 |
      |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| [tips.drop.htm] | |
|
Corbin's
Meetings Technology Newsletter - July 2000 [CORBIN'S
JULY 2000 NEWSLETTER] As
usual for Bellingham, the weather is cooling off, clouding up and getting ready
to rain just in time for the July 4th vacation. There
are several articles and other items highlighted in this issue. If you have
questions, comments or suggestions for future topics, I would love to hear from
you. Corbin *********************************************************************** IN THIS ISSUEThe
Top 10 Hotel Sites Web
Use Statistics – Skyrocketing Growth Email
Etiquette Corbin’s
“Favorites” Hot Choices Software
Books Available this Summer And
more …………………………. *********************************************************************** [NEW
ARTICLE] The
Top 10 Hotel Sites ©2000
Corbin Ball Associates Web
site preferences are very subjective – if you ask several people about their
favorites, you will likely get many different answers. However, as keeper of one
of the largest collections of meeting industry favorites at my web site (www.corbinball.com),
I have been tracking hotel web sites for years, and would like to offer my
choices. My
primary selection factors in order of importance are: Content
-- a site must have lots of useful information – why else would the
average visitor go there Ease
of use – the site must load quickly and be easy to navigate A
creative idea – some of the sites were selected as they have have a novel
marketing or display idea Aesthetics
– A pleasing design is great – it encourages site exploration and
establishes brand recognition. However, if you do not have content, speed and
ease of use, the most beautiful site around will not be effective. The
sites are not ranked in strict order of preference. Some are listed for a good
idea; others are for lots of content making direct comparisons difficult. So, in
the order that made the most sense to me conceptually, here are my favorites. http://www.corbinball.com/articles/art-hotelfavorites.htm *********************************************************************** [NET
USAGE CONTINUES TO SKYROCKET] According
to a recently released Digital Economy 2000 report from the U.S. Department of
Commerce, worldwide net users increased 80%, from 171 million in March 1999 to
304 million this year! http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/stories/trends/0,7607,2587342,00.html
Over
5 million U.S. consumers used the Net for the first time in Q1 2000
(Telecommunications Report International) The
number of dialup customers is up 10%, cable modem subscribers are up 44% and new
DSL users are up 183% in Q1 2000 alone! (Telecommunications Report
International) http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/stories/story/0,10738,2588935-2,00.html
*********************************************************************** [ARTICLE] Email EtiquetteMeeting
professionals are coming on-line in record numbers. A recent survey of 600
planners conducted this year found that 100% (600 out of 600) were online! The
Internet delivers far more messages each year than does the U.S. Postal Service
and the load is expected to continue to burgeon. If you already feel swamped by
your burgeoning email box, you haven’t seen anything yet! Fortunately, there
are ways to help remedy this situation. This
article gives you many useful tips for writing good email and how to protect
yourself from those who don’t. http://www.corbinball.com/articles/art-email.htm *********************************************************************** [ADDITIONS
TO CORBIN’S “FAMOUS FAVORITES FILE”] Just
updated June 30th!! My file represents the most comprehensive list of
categorized Web site Favorites for the meetings and hospitality industries found
on the Internet – with more than 1,600 listings. It especially focuses on
meetings technology. http://www.corbinball.com/tips.list.corbinslist.htm
Check
out the following highlights: ********* Meeting
industry glossary of terms (thanks to PCMA) http://www.pcma.org/toolbox/ccandmore/tool_glossary.htm#a
******** Alexa
(http://www.alexa.com) Alexa
for Internet Explorer is a free Web navigation service. It works with your
browser to provide essential information about each product you consider and
each site you visit. ********* OptoOut
(http://grc.com/optout.htm) This
new offering from Steve Gibson’s very helpful site will look for any
“spyware” hidden on your computer. Spyware is ANY SOFTWARE which employs a
user's Internet connection in the background (the so-called "backchannel")
without their knowledge or explicit permission. If you have done much web
surfing, you will be surprised to find what you find!
OptOut is a free program that will warn you when any spyware enters your
computer, and provides the option of immediate or later removal. I
found two spyware programs lurking on my hard drive! You may find some as well. The
main site (www.grc.com) is an excellent one
regarding computer security and should be visited by anyone using the web –
especially if you have any concerns about Internet
privacy and security. ********************************************************************* [SOFTWARE
BOOK IS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE THIS SUMMER] It’s
on the way to the printer!! I
have just completed the second edition of the “Ultimate Meeting Professionals
Software Guide” due for release in August. It represents an expansion of more
that 55% with nearly 300 software listings and 4 new chapters!
It is by far, the most comprehensive guide on meeting management software
ever written. The
chapter headings are as follows: Chapter
1: Introduction Chapter
2: Association and Membership Management Software
Chapter
3: Budgeting Chapter
4: Convention Bureau Management Chapter
5: Exhibits and Exhibitors Chapter
6: Fundraising Events and Auctions
Chapter
7: Group Decision Making Software
Chapter
8: Hotel and Meeting Facility Software
Chapter
9: Housing Chapter
10: Meetings and Events Management Chapter
11: Miscellaneous Chapter
12: Program Content and Abstract Management Chapter
13: Project Management Chapter
14: Registration and Badge Making
Chapter
15: Room Diagramming Chapter
16: Scheduling Chapter
17: Site Selection Chapter
18: Surveys and Audience Polling
Chapter
19: Web Meetings and Collaboration My
first edition sold out after only 7 months. The new edition should be available
through the MPI bookstore (www.mpiweb.org)
in late July or early August. Sale price will be under $35.00. *********************************************************************** [WWW.CORBINBALL.COM
MAJOR SITE UPDATE COMPLETED] Please
come by Web site to see a total site redesign thanks to Cardinal Communications
(www.cardinalweb.com). The content is
the same although continually being expanded. Would love to hear what you think
about it. *********************************************************************** [CORBIN’S
SPEAKING SCHEDULE] My
speaking schedule is filling rapidly for 2000.
Bookings in July and August are bringing me to Los Angles, Providence,
San Diego, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles (again), Palm Springs, Toronto and
Boston. Would love to come to your city as well! The
current list of customizable programs can be found at: http://www.corbinball.com/presentations.htm Frequently
asked questions about hiring Corbin: http://www.corbinball.com/presentations.faq.htm
Testimonials: http://www.corbinball.com/testimonials.htm
My
most current confirmed schedule is listed at my web site: http://www.corbinball.com/presentations.calendar.htm
*********************************************************************** [NEW
SPEAKING TOPIC] Internet
Privacy and Security: Protect Your Business and Your Family from Internet
Criminals! Business
on the Internet can rob you of your identity, your cash, your peace of mind and
even your safety! As business
migrates to the Internet, privacy and security issues will become the two hot
topics. The “love bug” virus
and the recent denial of service attacks are just the tip of the iceberg. This
important program is a must for anyone using the web for business or pleasure. Learner
outcomes: You
will learn: ·
How to protect yourself and your children from stalkers and
predators on the net ·
How to find out how much of your private information is really
posted on the net ·
How to defend against scams, con artists, password thieves and
other vandals ·
How to detect and protect against security flaws that are the
default standard in computer operating systems http://www.corbinball.com/presentations11.htm
*********************************************************************** PRIVACY
STATEMENT: We respect you and your privacy.
Your name or e-mail address will never be sold, traded, rented, bartered,
or given away-nor will it be used for any other purpose than to communicate with
you. Period. *********************************************************************** To
unsubscribe, send a blank e-mail to corbin@corbinball.com
with “unsubscribe” in the subject line. *********************************************************************** If
you know of anyone that would benefit from my free email newsletter (sent every
two months) containing the latest in meetings technology in clear language
designed specifically for the meeting professional, please forward this
newsletter on. If
you are receiving this issue as a forward and would like to get your own FREE
subscription, please send a message to: corbin@corbinball.com.
Simply say “subscribe”. *********************************************************************** Contact
information: Corbin
Ball, CMP Corbin
Ball Associates 506
14th Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 Voice:
360-734-8756 Cell: 360-201-7801 New
Fax Number: 508-632-7730 Email:
corbin@corbinball.com Web:
www.corbinball.com *********************************************************************** Until
the next time, Corbin Sign up for Corbin's fee TechTalk
Newsletter distributed via email every 2 months in the
|
|
     
|