The Chatham-Kent Firefighters Association chose last night as the official launch date for their membership’s website. They wanted a live demonstration at city hall’s council chambers, to demonstrate the workings and features of their new website I made and host for them. I was told “all the equipment would be provided and all I had to do was show the guys how to use the forum and gallery… very casual laid back atmosphere, don’t worry”.

I’ve heard enough horror stories in the past to know I better have a back-up plan in case Murphy’s Law raises it’s ugly head. Not being a power point professional or even own the software, I made up a cdrom slide show and a crib sheet to walk the guys through the site. I had asked Martha to sign out her school’s LCD projector to connect to her laptop in case the council chambers didn’t have the required hardware.

Then around noon I noticed the website wasn’t working. I couldn’t get a connection… the site wasn’t serving any pages. In fact none of the other domains on this giant server were working. Aak! I checked the host’s web page and nothing was noted, then panicking I sent them an online trouble ticket asking for details. Two hours later, still no response from the NAC data centre, then poof, everything is back. I get a notice of apology saying they weren’t sure what caused the server to lock up all four processors tight, but for now a simple reboot brought it back online. I’m thinking great – I hope it doesn’t lock again during the demonstration.

I get to city hall about 45 mins. early and set up. I couldn’t even get the lights on! One switch in the whole theatre and all it turns on is one pot light over the entrance. I stumble around in the dark and flip another switch at the front and I hear this motor, turn around and two giant screens are rolling down from the ceiling… very cool, but still no lights. By then a city hall staff member shows up and hands me a wireless control box. It controls all the chamber’s lights, the screens, PA system etc. Very nice, then she asks me where’s my computer. I’m glad I had a backup plan.

Me: Is there internet connections available? Her: Yes but I don’t have a cord for you and you can’t log-on to our network. Me: I got my own cord, shouldn’t need to log-on, snap… thanks, I got an internet connection now. Plug in the video cable and boom the theatre lights up with the laptop’s start up screen. Every flat screen monitor in the theatre plus the two huge movie screens are now showing Martha’s desktop wallpaper… (a naked fireman in boots).

(HaHa, just kidding about the wallpaper) The lady says OK, it looks like you know what you are doing, turn the lights off when you’re finished, I’m going home now. Little did she know, I felt like a caveman that just discovered fire. I was in awe and now understand were my tax money quickly disappears.

The meeting starts, I’m introduced, the mood is relaxed, and I begin. I told them to please ask questions as I go along, lets keep this casual. The demo went perfect! The audience was attentive and interactive and they kept me speaking for an hour and a half. It was a fun night for me and I got enthusiastic applause at the end.