I have been searching on Ebay, TigerDirect and Amazon.com for a large-screen flat-screen monitor that I can hook up to a mobile stand and use for public presentations. So far, I am impressed with what I-Inc. (25" and 28" monitor) and ASUS (24" monitor) have to offer - especially for the price. But, I am open to other suggestions. Now, since some of these presentations will be outdoors, I will likely need to be able to hook up additional speakers. So, the ability to do that is important. Some monitors come with internal speakers. I do not know if such monitors always have additional audio speaker jacks. Any other suggestions out there?

Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
707-709-8605
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Lamar. .... If you can get the visibility issue resolved. ... You're gong to meed at 32" preferably 42".

Have a supplier send a unit and speakers in on a Demo basis and see how it works.

Don't believe me about needing added speakers? EH?

Bestest.

Teddy Towncrier CPP Towncrier-Media.com Supercharging Your Visions.

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Scott,

I took your advice. A lot of the sites I visited would not even tell me the cost of the monitor up-front. You have to "request" that information. That is not a warm and fuzzy feeling. However, I went to other sites that did in fact provide prices. Those prices are outrageous! While the screen sizes may be the same for both indoor and outdoor frames, the prices are thousands of dollars apart.

A month or so ago, I had a phone conversation with a company that makes halographic projection screens. The screen is translucent. The projector projects an image that at a 30% angle to the screen from behind it. What you end up with is a slide presentation or video that appears to be suspended in space.

I already have the LCD projector. All I really need is the halographic screen. I think I can get the screen for a decent price. I doubt I can get one of those outdoor monitors for a decent price.

Those outdoor monitors are very impressive...but very expensive. I think I can get the job done both indoors and outdoors using a halographic screen, an LCD projector and a digital frame or PC. I don't think the sunlight is going to interfere with a backlit projection. But, I am going to do some additional research.

Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
707-709-8605
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Scott,

If you are under a gazebo tent with the monitor attached to a stand, could that possibly eliminate the sunlight problem? After all, what we are talking about here is sunlight glare. If you eliminate the glare, haven't you pretty much solved the problem? What you are referring to is have a monitor out there in direct sunlight (no covering), correct?

Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
707-709-8605
Need PR?...Call Lamar!

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Get a unit on demonstration and get first hand experience.

Then you'll have more experience with which to make a decision.

Bestest.

Teddy Towncrier CPP Towncrier-Media.com Supercharging Your Visions.

Private Reply to Scott Wolpow

Scott,

Are you telling me that using a regular monitor outdoors - even if under a tented/gazebo environment is unsafe (an accident just waiting to happen)?

For four straight years Amiga Atlanta used their CRT monitors under a tent at Emory University during the Special Olympics Summer Games in Atlanta, GA. We never had any problems. But, these were not LCD monitors. Are LCD monitors more vulnerable to outdoor conditions?

Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
707-709-8605
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Scott,

If there had been rain, we would have shut the entire operation down right quick. But, each year, it was a simply a hot, sunshiny day outdoors under that 20x20 small tent. If you don't have weather problems, is there a danger having a regular LCD monitor in use under a tent outdoors? If you can shade out the sunlight, what's the problem? The more I think about it, the more I think a regular monitor on a monitor stand, turned at the proper angle under a tent should work just fine. But, do you see any problems with that scenario? Reg says he uses an LCD screen outdoors. If he can do it without any problem, why can't the rest of us do likewise?

Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
707-709-8605
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Reg,

Here's a link to the Coyote Professional Plaza in Hidden Valley Lake, CA. Take a look at the windows. I can set a six-foot table in front of a window. I can place a 24" monitor on that table connected to a computer and conduct a Skype call as the plaza is a Wi-Fi hot spot. The market is between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. As you can easily see, I am going to be shaded from the sun - even though I am outdoors. Do you see a problem using a 24" ASUS LCD Monitor in that scenario? This is not a special, expensive outdoor monitor. This is an ordinary LCD monitor. Keep in mind I am not planning to gather a large group of people to be in front of that monitor. More than likely, what is going to happen is that one person at a time will approach it.

Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
707-709-8605
Need PR?...Call Lamar!

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Scott,

I have no idea what Acme Industries is. The Coyote Professional Plaza is a simple little parking lot with offices. There is a hospital clinic, coffee shop, real estate office and a soon-to-open health club and yogurt shop. That's about it right now. No big-name tenants here. However, this is where the Thursday Market is to take place every Thursday between now and the end of October. What do you think about that monitor screen working on a table adjacent to a tenant office window providing "live" video chats with the public? Keep in mind we are talking about a 24" ASUS LCD monitor. This is not an "outdoor" monitor.

Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
707-709-8605
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A factor I haven't noticed mentioned is that available viewing angle differs by make, manufacturer and model.

Just something to keep in mind.

Bestest.

Teddy Towncrier CPP Towncrier-Media.com Supercharging Your Visions.

Private Reply to Scott Wolpow

Scott,

I know you are a big-city guy living in New York City (remember I am from Atlanta - THE BIG CITY of the SOUTH), but out here in Mayberry RFD Land, we have something called "flea markets." You take a parking lot at a little shopping center or professional office plaza and allow local food growers to set up booths to sell their produce. A local guitar players wants to bring his guitar and sound equipment and perform. So, you allow that person to have some space. The space is not free. Someone pays for it.

So, here's what I am thinking about doing. Purchase some space, set up a Skype conference regarding "social media" and let the public see how this works. Also, I can pass out "goodie bags." I can even conduct a raffle as I have my own brass raffle drum. This could in fact be a way to bring the Ryze.com community and the folks living out here in rural Northern California into a better relationship.

I think it is very important that we build on the relationships made in the past rather than allow them to fade away. Remember the cards you sent me regarding your online jewelry store several years ago for "Middletown Days?" You made a very real effort to reach out to Middletown. It did not work out as well as I had hoped. But, at least the effort was put forth. Believe me, this area is not doing a very good effort reaching out to itself let alone outsiders. This needs to change.

Well, you don't expect to see a video conference at an outdoor flea market. And, that's part of the reason for wanting to do it. The video conference is what Seth Godin would call "a purple cow." It is something that I believe would be perceived as REMARKABLE. It would engage the public. They would talk about it. At future events, more people would bother to show up simply to see who would be featured on the Skype conference. Just call me the Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
707-709-8605
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@Lamar ... Why on earth would you pay them to attend?

Hang a camera on to your booth and stream the event.

When the idea is presented properly;   The mangagement will pay you for this live, world-wide promotion and you'll waive your fee because you get to sell the ads on the viewing screen.     (Or I'll take my film crew to another location and promote their event).

You don't charge Fox News to attend your functions.    Do you?

With the effort that you're putting into your community .... You really should have your own 24 hour stream and loop a tape when you aren't on-air.    This is the type of "Reaching out" that most folks can relate to.  More Here

Just call me a Crazy Canuck ... but call me.

Bestest.

Teddy Towncrier CPP Towncrier-Media.com Supercharging Your Visions.

Teddy,

It does not cost me anything to attend this flea market. But, anyone who wants to be a vendor at a flea market is going to pay a fee. No one is going to be allowed to have booth space to sell something for free.

Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
707-709-8605
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Reg,

I cannot comment on what the Pentagon is doing, but I can comment on what I am planning. Keep in mind, this does not take place until October. Right now, I am simply considering options. Russ's suggestions always seem to be on target. Thanks so much. Believe me, I have no intention to rely solely on the technology.

But, what am I selling? I am selling the concept of a "mutual uplift" and the many ways it can be assisted with the use of technology.

For example, I created a Ning.com network for my town hall. That network needs more members. Anyone who lives in the South Lake County area is eligible to be a free member. All they need is an invite from me to freely enroll. So, at this event, I will have a vase in which they simply drop a business card. I also have a vase which they can simply drop a business card to receive an invite to join my Ryze network, "Clusters." But, that is not all they can receive by coming by my table. They can receive a FREE "goodie bag." I have nearly 100 goodie bags that should have been picked up back in May at the Hardesters Shopping Center's Spring Fling. They were not due to the fact it was an extremely hot day and the turnout was very low. (There may be an opportunity here for interested Ryzers, but more about that on another thread.)

In addition, an effort is being made to bring Coca-Cola's new Freestyle Dispenser here with the help of Bsquare Technologies. If that happens, resorts from all over the county should want to come here and check out this amazing device. Why? Because it can be a very good source of revenue for them. If they figure out in advance that it is in their best interest to show up, I believe they will show up.

Bsquare Technolgies may desire to come here because this area is regarded as Pepsico Country (thanks to all the casinos having contracts with Pepsico). Coke should love to take customers away from their chief rival - not run away from the opportunity, but embrace it. Pepsico does not have a dispenser like this. So, they too may want to show up and check it out.

If Gov. Schwarzenegger goes forward with his Second Annual Small Business & Entrepreneurship Conference in San Francisco this November, I may be involved with its promotion. That's pretty exciting, but yet to be confirmed as I have been told it may not even take place this year. I am still waiting for a confirmation - one way or the other.

Keep in mind that people lined up at Apple stores to purchase the iPhone before it was on the market. Why? Because 50 million people tune in to listen to Steve Jobs' 2-hour keynote address (advertisement) every year. And because great ideas spread, those who listen to Steve talk freely spread his message. Hence, you had long lines at Apple stores the day the iPhone first became available. I hope to make some "magic" like that happen in a small way in October at the Coyote Valley Community Plaza for the Thursday Market.

While I need technology to type, show slides and video, I do not need technology to talk - if folks are standing in front of me. So, if all the technology that surrounds me fails, I still have the most essential ingredient...my voice. Remember, I do PR for folks (what I like to refer to as "PR optimization"). I can sell my services. I can easily talk about what I have done in the past, what I am currently doing and what is planned for the future.

Russ is right. Don't rely totally on technology. In this case, I am my own back-up.

Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
707-709-8605
Need PR?...Call Lamar!

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@Reg ... My perception here is that Lamar is showcasing himself and planting seeds for a later harvest.

Lamar is selling Lamar. ( and is that such a bad thing)?

More frequently he's being regarded as the "Go to guy" in his community and clients are now initially, coming to him.

Bestest.

Teddy Towncrier CPP Towncrier-Media.com Supercharging Your Visions.

Private Reply to Scott Wolpow

Teddy,

Since you brought up the "Goto Guy" thing, I want to give credit where credit is due. This comes from Robert Littell, author of "The Heart and Art of Netweaving." For those who do not know, netweaving is the business version of the popular "pay it forward" principle. Littell stresses in his book the importance of becoming a "Goto" person in your circle of influence. Why? To help grow the circle.

For example, you have a large audience on Twitter. I have a large audience on Twitter. By retweeting each other's messages we find beneficial to our respective audiences we not only provide an educational benefit, but expand our reach. Therefore, you might say we are "Goto" people for each other. There is no reason I can see that folks all over Ryze cannot engage in becoming "goto" people.

Teddy, you are located in Toronto, Canada. I am located in Hidden Valley Lake, CA. Last May, you had a local gal, Linda Fergusson, the woman who masterminded both the Hardesters Shopping Center's Grand Opening last October and the Spring Fling (which was endorsed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger with a letter), on your Globespan TV Network. Anyone can actually still listen to that interview and read Gov. Schwarzenegger's letter at Family Fun. This was followed up with a live radio broadcast featuring you on the KFPZ Community Radio Show, "It's Your Business," which is located nearly an hour north of where I live. What's this all about? It's all about business networking and netweaving.

First, we CARE. If you did not care about what I was doing, you would not know Linda Fergusson. Linda Fergusson would not have been a guest on Globespan TV...and on and on.

Second, we CONNECT. If I did not want to connect with you to the point of introducing you to other people, I doubt you would ever have made their acquaintance. After all, you're in Toronto and I am in Northern California. Fat chance the folks I know in person are going to make your acquaintance unless I do something to help make that happen.

Third, we have a GOOD DESIGN. This is the reason we CARE and CONNECT. We need to have a plan. You don't get in a car just to sit in the driver's seat. You can get that driver's seat to drive the car and go somewhere. We have to have a goal and actively pursue it.

This process is a lot like growing a rose garden. It will amaze you if you know how to nurture it. If you are familiar with a rose garden, you know to keep a rose garden in roses all season long, you have to prune the branches. In my rose garden, that means pruning at the five leaves - not the three. For the rose bush to do what you need, you have to do what it needs...first. And, so it is with netweaving.

I am not through nurturing you, Teddy. And, I doubt you are done nurturing me. It is actually in our best interest to continue to find ways to nurture each other.

On October 4th, I am introducing to my community a Social Media Sunday Brunch at Ting's Thai Kitchen. It will only accommodate 12 people. That is all we have room for. But, trust me, amazing things have been accomplished with just 12 people...and a good idea that spreads. I plan to work you into that Sunday Brunch at some point after I get a good feel for the experience.

Since this thread was originally about "the best LCD screen for the money," I want to say that I am leaning toward getting a 24" ASUS computer monitor along with a monitor stand, both from Ebay.

Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
707-709-8605
Need PR?...Call Lamar!

Private Reply to Lamar Morgan 954-603-7901

If that is true, then he should pay the experts that give him the info taht makes him the'go to ' guy.

Each morning, when the sun arises; ... I'm presented with more gold, jewels, food, oil, fresh water and cash that I can ever use and without any strings attached.

I also get to push a button and some of the best brains on the planet generously spring to my aid and address any issues I'm dealing with.  (A priceless gift).

The above scenarios have worked for eons and will continue until The Master decides otherwise. ... It's my privilege to copy the above example and share my blessings.

Whatever I regard as mine .... Whether cash, knowledge, time or other assets.   They aren't really mine but am only the steward and it's been my experience that the more I share my blessings .... The more I'm entrusted with. .... ( I hesitate to sow on barren ground, though).

Since I've been paid in advance; I'll be sharing my bounty until there are UHauls behind hearses.

Whatever small contribution I may have made to Lamar's growth ..... I've been rewarded far beyond any expectations.

Bestest.

Teddy Towncrier CPP Towncrier-Media.com Supercharging Your Visions.

Private Reply to Scott Wolpow

@Scott .... I've already received the cash. .... (As much as I'm entrusted with).

I find Lamar very generous in sharing his blessings whether they be discoveries, his valuable time or introductions.

Bestest.

Teddy Towncrier CPP Towncrier-Media.com Supercharging Your Visions.

Scott,

You sent me all those jewelry business cards for distribution at "Middletown Days" a few years back. You instructed me to code the cards before I handed them out for you at the festival. I did that for you. While I did not receive any kind of financial compensation for all that effort, I still made the effort to help you.

Why did you go to the expense to send me all those cards? Why did I follow your instructions? Answer: CARING, CONNECTION and having a DESIGN. Granted, the DESIGN did not prove to be a very good one, but it was still executed. Sometimes you have to fail to know what NOT to do.

I just got off the phone with a wonderful person in Canada. We are putting together an exciting program which I hope many Ryzers (including you) will join. It is going to be a multi-faceted program. You are going to be given the opportunity to contribute to "goodie bags" in a very clever and cost-effective way. You can going to be given a means to create a "buzz" about your business directly to the local news media. We are not just going to "talk the talk" of business networking and netweaving. We are going to WALK IT...TOGETHER!

Stay tuned to this network for more exciting information. (I think it's time to start a new thread. I don't think there is any longer a need to discuss 24" LCD monitors here.)

Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
707-709-8605
Need PR?...Call Lamar!

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