Hi from Charlotte

I originally wrote this note in a word document, in preparation for the launch of our blog, and MSWord underlined the word blog as a misspelling. Now, we all know MSWord is not the last word on spelling, but blogs and blogging are hardly new any more! Yet here we are launching a blog in 2008. For a profession deeply involved in all manner of information technology it seems an event to be quietly sclathed into being without drawing any attention to it at all. But to do so would undermine the purpose of this blog – which is to provide a space for local LIANZA members to keep informed about events, news, ideas, and hold conversations.

So, am I a little embarrassed about the late arrival of a blog into our midst? Not at all. I am really pleased to be welcoming all members and any other interested people to our blog, and I am thrilled we can offer this facility. Like many new events, the blog has been championed by a couple of keen and able members who are on the regional committee –Fiona Rigby and Sam Searle.

Thinking about the launch of our blog, I paused to reflect on the many and varied IT capabilities we have at our disposal – each with it’s own set of stunning features and each presenting a new set of learning needs for hopeful users. The idea of publishing news and views so they are visible to the whole world is still a concept that causes me to pause, but it’s the ‘how-to’ that often leaves a good idea that little bit out of reach. We used to say that the only help you needed to install the new VCR was the teenager from next door. Fortunately, signing up to web accounts is now second nature – it’s remembering the passwords that catches me out!

I hope all readers will feel free to ask a question and post comments, and I would like to reiterate our invitation to join the bloggers. Watch out for new events coming up too. June's event is a cocktail party. In the meantime, we welcome your participation however you join in, and look forward to getting to know more of you.

Naku noa, na
Charlotte