NZCS News

Top thought leaders at 50 Year ICT Celebration

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:20:00 +1200

The New Zealand Computer Society Inc (NZCS), the professional body of the ICT sector, today outlined some of the key presenters and thought leaders at the Society’s "50 Years of ICT Innovation" conference next month.

As a one-off conference to celebrate 50 years of ICT Innovation in New Zealand, the conference represents a significant gathering of thought leaders from throughout New Zealand and the world, hosted in Rotorua next month.

Conference Chairman Elizabeth Eastwood today said "With Minister of ICT Hon Steven Joyce opening, and opposition ICT spokesperson Clare Curran in attendance, along with a who’s who of the ICT sector presenting and participating, this will be an event like no other".

"The conference includes over 40 presentations covering a broad range of topics and interests within ICT, such as Nic Steenhout from AccessibilityNZ speaking about innovation within assistive technology, a presentation from Optimal Usability about user-centered design in relation to the Air New Zealand's new SkyCouch, Microsoft Asia Pacific's head of ICT Healthcare Gabe Rijpma, Perce Harpham, who founded Progeni Systems (New Zealand's first software company), plus legal experts speaking about legals aspects of Cloud Computing and Open Source, plus many other topics", Eastwood said.

The event also featured 8 high profile keynote speakers including:

Craig Nevill-Manning, a brilliant example of a kiwi using ICT to innovate on a global scale. After graduating from Canterbury and Waikato Universities and a successful academic career at Rutgers and Stanford Universities, Craig went on to found Google’s first remote engineering centre in Manhattan New York, where he is currently the Engineering Director.

Sam Morgan has become a household name in New Zealand since he founded Trade Me in 1999. Trade Me became New Zealand‘s largest Internet business, a title it still holds.

Ian Taylor (Ngati Kahungunu) is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading Maori innovators. After a successful TVNZ career, Ian shot to fame in 1992 by revolutionising real-time 3D graphics for the Americas Cup with Virtual Spectator, forming Taylormade Media and Animation Research Ltd (ARL).

Sam Knowles, KiwiBank’s Founding CEO and well respected corporate entrepreneur.

Ian McCrae, Founder of Orion Health, New Zealand’s largest software exporter.

Rod Drury, Founder of Xero and creator of Aftermail and Glazier Systems, which later went on to become Intergen.

Greg Lane, National Director of the Canadian Council of IT Professionals, and one of the original team to set up Clear Communications in New Zealand, Telecom’s first serious competitor.

Nat Torkington, Web 2.0 and Open Government expert.

"This conference is about innovation, and it’s about mapping out where innovation will take ICT over the next 50 years. We’re privileged to have attendees and presenters from all corners of the sector, from 3D graphics to robots, open source to proprietary, industry and academia, our history and our future. There’s something for absolutely everyone", Eastwood said.

"As well as attendees from almost every continent on Earth, people are travelling from throughout New Zealand to join the conversation. This is a one-off opportunity to be part of a superb event with a lineup never seen before in New Zealand," Eastwood concluded.

"Those interested in attending need to register at www.innovation.org.nz before the end of this month".

ENDS

About the NZ Computer Society

NZCS is the professional body of ICT Professionals, and as a non-profit incorporated society works with industry, academia, Government and the wider community to achieve its mission of increasing the education, standards and professionalism of the New Zealand ICT profession, and the base-level computing skills and confidence of New Zealanders.

Founded in 1960, 2010 marks NZCS's 50th Anniversary, celebrated by a significant conference based in Rotorua on 15-18 September 2010. More info at www.innovation.org.nz

Tackling Digital Literacy Together: A Call to the ICT Community

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:12:12 +1200

You may have heard some months ago that NZCS announced an initiative called KiwiSkills, designed to tackle digital literacy, or core computing skills, in New Zealand.

The KiwiSkills Project involves a multi-prong approach, each component designed to remove or reduce the barriers to digital literacy. However more than that, KiwiSkills is a vehicle for NZCS and the IT Profession as a whole to tackle digital literacy in our own communities throughout New Zealand.

This post is a call to action. It’s time for us all – NZCS, our members, and the wider ICT Profession to tackle digital literacy together, and today we announce a number of initiatives that we hope will make a real difference to the digital future of a great many New Zealanders.

However we need your help – please read on.

Continue reading "Tackling Digital Literacy Together: A Call to the ICT Community"

NZCS announces further tools to tackle Digital Literacy

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:08:06 +1200

Following research showing New Zealand losing $1.7 Billion per year by not sufficiently tackling digital literacy, the NZ Computer Society (NZCS), a non-profit incorporated society focused on ICT education, today announced the immediate availability of a number of additional educational tools and initiatives to help improve core computing skills in New Zealand.

The tools, released as part of the Society’s KiwiSkills Programme designed to improve digital literacy, were released today to improve the awareness and availability of digital literacy benchmarking and training options and to help New Zealanders assess their core computing skills.

Rebecca Boyce, who oversees the NZCS KiwiSkills Programme, said today "What’s clear from recent research is that the first step in tackling digital literacy in a community is to improve the awareness of benchmarking standards and the availability of training and assessment programmes such as ICDL, the International Computer Driving Licence".

"The steps announced today are designed to do just that; make these tools more accessible and available than ever before and, combined with the over $300,000 of digital literacy training and assessment NZCS is providing to charities and communities in need at no cost, will make a real difference to New Zealand," Boyce said.

The initiatives announced today include:

A free Skills Analyser on the www.kiwiskills.co.nz website, allowing New Zealanders to quickly gain an idea of their relative core computing skill level.

An up-to-date listing of where to go to tackle digital literacy in New Zealand, with details of all KiwiSkills digital literacy training and assessment providers throughout the country listed on the KiwiSkills website.

For those unable to get to a KiwiSkills Training Provider or wanting to undertake training at home, the ability to access low-cost ICDL training instantly from the KiwiSkills website.

NZCS members, numbering thousands of IT Professionals throughout New Zealand, now able to access and provide discount digital literacy training for their clients, colleagues, friends and family to help address digital literacy in their own communities.

"NZCS is focused on promoting digital literacy education for the general public and these tools and initiatives will make a genuine difference to the future of thousands of New Zealanders currently left behind by the digital divide," Boyce said.

"ICDL is the world’s most widely accepted digital literacy standard. ICDL is the only United Nations UNESCO-endorsed programme and has assisted over 10 million individuals in 149 countries and 41 languages around the world," Boyce concluded.

ENDS

Background

Earlier this year the NZ Computer Society (NZCS) commissioned research looking at the impact of not addressing digital literacy in New Zealand.

The resultant research report, completed by research consultants KnowledgeWeaversNZ on behalf of the Society, analysed the findings of research conducted throughout the world then applied the result to New Zealand’s environment to find the expected outcome of implementing similar programmes en masse in New Zealand.

In terms of improved productivity, the report conservatively projects average savings per worker in New Zealand of $1820 per annum as a direct result of improved ICT skills and confidence after implementing a digital literacy standard such as ICDL. Projected across 70% of the country’s working population, this results in a net productivity improvement of $1.7 billion per year.

In response to the findings of the report, NZCS announced the KiwiSkills Programme, a resourced core project of the Society to help tackle digital literacy in New Zealand.

The research report is available here: http://bit.ly/diglit, and more information about the KiwiSkills Programme is available at www.kiwiskills.co.nz

About the NZ Computer Society

NZCS is the professional body of ICT Professionals, and as a non-profit incorporated society works with industry, academia, Government and the wider community to achieve its mission of increasing the education, standards and professionalism of the New Zealand ICT profession, and the base-level computing skills and confidence of New Zealanders.

About ICDL

The International Computer Driving Licence, or ICDL, is the leading global digital literacy certification programme, with over 10 million participants in 148 different countries.

ICDL is vendor-neutral and is made up of 7 modules including Concepts of ICT, Using the Computer and Managing Files, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Using Databases, Presentations, and Web Browsing and Communication.

ICDL is NZQA Accredited and endorsed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and is overseen internationally by the not-for-profit ECDL Foundation and in New Zealand by the non-profit New Zealand Computer Society (NZCS).

IT Professionalism Crosses Boundaries

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:43:35 +1200

The breadth of ITCP, New Zealand's professional accreditation in IT, has been highlighted by the Certification being awarded to an IT specialist lawyer, Rick Shera, a partner at Lowndes Jordan in Auckland.

Shera is the first IT lawyer to gain the well respected ITCP certification from the New Zealand Computer Society (NZCS) and joins hundreds of other ICT Professionals to be accredited with ITCP.

Paul Matthews, Chief Executive of NZCS today said "ITCP is a professional certification, much like that which exists in most other professions. It is one of several initiatives undertaken by NZCS and the industry to mature ICT into a true profession”.

“The take up of ITCP has been fantastic and has exceeded our expectations. It is now recognised as a must have qualification for senior practitioners in the New Zealand ICT space and, because it relies on internationally accepted standards, is also an excellent entrée into overseas markets", Matthews said.

Asked why he had decided to become certified Shera said “For me it’s a tangible recognition of the fact that ICT law is multidisciplinary. I could not practice in this area without a detailed knowledge of the internet, computing and telco industries themselves so it is good to have that recognised. The application process itself was thorough and makes me even more thrilled to have achieved what I see as a very valuable certification.”

“The accreditation of ‘periphery’ IT practitioners such as IT lawyers and others is certainly not a given,” Matthews continued. “Mr Shera received ITCP because he could demonstrate a thorough understanding of the concepts and knowledge that underpins ICT, the proven ability to apply that knowledge in his area with positive results, an appreciation of what it means to be an ICT Professional, and a willingness to practice in accordance with the Code of Professional Conduct”.

“ITCP is an independent accreditation for those serious about practicing as a professional in the wider ICT sector”, Matthews concluded. “The definition of what makes an IT Professional is certainly broad, however the fundamental principles apply across the board. We’re delighted that Rick has worked through the comprehensive assessment process and emerged with ITCP”.

ENDS

NZCS Newsline: Charities, Patents, Education & Standards...

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:58:12 +1200

Newsline is NZCS's regular newsletter, outlining some of the latest happenings in the Society.

In This Issue

Introduction from the CEO: With Charitable Intentions

FREE Audio Podcasts of previous NZCS Events

IMPORTANT: New Constitution and Code of Professional Conduct

Latest on Software Patents - Minister's Announcement

NZCS ICT Mentoring Programme Launches

NZCS is all a-Twitter

KiwiSkills - What's it all about?

ICT Standards Fund: over $30,000 for ICT Standards work thus far

LinkedIn Group for NZCS Members and ITCP Recipients

NZCS 50th Anniversary Conference - D-DAY APPROACHING!

You can view this month's edition here.

Dunedin Digital Strategy: NZCS Submission

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:20:01 +1200

Dunedin is currently in the process of putting together a formal Strategy to coordinate digital development in the region. As with NZ's Digital Strategy and that of other regions, we've analysed the draft and made a submission.

As an ex-Dunedinite myself, I must admit to being pretty excited the city is starting to understand the real potential of both a digitally enabled population, and an environment fostering innovation and entrepreneurial success. Due to it's isolation and pipeline of talent from the city's two tertiary institutions, Dunedin provides the perfect environment for this.

We were also very pleasantly surprised by the content, and the city's understanding of the need for education and skills to formulate a core focus of the Strategy.

You can find out more about the Dunedin Digital Strategy here.

NZCS's submission is available here.

It's official: Software will be unpatentable in NZ

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:52:26 +1200

Despite what appears to be a big-budget lobbying effort by the pro-patent fraternity, Hon Simon Power announced today that he wouldn't be modifying the proposed Patents Bill hence software will be unpatentable once the Bill passes into law.

This is significant. As we've previously pointed out software patents aren't black and white, and there are certainly pros and cons. However on balance, we believe they represent a far greater risk to smaller NZ-based software providers than opportunity, and there are many cases where they have significantly stifled innovation.

We believe it's near impossible for software to be developed without breaching some of the hundreds of thousands of software patents awarded around the world, hence many software companies in New Zealand, creating outstanding and innovative software, live a constant risk that their entire business will be wound up overnight due to litigious action by a patent holder.

This has led to many a "patent troll" company, primarily in the US. These are non-software companies who exist only to buy up old patents with the sole intention of suing innovative software companies for apparent breach of these patents. The effects of this have been chilling.

Make no mistake, the intellectual property contained in software should be protected. However Copyright provides significant protection, as per other similar activities. The very nature of software should preclude it from patentability in our view.

The case against software patents has been laid out well by companies such as Orion Healthcare and Jade Corporation, probably the two largest software exporters in New Zealand by far.

Orion's Ian McCrae recently stated:

Obvious things are getting patented. You might see a logical enhancement to your software, but you can’t do it because someone else has a patent. It gets in the way of innovation.

If an inventor has a really original and outstanding idea, then a patent might be merited. But, in general, software patents are counter-productive and are often used obstructively.

We are a software company. Our best protection is to innovate and innovate fast.

Jade sent me this note in support of NZCS's position on software patents:

Jade Software Corporation does not support patents related to software.

Reflecting this position we withdrew from applying for patents a number of years ago.

We believe the patent process is onerous, not suited to the software industry, and challenges our investment in innovation.

As I understand it, Orion and Jade together represent around 50% of New Zealand's software exports, so the fact that they have come out so strongly against is significant.

There's a good reason these companies and most other NZ-based software companies don't support software patents. The risk they pose to genuine, innovative and hard working New Zealand software companies is simply too great.

We believe this is a win for innovative New Zealand software companies who will now have a reduced, albeit still present, risk when creating innovative software.

Interestingly, the Bilski case, a major case looking at patentability of business processes and by extension software patents, was settled in the US in the last week or so as well. At first this seemed to not have dealt with the issue or settled the case of whether business processes or especially software should be patentable in the US, however there are some interesting developments since that may mean this isn't the case after all.

For instance, according to Groklaw, the first of a huge backlog of software patent applications in the US system has been rejected due to Bilski, with the ruling that "The unpatentability of abstract ideas was confirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court in Bilski v. Kappos". On the face of it, this would appear to have the effect of canning pure software patents in the US, which is massively significant.

It will be interesting to see how this one develops.

The matter isn't over yet in New Zealand, of course. The next issue will be in ensuring that the guidelines to be developed protecting embedded systems (ie non-abstract inventions with a software component) are strong enough to remove the possibility of software patents by stealth, and NZCS will maintain a very close watching brief on this.

All in all, however, we believe this is great news for software innovation in New Zealand.

Congrats to NZCS Fellow Gillian Reid, QSM

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 15:42:09 +1200

A special congratulations to NZCS Fellow and Past President Dr Gillian Reid, awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to the community in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

In recent years Gillian has been a driving force for the adoption of ICT in elderly care, and is currently Deputy Chair of the Selwyn Foundation Board. Before this Gillian traversed both the academic world and industry, being head of IT at Sky City (amongst many other roles), as well as Head of Computing at what was then AIT (now AUT).

Gillian was the first female President of NZCS and was New Zealand representative to the South East Asian Regional Computer Confederation (SEARCC) for many years. She is also a Fellow and holds the Society's ITCP Certification.

Gillian will be speaking at the upcoming NZCS conference in September outlining the work Selwyn is doing in conjunction with Auckland University and others to revolutionalise elderly care in NZ through robotics.

Paul Reynolds, RIP

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Mon, 24 May 2010 00:22:18 +1200

The NZCS community is very saddened to hear of the passing of McGovern's Paul Reynolds (@littlehigh on Twitter) of undiagnosed leukaemia.

Paul was a very well known ICT commentator and thought leader and a real driving force in areas such as creative thinking, libraries, and digital literacy in New Zealand.

Paul was a deep thinker and never afraid to share his views.

Earlier this month Paul completed a National ICT Series speaking circuit, presenting to NZCS audiences in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton and Dunedin. His views on open data and other related concepts were warmly received, and the fact Paul was happy to take time out of his busy life to present was indicative of his passion for ICT.

Paul will be sorely missed, and our condolences to his family and very wide circle of friends.

ICT Profession Supports Removal of Software Patents, says NZCS

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 12:47:56 +1200

The New Zealand Computer Society (NZCS), NZ’s independent professional body representing thousands of ICT professionals, today announced strong support for the Commerce Select Committee’s recommendation to remove patentability of software.

Following the Commerce Select Committee’s recommendation to the Government to remove software from the Patents Act, the Society polled its members (representing ICT professionals throughout New Zealand), and found that 81% of those that had a view supported the recommendation to remove Software from the Patents Act.

NZCS Chief Executive Paul Matthews said today that “This is a big issue for the ICT sector. And whilst not scientific, this poll clearly backs up previous consultation showing widespread support from the ICT sector for the removal of software patents”.

“There are a number of reasons for and against software patents, however on balance the Society, and indeed the majority of the ICT profession, believes they are harmful to the innovation of the ICT sector and New Zealand as a whole”, Matthews said.

The Society is constitutionally required to consider issues of importance to the sector and advise Government on areas of concern and hence has written to Commerce Minister Hon Simon Power outlining some of the reasons for supporting the Select Committee’s recommendations.

A copy of this letter is available here: http://tinyurl.com/nzcs-swp

“The Society strongly supports the concept of Intellectual Property and Copyright, and the right to protect property and gain commercial advantage from the creation and sale of software”, Matthews said. “However this has to be weighed against the significant damage software patents cause innovation and the far more appropriate protection provided under Copyright law”.

Conceptually, patents protect concepts or an idea whereas Copyright protects manifestation of an idea. Given the nature of software and the fact that it is built upon large layers of prior work, Patents have caused significant problems in the digital world and are unsuited to software.

“Protecting software is important” Matthews said, “in the same way that protecting movies, books and songs is important. However these all rely successfully on Copyright law, rather than Patent law, for protection. It would be ludicrous to allow patents in these areas, just as it’s illogical to allow software patents”.

“As pointed out by IP law firm Chapman Tripp recently in a release supporting patents, New Zealand is suffering from sustained and alarming Multi-Factor Productivity decline, a measure of technological innovation”, Matthews said. “However the Society sees this as actually another indication of the fact that allowing software to be patented hasn’t worked in New Zealand, hence a new approach is needed to address this issue”.

The Society also pointed out that it was not possible to run a patent system for some and an “opt-out” for others, as recently suggested, as all would be bound by the monopoly patents provided. “It’s like saying each villager can decide whether or not to pollute the village pond. Fact is, they all have to drink from it”.

“This is a complex issues, however the Society commends the Commerce Select Committee on giving serious consideration to this issue and making a recommendation based on the best interests of the New Zealand’s ICT sector and New Zealand as a whole”, Matthews concluded.

ENDS

Results of Quick Poll on Software Patents

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:29:23 +1200

As NZCS members will know, we conducted a "quick poll" survey of members on the issue of Software Patents last week, given the Commerce Select Committee recommended their removal from the Patents Act.

In the interests of transparency we're releasing the results of this poll. Note that this was NOT scientific and we don't claim it was. It was a quick poll to ascertain whether, in general, our members supported the Select Committee's position.

One thing which is very clear is that there are very good reasons for and against patentability of software. The only appropriate view is one based on balancing these pros and cons, and we've considered all points very carefully before arriving at our position.

The poll of members found that 96% of those with a view felt the Society should take a position on this, and 81% of those with a view supported the position the Society has taken. Even though this was not a scientific poll, this was a somewhat conclusive result and provides a strong indication of support for the Society taking a position supporting the Commerce Select Committee's recommendations.

We do appreciate, however, that not everyone agrees with this position of course, and we're continuing to engage with all parties with diverging views. As with everything, we consider all feedback for or against when forming our positions on matters of interest to the ICT community.

Following this clear direction and given our constitutional requirement to advise Government on matters of concern to the ICT community, we've written to Hon Simon Power, Minister of Commerce, to express our support for the Select Committee recommendation.

From the comments provided in the poll it would seem that most had a good grasp of many of the issues for or against, however we do feel that further debate and discussion is necessary. Hence we'll be providing for a member on each side of the debate to put across their views in an upcoming Newsline (the Society's newsletter), plus providing a forum for further debate amongst the ICT community. We're also considering organising a panel debate on this issue - more details shortly.

Anyway, you can view the full results from the poll here.

NZCS on Software Patents

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:43:07 +1200

NZCS today sent a letter to Hon Simon Power, Minister of Commerce, in support of the removal of patentability of software in the Patents Act.

The Society acknowledges this is a complex issue with many reasons for and against patentability of software. However on balance, it is in New Zealand's best interests for software to be covered through the provisions of copyright in the same way movies and books are, rather than through the patent system which has significant problems.

We also appreciate there is a divergence of views in the sector, however we believe this step is widely supported. For example, a quick poll of members shows around 97% support for NZCS taking a stand, and approximately 80% in favour of us supporting the Commerce Select Committee's recommendation that software patents be removed.

The letter to Hon Simon Power is here.

NZCS Newsline: Reflecting on 50 Years, Ada Lovelace, Support for ICT Standards, and more...

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:24:28 +1300

The latest NZCS Newsline has just been released, covering a selection of the latest happenings from NZCS.

In This Issue:

Introduction from the CEO: Reflecting on 50 Years
FREE Audio Podcasts of previous NZCS Events
Ada Lovelace Day
NZCS National Events Series
National Series: Sponsorship Opportunity
NZCS is all a-Twitter
NZCS established ICT Standards Fund
KiwiSkills: Digital Literacy Programme launching soon
ITCP Certification - Next batch closing next Friday
LinkedIn Group for NZCS Members
Wellington Girl Geek Dinners
Business Analyst Masterclass: 10% Discount for NZCS Members
AusCERT: Up to 25% Discount for NZCS Members
NZ CIO Summit: 10% Discount for NZCS Members
NZCS 50th Anniversary Conference

You can view the latest Newsline here.

Digital Literacy Productivity Gain Valued at $1.7 Billion Per Year

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:23:23 +1300

A research report released today by the New Zealand Computer Society Inc (NZCS) found that tackling digital literacy and core computing skills formally, via en masse implementation of a digital literacy standard, would increase New Zealand’s productivity by $1.7 Billion per year.

The report, completed by research consultants KnowledgeWeaversNZ on behalf of the Society, analysed the findings of research conducted throughout the world then applied the result to New Zealand’s environment to find the expected outcome of implementing similar programmes en masse in New Zealand.

“The research analysed the findings of Digital Literacy-based research and case studies from around the world and found a number of common themes”, NZCS Chief Executive Paul Matthews said today. “The report focused on both the economic benefit to the country and companies of digital literacy via formal digital literacy standards, as well as the life-changing effect digital literacy has on disadvantaged and marginalised groups”.

“In terms of improved productivity, the report conservatively projects average savings per worker in New Zealand of $1820 per annum as a direct result of improved ICT skills and confidence after implementing a digital literacy standard. Projected across 70% of the country’s working population, this results in a net productivity improvement across New Zealand of $1.7 billion per year,” Matthews said.

“It was interesting to find that there was also a gain in productivity amongst those very familiar with the use of computers working through a formal programme such as the International Computer Driving License”, Matthews continued. “It’s a case of people not knowing what they don’t know – the gaps in knowledge and skills, large and small, making a clear difference to workplace and community productivity”.

“This research is groundbreaking”, Matthews said. “Not just because of the size of the productivity gap digital literacy can fill, but the clear line drawn between actual results achieved in various studies around the world and what is achievable in New Zealand. This isn’t pie in the sky stuff – this is real results and a real outcome to move New Zealand forward”.

The research also supported the Society’s view that the International Computer Driving License, or ICDL, was the most appropriate digital literacy standard for use en masse in New Zealand. “ICDL is used in 148 countries around the world and with over 9 million participants has helped more people than every other recognised international literacy standard programme combined”, Matthews said.

The Society, as a registered Charitable organisation, supports all digital literacy programmes and efforts but endorses and oversees the ICDL programme in New Zealand on behalf of the ECDL Foundation, a global non-profit organisation focusing on lifting digital skills around the world.

The report also investigated the effect of digital literacy on marginalised and disadvantaged groups and concluded that digital literacy is now an essential life skill and the right of every NZ citizen. The ability to utilise technology greatly increases marginalised groups’ ability to participate.

A copy of the full report can be downloaded at http://bit.ly/diglit

ENDS

AUT NZCS Cup Winner, 2009

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:07:12 +1300

Announced in December, 2009's winner of the AUT NZCS Cup is Rob Fallwell.

The New Zealand Computer Society has a very strong relationship with AUT's School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, and sponsors the AUT NZCS Cup for the top Bachelor of Computer & Information Sciences graduate for 2009.

Most of the School's academic staff are members of the Society, and AUT is an NZCS Education Partner. Several staff members and former students have been on the Auckland branch Committee, and AUT has by far the largest NZCS student membership in the country with over 100 members.

Rob started his study in the Diploma in IT, and has worked towards the BCIS degree, improving his grades as he went. This year his record shows a collection of straight A & A+ grades. He is currently taking a break from all study and work commitments until the end of January, relaxing mainly in Taupo. Once he gets back, he's interested in entering the Games Development industry, although he may consider some postgraduate study.

NZCS continues to recognise the best upcoming ICT talent in the country, and congratulates Rob's excellent achievement.

(Image is of Rob being awarded the NZCS Cup by NZCS's Gordon Grimsey).

NZCS Newsline Christmas Special: The Year of the IT Professional

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:31:17 +1300

NZCS have just released a Christmas Roundup edition of NZCS Newsline (24/12/2009).

In this edition we're pausing to review the key projects for the year, as well as looking forward to the particularly exciting work programme for 2010!

In This Issue

Introduction from the CEO
FREE Audio Podcasts of previous NZCS Events
2009: A Significant Year for ICT in NZ
And 2010: Plenty more to come!
NZCS is all a-Twitter
LinkedIn Group for NZCS Members
NZCS 2010 Conference - Call for Papers
IFIP WCC2010 - Call for Papers
NZCS 50th Anniversary Conference, 16-18 September 2010
"Free Software" IT Vendor Capability Survey

You can view the full Newsline here.

Progress Update on Secondary Education in ICT

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:51:03 +1300

NZCS has released a short update on progress towards identifying and resolving the numerous issues related to ICT education in secondary schools.

You can download and view the update here:

200912 NZCS Schools Update.pdf

Special Edition of NZCS Newsline Released

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:15:40 +1300

A special edition of NZCS Newsline is now available.

This edition is focusing on the introduction of a new Code of Practice, changes to the NZCS Bylaws, a proposed new Code of Professional Conduct, NZCS Gold Partner Accreditation for companies, plus other new NZCS initiatives.

In This Issue

Introduction from the CEO

FREE Audio Podcasts of previous NZCS Events

New! NZCS releases IT Code of Practice

Proposed Code of Professional Conduct

Significant NZCS Bylaw changes

New NZCS Governance Boards

NZCS is all a-Twitter

Coming Soon: NZCS Accredited Gold Partners

ITCP Certification - Only 2 weeks left for FastTrack!

Sneak Peek: KiwiSkills - Want to help solve digital literacy in NZ?

LinkedIn Group for NZCS Members

NZCS 2010 Conference - Call for Papers

IFIP WCC2010 - Call for Papers

NZCS 50th Anniversary Conference, 16-18 September 2010

"Free Software" IT Vendor Capability Survey

You can view this edition of Newsline here.

NZCS Releases IT Code of Practice

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:09:59 +1300

NZCS are very proud to release the new IT Code of Practice for New Zealand, a guideline to good practice in IT.

The Code of Practice will be heavily promoted as a base guideline of practice for IT professionals, organisations, and in fact anyone involved in the delivery of IT services in our country.

The Code covers key practices common to all disciplines within IT (such as conflicts of interest, competency, methods and tools, workload and representation), as well as key practices around project and relationship management, security, change management and others specific areas. There's also a section on Education and Research, as well as business-related IT practice.

The Code, which has been put together by a team led by Deputy President David Cowman over the last 6 months, also draws on the work of our international partners combined with material that is specific to New Zealand's environment.

NZCS strongly recommends that all those involved in IT study the Code of Practice and adopt the principles contained throughout their organisation. The code will be made available to all of New Zealand and, whilst NZCS members should be exemplars of the Code, all those working within IT should consider it.

Additionally, the Code may be used free of charge (with suitable attribution) by our Educational Partners in the development of tertiary courses - this stuff is important and we strongly encourage the tertiary community to use the Code to help embed a culture of professional practice in the IT professionals of the future.

Computerworld have also reported on the Code of Practice in this article.

Download the new NZCS Code of Practice document now.

Latest NZCS Newsline Released

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:58:37 +1300

The latest NZCS Newsline (the Society's regular newsletter) is hot off the press.

In This Issue

Introduction from the CEO
Welcome to new Staff Member - Erin Connolly
FREE Audio Podcasts of previous NZCS Events
NZCS 2010 Conference - Call for Papers
IFIP WCC2010 - Call for Papers
Announcing new 2010 Conference Keynote: Ian Taylor
ITCP Certification - Only 6 weeks left for FastTrack
NZCS is all a-Twitter
From the Blog: ACTA - What is it, and why does it matter?
IT Brief Columns
LinkedIn Group for NZCS Members
NZCS 50th Anniversary Conference, 16-18 September 2010

You can view the Newsline here.

Best Practice is a Myth (IT Brief, Nov 09)

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:35:50 +1300

NZCS CEO Paul Matthews started writing a column for IT Brief Magazine this year and we'll be popping the column up on the NZCS blog a few weeks after going to print each month.

IT Brief is part of the TechDay group - check it out at www.techday.co.nz/itbrief

November's column is about so-called "Best Practice", how we should instead embrace the concept of "Good Practice", and how this need not stifle innovation.

View November's Column

(Reproduced with permission of Action Media Ltd, all rights reserved)

ACTA Agreement - what's it all about?

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:55:15 +1300

Some may have heard about the ACTA negotiations that have been occurring for most of this year.

ACTA stands for "Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement", and is a treaty currently being negotiated in private by a number of governments including our own.

The concept behind the treaty is sound - an attempt to standardise copyright and intellectual property law across multiple countries. That in itself is a good thing. However what is starting to cause some concern is what this actually means.

Firstly, however, I just want to point out that NZCS has consistently and repeatedly stated support for the concept of Copyright. Whilst some groups oppose the mere concept of limiting the ability to take someone else's work and gain from it, NZCS believes the concept of Copyright and Intellectual Property is solid - artists and creators should have the right to protect their work.

However that right should be balanced with the right of individuals and organisations to have unfettered access to the massive informational resources and services of the Internet.

Continue reading "ACTA Agreement - what's it all about?"

Announcing: 50 Years of ICT Innovation - 2010 NZCS Conference

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:18:00 +1300

NZCS is proud to announce a conference like no other - a celebration of 50 years of Computing and ICT innovation in New Zealand.

We're bringing the entire IT sector together to simultaneously look back and celebrate the journey of the IT profession over the last 50 years, as well as to look forward to the innovations within and from our sector to come.

ICT shapes society, and this event will be both a celebration of the achievements within and with ICT, and a hugely powerful educational event focused on building IT innovation and entrepreneurialism in the future.

The 50th Anniversary Conference will be held in Rotorua on 16-18 September 2010. This is the computing and technology event in 2010.

We also invite you to read the Conference Introduction from Elizabeth Eastwood, Chairman of the Conference Organising Committee.

Full details at www.innovation.org.nz

Continue reading "Announcing: 50 Years of ICT Innovation - 2010 NZCS Conference"

The horse of Troy (IT Brief, Oct 09)

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:30:24 +1300

NZCS CEO Paul Matthews started writing a column for IT Brief Magazine this year and we'll be popping the column up on the NZCS blog a few weeks after going to print each month.

IT Brief is part of the TechDay group - check it out at www.techday.co.nz/itbrief

October's column is about IT security, and the need to embed it firmly in the DNA of the organisation and all staff - technical and otherwise.

View October's Column

(Reproduced with permission of Action Media Ltd, all rights reserved)

Preparing for a Brighter Future (IT Brief, Sept 09)

nospam@example.com (Paul Matthews) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:30:10 +1300

NZCS CEO Paul Matthews started writing a column for IT Brief Magazine this year and we'll be popping the column up on the NZCS blog a few weeks after going to print each month.

IT Brief is part of the TechDay group - check it out at www.techday.co.nz/itbrief

September's column is about IT and especially IT Training, and the huge mistake some organisations are making in the name of a recession.

View September's Column

(Reproduced with permission of Action Media Ltd, all rights reserved)