Valerie Bock, President VCB Consulting offers consulting services to small and medium-size commercial, medical, educational, and not-for-profit organizations. These services emphasize careful evaluation of organizational needs coupled with expertise in the selection and implementation of cost-effective Internet-based solutions. At VCB, we know that effective use of the Internet involves much more than posting a billboard on the World Wide Web. That's why we provide a full line of services, from market research, to hardware/software selection and configuration, through implementation and training. With extensive experience in not only the technologies of Web 2.0, but also the people and process issues which determine the success of web-based initiatives, VCB offers a clients a practical perspective on strategic use of new technology, delivered in plain English. Recent Projects: VCB provides services to Q2 Learning, LLC, creating web-based blended learning and virtual teaming environments to support corporate strategic training initiatives. VCB is one of Rheingold Associates, an organization of experts in Internet-based virtual community who specialize in bringing the benefits of knowledge management through facilitated web conferencing to corporate, educational, and not-for-profit organizations. Smithsonian American Art Virtual Campus VCB provided project management services through Rheingold Associates to this educational outreach project of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Virtual Tours of the SAAM collection were featured in this space. VCB provided project management for Panoramas, a trilateral virtual exhibition celebrating the landscape of North America, presented by the Canadian Heritage Information Network, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, The Winnipeg Art Gallery, and the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States VCB provided technical and content Support for OSN 2001, a web-based conference which took place March 28 through April 11, 2001   VCB provided strategic planning services through Rheingold Associates to the American Health Initiative. AHI is dedicated to building a sustainable platform for bringing the American people together in constructive dialogue around critical health care issues. That platform will link Internet based public dialogue with regional forums to facilitate mutual understanding and accelerate community driven decisions. An initial dialogue focus will be on secure access to basic health care services for all. VCB provided technical support, designing and implementing a wireless network for the Decatur Community Partnership, a human services organization which coordinates joint activities among human services agencies in Macon County, Illinois. VCB provided tech support and training services to the Area IV Learning Technology Hub schools for the Illinois State Board of Education's Museum In The Classroom Project. This project gave school kids the chance to work with the staffs of Illinois museums and some pretty high tech toys...Macintosh Power PC's, Quicktake digital cameras and VideoLabs FlexCams. Using Apple Quicktime VR Authoring Studio to work with, we made museum web pages come to life with QTVR panoramic and 360 degree object movies. VCB posted web pages used for training teachers and teams of K-12 students at the Area IV Museums In the Classroom Resources Page. VCB provided services to Brainstorms Consulting , which professionally designed and maintained websites for not-for-profit organizations free of charge. VCB serves as webmaster for GT World, a support community for the families of gifted and talented children. VCB gives presentations to community groups. A talk for the Prairieland Advocates for Gifted Children on the subject of "Internet for the Family" and the list of links recommended for families in that talk, can be viewed here . Having trouble with your computer crashing and freezing? Here is a piece I wrote about Preventing Computer Crashes and Freezes for the teachers and kids I work with. Consulting Services VCB brings twenty years of experience in the corporate, educational, medical, and not-for-profit arenas to guide a thorough analysis of how your organization does business. This process includes : Analysis of your current information sources and uses Analysis of your current marketing process Development of a custom internet strategy for your organization. Implementation Services VCB understands that sometimes you have to start at the very beginning. We have access to new and used hardware and accessories, as well as the latest software, and can configure a system to your specifications, or upgrade your current system. Our implementation services include: Installation of required software and hardware Acquisition of required software and hardware Selection and customization of Web applications Training Services We can provide customized, on-site training for employees at any level, from "Where's the 'on' switch?" to "I've heard I need a wiki...but is it and what the heck do I need it for?" Typical training topics can include: Optimizing Electronic Mail Building Online Community to Enhance Organizational Relationships The power of Web 2.0: when to use a blog, wiki, or discussion space. Other Projects: VCB provided market research services to Mediconsult.com, Ltd. Mediconsult operated a consumer-oriented web site with in-depth information on a wide range of health issues. The company also provided guidance to organizations in the health field as they develop strategies for defining their presence on the Internet. VCB did much of the early developmental work for DecaturNet, an attempt to bring the community network concept here to the Soybean Capital of the World. The initial Decatur Family YMCA web site on DecaturNet was designed by VCB. VCB also contributed training resources to permit the continued development of the site by Y personnel. VCB did a series of talks for the Illinois State Medical Society Alliance regarding Safety on the Internet for the concerned parent. If you'd like to see what we talked about, you can view the presentation slides from that conference. VCB supplied help-desk services to clients of Seneca Support Technologies. VCB worked with Communities In Partnership (now Decatur Community Partnership) to bring social services in Macon County into the information age with The Family Investment Project. If you have an interest in Human Services, you may want to check out our page of Human Services Links. last updated 12/13/05 by Valerie Bock .