Local television station employee rates Mr. Noobie

Usually when I give one of my technical presentations, I'm not that nervous. But things change when one of the audience members is an expert on the subject matter you are presenting.

Such was the case last week when I gave my digital television presentation to the Southside Computer Club. In the audience was an employee of WTTV 4, a local broadcast station here in Indianapolis. This gentleman was more than familiar with the issues of transitioning from analog to digital television since he has been deep in the digital trenches over the past few months.

I tried not to think about it too much and relied on my technical ability when delivering my presentation and answering questions from other audience members. But I won't deny that I would occasionally sneak a peak in the WTTV employee's direction after answering a question to see if he was shaking his head left to right or nodding his head up and down.

My evaluation

After the presentation when everyone else had left, I noticed he was walking towards me. I knew it was time to get my in-person evaluation.

"You know all of that stuff you said about digital television tonight?", he questioned.

I sub-consciously took a step back and gingerly responded, "Yes."

He spoke again, "Well, I just want you to know..." And then he paused for what seemed like an eternity before continuing, "You were right on. You know your stuff."

No matter how good you feel about yourself, it always feels better when someone else tells you.