Hal Swann, InspireInc.

Beacher Hal Swann of Inspireinc.com is one of those nice guys you only expect to find in a Frank Capra film. Sort of a Jimmy Stewart character without the funny accent.

"We do end-to-end film production with flexible indie team size, for independent film makers, documentarians, and educators.

"I participate in other peoples’ teams too, when they need cinematography, camera operation, film stills, post-production coordination, editing, DVD creation, 360º VR, time-lapse and related work.

That, and unconventional photography :)"

As I rely on my csutomers to educate me, when Hal isn't bringing me new customers, he's usually educating me on some part of the Mac hagiography that I missed somewhere along the way.

VocaLinks Inc.

In May 1998, Beacher Peter Butler and Phil Huffman established VocaLinks Inc. We originally specialized in speech recognition software, particularly Dragon NaturallySpeaking, the first product to allow continuous speech dictation. It had recently evolved from the one-word-at-a-time Dragon Dictate product.

Most of their clients in those early days were doctors or computer users who had difficulty working with keyboards and mice. It didn't take very long for them to figure out that unleashing the power of speech had a very broad appeal.

Words are the building blocks of human communication, and computers have proven to be very effective tools for helping us read them and write them, whether we be doctors dictating medical reports, authors writing novels or students reading textbooks, learning the meanings of words or organizing ideas into persuasive essays.

Today, VocaLinks Inc. is a provider of tools and instruction to help people do all these things. When they help you unleash the power of speech, we are helping you to communicate with your intended audience. They are helping you to speak your ideas, to hear written words spoken aloud, to operate your computer by voice and to present your ideas to others.

Whitby Audio Video

Michael Huber of Whitby Audio Video is a friend I call upon to install high-end video and audio components for homes and business. He works with the vendors of the more popular home automation equipment.

We're on Cash Cab Tomorrow Night on Discovery Channel

Just a note to alert you to tune in to Cash Cab tomorrow night at 7pm on the Discovery Channel when I and a couple of friends take on the trivia experts to win fame and fortune. The segment includes also Jeff Barrett, the MacMedic, and Danny Lyon. It was filmed on location in the Beaches in downtown Toronto.

Meet Gary Bishop of pyrotekfx.com

Meet Gary Bishop of pyrtoketfx.com. Gary does some things some of us only dream of: he gets to play with fire. Some call it special effects, so pyrotechnics. But for Gary it's all fun.

Let him know if your planning a special event, bar mitzvah, or maybe you're divorce finally came through. He'll make it a blast.

Frank Pitsikalis Founder of ResortSuite

Frank Pitsikalis – Founder & CEO of ResortSuite

Frank Pitsikalis brings a wealth of professional and personal experience to his role as Founder & CEO of ResortSuite. He has advised Fortune 1000 companies who utilize technology at a strategic level and has worked at top international management consulting firms including, Ernst & Young, USoft (Unisys), and MERANT. Combining his knowledge of the hospitality field with his background in enterprise level technology, Frank founded ResortSuite, establishing a position as the leading provider of true integrated, guest-centric, hospitality and leisure management technology.

Frank devotedly volunteers his time to various industry associations including, The Leading Spas of Canada and The International Spa Association (ISPA) where he serves as a board of director on both boards. He was a contributing author for ISPA's Retail Management for Spas, The Art & Science of Retail, writing two chapters in the textbook. Currently he is working with The ISPA team on contribution to ISPA's Financial Management for Spas Book. Frank is an enthusiastic speaker and presents regularly at prominent industry events and forums. He can be reached at frankp@resortsuite.com.

The ResortSuite fully integrated hospitality management software provides a unique, easy to use, guest-centric offering that combines common core capabilities with rich domain expertise in every operational area. A fully integrated management software solution, ResortSuite helps you operate your property from a strong, unified base while still enjoying a complete 360o View of your entire operation and each guest's experience.

Jordan Craig and Performance Solutions

Jordan Craig and I go way, way back. In the late 1970's (yes, I'm that old) I was a young apprentice stage carpenter and lighting man for a summer theatre in Quebec's Eastern Townships working for Anne Barr, Jordan's mom. Jordan's dad, the fine classical actor David Craig was performing in the ensemble.

Jordan was handsome like his Dad, a blond-haired tall youth.

Today Jordan is owner of Performance Solutions, a special effects company specializing in unique environments for them parks, special events for feature films, and multimedia affects for art installations.

"We focus on providing unique fabrication and special effects integration solutions for the themed marketplace. Why settle for the same when your customers expect more!

"Commercial Production – Full service shop for all commercial production needs. With set construction, metal structures, special effect services, props, rigging and flying all under one roof you will save both time and money!

"Movie and Film/Video Production/Photography – our reputation is built on being a key supplier of special effects, flying, props to producers, directors and photographers worldwide. Take your shoot to the next level by using the best!

"Fire, Wind, Snow, Rain, Aerial Rigging, Props - We make your event unique by designing special effects and props and interactive that are memorable. We work with amusement parks, entertainment companies, marketing agencies, exhibit companies, theatres and TV networks. Call us when getting it right counts!"

Jordan and his Mom are still Beaches residents.