... PROMOTIONAL MESSAGE WARNING...
THE FOLLOWING IS AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE
OF BLATANT SELF PROMOTION
But you wanted to know what I've been up to, right? And besides, it's not a bad thing to blow your own horn if you you're making great music.
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| NO, WE DON'T SELL DIVING MASKS! |
My partner, Rick, and I introduced our software at DEMA, the Diving Equipment Manufacturers Association Show in Las Vegas from November 13-16. The show is full of people who are passionate about experiencing the underwater world. Most of them have gotten into the business of diving because they want to share their passion with others. Every single one who learned that I was not a diver immediately described at least one solution to my problem. This included my partner, Rick, who described several solutions at several different locations. All serious business trips in support of our new business associates, of course.
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| DEMA show, filling the Sand Expo |
Vivid-Pix, our product, is a $50 software application that very quickly and easily improves images taken underwater. Brightness, contrast, color balance, and sharpness are improved in a single click. It also enables some tweaking so that the user can make the improved image even more to his or her liking. This has been a well known need for many years, since most snap-shooter divers capture pictures that only a diver could love. The washed-out blue-green images prove you were there, but really aren't a good representation of the incredible world you saw below the surface. We provide an inexpensive and easy-to-use solution.
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| 4 by 10 feet is plenty if you have the right message... |
The reception we received was extremely gratifying. We went to Las Vegas with hopes that we could sign up a few dive shops and resorts so that we could begin to sell Vivid-Pix on the first of January. We were very pleased to not only exceed that goal, but to get genuine interest from the media in several parts of the world, from skilled trainers and photographers who see the need, from manufacturers and sellers of cameras and accessories, and also from websites hosting underwater images. In the words of one influential attendee after pulling Rick aside, "I think you may be onto something here."
We learned a great deal about how our product can improve, and also what we need to do to facilitate getting Vivid-Pix into the hands of divers. Our feeling, which was shared by many other attendees at the show, is that not only will our software make diver's images look much better, it will enhance the entire diving experience and encourage non-divers who see what the experience really looks like to join in on the fun! (Increasing underwater divers-ity!) Even I may need to give it a try.
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| Kaptain Leatherback |
We couldn't have been anywhere near ready to go to the show without a great deal of help from a far-flung team of great people. We have to call out the supportive patience of our wives, the fabulous software wizardry of Steve Rogers, the photographic guidance of Cathy Church, and the inspiring graphics from Bonnie Toth, the enabling presence of Kaptain Leatherback and his merry band, and the last minute heroics of our web designer, Kelly Jablonski.
And I mustn't forget our Las Vegas logistics coordinator, Ann Young, who single-handedly upgraded from a VW bug to a very slightly larger car so that Rick and Randy could perform an amazing feat of post-show car-stuffing not seen since the heyday of the Keystone Cops.
Now I suggest you visit our fabulous website. Quick like a sailfish, go view our site and see the drab original images that have been magnificently rejuvenated with our software.
