Webinars don't share flu germs

After my car troubles last Monday, I found I had a bigger problem.  I was sick.  That evening I had a fever, aches, a killer headache, and my chest was very tight.  I wasn't sure what was happening, but I knew I was tired--so I sent a quick email to a few coworkers, then slept, and slept, and slept.  On Wednesday I saw a doctor and found myself on antiviral and antibiotic medications plus an inhaler.  [Everyone keeps asking if I was diagnosed with H1N1.  Honestly, I don't know.  They're at the point where they're treating so many people who are getting sick, they don't seem be testing for it specifically.]  I'd been hearing about how we need to be prepared for H1N1 ("swine flu") and to stay home to prevent further spreading the virus, but hadn't really thought I would catch it. 

By Wednesday I was coherent enough to realize I still had an important commitment for Thursday and I was going to need to do some quick thinking to get things in place.  I was scheduled to host another entrepreneur roundtable webinar with Sramana Mitra.  I've hosted webinars from home before, but I had left the audio cables I typically use to bridge the Dimdimd meeting (computer) audio with the telephone conference call in the office (about 50 miles away.)  

As important as the webinar is, I wasn't going to risk getting everyone in the office sick by heading in, so Thursday morning required a pre-webinar training session.  I walked Steve Chazin, Dimdim's CMO, through hooking up his computer to our office phone system. You can see in the image below that Steve is the only attendee with an active microphone, even though I'm hosting.  (Thanks again Steve!) 

The webinar went pretty well, though I was ready for a nap by the time we were finished.  We had a great session with an interesting mix of entrepreneurs and some good discussion.   Here's the recording.

Today I'm still working from home and may continue to for several days--I like my coworkers and don't want to give them the flu.  [I've been hearing advice that you stop being contagious anwhere from 1-7 days after the fever clears.] 

Luckily I already have the tools and experience using them to continue my work from virtually anywhere.  If you don't yet, get ready now, just in case.  Create a Dimdim free web conferencing account if you don't have one. 

Obviously, also make sure you're  taking precautions to avoid catching the flu. I seriously thought I had, but I must not have been thorough enough.  Stay healthy, and good luck!

-k
Kevin Micalizzi, Community Manager
Dimdim Web Conferencing
e: kevin@dimdim.com
twitter: @dimdim

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