Mingle360

Through BizBash Washington's website, I came across a some very useful information. At the 2008 Affordable Meetings National Conference and Expo, there were many cool gadgets that were introduced to its attendees. Among them was, Mingle360. I think this is the perfect tool for networking.

Mingle360 is an object similar to a simple USB device that can hang from your key chain. As on end is a USB, the other is like a remote control. You simply point the MingleStick to another person's MingleStick and press a button. When the button is pressed, a wireless connection is made ad a green light of confirmation is made. The green light means that your information (name, company, e-mail, address) has been exchanged with another person at a networking event.

After, you can simply put the MingleStick into your computer to see all the contacts you have exchanged with others. You can also log the Mingle360 website to manage you account. You can also use it to message others that you have met through MingleManager. It also cares about your privacy. Only your "best friends" are able to see all of your information. Others are only able to see your name a the state you live in.

I think that this device is just so convenient to any type of networking event. You never have to worry about not having enough business cards. If you ever have to edit your information, you don't have to print millions of new business cards. You can simply plug the MingleStick into your computer and edit the information.

Web Conferences

In movies, I see online web conferences between two or three people talking about a situation within their company. Using a webcam make is so easy for me to contact and see my friends that may be in different countries. However, I do not see a web conference where hundreds of people are participating in.

Web conferences still seem a little wierd to me. I can see how a an online meeting withing a company could work, but I still cannot grasp the concept of the online conference. I feel as though conferences are so much more active. You visit exhibits, workshops, and networking nooks. It seems as though web conferences are becoming popular. I even cam across a website that promotes free web conferences, www.yugma.com. I really wonder how one goes about setting up such a conference in regards to fees and attendence. I would love to actually "attend" such a conference.

Digital menus and television while eating at a drive thru ..

Through Hospitality Technology Magazine's website, I came across an article about a system for a new 50's style drive up restaurant in Chattanooga, TN. Scala is the name of the system and it seems to be entertaining. A 32 inch LCD screen turns on by sensory when a car drive up to it. A menu first pops up and you can make your order. Once you've done so, you can choose to park and eat or leave. If you decide to stay, a new entertainment menu appears where you can choose to watch TV and enjoy music while eating.

It sounds like a great way to pick up a quick bite. But, I'm not so sure about whether or not people will stick around eating uncomfortably in their cars while watching TV. Also, would it not cause major congestion in the parking lot? The idea of a touch screen for a drive through sounds exciting. Instead of listening to an a server you can go through a quick menu where you can choose at your own pace. Just like ordering from amazon.

Article:
http://www.htmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=MultiPublishing&mod=PublishingTitles&mid=3E19674330734FF1BBDA3D67B50C82F1&tier=4&id=B52D7D74B33A4A239A99A93BE8FC5F89

Google Chrome

Google Chrome is like an Internet Explorer and Firefox. However, it's role is more like a desktop. Which means, a computer can be without Microsoft. It is based from actual applications we use on a day-to-day basis like youtube.com and many other web-based game sites.
It also creates a sense of safety because it will provide the knowledge of whether or not a website might be a bad on or good one. It also has a great search bar with many selections related to your search and previous search you might have made or site you might have visited.