The growth of the topics covered via this blog became very clear when I went to create this round up of articles on all things virtual. The articles included cover:

• augmented reality systems to make driving safer (including a video demonstration)
• the potential impact on carbon emmisions via the use of virtual meetings and events
• online gaming to reward kids for practicing positive social behaviours
• the trend towards virtual hyrbid event as an extension of a physical event

Don’t get me wrong of course event planners want feedback whether positive or negative but when someone takes the time to submit a positive comment it means a lot. Just like anything in life we are always more apt to share feedback when we are unhappy (kind of like me with airlines) so when someone takes the time to provide a kudo you know you hit the nail on the head for that user.

Here are a couple of comments from Cisco Live and Networkers Virtual users received over the last month or so on the platform and the 21 October Ask the Expert event just held!

Cisco Live and Networkers Virtual is already your anywhere, anytime resource for technical information, networking with your peers, and learning more about Cisco products.

Join us on Wednesday, October 21 at 10:00 a.m. PDT for a live, interactive NetPro Ask the Expert event in the Auditorium of Cisco Live and Networkers Virtual. Edison Ortiz, Routing and Switching CCIE # 17943, Network Consulting Engineer, Advanced Services at Cisco will be discussing Campus QoS with Cisco Switches, providing background and discussion on QoS as the foundational network infrastructure technology required to support the transparent convergence of voice, video and data networks.

• Measurement for loyalty, familiarity with Cisco products and technologies, and messaging awareness
• Comparing in-person attendees with virtual event attendees to all major performance metrics to understand the differences in these audience types
• Whenever possible, compare event performance with Exhibit Surveys’ Industry Averages for hi-tech proprietary events

This survey was sent to in-person and virtual attendees with 26% of the in-person attendees and 13% of the virtual attendees completing the survey. Big shout out to Erica Spoor, Cisco Live Event Strategy Manager, for leading this effort and providing such a thorough post event analysis; no easy job. I would like to share some of the results with you in this post.

Advances in computer and mobile technology have placed vast amounts of information at our finger tips. This knowledge, however, still lives within the confines of our TVs, laptops, and smartphones. New technology known as Augmented Reality aims to bridge the gap between the virtual world and the real world.    The concept is not new; Hollywood has depicted versions of augmented reality in many films, including our own Governator, in 1984’s The Terminator. The technology exists as an overlay, injecting relevant data and elements into the real world around us, in real time.  If you have watched a football or hockey game in the past few years, chances are you have see elements of augmented reality. The floating yellow first down and the trailing puck are both examples of real-time visual elements displayed over real world images.  Augmented Reality Today While the reality of owning a pair of digital glasses or contact lenses might be a few years away, some industries are taking hold of the technology today.  Smartphone developers are building applications that will allow an augmented view of the surrounding environment using the built-in camera. These applications, while still in early phases, are showing the possibilities of viewing live data streams in new ways. There is a definite “wow-factor” involved when playing with the technology and it’s no surprise that the advertising industry has taken augmented reality under its wing. Check out this demo for the new movie District 9, in which you print a postcard and place it in front of your computer’s webcam. The action figure springs to life, and you are able to control this hologram-like image using your keyboard and mouse.

I though I would share:

• The top five key learnings
• High level reporting for all you data junkies
• Current enhancements under way for Cisco Live and Networkers Virtual

Of course, I (and others I am sure) wish there was a simple formula but me thinks this is not so cut and dry based on the discussions I have been having with folks lately. Below are a few of the key factors currently being considered for globalizing the Cisco Live and Networkers Virtual platform. You will see many questions…without answers because there are no hard/fast rules to apply is what we are finding.