The history of the use of embedded UNIX variants will be presented, as well as how these have led to the current wide-spread use of embedded Linux. Learn the practical benefits of using a blog for project communication and a wiki for project coordination and collaboration, and how to use these tools to land new projects and create deliverables, Kris Vossough will present a technical primer on Nano and Micro Technology. He will also discuss his experiences in growing an R&D consulting firm specializing in this fast-growing arena. CNSV member Mike Silverman will discuss the process of changing his business model from a one-person consultancy to a consulting group. The Silicon Valley Business Journal just named Mike's firm as the 9th fastest growing private company in the Bay Area. How can you get more potential clients to visit your website? Learn how from CNSV member Nancy Blachman, whose Google Guide website now gets over half of its visitors directly from Google searches. A tutorial on intellectual property and patents will be presented. This will include a discussion of the legal and technical requirements for filing and obtaining a patent in the United States and internationally, and some discussion of inventor rights, and the possible obligations to assign inventions to employers as employees and as consultants. You are invited to come and hear stories of lessons learned from fellow consultants, and to share your own experiences. We will also award Emeritus Membership status to Bobbie Cronquist and Bill Rousseau, and will recognize the work done by Debra Willrett in creating the new website. Note that this event will be held at House of Sichuan in Cupertino. Come learn about how you can expand your consulting business by working with the SBA to gain access to high-tech small businesses. Peter Salmon will give a broad-ranging presentation covering Invention, Patents, SBIR Grants and his new flip chip connector technology. Peter's talk will be of interest to a broad range of technologists, as well as to those interested in the art of creation. Gerd will provide an introduction to the marketing and sales cycles, and then will present proven techniques which can be used to win sales projects in a competitive market without sacrificing price.