Comments on: BbWorld ’08 Preparedness

By: John

John — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:44:39 +0000

While there is no free WiFi at the hotel we will have two options.
1) The Cyber Café will have a “Laptop Lane” that will have quite a few hardwired connections for you to use at no cost. We will provide numerous tables with power and Ethernet cables.
2) There will be 3 small networking lounges in the exhibit hall that will have free WiFi access when the Exhibit Hall is open.
Thanks,
John

By: JB

JB — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:30:18 +0000

Yep, that’s how they get’cha.
At past conferences, I’ve always multi-tasked, even while in sessions, which are often basic enough for me to listen, take notes, and check my email back home, where we are understaffed, all at the same time. Wireless should be a given at any tech conference.
Guess there will be some extra hours to charge back to my institution, where we cannot even afford to put enough people on basic support.
And just like the “Client Party” is at the end of the event, instead of in the middle, as at previous WebCT conferences, BlackBoard chooses the slimy route because they know busy professionals won’t stay an extra night just for the party and the open bar. Again, cheers to BlackBoard for squeezing the users. It all adds up.
Thanks, Laura, for the wireless information, it’s much appreciated! Sorry to digress here.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:13:21 +0000

Wireless at venue on a pay basis eh? Is it also $10? So if you had access in your room and at the venue you’re looking at $20/day?

By: Peg C

Peg C — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:54:40 +0000

Thanks Laura
I agree that when BB support teams are attending it is ridiculous not to have wireless to all conference areas. Make sure to voice your opinion on the conference evaluations. I did that for the WebCT conference in San Francisco and the next year in Chicago wireless was everywhere.

By: John A Arkansawyer

John A Arkansawyer — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:54:29 +0000

Oh, daily. A daily charge of $10. Not to rub it in or anything…
This is one of the hidden costs of scheduling these events at resort locations, in my opinion–the infrastructure is not set up to support business travellers.

By: John A Arkansawyer

John A Arkansawyer — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:24:42 +0000

Laura, you are so sweet to post this and make me feel better about not attending.
About internet access at the Venetian:
The good news, if memory serves, is that there is access in the rooms, both wired and wireless. The bad news is that it’s a ten buck charge.

By: Kevin Lowey

Kevin Lowey — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:20:24 +0000

Do you know if the rooms at the Venitian will have free wired access?

By: Amy

Amy — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:23:50 +0000

Argh – that’s crazy! Thanks for the warning.

By: HL

HL — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:16:56 +0000

I absolutely cannot believe that people are paying so much for the Blackboard Conference and now have to incur the additional cost for wireless! The people attending this conference need access to their technology. In our case, our entire support team is attending with the understanding that we can support remotely. This issue should truly be reconsidered, especially if they hope to retain attendees for any future conferences.

By: gwl

gwl — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:51:31 +0000

Ahh, the joys of having Verizon broadband wireless access.