In May of 2000 I started the Barnes&Noble.com tour. I arrived in Saint Louis about a week before launch to supervise the completion of the build out. Next we did a quick test show in Saint Louis and then it was off to New York City for the Silicon Alley street fair and the official launch of the tour. This tour was very complex from a technology stand point. the truck was live on the internet at all times. Initially this was accomplished by using a bank of cellular CDPD modems to send data up stream and a pair of direct PC satellite dishes to download. about half way through we were able to switch to Starband two way satellite internet service which was more stable, faster and could be used anywhere. I started this tour with a fair knowledge of computers and networking and having just come form the Tradecast tour a strong knowledge of Satellite communications, but I was to learn volumes about web and proxy servers as well as cellular communications . Barnes&Noble was the main focus of the tour but we also had three sponsors we marked for as well. Ameritrade had an account rep travel with us to promote their on line trading service, Ourhouse.com promoted their online home improvement store and finally Microsoft Reader was Demonstrated inside the trailer. People could also check their E-Mail at stations on the outside of the truck. Besides my driving and IT duties I also became the tour supervisor in July.

Seattle Space Needle