Exhibition Laptop Theft On The Rise

We heard again last week from yet another victim of laptop theft from an exhibitor at an event in Manchester. Whilst it did not surprise us, we sympathise with the victim; it is probably worse than losing your wallet or having your credit cards stolen when you consider the possible implications losing personal and commercial data.

The exhibition environment is literally a paradise for a thief wanting to make a quick getaway with £1000s (or $1000s) worth of computing kit. Why? Exhibition halls erect and collapse shell scheme systems often on a per exhibition basis to meet the needs of the individual exhibition.

Little attention therefore can be paid to any security cameras that might be installed as this would be too costly. Though the foyer areas might be permanently covered, there are many blind-spots in most halls during the exhibition.

The increasing number of exhibitors using their laptops on their stands without securing them means that the tradeshow arena is an adventure playground for laptop thieves - see this one stolen in under 73 seconds.

Leaving a laptop lying about on a stand (whether secured or not) of course leaves it vulnerable to damage from knocks and spillages Etc.

The benefit to an exhibitor of using a personal notebook - essentially as a piece of digital signage - is minimal in any case. It is highly unlikely that a visitor to the show will interact with it.

Can you imagine them going for the touch pad or mouse to flick to the next page in the PowerPoint show - even if you had set the page transition...?

A sterling idea would be of course to consider using a good looking slim-line touch screen kiosk (kiosk, pod, booth, info point Etc.) that has been corporately branded with the exhibiting businesses logo and preloaded with the very media that was to be shown on the laptop.

Kiosks are robust, inviting, secure, impressive, easy to use, inexpensive to hire and create a fantastic first impressive. Kiosks also help by helping the exhibitor to avoid missed conversations by quickly engaging those visitors that may otherwise just have paused briefly and then continued on their journey around the exhibition hall.

In the case of a thief - to another stand that hasn't been forward thinking enough and smart enough to hire a corporately branded touch screen kiosk.

Memorytube kiosks Limited are based in Blackburn in East Lancashire and specialise in the short and long term hire of touch screen kiosks.

Latest updates

Wow! IS that the time? It has been a while and we have been completely mowed out. With no less that a dozen wedding fayres to deal with giving over 200 demonstrations of Memorytube which, in over 95% of cases received excellent feedback. The free prize draw we have been running will be drawn on 1st January 2009 - the prize is a Memorytube for the winners event or celebration.

Whilst busy we've also had to find time to help write parts of a new 6 part fly on the wall documentary in which Memorytube will feature. PLUS we're almost complete on a brand new touch screen application/solution offering for business - watch this space for news on that.

We've developed a further arm (currently under the pseudonym of Capital-i Media though soon to change) - creating interactive page turning ePublications which ties in nicely to our business kiosk haven hire pods.

Yes it has been a very busy time - further updates soon.

Leeds Metropolitan University Virtual Tour

Leeds Metropolitan University approached Memorytube Kiosks to supply a fully branded information point to be used as a springboard platform for its Virtual Tour for its 2008 freshers week.

Branding
Branding was of particular importance; a specific requirement was that kiosk users were not so see the black surface of the kiosk. Whilst this may not sound like such a demanding requirement, it should be pointed out that there are: -

- sixty pre-drilled holes in the surface of the kiosk fascia above the touch screen,
behind which the PC speakers are mounted.
- A web cam lens cover that needed to be carefully cut out of the covering material
- A multimedia card reader which needed precision cutting around

The total covering requirement was achieved by using a magnetic laminate, skillfully finished by our signs and graphic company. The finished effect was of a superb quality and one which delighted our client.

Software
The software solution designed by the skillful team at Leeds uses 3D imagery used is stored locally on the University's web site and can be viewed here.

Duration
The shelf of the application and the kiosk is relatively short at just ten days, however during that time it is estimated that thousands will use the facility.

Win a Memorytube for your celebration worth £450!

What? You were not aware of our FREE Draw to win the FREE hire of a Memorytube worth £450?

Well now you are. What are you waiting for its FREE - and no mailing lists if you prefer it that way! Hop on over to The Memorytube Kiosks Free Draw Entry Page at http://www.memoriesproject.co.uk/freedraw.php

Those who have booked can enter too - if you are drawn as the winner (drawn independently by Lancashire Newsquest on 1st January 2009) we'll repay you any deposit paid... can't be bad!

"That's Brilliant!", "Excellent!", "Love it!"; The public LOVE Memorytube!

Two fantastic wedding fayres were attended over the last weekend; Samlesbury Hall near Preston and Mecures - The Last Drop Village Hotel in Bolton. The lovely Missy and Tubs attended the former and MD Lee Cunningham was present at the latter all there to create awareness, give hands-on demonstrations of the fabulous Memorytube Wedding and celebration 'multi media memories collection pods'!

Interest in Memorytube was huge and there were just short of 100 new entries into our fabulous FREE draw to win a Memorytube for your celebration in 2009! Each of the entries were privy to a one to one demonstration of the exciting yet easy to use interactive Memeorytube software that allows users to share images from their cameras and camera-phones as well as leaving video greetings, photos and written messages and sentiments using the on board camera and tools.

Some of the phrases heard during the demonstrations were: "Awesome!", "What a great idea!", "That's Brilliant!", "Excellent!", "Love it!", "Gotta have one at my wedding!" Etc. Etc. Etc.

Needless to say we are delighted with such responses, but that said we have been working hard with our Software developer to ensure simplicity of use and effectiveness of product.

Next stop is Bolton Wanderers Football Stadium for the Bolton News Autumn Brides Event on 28th September - See you there perhaps!

Memorytube Enters Lancashire Business Awards

We're delighted to announce that we have submitted our application to enter the 2008 Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards – now recognised as the premier event in the East Lancashire entrepreneurial calendar.

Memorytube Kiosks Ltd have entered the Technology category sponsored by BAE Systems and the event is due to climax on 14th November at an all glittering awards ceremony at Blackburn Rovers Football Ground.

Fingers crossed for us!

Memorytube Corporate Advert v1.0

The first version of the Memorytube Corporate Advert that will be included as standard on every Memorytube DVD compiled has been produced and includes excerpts from Jane and Anthony Hughes' wedding of 24th August.

The advert runs for 1:37 including flash screen and disclaimer and can be viewed below. Please allow for the reduced quality of the YouTube Player.