Geek Weekend

I recently attended a DotNetNuke convention in Tampa, Florida. The convention was held at Microsoft and promised to provide valuable information on new technology and techniques. I invited Dick Betts to come along and see first hand how dynamic and robust this platform is. Dick is a National Speaker and teaches classes for Realtors. I manage his Web Services Division and provide internet technology for him and his many clients. (I honestly could not tell you which one of us was "Oscar" and which one was "Felix" but, we were definitely the "Odd Couple")

As soon as we arrived in Tampa, we met up with some friends at PF Changs for a late dinner. Three of them are from Canada and focus their talents on the real estate industry there. It was interesting to hear the state of the real estate market in Canada and soon dinner turned in to beers back at the hotel. (Yeah, Geeks drink too!) We arrived at the Grand Hyatt, not your typical "Geek Pad", as you have to pay for the wireless connection. But, the beer was cold and it was nice catching up with friends that you only get to see once a year.

The next morning we got up and started preparing for our day of learning. I was so excited that I nearly forgot my "pocket protector" and where the hell did my "Spock ears" go? I searched everywhere for them, even the Moss Covered Three Handled Family Credenza. If Dick Betts thought he could steal my prized possession, he had another thing coming. I would not be upstaged by his trickery and decided on the "X-Ray vision glasses" that I purchased from the back of one of my Spiderman comics. "To Infinity And..." well, you get the picture.

We got there right as the Keynote Speaker was finishing up and I grabbed a cup of coffee. (Were you expecting Jolt or Vault?) I sat in on "Building Online Communities with DotNetNuke 5" and looked at Dick through my X-Ray Glasses. I still couldn't see the Spock ears but, I could read his thoughts through the amazing glasses..."I need more coffee"..."Where are the doughnuts?"..."I hope someone brought some breadcrumbs, because I am so lost." It was without a doubt the best $2.50 I have ever spent. They Worked!

When we were in the Search Engine Optimization class, I looked over and saw that Dick had started a game of "Tic Tac Toe" with one of the ladies from Canada. (Maybe he was going to fit in after all, I mean Tic Tac Toe is to Geeks what SuperBowl Sunday is to jocks.) I tried my best to study his technique, as I listened to the speaker explain new information and tips on making your web site search engine friendly. I secretly hoped that they would start playing "Hangman." I wanted to try out my new "Micro Thesaurus Casio G-Shock." No such luck.

We broke for lunch and I was a little disappointed that Dick was not willing to trade his Skittles for my chicken salad wrap. Oh well, it was time to see the Dynamic Registration Module. This module allows you to do many things but, creating and managing a database was by far the feature that I wanted to see. I have a lot of friends who are Realtors and I can definitely see the value of them having access to customers who come to their site. This module will allow you to stay in constant contact with your web site's visitors.

By the way Dick, I have heard the joke, "What do you get when you put 150 Geeks at an open bar?" I don't remember the punch line but, "Two More Hours Of Geek Talk" could use some work. How about, "You had to take away my calculator, because friends dont let friends DERIVE drunk." or "You had to explain to us that we can't set a laser printer to stun?" Now that would have been funnier.

The internet has changed the way that real estate is conducted in this country and promises to bring value to what Realtors do on a daily basis. "Geeks" can help you get your message out to arenas that were out of your reach until now. So, be nice to the "Geeks," we can be instrumental in helping you find your next buyer or seller. And remember, "computers can never replace human stupidity."

Dave Hall
Marketing Director
Listing Solutions, Inc.
(904) 540-9962
dave@listingsolutions.net
www.ListingSolutions.net