pick that’s changing the face of computing — these are just three of the items in our PC World Top 100 list of the best products of the year.

PC World looked at many outstanding hardware and software products, sites and services this year, evaluating each one on its design, functionality, performance and impact. Here is the cream of the crop, the 100 best of 2009. Read full story:

Technorati Tags: PC World, technology, business, NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

Technorati Tags: L. Wallace Behrenz, Meridian Business Advisors, Las Vegas Business Press, business, NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

ElectraTherm Inc., founded 41/2 years ago by entrepreneur Richard Langson, began shipping its 5-foot-by-5-foot Green Machine last month after a successful field trial in 2008 at Southern Methodist University in Texas.

The device has helped garner several local and national honors for ElectraTherm, most recently the 2009 Green Company of the Year award last month from

Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology.

The machine is placed alongside a business’s energy source where it extracts waste heat and converts it into electricity.

The power is then fed back into the business’s power grid, adding up to 10 percent more electricity and saving on monthly bills.

“This is another example of a company in Northern Nevada that is making an impact beyond our state’s borders,” said NCET Chairman Dave LaPlante, a Reno tech executive. “The snowball has begun to roll in Northern Nevada for green energy companies.” Read full story:

Technorati Tags: Reno Gazette-Journal, Carson City, ElectraTherm Inc., entrepreneur, Richard Langson, Green Machine, Dave LaPlante, Steve Olson, Geothermal Resources Council, Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award, National Semiconductor, Qualcomm, Business, NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

For her, the classroom is as close as her home computer. Ross, a sixth-grader, is enrolled at Nevada Connections Academy, an online charter school.She and numerous other students are embracing what one high school principal described as “education without walls.” It’s an option that allows students to live anywhere in the world while staying enrolled in a Las Vegas school. Children and teens who participate in athletics, work in the entertainment industry or have other pursuits that require daytime commitments can fulfill their educational requirements during nontraditional school hours.

It also opens up opportunities to students who, for whatever reason, struggle in a regular school environment. Read full story:

Technorati Tags: JAMES HAUG, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, Alicia Ross, Nevada Connections Academy, Ron Montoya, Valley High School, Clark County School District, Armantin Varona, Virtual High School, Chris Iorio, Adelitas Way, Essingtion Wade, Jerry Krummel, No Child Left Behind Act, Anthony Ruggiero, Nevada Board of Education, business, NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

LaPlante was named to Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology Hall of Fame in recognition of his accomplishments as the CEO of Twelve Horses, which served as benchmarks for other Nevada technology companies and entrepreneurs.

He also was recognized by the Nevada Business Journal as a 20/20 Visionary for exhibiting foresight in his business and adapting to make the current economic climate work for him and his business.

“To be recognized by these two organizations is truly humbling and motivates me to step up the effort to help the region continue to prosper with emerging technologies,” LaPlante said.

“As Twelve Horses becomes One to One Interactive, the Western market can rest assured that an even more high-level of innovation will be put forth thanks to the additional resources.”

Technorati Tags: Reno Gazette-Journal, One to One Interactive, David LaPlante, OTO West, Twelve Horses, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology Hall of Fame, Nevada Business Journal, Business, NCET

The Atomic Testing Museum holds the distinctive honor of being one of the first museums to take part in the Smithsonian Institution affiliates program, having received the official Affiliate designation in 2000. The museum chronicles the dramatic history of the Nevada Test Site
(NTS) and its contribution to local, state, and international history. The 8,000 square-foot museum portrays world history as community history through openness about the Test Site and its programs.

Tuesday, December 1   
5:30 – 7:30 pm

RSVP Online by Monday, November 30
Click Here to Register and Prepay $20*
*$20 includes tour of the Museum

The Atomic Testing Museum
Auditorium
755 E. Flamingo Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89119

For more information contact:
Emily Somerville
(702) 944 9722
Emily@NCET.org

Presented in conjunction with:

…

Turnaround Management Association presents a program on navigating Chapter 11.

Date: November 11^th, 2009

Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Location:

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
3900 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Ample parking in the back

Overview: What can be done with real property bankruptcies in a declining market? From unimproved dirt to occupied office buildings, declining markets place additional challenges on the chapter 11 process. Join us for a discussion of the strategies available in successfully navigating the chapter 11 process in turbulent markets.

Our Distinguished Panel:
James B. Matthews: President of Prime Locations, Dallas, Texas:
http://www.primelocationsllc.com/co-prof-jmatthews.php
Lisa Poulin: Partner, CRG Partners, Dallas, Texas:
http://www.crgpartners.com/professionals/lisa-poulin.html
Gregory E. Garman: Managing Shareholder, Gordon Silver Attorneys & Counselors at Law, Las Vegas: http://www.gordonsilver.com/bios/gregory-e-garman.html

Cost: Members: $30; Non-Members: $40; Student: $10

To receive the student discount please put in the promo code “student” when registering. You will be required to present a valid student ID at the door of the event.

Early bird discounts are available. Register at least 5 days in advance to get a $5 discount off registration.

Includes:
» Entrance to Event
» Complimentary Appetizers

For more information, contact: Alicia Ches:alicia@theofficesquad.com
702-649-3495

Technorati Tags: Turnaround Management Association, James B. Matthews, Prime Locations, Lisa Poulin, CRG Partners, Gregory E. Garman, Gordon Silver Attorneys & Counselors at Law, business, NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

Blogging: Most blogging software is free. It doesn’t take long to get up and running. And it’s a great way to interact with your customers and potential customers. It does take some time to build an audience. In the beginning, you should anticipate spending up to an hour a day promoting your blog, commenting on other blogs and writing engaging posts.

LinkedIn: If you have a B2B company, LinkedIn might be a great way to make connections. You can demonstrate your industry expertise in their Question and Answer section. Not only will you be known as an expert, answering a prospective customer’s question can lead to a sale.

Niche Networks: If you were to Google the phrase “social network and (your industry)” chances are you will find a group of people already talking about your industry and similar products and services. Join those groups and the conversation and start networking.
Facebook and Twitter: I would be negligent if I didn’t include the popular social networking sites Facebook and Twitter. There is a good chance that your customers hang out on at least one of those platforms. First, spend some time listening to what they have to say, and then join the conversation.

Joint Venture: Are there businesses in your area that have complementary products or services to your own? For instance, if you have a landscaping business, you might be able to partner with a fencing contractor. Fencing contractors often require that trees be cut down or bushes be removed in order for them to build a fence.

Networking: For all the talk about social media and social networking, offline networking is still extremely effective. Chances are, there are several free or low cost networking events near you each month.

Technorati Tags: Entrepreneuer, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, business, NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

February 19, 2009 – 11 am > 6 pm
South Point Hotel

Sign up today to exhibit at NCET’s 3rd Annual Entrepreneur and Small Business Expo, Nevada’s only expo exclusively targeting Nevada’s new and small businesses.

• Over 1,200 – 1,500 small and new businesses expected to attend
  100 – 125 exhibitors
  Educational seminars on a wide variety of topics
  Open to the public and free to attend

Who should exhibit?

• Financial institutions
  Professional services including attorneys and accountants
  Consultants, including marketing, management, IT, finance and PR
  Printers, designers and graphic artists
  Educational institutions with programs designed for small businesses
  Federal, state, county and local agencies serving small businesses
  Agencies offering advice and training to small businesses
  And anyone whose customers include small businesses!

8’ x 10’ exhibit booths only $350
($100 for non-profits and governmental agencies)

Download Exhibitor and Sponsorship Application Here

For more information visit www.NCETexpo.com or contact 
Emily Somerville at (702) 944-9722 or Emily@NCET.org

Meet and mingle with other IT professionals at one of Las Vegas’ coolest hot spots. Celebrate the end of a great year with AITP Las Vegas. We’ve strived to offer you the programming that you asked for, from Cloud Computing, Cyber Crimes, Business Intelligence, and Managing IT in These Tough Economic Times.

Join us as we celebrate the year and meet up with our colleagues in the IT community.

Event Date: Thursday, November 12, 2009

Time: 6pm-8pm  

Cost: Free!

Location:

LAVO in the Palazzo

3325 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109-1414

To get benefit of the open bar, check in at the LAVO host stand, and indicate that you are there for the Wine Lounge, and you will get a wristband for the open wine bar.

Technorati Tags: AITP, business, NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology