Daily Express

Friday 6th September 1996

50 Years of IT: A lifetime

It is 50 years this year since the first computer was switched on in Australia. Some of Australia’s computer pioneers met yesterday with other interested delegates at IFIP96-and followed on with a well attended dinner.

Guest speaker and computer historian J.A.N. Lee, professor of computer science, Virginia Tech provided an insight into humour in the history of computing.

Over the page are more photos from the event. For copies of any photos please contact reception.

By coincidence it is 30 years since the founding of the Australian Computer Society. In early December there will be a celebration event in Sydney.

Today’s changes

9.45 Advanced IT Tools. Implementation of array processor cells for signal and image processing algorithms on FPGAs. To be delivered by Istvan Erenyl.

Today’s Highlights

9am. Keynote speaker, Dr Dale Spender.
9.45 World net workshop.
11am. Mobile Communications. Secure mobile applications.
11am. Advanced IT Tools. Knowledge engineering tools.
12.15. Closing Ceremony.

IT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: this morning

Professor Subhas Bhatnagar, Dr Tu Bao Ho, Dr Steve Elliot, Dr V.P Gulati, Dr Ricardo Baeza Yates, and Dr S. Bishop will explore the potential impact of emerging technologies in developing countries in a panel discussion today.

The panellists have experience in Asia and South America in the use of emerging technologies in developing countries. They will discuss their experiences and highlight the potential of IT, while also identifying the limitations of the technology.

THE FUTURE OF IFIP

As IFIP 96 draws to a close many are looking towards IFIP 98, to be held in Budapest and Vienna. This will be the first time that a world computer conference has been jointly organised by two computer societies in Central Europe.

The congress will consist of seven conferences which will provide an outlook of what IT can expect in the future. These conferences are:

Security in Information Systems.
International conference on Computers helping people with special needs.
Know Right 98.
Basic Research in IT.
IT and Knows.
Teleteaching 98.
Telecooperation.

The conference has been entitled ‘The Global Information Society on the way to the Next Millennium.

Information on the congress can be obtained from: http://www.ocg.or.at/ifip98.html or http://www.njszt.iif.hu

THE WINNERS ARE:

The lucky winners of the six Toshiba Laptops are:

Prof. Marti Tienari
Mr Nigel Keys
Dr Wolfgang Reh
Kevin Kubank
Brett Harrison
Roger Morgan

HP200LX palmtop winner:

Jorma Kamppi

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Despite an inclement start to the week delegates and exhibitors enjoyed their stay in Canberra.

When talking to delegates the word cold was often mentioned along with the adjectives such as interesting, beautiful and ‘unusually’ good.

The conference was also hailed a success by most delegates. They praised the content of the presentations and the facilities of the centre.

Most are looking forward to IFIP 98 to be held in Vienna and Budapest.

HATS OFF TO IFIP 96

ACS President, Tom Worthington models his hat for tonight’s Internet Reality Check. Ladies and Gentlemen, ACS President Tom Worthington cordially invites you to attend the Internet Reality Check at 5pm this evening for drinks, followed by dinner at 7pm.

The event will take place at the Hotel Kurrajong, National Circuit, Barton, Canberra. Please note that the Hotel Kurrajong is only a five minute taxi ride from the National Convention Centre.

This is an opportunity to join the presidents of various national and regional computer societies and Canberra’s leading Internet professionals for an enjoyable evening.

The theme for tonight’s Internet Reality Check is Hats off to IFIP 96 so please wear your favourite hat be it a beanie, beret or baseball cap.

[ps Don’t forget Tom’s workshop at 9.45am friday]

The Staff of the Daily Express would like to extend their thanks to Tom Worthington, Peter Talty and Barry Houghton for their photography throughout the duration of the Congress.