The iTunes/iPhone asks your permission before sending crash reports. If the original article is true, then palm is potentially in for a backlash. This kind of information transmission should clearly be opt-in.
His definition of entrepreneur is different from what we normally think of tech startups, but even for tech startups, Portland surely ranks high. I've lived there and at one point was a late state startup employee. It's got the moxie and atmosphere for it, but it still doesn't have the surrounding ecosystem like Silicon Valley or even Boston.
That being said, in my list of best cities for startups, Portland makes a good case for 3rd place.
Quality of living is super high. Combined with a reasonable cost of living, it's a fantastic place to live.
pg mentioned that half of the early YCs died. I think with traditional VCs, I've heard more like 90% failure. Ron Conway (the angel) said that it's thirds for him. (1/3 of investments lose it all, 1/3 return the money, 1/3 have some kind of successful exit)
If I applied, I would definitely make a video, even if noone looks at. PG has mentioned multiple times that it's statistically helpful. If it comes down to you and some other guy who didn't make a video, I'm sure the extra effort is noticed.
Sounds like a good risk/reward profile for my effort to me.
For just about everything non-media, I use mercurial to a colosite. Works fantastic. Big media files (movies, iTunes Library, etc.) are backed up locally to a big data server.
Reminds me of the fun people have passing FreeCell RNG seed numbers around. Anybody who finds a particularly tough one will write it down and pass it around to the other FreeCell addicts. Then there's a small local mini competition to see who can get it done first.
One more. I'd also like to see "sample course" that I can take that _doesn't_ require me to log in. A lesser alternative would be a video screencast of an actual course.
Here are more examples of the same technique:
"This is totally my own OCD, but it drives me crazy if..."
"Just a sec, I have to apologize, but..."
"It's probably just me, but it kills me when..."
(Don't forget to smile and be apologetic, tone is key)