John Beagle |

SMX Seattle Me and Dave Dugdale

June 6, 2009 / By John Beagle / In Dugdale, Rental, Seattle, SEO, SMX, Sullivan / 1 Comment

SMX Seattle John and Dave Dugdale, originally uploaded by John Beagle.

Dave Dugdale helps people find homes for rent at his very popular website, RentVine. So naturally, I would want to hear about his rental SEO efforts and he would want to hear about my efforts to rent technology to businesses with my website, Rentacomputer.com.

Dave also goes by the name, “Solar Dave” making him one of my ‘greenest’ friends.

Three years ago, Danny Sullivan started SMX and this was the third year we both attended SMX Advanced in Seattle. Who want’s to miss anything Danny has to say about Advanced SEO? Not me.

Steve Markle Runs the 2009 Boston Marathon

May 1, 2009 / By John Beagle / In Boston Marathon / Leave Comment

Boston Marathon 645, originally uploaded by John Beagle.

The Boston Marathons bill’s itself as ‘The World’s Oldest Marathon.’ The 1896 Olympic marathon distance of 24.8 miles was based on the distance run, according to famous Greek legend.

The marathon distance was later changed as a result of the 1908 Olympic Games in London. That year, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandria wanted the marathon race to begin at Windsor Castle outside the city so that the Royal family could view the start. The distance between the castle and the Olympic Stadium in London proved to be 26 miles. Organizers added extra yards to the finish around a track, 385 to be exact, so the runners would finish in front of the king and queen’s royal box.

Every Olympic marathon run since the 1908 Games has been a distance of 26 miles, 385 yards.

I don’t know how he managed to do it, but my brother-in-law, Steve finished the race with a time of 3:42:50 finishing 11081 in his division. That is an average speed of 8:30 per mile. This includes heartbreak hill where many a marathoner has dropped out because it is about 2/3 into the run.

Congratulations Steve on finishing in the upper half of your division!

Here are my 659 Photos from the Boston Marathon.

Dayton Tea Party Protester

April 16, 2009 / By John Beagle / In conservatives, dayton, teaparty / Leave Comment

Dayton Tea Party Protester, originally uploaded by John Beagle.

This grandpa is the last person one would expect to protest. But here he is out protesting at the Dayton Tea Party on West 3rd and Main Streets. He was one of several thousand republicans and democrats who came together to protest against higher taxes.

Thousands of people left work early to participate on the planned national Tea Partly event taking place in nearly 1000 cities in the United States.

Conservatives, who are usually working and have little time for political nonsense, decided that they have had enough taxes and spending by this administration and this congress.

People were fired up as they stood up for themselves against the ignorance of those who want higher taxes and bigger government.

Here is a video of the event: Dayton Teaparty Video

This is the first protest I had ever attended. Everyone I spoke to also said that they have never protested before. The time has come in the first time in history, for conservatives to protest.

This ain’t no Vietnam war protest, but it is a war protest nonetheless. Perhaps this protest will be heard by those who do not know and do not care. Perhaps for once, with facts not fists, we can convince the uninformed that high taxes hurt everyone.

Here are more photos from the event.

Goodbye Julian Sandler, Business Associate and Friend

March 23, 2009 / By John Beagle / In computer rental, itra, julian sandler / Leave Comment

The computer rental industry lost a good friend last week, Julian Sandler. Julian was founder, president and CEO of SmartSource Computer and Audio Visual Rentals, formerly Rent-A-PC.

Julian was a pioneer in the computer rental industry, starting Rent-A-PC in 1984, the same year IBM introduced the IBM AT. He started one of the computer rental industry’s first companies. I started my company, Rentacomputer.com (Formerly Rent-A-Computer) 3 years later in 1987.

He grew his Rent-A-PC organization by hard work, organic growth and acquisitions. Under his leadership, the company made 16 acquisitions and currently has 22 full-service locations nationwide with more than 250 employees.

I met Julian two times at International Technology Rental Association (ITRA) meetings. Due to his illness, he was unable to attend this year’s meeting.

The last time I met Julian was in San Diego at the Coronado Island Marriot Resort. There I really got to know the wit, wisdom and charm of Julian Sandler.

Dinner Tour of San Diego Harbor

About 50 ITRA conference attendees took a Dinner cruise of the San Diego Harbor. I had the pleasure of sitting down across from Julian for dinner and speaking with him at length. You could tell he was South African, or British by his accent. He had a charming way with words. At evenings end, I was thoroughly impressed by his wit, wisdom and knowledge of the industry.

He was a gentleman who was firm in his ideas, yet diplomatic in his conversations about business, politics, economics and life. He never bragged about his education or success, yet he had much to brag about. Unbelievably, Julian had a Ph.D. degree in experimental nuclear physics! SmartSource is estimated to have done over $55 Million USD in 2008, which would put his company near or at the top of the computer rental industry.

Julian Sandler was a man of charm, optimism and grace.

Goodbye my friend. Your knowledge and wisdom will live with me, the members of the ITRA and the computer rental industry always.

Peace and goodwill be with you, your friends and your family.

MainStreetMonroe.com Night at the Red Onion

March 18, 2009 / By John Beagle / In monroe, ohio, red onion, restaurant / Leave Comment

John Beagle Guest Bartender, originally uploaded by John Beagle.

In 1998 I got this crazy idea to make a website about my little town, Monroe, Ohio. I came up with the name MainStreetMonroe.com because there indeed was a Main Street in Monroe.

Now 11 years later, Main Street Monroe and The Voice have 1000s of unique visitors every day. It is the best place to pickup the latest news and opinions about Monroe life.

The Red Onion Restaurant is owned and operated by Mark Bursley and Gary Henz. I would rate the food 5 stars. Chef Henz was formerly the chef at the Maisonette so now this place is called by some, “The Maisonette of Monroe.”

It was great to see so many Voice posters. Supper was JD Steak or Meatloaf. That’s what the Voice posters voted on . The meatloaf could feed a family of 4.

I donated my tips to Light up the Sky for the Fourth of July I made $300.00, not bad.

Thanks Mark, Gary, Jill for letting me be the guest bartender!

International Technology Rental Association Conference

February 9, 2009 / By John Beagle / In association, computer rental, conference, golf, trade show / 2 Comments

ITRA 016, originally uploaded by John Beagle.

More than 50 people from the United States, Canada and the UK attended this years ITRA conference in Orlando, Florida this year.

The event’s keynote speaker was Corbin Ball, an international technology advisor with 20 years experience running meetings. Corbin asks, “What’s happening with technology and how will it directly affect me? ”

Photo: Corbin Ball, Keynote Speaker

The answer took us down a high tech path of wikis, web 2.0, microblogging, radio frequency ID tags, virtural meetings, conference and trade shows.

Corbin’s talk left most attendees overwhelmed with new ideas and information.

The board put together an excellent conference.

ITRA Board Members are in the photo (Left to Right): Wayne Springer, John Carnahan, Dan Kallen, Steve Shatsoff, Dave Veeder, Tom Hornyak, and Dennis Pugh.

Also vendors from HP, Samsung used the custom made tradeshow displays for the latest Tablet PCs, high tech printers and Video Walls.

Some of the people in attendance included:

Abcom Computer Rentals – Sonny Goyal
ABS Computer Rentals – Erik and Erika Wainiopaa
AC Technology, Inc. – Kathy Schultz
Atiwa Computing, Inc. – Wayne and DeDe Springer
Atlantix Global Systems – Tanya Adams and Sean Hutcheson
BMS Computer Rentals – Jerry and Chris Thompson
Computer Rentals, Etc. – Cuyler Tremayne, Rhonda Simien, Milko Figueroa
Computer Rental Systems – John Carnahan
Desktop Visual Products, Inc. – Rick Frandsen
DE Systems Ltd. – Dave Dugas
Hartford Computer Rental Co. – Dan Kallen
Hire Intelligence International Ltd. – Chris Hutber
Mac Rentals – Larry Langbort
MCR Integrated Technologies – Steve and Dena Mangum
MCR Rental Solutions – Dennis Pugh and Jack Brown
Meeting Tomorrow Audio Visual – Bill Powers
Computer Rent – Dave Wood
Micro Rental Service – Tom and Carol Hornyak
MicroStar – Doug Turner
PC Consultants of SW Michigan – Dick and Juanita Kohfeldt
RentAComputer.com – John and Susan Beagle, Darcy and John Mann
Rentfusion – Amit Parekh, Rhonwyn Godwin, Radha Singh
SmartSource – Steve Shatsoff, Julian Sandler, Niraj Jain, Robert and Jennifer Kastner
Rentsys – Laura Polasek and Chad Frank
Rush Computer Rentals – Electrorent – Dennis Clark, Craig Burgi, Rojer Bishop
Smart Computer Services – Robert Lowry and Will Lowry
Technology Rentals of America – Dave Veeder
Vernon Computer Source – Anthony C. Randazzo

We had 2 digital cameras provided by Meetings Tomorrow. A video is being put together that includes a brief introduction from many of the people mentioned above.

Many ITRA members are also members of the Tech Army Organization. All ITRA members have worked with Rentacomputer.com.

I have to say it is wonderful to have friends all over the world. Also thanks to Chad Frank from Rentsys, who played golf with me at Falcons Fire golf course near the convention.

John Boehner is Following Me on Twitter

January 26, 2009 / By John Beagle / In Congressman, John Boehner, twitter / Leave Comment

John Boehner visits Monroe, originally uploaded by John Beagle.

Last Summer I had the privilege of meeting John Boehner, one of his aids snapped this photo. Today, John Boehner started following me on Twitter. You to can follow us @JohnBoehner and @JohnBeagle on Twitter.

Twitter is a free social networking tool, its the most popular micro-blogging service on the Internet. Twitter.com

Today @JohnBoehner has 2431 followers with only 269 updates.
Congressman Boehner started tweeting on April 21, 2007.

Here is his first tweet:
Have an op-ed on TownHall.com: http://tinyurl.com/ytndvb
11:55 AM Apr 21st, 2007 from web

Being a local businessman and homeowner in Mr. Boehner’s 8th Ohio District, I feel my voice is being heard in congress. That’s because Mr. Boehner is pro-business. He knows that businesses like mine are the backbone of the economy and that taxes and regulation are literally squeezing the life out of small business.

Barack Obama surely has a lead on Twitter with 144,000 followers.

With efforts from people like John Boehner, and Top Conservatives on Twitter #tCOT, TopConservativesOnTwitter.org aka #TCOC, the conservative voice will be heard. We have a lot of work to do. Currently, Brooks Bayne @BrooksBayne is the #TCOC having 20,488 followers at last count.

All told, there are very few republican congressmen on this list or on Twitter to say the least. I am calling all republican congressman to post comments on twitter. Keep your constituency informed.

(John Boehner is rated 77th on #TCOT)

Jamica Mon

January 5, 2009 / By John Beagle / In jamica, Middletown / Leave Comment

Jamica Mon, originally uploaded by John Beagle.

Last year we invited Mongolian Exchange students into our home.
More: Mongolian Music Friends

This year, our family met people from Jamica. The photo is of my son, Bobby demonstrating his knowledge of the culture, Rastafarianism*. Don’t worry, be happy.

*Some Rastafari wear their hair in an untended, uncut condition called dreadlocks. They generally believe in the Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia. He is said to be the true descendant of Solomon, and precepts are shared amongst followers as folklore.

I’m Stuck in the Middle

December 15, 2008 / By John Beagle / In AK Steel monroe ohio middletown, Suncoke / Leave Comment

I’m stuck in the middle of Monroe and Middletown. That’s me with the US flag tie and disgusted look on my face, watching our town fight itself, neighboring Middletown and the areas largest employer, AK Steel. I’m stuck because I own a business in Middletown and live in Monroe. I’m damned if I take either side of this argument.

It all started when AK Steel decided it wanted to partner with SunCoke for coke and electricity.
Discussion: SunCoke Plant – Commission Vote March 26, 2008

Since then, things have gone steadily downward. Monroe Council has obtained legal council to fight the building of what AK Steel says is necessary for its survival. Union members who live in Monroe ask why their jobs are being blocked by Council. Residents ask why SunCoke has to build their plant on the boarder with Monroe.

Either Middletown will win and many residents of my hometown will see their quality of life go down or Monroe will win and AK may close down, jobs will be lost.

Today, residents attack the local paper on this Voice Post: Middletown Journal, or is it the AK Journal?

I hope this ends soon. Either way, many people will be unhappy.

Permalink: http://www.johnbeagle.com/2008/12/im-stuck-in-middle-of-monroe-and.html

Still Renting Computers after 21 years

December 4, 2008 / By John Beagle / In computer rental, Projector Rental, training / 1 Comment

room camera shot, originally uploaded by Xponex.

People always ask me what I do for a living. When I tell them I rent computers, they usually scratch their head and ask why.

“Why would anyone ever want to rent a computer?,” they ask.

One good example is classroom computer training. Renting is far easier and cheaper than owning for off-site training. This is a wonderful environment to train staff from all over the world.

My company installs computers, networks, projectors and even the IP surveillance cameras in rooms like the one in the photo all over the world, but primarily in the US.

The computers are preloaded with the client company’s software for training. All computers are networked and have the same specification.

This is just one example, there are many other examples of the cost effective and convenience advantages of renting computer and audio visual technology.

Call me crazy, but since 1987, I have non-stop, been renting computers to businesses in the United States, Canada and now Europe.

Visit Rentacomputer.com for more information.