[BC] NAB???

[Xmitters at aol.com]

Maybe it's time to do an equipment exhibit over the Internet, and scrap the 
show  entirely. the cyber-attendee would check off on an emailing, what kinds 
of things he/she wants to "see" at the cybershow. Your personal NAB cybershow 
would then be sequenced according to your interests. You then get a login ID 
after you pay for the "show." Hopefully, this approach would make the show 
cheaper as well. The cyber attendee could then phone, email, or IM a company 
representative with specific questions. That way  (assuming it's done right) yo
u 
don't have to stand in line to talk to a sales specialist. 

What I truly would miss though, is the opportunity to meet and greet people I 
talk to regularly on the phone. It's also a good place to make new 
professional contacts. And there is the social aspect of NAB that makes it enjo
yable. 
Not sure how we could emulate all of this activity over the net. 

The other thing I would miss is the opportunity see all of the newest 
equipment. While it is interesting to see all of these neat gadgets, and have s
ome 
hands on time, can we really afford to spend our resources by looking at things
 
we will realistically never need?

Some of the NAB exhibits could be eliminated. The book store comes to mind. 
Are there really that many people needing a book, that they cannot wait to 
receive it in the mail? Lists of books, content synopsis, subject, are all thin
gs 
that can easily be put on the Internet. The physical NAB itself could be made 
smaller by using CyberShows where practical. That smaller show could then be 
hosted in a greater selection of cities. 

NAB is becoming a zoo that I have a fading tolerance for. Other people are 
not attending for a whole laundry list of valid reasons. I would rather look at
 
some alternative  solutions for presenting the NAB show, or parts of it, 
rather than see it die altogether because of drooping attendance. 

I have a truly rabid dislike for LV. Of course this year, now that LV is not 
making their usual killing, good accommodations can easily be found. I Could 
not care less about gambling; I go to the show for business. As for LV itself, 
it can go sink in the mud for all I care.  If I want a vacation, I'll take 
one. 

Yes, this is my opinion only. Some agree, others disagree. YMMV. That's OK. 

Jeff Glass, BSEE CSRE
Chief Engineer
WNIU WNIJ
Northern Illinois University