for tech or politics?

Editor and publisher: ron@themayreport.com, ronaldmay@aol.com, www.themayreport.com , 773-525-3944.

Assistant editor: Melanie Adcock, iPHONE: 312-259-0610, melanie_adcock@msn.com

If you missed an article, go here: www.tmronline.com/A55951/tmrarticles.nsf/vwFullNewsletter
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Chicago PDMA and DePaul University’s Center for Creativity and Innovation present:
“Innovating” Chicagoland’s Workforce: How Innovators Compete in the Post-Recession, Hyper-Competitive, Global Economy
Thursday Dec. 9, 1:30-6:00 PM DePaul O’Hare campus: 8770 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 100

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR EARLY REGISTRATION: www.pdma.org/chapter_events_detail.cfm?pk_event=687

Industry speakers explore how innovative technology companies are structuring and staffing New Product Development (NDP) efforts.
Panel: Ben Brenton, PhD, Chief Innovation Officer — Snap-On Tools; Carol Oman, MS, Senior Scientist — Kraft Foods; Marcus Cobb, CEO –Rripl Software, Inc. — Richard Lueptow, PE, ScD, Co-Chair Masters New Prod. Development — Northwestern University; Praveen Gupta, MS, Professor — Illinois Institute of Technology; Joseph Cherian, PhD, Professor — University of Illinois, Chicago; Lisa Gundry, PhD, Professor — DePaul University

REGISTRATION: www.pdma.org/chapter_events_detail.cfm?pk_event=687
Questions and Sponsorship Opportunities: Contact Steven Jambor at 773-263-9962 or srjambor@lauchagents.com
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

[Editor's note: May here. Don't hit the reply button when you get this report. My web interface for incoming email is not working again. Things have been downhill since Jeff Liggett sold ANET to Expedient and Cogent. They have opened a case file and are working on it. I hope it is fixed by Wednesday afternoon. If you want to send me an email, please send it to ronaldmay@aol.com . Thanks.

When it comes to the possible sale of Groupon to Google, I've had calls presenting a cautionary tale, reminding me of Google's history of doing strong due diligence on deals that don't necessarily materialize in the end: Yelp and Digg to name two. The press hype surrounding Google deals results in CPM rates going up and everyone gets hooked. How many of us recall the interminable Microsoft negotiation with Yahoo!?

Here's an article in East Bay Express on Yelp that I ran in 2009:

Yelp and the Business of Extortion 2.0

www.eastbayexpress.com/gyrobase/yelp_and_the_business_of_extortion_2_0/Content?oid=927491&page=1

More tomorrow.

Ironically, Julian Assange of Wikileaks says that he protects the identity and confidentiality of sources. That is the height of hypocrisy. But think about it. It is analogous to Goedel's Proof.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6del's_incompleteness_theorems

www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/kenny/papers/godel.html

Assange is a first amendment absolutist according the editor of Time Magazine who is being interviewed on Charlie Rose right now (11:30pm) and Assange, according to Richard Stengel (spelling?), sees the 1st Amendment coming into conflict with the Espionage Act of 1917.

More on all that later. Any system has inherent weaknesses and inconsistencies. ]

The Scoop section:

– The ever changing figures on GroupOn – GOOG
– Andrew Lipsman hints that Cyber Monday sales may have topped $1B for the first time
– Bob Geras on: “Wouldn’t Bob Geras be happier today if he had gotten in on Groupon?”
– Brian Mayer of midVentures: Chicago: A Land Of Promise For Technology
– David Baeckelandt: Book – Japanese Financial Art – Japan America Society — and a new vocabulary word: “scripophily”
– Jerry Mitchell demonstrating holiday generosity in his new door to door entrepreneurial venture. Trades bootstrapping for shoe leather!
– Export of Illinois Tech Products Provide $5.9 Billion Impact in 2009
– U.S. Would Miss Top 10 in Ranking of Most Attractive R&D Tax Incentives
– Ashley Gross, WBEZ reporter: Start-up culture — and don’t flood her with calls
– Wednesday, December 1: Stimulus Social Club @ Crimson Lounge
– Wednesday, December 1: The Chicago Silverlight Users Group: “Getting Started With WP7 Development”
– Thursday, December 16: Chicago Lean Startup Circle: Pathfinder: Todd Wyde on Customer Acquisition and Retention
– Thursday and Friday, December 9 and 10: What Rocked The Recession Start Up The Nation — look at second email just below it for the long list of speakers
– Wednesday, December 1: ChicagoAndroid.com invites you to Chicago Android: Augmented Reality; Camera Preview and Overlay
– Monday, December 6: Chicago Networking event — sponsored by the Tektite Group
– Miscellaneous notes (2 messages)
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************************************************
GP Ventures specializes in M&A advisory services for technology
companies in a wide range of sectors. GPV has industry connections
throughout the US, Europe, and Asia.

Recently, GP Ventures expanded its reach by becoming an affiliate of
the Woodbridge Group (www.woodbridgegrp.com), an investment banking
firm focused on middle market M&A.

For more information on GP Ventures or Woodbridge, please contact:

Tom Kastner
GP Ventures
847-431-3993
mail@gp-ventures.com

M&A Advisory Services for technology companies in EMS, PCB, Software,
Defense, IT Services, Electronics, Distribution
*********************************************
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The Scoop section:
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The ever changing figures on GroupOn – GOOG

From: jkimaging@aol.com
To: ron@themayreport.com
Sent: Tue, Nov 30, 2010 12:49 pm
Subject: GroupOn – GOOG

$1.7B a few days ago ?

$2.5B yesterday morning ?

$5.3B last night Pacific Time [AllThingsD] ??

… $10.0B by the end of the week ??

JK
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Andrew Lipsman of comScore hints that Cyber Monday sales may have topped $1B for the first time

Subject: RE: Andrew, please let me know when you have info. on Cyber Monday sales figures.
Date: 11/30/2010 4:35:14 P.M. Central Standard Time
From: alipsman@comscore.com
To: RONALDMAY@aol.com

Hi Ron,

While we’re getting the numbers in tonight, we actually have to honor an exclusive for tomorrow morning. I can tell you that the preliminary numbers look strong, but can’t offer much more than that right now.

The numbers will go out tomorrow AM around 8am CT.

Best,

Andrew

Andrew Lipsman Sr. Director, Industry Analysis | comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ:SCOR)

o +1 (312) 775-6510 | alipsman@comscore.com

comScore

Measuring the Digital World
Introducing Video Metrix 2.0
The industry’s first tool for understanding online video monetization
www.videometrix2.com

To receive the most current news from comScore, please join our press list using this link

www.comscore.com/press/prlist_req.asp

From: RONALDMAY@aol.com [mailto:RONALDMAY@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 4:24 PM
To: Lipsman, Andrew
Cc: ronaldmay@aol.com
Subject: Andrew, please let me know when you have info. on Cyber Monday sales figures.
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Bob Geras on: “Wouldn’t Bob Geras be happier today if he had gotten in on Groupon?”

Subject: “Wouldn’t Bob Geras be happier today if he had gotten in on Groupon?”
Date: 11/30/2010 3:05:32 P.M. Central Standard Time
From: bob@vcbob.com
To: ron@themayreport.com, RONALDMAY@aol.com

Hey Ron,
DUH!! Is the Pope Catholic?? What kind of question is that? Of course I’d be happier if I had been part of this historic home run. Who in his right mind wouldn’t? This is the kind of result that every risk investor dreams about. I’ve had my share of successes in my day, but nothing remotely close to this one. It’s fantastic!

I congratulate everyone involved in this deal. It obviously is tremendous for them, but it also re-energizes the entire local investment community and will continue to build excitement and encourage entrepreneurs and investors alike to become more adventuresome and take more risks hoping to build another spectacular winner. It’s the best thing that’s happened to Chicago since the repeal of Prohibition!

Bob Geras
LASALLE INVESTMENTS
Venturing Since 1968
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Brian Mayer of midVentures: Chicago: A Land Of Promise For Technology

Subject: Chicago: A Land Of Promise For Technology
Date: 11/30/2010 3:41:59 P.M. Central Standard Time
From: melanie_adcock@msn.com
To: ron@themayreport.com, ronaldmay@aol.com

Ron, I saw this write up on the Midventures site today and thought Brian Mayer did a nice job stating his perspective. Thought I’d share. -Melanie

Chicago: A Land Of Promise For Technology bit.ly/g5Vz2D
Posted by Brian Mayer
November 30th, 2010
The Chicago technology scene can sometimes feel like a secret society. From the outside looking in it can be hard to locate, and even harder to understand. Once you get inside on the other hand, the Chicago tech community is filled with the talent, drive, potential, and intelligence.

The only hard part is getting to know the right people to gain the invites to the best places to see the real work in action. This is perhaps why Chicago is not as well known as it could be, but that might not a bad thing at all.

No one fears an enemy that they do not know as a threat; why fear something that is supposed to be wholly benign?

Chicago does not receive its due in terms of respect for its important role in the world of technology, so why not use that to our advantage instead of finding it irksome? Sure, we don’t have the same level of early stage VC activity? Then why can’t Chicago take the lean startup and MVP ethos and do it on our own?

We don’t have as much startup activity as Palo Alto does? That is actually a boon for new companies here; they don’t have to scrabble as hard to find developer talent; we have some of the best schools in the world feeding into this city, let’s capitalize on it.

Chicago also has an ethos of revenue, meaning that new and medium sized companies in the area often have a stronger focus on income and profits than other scenes on the coasts, signifying that our firms and leaders like to build real businesses, not press release generators.

Chicago needs to stop looking down at itself with mild disdain, and needs to instead stand up for what it is: a vibrant place filled with talent and potential. The sooner we brush the chip off our shoulder and go about working as hard as we can on as much as we can, the sooner that we may just finally get our due back-pay of respect.

Until then let’s just be Chicago. We are a unique place with a uniquely strong culture. We are not a lesser place to do business, just a different one. Stand up and be counted, you are part of the Chicago technology community, and that should make you proud.
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David Baeckelandt: Book – Japanese Financial Art – Japan America Society — and a new vocabulary word: “scripophily”

Subject: Book – Japanese Financial Art – Japan America Society
Date: 11/30/2010 9:46:37 A.M. Central Standard Time
From: dbaeckelandt@sbhic.com
To: debendevan@hotmail.com

Dear Friends of Japan:

As some of you may be aware, I am a Board member of the Japan America Society of Chicago. I also have a somewhat unusual hobby: I collect old Japanese stock and bond certificates. The hobby itself is properly called “scripophily”.

Recently I finished a small book on the hobby of Japanese scripophily. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first book on this subject in any language. It includes more than 40 reproductions from my collection (I hope to have subsequent books that depict all 500+ certificates).

If you should decide to purchase a copy, all proceeds from the sale of the book will go to benefit the Japan America Society of Chicago. A link to the society and the book itself can be found here:

www.jaschicago.org/en/events/Default.aspx?eventid=148

In the interim, thank you again for your many kindnesses over the past year. I hope we have a chance to meet again soon before the Holidays. If we do not, my very best to you and yours for a happy and peaceful Holiday Season and the very best for the New Year.

Sincerely,

David Baeckelandt

Director, Sales & Marketing
Segall Bryant & Hamill
10 South Wacker Drive
Suite 3500
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 596-0216 (direct)
(312) 543-7221 (cell)
(312) 596-0217 (fax)
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Jerry Mitchell demonstrating holiday generosity in his new door to door entrepreneurial venture. Trades bootstrapping for shoe leather!

From: Name withheld upon request
Subject: Re: The May Report: 11/29/2010: Gian Fulgoni CORRECTION
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:37:12 -0500
To: ron@themayreport.com

Ron : the spell/grammar checker had taken the day off ….

PLEASE READ the edited message below.

Ron : IF PUBLISHED, PLEASE withhold my personal data (name / e-mail). Thanks

You did take out your calculator of course, and noticed the generosity :

and you will receive .5% every time they shop on line

50 CENTS per ONE HUNDRED dollars
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Export of Illinois Tech Products Provide $5.9 Billion Impact in 2009

Subject: Export of Illinois Tech Products Provide $5.9 Billion Impact in 2009
Date: 11/30/2010 4:52:38 A.M. Central Standard Time
From: ed.longanecker@techamerica.org
To: ronaldmay@aol.com

Contact : Anne Caliguiri Savoie, Director, Communications

703.284.5305 or anne.savoie@techamericafoundation.org

Josh James, Vice President, Research and Industry Analysis (research-based inquiries)
202.682.4422 or josh.james@techamericafoundation.org

Export of Illinois Tech Products Provide $5.9 Billion Impact in 2009

Illinois Ranks 7th in the Nation in High-Tech Exports

Washington, DC (November 30, 2010) – TechAmerica Foundation today released its annual report detailing national and state trends in the international trade of high-tech goods. The report, Trade in the Cyberstates 2010: A State-by-State Overview of High-Tech International Trade, covers all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Tech exports in Illinois totaled $5.9 billion in 2009;. Illinois ranks seventh nationally in high-tech exports. Electromedical equipment (ranked 4th) and communications equipment (ranked 5th) are Illinois’s largest tech export sectors, with $1.4 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively.

“High-tech exports support jobs – in the case of Illinois 32,600 high-paying jobs,” said T. Kendall Hunt, Chairman, CEO, VASCO Data Security International, Inc., and Chairman of TechAmerica Midwest. “Our leaders in Washington need to work to increase access to foreign markets through bilateral and multilateral trade deals. We urge Congress and the Administration to work together to pass Free Trade Agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea.”

“Illinois’ trade activities continue to serve as an important driver of the economy. The tech industry is certainly no exception, as is evidenced by the $5.9 billion impact to the economy last year,” said Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Warren Ribley. “While this is a decline from last year, Illinois actually rose one spot in the national rankings and is still the leader in tech exports among the Midwest states, giving us great promise for the future.”

Nationally, Trade in the Cyberstates 2010 shows that U.S. high-tech goods exports fell by 16 percent in 2009, reaching $188 billion, representing 18 percent of all U.S. exports to the world. Tech exports in Illinois followed a similar trend and were down $1.2 billion or 17 percent from the previous year. High-tech imports were down by 11 percent nationally, totaling $299 billion in 2009, resulting in a slight improvement in the high-tech trade deficit, which stands at $111 billion. High-tech exports supported 944,300 jobs in the United States.

Trade in the Cyberstates 2010 provides a comprehensive review of international trade of high-tech goods at the national and state-by-state level. The report provides overview pages for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. These “snapshot” pages highlight historical high-tech export trends, exports by individual tech sector, and leading export destinations.

This report is a partner publication to TechAmerica Foundation’s other two annual cyber publications, Cyberstates and Cybercities, which provide data on high-tech jobs, wages, payroll, and other factors at the state and metropolitan levels.

Trade in the Cyberstates 2010 and its sister publications can be purchased for $150 at: www.techamericafoundation.org/research.

What Does High-Tech Trade Mean for Illinois?

· $5.9 billion in high-tech exports (7th ranked cyberstate)

· Down $1.2 billion in tech exports between 2008 and 2009

· 14 percent of exports from Illinois are tech exports (ranked 22nd)

· 32,600 jobs in Illinois are supported by tech exports

Illinois’ Leading Tech Export Destinations:

· $1.2 billion in tech exports to Canada

· $439 million in tech exports to Mexico

· $434 million in tech exports to Japan

Illinois’ Leading Tech Export Sectors:

· 3rd in electronic components exports at $967 million

· 4th in electromedical equipment exports at $1.4 billion

· 5th in communications equipment exports at $1.2 billion

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Data are for 2009.

Published by TechAmerica Foundation, sister organization of TechAmerica – Where the Future Begins (www.techamerica.org)

- # # # -

About TechAmerica Foundation

TechAmerica Foundation educates industry executives, policy makers and opinion leaders on the promise of technological innovation to advance prosperity, security and the general welfare. Launched in 1981, the foundation is a 501c(3) non-profit, non-partisan affiliate of TechAmerica, the leading voice and resource for the U.S. technology industry. It disseminates award-winning industry, policy and market research covering topics such as U.S. competitiveness in a global economy, innovation in government, and other areas of national interest. The foundation also organizes conferences and seminars to explore pertinent issues with government and industry representatives and to share the foundation’s findings.

Best regards,

Ed Longanecker

Executive Director, Regional Vice President

TechAmerica
630-282-4332
ed.longanecker@techamerica.org
www.techamerica.org
AeA & ITAA have merged to form TechAmerica
Where the future begins
_____________________________________
U.S. Would Miss Top 10 in Ranking of Most Attractive R&D Tax Incentives

Subject: Press Release: U.S. Would Miss Top 10 in Ranking of Most Attractive R&D Tax Incentives
Date: 11/30/2010 11:10:36 A.M. Central Standard Time
From: ed.longanecker@techamerica.org
To: ronaldmay@aol.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 2010

Contact: Charlie Greenwald at 202.682.4443 or charlie.greenwald@techamerica.org

U.S. Would Miss Top 10 in Ranking of Most Attractive R&D Tax Incentives

Washington, DC – Days after recognizing a new first place team in college football, the United States failed to crack even the top ten in a new ranking of the world’s most attractive national Research and Development (R&D) tax incentives, lagging behind strong international competitors such as China and India.

Given the 11-month lapse of the country’s Federal R&D Tax Credit, the United States does not have an incentive to rank. Even if Congress were to renew the credit, a move for which there is no serious plan on Capitol Hill, America would rank only 17th.

“Clearly, we are not contending for a championship in the global economy, and some might even wonder if we are playing at all,” said TechAmerica President and CEO Phil Bond. “It’s not just corporate America’s bottom line that is at stake, it’s also the quantity and quality of U.S. jobs. The industry applauds the President for his plan to strengthen and permanently extend the R&D credit, but remains concerned about the vague references to pay fors and the fact that we have no incentive in place right now at all. With time left only for a brief lame duck session, we note with concern that Congress appears to have no serious plan for renewal this year.”

The Association based its rankings on valuations of tax incentives to small and large companies by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) in its report “2008 Science, Technology and Industry Outlook,” as well as a valuation of the total tax burden on companies published by Forbes Magazine.

The R&D tax credit applies only to research performed in the United States, R&D that results in new industries, new products, and new solutions to our toughest challenges even while creating many new jobs as nationwide at least 70 percent of R&D investments are spent directly on employment. Based on that figure, TechAmerica estimates that the lapse of the credit has placed at risk more than 110,000 well-paying jobs so far this year.

Ranking
Team
Points
1
Mexico
0.5
2
Spain
0.46
3
Singapore
0.42
4
Canada
0.39
5
Czech Republic
0.38
6
Portugal
0.34
7
India
0.33
8
New Zealand
0.32
9
China
0.3
10
Norway
0.29
11
South Africa
0.29
12
Brazil
0.29
13
France
0.28
13
Korea
0.27
15
UK
0.22
16
Hungary
0.2
17
Japan
0.19
18
Australia
0.19
19
Turkey
0.18
20
Netherlands
0.17
21
Austria
0.08
22
Ireland
0.08
23
Belgium
0.08
24
Denmark
0.07
25
Poland
0.03

- # # # -

About TechAmerica

TechAmerica is the leading voice for the U.S. technology industry – the driving force behind productivity growth and jobs creation in the United States and the foundation of the global innovation economy. Representing approximately 1,200 member companies of all sizes from the public and commercial sectors of the economy, it is the industry’s largest advocacy organization and is dedicated to helping members’ top and bottom lines. TechAmerica is also the technology industry’s only grassroots-to-global advocacy network, with offices in state capitals around the United States, Washington, D.C., Europe (Brussels) and Asia (Beijing).It was formed by the merger of AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association), the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA), the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) and the Government Electronics & Information Technology Association (GEIA).Learn more about TechAmerica at www.techamerica.org.
_____________________________________
Ashley Gross, WBEZ reporter: Start-up culture — and don’t flood her with calls

Subject: startup culture in Chicago
Date: 11/30/2010 11:24:55 A.M. Central Standard Time
From: agross@wbez.org
To: ronaldmay@aol.com

Hi Ronald -

Thanks for your help!

I really appreciate all the insights… and look forward to talking to you some more. If you can give me a call once you’re back at work today, that would be great.

Thanks –
Ashley

Ashley Gross

Reporter
WBEZ 91.5 FM
848 E. Grand Ave.
Chicago IL 60611
Tel: 312-948-4671
Listen at www.wbez.org
______________________________________
Wednesday, December 1: Stimulus Social Club @ Crimson Lounge

Subject: FW: SSC Tomorrow @ Crimson Lounge!
Date: 11/30/2010 4:03:02 P.M. Central Standard Time
From: melanie_adcock@msn.com
To: ron@themayreport.com, ronaldmay@aol.com

Stimulus Social Club will be at Crimson Lounge tomorrow! Check out pictures from last month’s SSC event on Facebook – just become friends with Stim Soc. Want to see where your $10 donation goes? Click to watch the SSC video!

Executive Hosts: Kim Lichtenstein, Nadia Wetzel, Betsy Helmkamp, Megan Richards, Monica Canellis, Marissa Rudman & Katy Wilson

Guest Hosts: Steve Lieb, Paul Adreani, Kendra Peterson, Joran Thompson, Megan Taylor, Dan Ulbricht & Hunter Davis

Event Details:
- Complimentary appetizers + 1st round of drinks

- $10 donation at the door (CASH ONLY) – this month’s beneficiary: The Night Ministry

-The Night Ministry will also be collecting new adult white tube socks – bring a pack!

- Crimson Lounge is located at 333 N Dearborn St

- Event is 5:30 – 9 PM, entry is not guaranteed so we URGE you to get there early

- MUST RSVP rsvp@stimulussocialclub.com (first + last name and number of guests)
- Feel free to forward invite to people we may have missed!
_________________________________
Wednesday, December 1: The Chicago Silverlight Users Group: “Getting Started With WP7 Development”

Subject: FW: Reminder: You’re invited to “Getting Started With WP7 Development” (Dec 01, 2010)
Date: 11/30/2010 4:02:48 P.M. Central Standard Time
From: melanie_adcock@msn.com
To: ron@themayreport.com, ronaldmay@aol.com

FYI. The Chicago Silverlight Users Group is organizing a meeting tomorrow which may be of interest to Mobile Monday Chicago folks looking to learn more about Windows Phone 7 apps. For more info and to RSVP, see below.

There is also a separate Windows Phone 7 Developers group which started up recently and is now meeting monthly. Their December meeting is coming up next week on the 8th. For more info about the Windows Phone 7 Developers group, here’s a link:

www.meetup.com/Chicago-Windows-Phone-Developers/

- Anthony

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: The Chicago Silverlight Users Group
Date: Tue, Nov 30, 2010 at 10:35 AM
Subject: Reminder: You’re invited to “Getting Started With WP7 Development” (Dec 01, 2010)
To: anthony.hand@gmail.com

Join us tomorrow evening, Wednesday, December 1st at 6PM for The Chicago Silverlight Users Group.

Will Danford and Ben Farmer from Clarity Consulting will discuss the development experience for writing applications for Windows Phone 7 with Silverlight. They’ll give a quick overview of the concepts in the Metro design philosophy that make it easy to make beautiful apps. Next they’ll jump right in at File->New and walk through a basic app, highlighting the core concepts as they go. Finally, they’ll go over some of the lessons they’ve learned building apps.
Will Danford
Will is a senior developer at Clarity Consulting. He has participated in every stage of the software lifecycle – from requirements gathering and design to development, transition and support. Since 2008 Will’s focus has been retail and mobile applications built on Microsoft’s WPF and Silverlight platforms. He recently headed up the Clarity development team that created the Facebook application for Windows Phone 7.

Ben Farmer
Ben Farmer is a senior developer at Clarity consulting where he helps clients build applications with ASP.Net, WPF, Silverlight, Windows Phone 7 and other .Net platforms. He has experience in several verticals including ecommerce, retail, and consumer applications. His most recent project was leading the team of developers that built Kraft’s iFood Assistant mobile application on the Windows Phone 7 platform.
The Chicago Silverlight Users Group meets on the first Wednesday of every month and focuses on Microsoft Silverlight, WPF and XAML design and development.
If you have any questions or comments about The Chicago Silverlight Users Group, send an email to: chicagosilverlight@live.com

Date:
Wednesday, December 01, 2010 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (CT)

Location:
200 S. Wacker Drive, 15th Floor
Chicago 60606

Register: bit.ly/gmQ2TQ
_________________________________________
Thursday, December 16: Chicago Lean Startup Circle: Pathfinder: Todd Wyde on Customer Acquisition and Retention

Subject: Chicago Lean Startup Circle Pathfinder Todd Wyde on Customer Acquisition and Retention
Date: 11/30/2010 3:57:32 P.M. Central Standard Time
From: melanie_adcock@msn.com
To: ron@themayreport.com, ronaldmay@aol.com

Chicago- Lean Start Up Circle: Dec. 16, 6:30 pm at the Illinois Technology Association

Excelerate Labs’ Troy Henikoff tells us that Customer Acquisition and Retention is one of the biggest keys to startup success.

And GrubHub’s Mike Evans writes that in GrubHub’s recent $11 million dollar fundraising effort, every single investor asked to see their cohort analysis. Every single one.

Pathfinder’s Todd Wyder tackles these issues head on. In this presentation, Todd will discuss best practices on evaluating customers from first contact to customer to referrer and all the steps in between, drawing some of the great work done by folks like Dave McClure and Brant Cooper. This talk will highlight what to measure, why it’s important, and the strengths and weaknesses of the various analytics tools available on the market today. Attend and you will leave armed with the practices and tools you need to accelerate your product’s growth.

Todd Wyder is Chief Product Officer at Pathfinder Development and has been involved in product management, marketing and engineering for over 25 years. Todd has worked on products for GE, Axciom, YesMail, OMRON Electronics, Appointments 1,2,3, Mitsubishi, Fanuc, AT&T, AHA! Interactive, Schoolnet, OASIS, Calendars.com, CatapultMySales, Coe Truman and many others.

Spots are limited so sign up today at www.chicagoleanstartup.com/calendar/14997590/
_________________________________________
Thursday and Friday, December 9 and 10: What Rocked The Recession Start Up The Nation — look at second email just below it for the long list of speakers

Subject: Rocked The Recession Start Up The Nation Dec. 9 & 10
Date: 11/29/2010 10:08:52 P.M. Central Standard Time
From: melanie_adcock@msn.com
To: ron@themayreport.com, ronaldmay@aol.com

Ron, I heard you weren’t invited to this event, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it for others to go and check it out. It does look like Ed Domain over at Flyover Geeks is working hard to do a good job on this. I hope it goes well for him and if it does I’m sure we’ll gladly give credit where credit is due- hopefully with no silly drama this time, LOL! I did see him at the Sync Tech Center today. He looked kind of lonely all by himself toiling away. I would have gone and sat by him but I was afraid he would just get mad again. Sigh. Why do people hold grudges? I try not to do that myself but it is hard for some people. Oh well. We can’t win them all. I do truly hope for both Ed’s sake and for the sake of the community that his event goes well. -Melanie

Rocked The Recession Start Up The Nation Dec. 9 & 10

Register: stp.eventbrite.com/event/888865621

This Price Includes Admission to BOTH December 9th at The SYNC Technology Center and December 10th at Loyola Mundelein Auditorium.
Dec 08, 2010 $55.00 $4.02
Student Rate: MUST PRESENT ID AT REGISTRATION
This Price Includes Admission to BOTH December 9th at The SYNC Technology Center and December 10th at Loyola Mundelein Auditorium.
Dec 08, 2010 $45.00 $3.46
General Admission: DECEMBER 9th The SYNC Technology Center ONLY
This is a ONE day ticket for Admission to the The SYNC Technology Center ONLY DECEMBER 9th.
Dec 08, 2010 $20.00 $2.09
General Admission: DECEMBER 10th LOYOLA ONLY more info Dec 08, 2010 $55.00 $4.02
Network Reception ONLY Bull & Bear (First Drink INCLUDED) (Free Admission with Early Bird Ticket Purchase) Dec 08, 2010 $10.00 $1.54

Event Details
Rocked the Recession: Startup the Nation, is coming to Chicago to bring together entrepreneurs, professionals and organizations that are not only thriving; they’re Rocking! Join us in a two-day conference with some of Chicago’s best entrepreneurs and thought leaders. We have planned discussions to explore innovative companies that balk at the idea of bailouts. Ready to Rock 2011!
Sessions will cover starting a business, growing your business, selling, marketing, PR, funding, scaling, building a team, turning ideas into action, branding, creativity, social media, incubators, blogging, viral videos, and more.
Day 1 December 9th: Sync Technology Center
2:00-3:00 Session 1

When:
Thursday, December 09, 2010 at 12:00 AM
- to -
Friday, December 10, 2010 at 5:45 PM (CT)

Where:
Loyola University Chicago: Mundelein Auditorium
1032 W Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL 60660

Hosted By:

Social Tech Pop & Flyovergeeks
SocialTechPop.com is Chicago’s premier popular culture and technology blog. SocialTechPop communicates its vision of establishing Chicago as the Silicon Valley of the Midwest, reporting on emerging digital technologies, start ups,incubators, events, and society. It isn’t enough to recognize that technology exists and impacts our daily lives. Rather SocialTechPop detects, uncovers, and explores the fabrics that tie our society together in this emerging digital age. Society, technology, and popular culture. They all impact one another, and we cover them all at break neck speed!

Flyover Geeks believes in the idea that innovation happens everywhere in the U.S., not just Silicon Valley. Flyover Geeks was launched as a “TechCrunch for the rest of Us” and seeks to cover the entrepreneurs, startups, movers and shakers of the digital age residing outside of Silicon Valley.

Cause Marketing

Everyone has a special place in their hearts for a select charity. This panel will focus on how you the business owner can incorporate your charity of choice into your business strategies.
Good Design

Everyone recognizes good design when they see it but how many actually know what goes into to making it happen? A good design can make or break a business and this talk will give you the highlights.
Fighting Recession with Social Media

Are you still unsure as to why your company should use social media and how you should use it? This discussion will help you understand how social media can help you save on cost use the networks for Customer Service, Hiring, and business development.
BREAK 3:00-3:15

3:15-4:15 Session 2

Blogging for Your Business

While Social Media gets out-sized attention in the media, a good company blog is often overlooked. This extremely powerful tool allow business owners to promote their message in ways unthinkable. Join our expert panel as they break down the specifics and share their experience with you.
Legal in the New Economy

The law is an ever changing beast and when it comes to starting a new business, having legal advice is not just recommended, it’s a necessity. Come listen to Jim Voight and John Pasky share their ideas and expertise on legal issues facing entrepreneurs.
Chief Everything Officer

Are you a one employee show? The SOLOPRENEUR. Then this workshop is for you. Come and hear our speakers story about her struggles with inventing her product, getting people to take notice, and bringing it into the marketplace
BREAK 4:15-4:30

4:30-5:30 Session 3

The Future of Microblogging

Twitter introduced the world to microblogging and now competitors are springing up with different features. Dennis Moulton is the CEO of PingGadget and will discuss how a completely new platform can change the way you do business and connect to customers.
Video & Your Business: Going Viral

These speakers will cover the aspects of why having video components connected to your busness are so important and how they can really add value to your brand. They will also cover the process to creating a video with the potential of going viral.
The Art Of Finding Funding

These professionals are experts in the area of helping to fund businesses to achieve their growth or startup their dreams. They will offer tips an tricks in order to set yourself onto the right path to getting your business funded.
Day 2
8:15 – 8:25 Opening Comments

8:25 – 8:55 Keynote

8:55 – 9:05 Break / Panel Switch

9:05 – 10:15 Panel 1: Get Up Start Up

This panel will focus on the young start ups (less than two years old) and the reasons their businesses are thriving despite the current state of the economy and the doom and gloom forecasts of the media. The speakers on this panel will focus on questions pertaining to how they came up with the ideas to their business, funding, launch and growing their new start up. They won’t pull any punches and will tell how they did it and will offer advice and share the lessons they have learned with you.
10:15 – 10:30 Break / Panel Switch

10:30 – 11:40 Panel 2: Always Be Selling

Whether you have a new tech startup, fifty car dealerships, a law firm, a design house or salon, every industry and business has a sales component. This panel will focus on the art of the sale; best practices, lessons learned from mistakes and overcoming the dreaded “NO”. We are going to hear it all; the successes, the mistakes and the glory of the deal.
11:40 – 12:45 LUNCH

12:45 – 1:55 Panel 3: Batting 1.000

Batting .500 is great, batting 1.000 is extraordinary. These panelists have not only launched their own business but have managed to achieve success not only at being great at what they do but by constantly striving to be better. They have made it through the recession and are busy planning even greater success for 2011. You won’t want to miss this panel!
1:55 – 2:10 Break / Panel Switch

2:10 – 3:20 Panel 4: Always Be Social

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, we all know about social media and how big of an impact it has made on business and the different ways you can promote your initiatives. This panel has done it all and the focus will be to cut through the “BS” and get down to the nitty gritty of what they are really doing, what’s working, what are people actually hearing, and what the trends are going to be for 2011.
3:20 – 3:35 Break / Panel Switch

3:35 – 4:55 Panel 5: Incubators and You

An overwhelming percentage of new businesses fail every year yet businesses in an incubator have over an 80% success rate. Find out why along with how business incubators are proving to be the 21st century business partners of choice for new entrepreneurs in search of funding and guidance.
4:55 – 5:10 Break / Panel Switch

5:10 – 5:30 Single Company Speaker

5:30 – 5:45 Closing Remarks

6:00 – 8:00 Cocktail & Networking Reception Bull & Bear

Melanie Adcock
iPHONE: 312-259-0610
DROID: 312-833-1825
E-Mail: melanie_adcock@msn.com
Facebook Fan Page: bit.ly/MelanieAdcockFacebookFanPage
Bio: bit.ly/MelanieAdcockARC
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/melanieadcock
Twitter: twitter.com/melanie_adcock
Facebook Profile: www.facebook.com/melanie.a.adcock
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Subject: List of Panelists at Rocked the Recession
Date: 11/29/2010 10:26:29 P.M. Central Standard Time
From: melanie_adcock@msn.com
To: ron@themayreport.com, ronaldmay@aol.com

FYI. Our friends at FlyOver Geeks & Social Tech Pop are organizing the Rocked the Recession conference for next week. The conference is geared towards entrepreneurialism in a tough economy and sounds like a lot of fun.
Tickets are cheap ($55) for the two-day conference when you register early, but you can save $10 by using the discount code “apphouserocks” when you register. (No quotes.) Note that if you can’t make the conference, you might be interested in just attending the cocktail reception on Dec. 8.

stp.eventbrite.com/event/888865621

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Jeb Ory
Date: Mon, Nov 29, 2010 at 5:05 PM
Subject: Read below for $10 off a ticket for Rocked the Recession, Dec 9-10… But hurry, the discount won’t last long!

Hey MoMo Chicago!

Have you made plans yet to attend Rocked the Recession next Thursday and Friday, Dec 9th and 10th? Want to save $10 on admission? Use the code “apphouserocks” when you register to save $10! Click here for registration: http://stp.eventbrite.com/event/888865621

What: Rocked The Recession, sponsored by FlyoverGeeks and Social Tech Pop, is THE event of the Fall for entrepreneurs, technophiles, and mobile enthusiasts.
When & Where:
Dec 9th: Sync Tech Center
Dec. 10th: Loyola University Chicago, Mundelein Auditoreum

Use the code “apphouserocks” when you register to save $10! Click here for registration: http://stp.eventbrite.com/event/888865621 The code will only last another day or two, so make your plans, reserve a spot, and save $10 today!

If you do make one session, please come to the morning session on Dec. 10th — and watch four young start-ups: The App House, Present Bee, JabberJury, and Foodie Registry speak about what it takes to grow business during a recession! Oh, yeah, and Mike Evans from GrubHub is also giving a keynote address ;>

Other speakers/ panelists during the December 10th event:
Mike Evans
Doug Walker
Ruth Ratney
Mark Papadas
Chris Matsakis
George Kase
Michael Davis
Bob Rohrman
Brad Trayser
Mike Samson
Bernard Kappe
Brain Pfeiffer
Ian Sohn
Jean Pickering
Michael Shmarak
Michael Rhodes
Dar Caldwell
Kris Peterson
About The App House:
The App House makes apps happen. If you have the next great app idea, but little to no idea on where to turn to commercialize your idea, contact The App House. We work with appreneurs to transform their app idea into a revenue-generating app business! The App House provides turnkey mobile apps services, from development to publishing and public relations. Ping Jeb@theapphouse.com (@theapphouse) if you are interested.

I hope to see you there,

Jeb
The App House
Jeb@theapphouse.com
_______________
Web: www.momochicago.org
MoMo on Twitter: twitter.com/MoMoChicago
MoMo on LinkedIn: linkd.in/momochi
MoMo on Facebook: bit.ly/10574H

Manage your subscription: groups.google.com/group/momochicago
Email the list: momochicago@googlegroups.com
=
_____________________________________
Wednesday, December 1: ChicagoAndroid.com invites you to Chicago Android: Augmented Reality; Camera Preview and Overlay

Subject: ChicagoAndroid.com invites you to Chicago Android: Augmented Reality; Camera Preview and… (Dec 01, 2010)
Date: 11/30/2010 3:48:57 P.M. Central Standard Time
From: melanie_adcock@msn.com
To: ron@themayreport.com, ronaldmay@aol.com

Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:30:31 -0600
From: invite@eventbrite.com
To: melanie_adcock@msn.com
Subject: ChicagoAndroid.com invites you to Chicago Android: Augmented Reality; Camera Preview and… (Dec 01, 2010)

Hi Melanie,
You’re invited to “Chicago Android: Augmented Reality; Camera Preview and Overlay”

Chicago Android: Augmented Reality; Camera Preview and Overlay

Dec 01, 2010
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Syncubator
322 S. Green St.
Ste. 300
Chicago IL
View Map

Attend

Event Details: Brief introduction to Augmented Reality – by Uki D. Lucas Camera Preview and Overlay – by Mark Perona We will create an Android application that renders your camera preview and a transparent graphic overlay. This technique is a crucial step to…Read more

Want company? Share this event on Facebook and Twitter.

Chicago Android NEWS:
eLocity A7 Android Tablet PC – Chicago Android Review ning.it/gDbOyt
Home automation, DIY and electronics groups in Chicago bit.ly/dPWE3n
NFC for Android 2.3 OS. Paying bills via mobile phone will become reality soon. bit.ly/dN9ATK
Simplify your db layer in Android. Check it out how to make your code more readable hence with less machinery mistakes bit.ly/f1fHna
Five of the best HTC phones. Specifications, photos. bit.ly/fhhi6N
Android Data-Stealing Vulnerability. It will be fixed in Gingerbread, but now don’t use built-in Android browser bit.ly/i0rGMI
The Acer Liquid Metal – Specifications, Carriers. Check it out right here bit.ly/eBBGp3
What is the average charge to restaurants & bars for ad space on a mobile app? Does anyone have experience with this? bit.ly/hBq5EI
Cheers,
Uki D. Lucas
info@ChicagoAndroid.com
Twitter: @UkiDLucas =
______________________________________
Monday, December 6: Chicago Networking event — sponsored by the Tektite Group

Subject: Chicago Networking Event
Date: 11/30/2010 3:44:05 P.M. Central Standard Time
From: melanie_adcock@msn.com
To: ron@themayreport.com, ronaldmay@aol.com

Chicago Networking Event

Starts: Monday December 06, 2010, 06:00PM CST
Ends: Monday December 06, 2010, 09:00PM CST
Event Type: Networking/Meetup
Location: District Bar
170 West Ontario Ave
Chicago, IL 60654 US
Price:
Website: cutting-edgeevents.com
Industry:
Keywords: networking, network, event, business, business contacts
Intended For: all
Organization: Cutting Edge Events

Chicago Networking Event December 6th * * *
Register now cutting-edgeevents.com
No Pressure, No Speakers, No Loud Music……just networking, connecting, and enjoying some awesome free food so you can network comfortably!
PLEASE make sure that if you register with a First Time Attendee Ticket, you are attending this event for the first time. We have a list of previous attendees and if you are not a first time attendee, we will ask you to pay the full door price when you show up at the event. if you unsure if you attended email mike@cutting-edgeevents.com
When you register for more than 1 person, please include the names and emails of all people coming with you. That will really help us with registration and with follow-up after the event.
MONDAY, December 6th | 6:00PM – 9:00PM
District Bar 170 West Ontario Ave Chicago, IL 60654 www.District-bar.com/
$5 PreSale | $10 Door Vendor Tables $75
Food included for one hour

NETWORK AND SOCIALIZE TO:
Source New Project Opportunities
Do your own head-hunting/talent spotting
Find fresh knowledge or contacts
Generating new business contacts
Connect with potential customers, suppliers and partners ��The opportunities are endless!

PROFESSIONALS INVITED:
Business Owners and Managers | Entrepreneurs | Angel Investors | Non Profits | Social Services | Service Professionals who cater to start up, early stage, and / or small businesses. Service Professionals Include: Accountants | Business Development | Consultants | Copy Writers | Digital Media | Law Firms | Marketing | Public Relations | Recruiters | SEO | Social Media | Web Designers | etc.

EVENT PRODUCED BY:
Tektite group | www.thetektitegroup.com/ Cutting Edge Events | cutting-edgeevents.com/
ADDITIONAL EVENT INFO: EVENT TYPE: Professional and Social Networking Event | ATTIRE: Business Casual GROUP GENRE: Professionals, Entrepreneurs, and Social Butterflies THIS IS FOR: People to socialize, Pass business cards, and build business relationships
Parking & Transportation: Valet $12 for events. Street Parking Difficult
Public Transportation: CTA Red Line train: Grand
____________________________________
Miscellaneous notes (2 messages)
_______________________
#1: Subject: I have a question about World Ventures
Date: 11/30/2010 1:45:19 P.M. Central Standard Time
From: james@leadsizzle.com
To: ronaldmay@aol.com

Hello,

I was searching online to find more info about World Ventures and I came across your information.

Can you tell me, are you still involved?If
you are, how are things going for you?

Please let me know.

Sincerely,

James Candelaria
______________________________________
#2: Subject: Re: Hilary, you made TMR and the headline.
Date: 11/29/2010 10:51:58 A.M. Central Standard Time
From: HMarsh@realtors.org
To: RONALDMAY@aol.com

Thanks, Ron!

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving holiday.

Best,

Hilary

Hilary Marsh | Managing Director, REALTOR.org
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® | 430 N. Michigan Ave. | Chicago, IL 60611
312-329-8341 | hmarsh@realtor.org | www.realtor.org

From:
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2010 22:43:22 -0500
To:
Subject: Hilary, you made TMR and the headline.
___________________________________
END OF REPORT