Computer Support Blog

Many companies launch business conferences in order to promote themselves, help establish their brand and provide networking opportunities for themselves and others.  However, many businesses that look into this option often have to scrap it or postpone it.  This reality is due to the high costs involved with hosting and running events.  Renting a conference location, making deals with local hotels, and hiring temporary staff to work an event all add up to serious costs that not every company can handle.  However, there is now a cool product that allows smaller companies to host virtual business conferences on the Internet.  HyperFair creates virtual conference spaces that professionals can log into in order to view live presentations and chat with other attendees for networking purposes.  Companies can promote networking by hosting events without having to spend money on renting and staffing a physical location.  Businesses that want to use HyperFair to put on virtual events will need a business IT support provider to help them put the appropriate systems in place.  Read more »

Networking in any professional field is often awkward, time consuming, and generally not people’s favorite thing.  Even at professional conferences and other events, there is no way to know what other people attending are actually in the same specific field as you or who might be helpful to connect with for mutually beneficial reasons.  This situation means that most people waste time trying to start conversations just to find out who might be worth networking with at all.  Fortunately, there is a cool product available on the web and for mobile that can potentially take away this awkward aspect of professional networking.  Airmatch connects people who can help each other professionally before they go to a conference or event in order to save them time and ensure they get a chance to speak to each other.  The team at Airmatch has programmed its system to match up people attending the same event automatically who could be a networking match.  Once Airmatch connects two people, it allows them to schedule appointments with each other during the professional event.  Those who have limited experience with technology and may need help using the Airmatch system should make sure they have a tech support provider available to help them. Read more »

LinkedIn has proven to be an essential networking tool for many in the business world.  The ability to stay connected with so many business contacts has helped many forward their career and their companies.  However, LinkedIn’s corporate focus on traditional business career paths doesn’t work for everyone.  Cool person in tech Yinon Weiss is a military veteran who found that LinkedIn wasn’t the most appropriate tool for helping military personnel find work in the real world.  Military careers and experience didn’t translate easily to LinkedIn’s design or outline.  This is why Weiss founded RallyPoint, a professional social network designed specifically for both active military personnel and veterans.  RallyPoint helps its members maintain an online presence, network within the military, and apply for jobs.  RallyPoint lets its members apply to jobs in the private sector, but also has options for active personnel to apply for PCS opportunities.  Weiss wants RallyPoint to make networking and job hunting whether someone is still active in the armed forces or not.  Members of the military who want to try RallyPoint but have little experience with social networking might be able to get help from a computer support service. Read more »

Using the Internet to network and increase your web of contacts in the professional world is hardly a new concept.  LinkedIn has been doing this for ages.  However, simply clicking a link to add another “connection” on your profile can be impersonal and even undermine the chance to make a true connection through networking in the first place.  This is why cool product Peer tries to add a more personal touch to online professional networking by incorporating video messaging and chats into the process.  Peer lets you make professional connections, leave video introductions and schedule video chats on your phone so you can make a real connection while networking rather than just a name on the screen.  The team at Peer believes this process can help facilitate stronger relationships through networking that will be more helpful than the typical ones made through social networking.  Currently, Peer uses LinkedIn to help users find others to connect with over their service.  If you do not have a LinkedIn profile and don’t know how to create one, you will need computer tech support to help you. Read more »