Are Online Events a Good Idea?

No.

I might, depending on content. When I attend a live show, I'm most interested in the educational opportunities.

It depends on the subject matter and if it's free.

Yes they are a good idea. It makes information more accessible to everyone that might have an interest and unable to attend a live seminar or event.

no,

But a depository of information is nice, and access it as needed.

One thing I have experienced, is one can bury yourself in information/meetings that you basically become ineffective.

phoenix911

I think on line events are a GREAT idea. There is NO WAY I can afford to go to trade shows in Phoenix, Dallas, Boston, etc. At best I might be able to go to events in Silicon Valley (a 10 hour drive from here), but there is still the cost of accomodations, food, and so on.

Bill

"a 10 hour drive"

Take my case, more than 10 hours by air!

Sure GREAT IDEA...

no.

i prefer face to face conversation. i don't even like phone calls. you can READ so much from a persons face. you can also read indecision, complete non understanding. when you ask a difficult question, and they come up with a guy that can answer immediatly, well that is priceless.

Yes if the content is good, because it allows me to cover more in less time. If more is need then a face to face can be arranged.

Brad

I don't Know! Probably is good in order to save on fly spending as far as the site are pirate proof since you want to be sure who is at the other side of the line, Who Know's? Probably is very nice and probably not is like a Rullette Game some how.

HackerFilter,

MC

Of course I would like it if it was truly based on engineering principles only, but I'm not interested in a biased commercial for a particular product. I can't blame them. Who would actually want to spend time developing a program for an online event and not expect to peddle their products during the presentation?

the question contains the important lines "covering engineering topics CRITICAL to your job?" and "all led by industry experts?"

why wouldn't anyone who happens to be searching for critical information just drop by?

most answers can be found in the Internet. it just takes common sense and good judgment for the searcher, knowing where to look, that is, and you'd have what you're looking for in a jiffy.

real events, OTOH, serve a different purpose. you can see and feel the product, and you do get lots of information, and you talk with the manufacturers themselves. but that's not what the question is asking.

so the answer is, YES!