Looking to get ahead this year?

Introducing 80 new IT workshops/courses across NZ

Following on from the phenomenal success of the NZCS Introductory Workshops and Courses in 2011, NZCS is very proud to announce new affordable and practical introductory workshops across New Zealand covering a range of IT topics.

Workshops from just $200+GST. These workshops will sell out fast. More info including dates.

Web Security Strategies for Developers These days websites are under constant attack and it's easy for a developer or administrator to make seemingly minor mistakes that have catastrophic consequences. This half-day workshop will lead you through some of the more common attacks and teach you how to design, build and manage more secure websites. More info Your trainer Andy Prow is Managing Director of security specialist Aura Software Security, one of the country's leading intrusion detection and general security specialists.

 

Project Management: Intro and Practice This full-day workshop will provide an introduction to the profession of project management and an overview of it's terminology, practices and techniques, plus practical steps to running successful projects. Perfect for anyone looking to change career or for anyone being asked to manage small projects. More info Your trainer Colin Ellis (known as "the PMO guy") has around 15 years experience managing project and programmes in the UK an New Zealand.

 

Introduction to ICT Skills Mapping The workshop will bring attendees to a common level of knowledge in the use of skills frameworks such as SFIA, the Skills Framework for the Information Age then show the value of using such a framework to construct job descriptions and role profiles to allow more focused and effective resource allocation and development of career pathways. More information on this workshop, including dates, will be available soon.

     

IT Governance Fundamentals IT Governance is focused on the leadership, structures and processes that ensure that an organisation's IT sustains and extends the overall organisation's strategies and objectives. This workshop introduces the fundamentals of IT Governance, its relationship with Corporate Governance and its relevance in developing and sustaining organisations in the private and public sector. More info Your trainer Murray Wills (known as "The Virtual CIO") has extensive hands on experience as a consultant / advisor to government agencies and private sector organisations where he advises Boards, CEO's and CIO's in IT Governance.

  

Business Analysis for Professionals What is Business Analysis? What are the processes and concepts involved and how do you move into this area? This half-day introductory course on Business Analysis provides a high level awareness of Business Analysis. Attention is given to key concepts, terminology, discipline areas, and primary activities involved in this crucial discipline. More info Your trainer John Barris is the Business Analysis Practice Director for Equinox IT. John has extensive experience in all aspects of business analysis, business architecture and BA team management.

 

Introduction to Software Testing Testing is a vital discipline to ensure that software applications and IT systems meet identified requirements and work to an acceptable standard. Covering the fundamental principles of testing, processes, mindset, terminology and activities, this workshop is a high level overview of testing for both people new to testing or those needing an awareness of the topic. More info Your trainer Neil Gray has extensive experience in testing, performance testing, and test management.

 

Strategically Managing the IT Service Lifecycle This interactive seminar is designed to provide you with an understanding of the importance of the strategic role of ITIL together with other governance frameworks to facilitate strategic decision making and investment in services and in order to transform from a technology service provider to a business service provider. More info Your trainer Debra Brooking is a qualified ITIL Expert and an ITIL Infrastructure Manager. She has extensive experience across a number of fields including Service Desk, Incident Management, Operations Management, Vendor Management, Financial Management, Change Management, Configuration Management and Outsourcing.

 

Introduction to Search Engine Optimisation This full-day workshop led by one of the SEO industry's most prominent trainers will show you step-by-step how to optimise your or your clients' web sites to get noticed by Google and other engines. The workshop component will also include live site analysis of the web sites of some attendees during the day. More info Your trainer Kalena Jordan is well known and respected in the search industry. Kalena has been marketing web sites online since 1996 and blogging about search since 2002.

 

Developing software the Agile way Agile software development with its focus on delivery of working software, intense collaboration and rapid feedback can deliver better results. This workshop provides an overview of the values and principles that underpin Agile methods and common terminology and practices. More info Your trainer Anthony Boobier has over 15 years experience of working within the IT industry, the last 8 have been focused on Agile software development. Anthony is a founding member of Agile Professionals Network.

More information including dates

These workshops are affordable (from $200+GST), available to members and non-members alike and practical - taught by some of the country's top experts who have live and breathe their topic of specialty.

These are NZCS Workshops, meaning we've assembled some of the top experts in each area to teach about their chosen specialty - those with real-world practical experience combined with a proven training background.

Again, you'll need to get in super-fast - many of these workshops will sell out very soon.

- The NZCS Events Team

NZCS has released the latest NZCS Newsline.

In This Issue:

• Ben Smith: Engaging tomorrow's IT Professionals in schools
• Juha Saarinen: Hang up, now.
• Jenna Pitcher: Game over for Australia - and NZ?
• Buddle Findlay : ICT Legal update: Cloud, SOPA, Govt Cloud and more
• ICT around town: All the latest ICT-related events in your area

You can view the NZCS Newsline here.

Hi ,

Are you keen to make a difference to the ICT community in your area?

It gives me great pleasure to officially call for nominations for the Society's Branch Committees and Officers and National Councillors, with nominations being received from now.

If 2012 is the year you want to make a difference to the ICT community in your area, or you know someone else that does, this is your chance - don't let it slip by.

Please see "How to Nominate" below for nomination details 

What are Branch Committees?

The NZCS Branch Committees are the lifeblood of local representation of the ICT Profession and we need the best people involved.

The role of Branch Committees is diverse including such things as:

• Representing NZCS and the ICT Profession to local industry and others, and being the local liaison to the Society
• Coordinating and assisting with local NZCS events
• Promoting and advancing Society activities and initiatives
• Raising awareness of NZCS as an organisation - who we are and what we do  

In short, the Branch Committees are the "go-to" people on the ground across the country and the front line for the Society and ICT Profession. Good committees are made up of a strong mix of people including those well connected to different communities, those with drive, those with good organisational skills, and those keen to pull up sleeves and put a little effort into something they believe in.

Time commitments aren't strenuous for most roles - in most cases just a couple of hours a month plus helping out at NZCS events, with Branch Officers (especially Chairs and National Councillors) putting in a little more. Volunteering on Branch Committees is a great way to "give a little back" to the sector, and looks great on your CV.

You can find out more about the role of Branch Committees in this document [PDF].

 

Who is Eligible?

According to the NZCS Constitution and Bylaws:

• ALL members of all grades may nominate individuals for Branch Committees and National Council
• Only Professional Members (Associate Member, Full Member, Fellow) and Honorary Fellows may be nominated to Branch Committees
• Only Full Members, Fellows and Honorary Fellows may be nominated to be National Councillors
• Only Professional Members (Associate Member, Full Member, Fellow) may vote in elections

The NZCS Member Register shows your member type as: .

Note that eligibility for membership grades is outlined here. It is free to apply to change membership grades, and NZCS will endeavour to process any changes promptly where necessary for an individual to stand for a position.

 

The Process

The Nomination process is simple:

1. Any eligible member may be nominated to their Branch Committee or for the National Councillor role (see "How to Nominate" below)
2. The Society Secretary (Paul Matthews, CEO) will contact nominated members to ascertain eligibility, willingness, and give them an opportunity to put forward a brief statement (bio) and photo if they so wish
3. Assuming more nominations than positions, an electronic vote will take place with all eligible members (see above) given the opportunity to vote in their area
4. The voting period will close, and results will be scrutinised
5. The result will be declared at Branch AGMs around New Zealand

Members may also stand in "tickets" - see below.

Note that this has substantially changed from the process prior to 2011. All voting is now conducted electronically PRIOR to the AGM.

 

How to Nominate

Nominations should:

• Be made via email to nominations@nzcs.org.nz
• Include the name of the person being nominated
• Include the position they are being nominated to (Branch Committee Member and/or National Councillor)
• Include the Branch Committee (ie area) being nominated to
• Be received on or before Midnight, Tuesday 28 February 2012

Please nominate early. While nominations are open until the 28th, we ask that you nominate individuals as early as possible to allow those nominated the maximum amount of time to prepare their Statement.

Following Nomination, NZCS will contact those nominated directly to seek confirmation of their willingness to be nominated plus other information.

Members may nominate themselves or others, and nominations do not need to be seconded (all nominations will technically be seconded by the Secretary once eligibility and willingness is determined).

Note that all nominations will be acknowledged by email. If you don't receive an acknowledgement, please contact NZCS without delay. Late nominations cannot be accepted.

 

Timeline for Process

The following timeline will be used for elections:

• Midnight 14 Feb 2012: Nominations Open
• Midnight 28 Feb 2012: Nominations Close
• 9am 01 Mar 2012: Voting Opens
• 3pm of the day before Branch AGM (see below): Voting Closes

Branch AGMs will occur on the following dates (Note that a formal invitation to the AGM will be issued in due course and times may change slightly):

• 12:00pm 15 March 2012: Waikato/BoP Branch AGM (in Hamilton)
• 06:00pm 15 March 2012: Auckland Branch AGM
• 12:00pm 22 March 2012: Otago/Southland Branch AGM (in Dunedin)
• 06:00pm 22 March 2012: Canterbury Branch AGM (in Christchurch)
• 06:00pm 29 March 2012: Wellington Branch AGM

 

Positions Available

The following positions are being elected through this process:

Auckland Branch

• Between four (4) and eight (8) Branch Committee Members and Officers.

The sitting Auckland National Councillor, Hazel Jennings, is part-way through a two-year term hence this position is not open for election.

Wellington Branch

• Between four (4) and eight (8) Branch Committee Members and Officers.
• One (1) National Councillor.

The incumbent Wellington National Councillor, Paul Webb, has signalled an intention to re-stand.

Canterbury Branch

• Between four (4) and eight (8) Branch Committee Members and Officers.

The sitting Canterbury National Councillor, Mehdi Asgarkhani, is part-way through a two-year term hence this position is not open for election.

Otago/Southland Branch

• Between four (4) and eight (8) Branch Committee Members and Officers.
• One (1) National Councillor.

The incumbent Otago/Southland National Councillor, Anthony Dowling, has signalled an intention to re-stand.

Waikato/BoP Branch

• Between four (4) and eight (8) Branch Committee Members and Officers.
• One (1) National Councillor.

The incumbent Waikato/BoP National Councillor, David Hallett, has signalled an intention to re-stand.

Overseas Members

There are no Overseas positions being elected at this time.

 

Further Information

You can find out more about the role of Branch Committees in this document [PDF].

For more information, please contact Paul Matthews, NZCS CEO and Society Secretary, at ceo@nzcs.org.nz.

 

Tickets

Tickets allow for small groups of like-minded members to come together with a vision on the direction they want to take NZCS in their local community, and lay out that vision as a group. Members may choose to vote for that group as a whole (mixed and matched with others standing) or not - while aligning themselves with a group, voting is still conducted for individuals.

Those nominated or standing for Branch Committees do NOT need to stand as a ticket, however if you know of others with the same views as you who are also keen on making a difference, a ticket may be the way to go.

Those accepting nominations will be provided more information about how to stand with others as a Ticket.

 

Branch Committees are an essential part of NZCS, and serving on one is a great opportunity to give a little back to the ICT community in your area - and have a lot of fun along the way.

I hope you will consider becoming involved, and remember: Nominations close Midnight 28 February 2012.

Regards,

Paul Matthews
Chief Executive / Society Secretary
NZ Computer Society inc (NZCS)

NZCS has released the latest NZCS Newsline.

In This Issue:

• Paul Matthews: NZCS: Making a real difference in 2012
• Juha Saarinen: The App Economy
• Paul Brislen: Telecomms Update: Who owns the Internet?
• Donald Clark: NZ Legislation shifts file-sharing from bittorrent to tunnels
• ICT around town: All the latest ICT-related events in your area

You can view the NZCS Newsline here.

NZCS has released the latest NZCS Newsline.

In This Issue:

• Paul Matthews: New Zealand as a tech destination
• Juha Saarinen: The Dotcom bust
• Nat Torkington: Powers of Ten on SOPA
• Bertrand Meyer: How do we advance software engineering?
• Spotlight event: Chris Date (Database legend) coming to NZ
• ICT around town: All the latest ICT-related events in your area

You can view the NZCS Newsline here.

Many people look to Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area as the epitome of tech innovation worldwide, and for very good reason. A large chunk of the world's top tech companies are connected in some way to the Valley.

What many don't realise however, is that very few of the people behind these great companies actually originated from San Fran or Silicon Valley. Most moved there because it was "the place to be", surrounded by other tech companies also doing great things; In actuality creating a self-fulfilling reputation as the home of innovative technology.

So what would it take for New Zealand to be the next Silicon Valley? What would it take for our country to get noticed to the extent that great young tech companies wanted to call New Zealand home? What would it take to build a reputation as the place to be for tech innovation?

If the steady stream of emails I've been receiving in recent months from overseas-based software companies looking seriously at relocating to New Zealand is anything to go by we're partly there, and a large part because of our country's position on unsustainable software patents.

Software patents and New Zealand

If the article linked above is any indication, many many tech companies care about the damage software patents have caused. According to Klout.com the above blog post was tweeted, retweeted and shared over a million times within a few days. I remember watching the tweets coming thick and fast, many times a minute and almost all with congratulatory and positive messages about the change.

In short, a big chunk of the world's tech community took notice and were hugely positive about New Zealand taking the lead in dealing with what is perceived to be one of the major impediments to software innovation and growth. New Zealand was being noticed as a country where the Government wasn't for sale to those with vested interests and a country friendly to innovation and technology-based development.

What all this means for New Zealand

New Zealand is a great place to live with a lifestyle unsurpassed anywhere on Earth. Our country is big enough to support decent infrastructure internally (such as ultra-fast broadband) and externally (with direct flights to most travel hubs worldwide) but small enough to avoid many of the problems faced elsewhere due to overpopulation.

And now, New Zealand's finally being noticed as a place where tech innovation thrives.

This is illustrated by two things: investment patterns and prospective relocations.

Investment patterns

It's hard not to notice the increase in New Zealand software and tech companies being purchased offshore in recent times, with 2011 seeing a wide range of kiwi software companies like Aptimize, WaveAdept, Right Hemisphere and heaps of others sold offshore for millions. Even kiwi-run tech blog site Read Write Web was sold in December.

While these acquisitions were a result of bloody hard work by their respective entrepreneurs, the fact is a fairly clear pattern of kiwi tech acquisition is emerging.

This is mirrored in other investment areas as well in the sorts of people getting behind brands like Xero and the level of (for instance) chinese investment flowing into New Zealand's tech sector.

Global acquirers and investors are noticing New Zealand and are ready to invest.

Tech companies relocating to New Zealand? 

Alongside this I've been approached a number of times recently by generally US-based tech companies looking very seriously at relocating to New Zealand, many citing the position on software patents as an indication of our country's willingness to support innovation.

Here's an example I received in the last few days:

Dear Mr. Paul Matthews,

I recently read an article that you have written titled "OPINION: US heavies NZ on software patents" and wanted to weigh in my own opinion, and seek some advice.

I am an American citizen, but went to university in Canada at the University of Toronto.  I recently started a company with some friends from university, and we have a growing business.  Our competitive advantage comes from some clever algorithms that we developed, which we keep as trade secrets.  We are morally opposed to software patents, and have decided from the start that we would not obtain them.

Recently, somebody patented the concept of inventing an algorithm like ours.  They do not have one, they have patented the idea of coming up with one.  Our lawyers inform us that this is enforceable, and we are in a sticky situation.  We have certainly not stolen anything, it has taken 2 years of hard work and dead-ends to build a product and business.

At this stage, our business is preparing to move to New Zealand once it is clear that software patents are invalid there.  We are a company of six highly talented people, including mining engineers, a mathematical physicist, and myself (computer scientist).  Our company is growing, and we are going to have to hire more people this year.

With the Internet, we feel that we are capable of doing business anywhere in the world (in fact, most of our business is already international).

In my opinion as a software developer, New Zealand can easily become the next silicon valley.  The clear absence of software patents would cause a migration of young innovative firms like our own to the country, and as we both know technology companies are generally quite profitable.  We might not be the next Google, but someone will be...

and there is a good chance their office will be in New Zealand if there are no software patents to hinder their growth.  I contacted you, because I wanted to make clear as a foreigner that there isn't just a potential for New Zealand to attract new technology firms... we are on our way.

I will be traveling to New Zealand in April to collect my own impressions of the country, and report back to my partners.  I will be spending a week in Wellington (April 11 - 17 likely) with the intention of meeting with individuals from the government who can provide more information on taxes, business programs, and of course the state of software patents.  

(Reproduced with permission, name and company withheld for commercial sensitivity reasons)

Putting aside the potential sticky situation in that US patents can still be enforced when selling into the US (even if we can patents here), this is a good representative example of the types of contact I've been regularly receiving both from startups like this one and from more established multi-million dollar companies looking to relocate.

What to do now

It's clear that there's real potential for overseas tech companies to relocate to New Zealand, bringing with them employment, experience, reputation, tax revenue and a multitude of other benefits.

I know of at least half a dozen that have, like the example above, sent scouting teams to New Zealand to take a look around. Undoubtedly there have been countless others that have likewise done so, and I really do see even those as the tip of the iceberg.

But what do they do when they get here?

2012 brings a massive opportunity for New Zealand to market itself to the world as a serious tech destination. Maybe we should be planning this, for example putting together a "landing committee" through NZRise or NZICT to welcome these scouting groups and showing them around, introducing them to Government and helping their transition to our shores.

New Zealand really is on the cusp of becoming the next Silicon Valley if we play our cards right. Technology has the potential to reshape our country and our country's fortunes if we grasp these opportunities. But we must grasp them now, and 2012 has to be the year we make this happen or the opportunity will be lost.

Either way, one thing is clear. New Zealand's principled position on software patents and other IP matters is being noticed and is helping put us on the map in global tech circles. This is great for technology and great for New Zealand.

NZCS has released the latest NZCS Newsline.

In This Issue:

• Various: NZCS: Modern times (Part 4 of 4): 2000 - 2010
• Paul Matthews and Ray Delany: Important changes at NZCS in 2012
• Juha Saarinen: End of times
• Philip Cockrell: Designing away the stress
• Garry Roberton: ICT Trends: meeting the future demand for skills
• Newsline team: Newsline taking a break
• ICT around town: All the latest ICT-related events in your area

You can view the NZCS Newsline here.

The following is an open letter from NZCS CEO Paul Matthews and President Ray Delany to the NZCS community outlining some important changes for 2012:

---

Season's greetings!

We're writing to outline some significant changes being planned for NZCS in 2012, squarely focused on accelerating the transformation that's been occurring in recent years.

In early 2012 we'll be proposing some substantial structural changes and if support from the membership is forthcoming following broad consultation, will be putting these to a Special General Meeting in May/June next year in conjunction with the Society AGM.

NZCS: Advancing the ICT profession

The Society has taken its role as the professional body of the IT sector very seriously in recent times. To that end we've been traveling down a path designed to offer IT professionals with the same opportunity for professional recognition as they would have in other professions and to tangibly support the professional growth of those in IT.

Alongside this we've been heavily active in all levels of the educational and professional path, from significant advocacy leading to the redefinition of computing education in schools through to accreditation of tertiary degrees and on to provision of ITCP, the formal certification and recognition for senior IT professionals.

We've followed a clear roadmap in re-emerging as the professional body of the IT sector and we've come a long way. However the job is far from finished.

2012 is about making the tough decisions necessary to break through to the next phase of this journey.

Taking the bold next steps

As a result of some careful and ongoing consideration over most of this year (and in some cases far longer), we'll shortly be proposing some fundamental changes which we believe will prepare our organisation for the next steps as a professional body.

The types of questions we've been asking ourselves include things like:

• Is our current branch model working as well as it could?
• Are we providing the best possible support structure to our branch committees?
• Does our current structure provide the best value to our members?
• Are our regional services good and how can we improve the value of membership to our members outside the main centres?
• Is our governance model (ie the way we appoint our Council) the best it can be?
• Should we be involved in projects like KiwiSkills (tackling digital literacy) or are we better to focus all of our limited resources on the IT profession and instead support other organisations in the Digital Literacy space?
• Does our name ("Computer Society") truly represent who we are as the professional body of the IT sector, given most other professional bodies have changed?

These are all hard questions, however we think the answer to most of them is "no".

What's in a name?

Consideration of a name change will invariably bring out strong emotions. NZCS has existed for 50 years and although originally born as "The Data Processing and Computer Society Inc", the Computer Society is a name many have related to for much of that time.  We have history.

However if we are to continue to grow, thrive and remain relevant we absolutely must stay up with the times and few would argue that our organisation's name doesn't come from a previous era. We're absolutely proud of our history and heritage, but we believe it's time we considered a name that's clear about who we are and what we do.

For example, if you knew nothing about the organisation would The Computer Society or The Institute of IT Professionals tell you more about who we are as the professional body of IT? Something to think about over the Christmas break.

Structure

We also think there are some structural changes we could make to continue to move the organisation forward, connecting and reconnecting with a far larger cross-section of the IT profession.

Times have changed and people simply don't have as much time these days to volunteer, however volunteers are, and always will be, a core and important part of an organisation like NZCS - we typically have over a hundred people serving voluntarily on committees, boards and in other roles at any one time.

Hence our focus has been on determining a proposed structure that supports the regions more (thereby increasing the value of membership) and retains the important volunteer culture of the Society while resourcing to a far greater extent those that give their time and expertise freely.

You'll be seeing and hearing more about this in the new year, however one important point is that whatever happens, it'll be your decision. We won't make major structural or name changes to the organisation without the approval of the membership at large.

Focus of projects in 2012

Separate from any major structure and name considerations, the 2012 work programme will primarily focus on three things:

• Greater engagement with the IT community
• Education and Professional Development
• Recognising IT proficiency through NZCS Certifications

Here's a rundown of what this means.

Greater engagement with the IT community

We're very excited to finally announce the full launch of the ICT-Connect school outreach programme in early 2012, an initiative where passionate IT professionals head along and present in participating schools about what IT is and what it means to them.

The Pilot of this initiative was hugely successful and we've wanted to roll out the full programme for some time, however we've not been in a position to resource it until now. We will still need the industry's support however; Look out for sponsorship and partnership opportunities in the new year and come and be part of this hugely worthwhile project.

We'll also be launching a significantly enhanced Students of NZCS programme and a major Young IT Professionals initiative plus other activities for up-and-coming professionals.

We've fully resourced these initiatives and they will be happening. We're pleased to announce that we've hired Ben Smith, co-founder of the original Young IT Professionals Group in Auckland, on a full-time basis to run these projects from January.

There are a range of other initiatives for members and other professionals too - keep an eye out next year.

Education and Professional Development

2012 will see a renewed focus on professional development and education including the expansion of the NZCS Mentoring Programme plus the implementation of the long-awaited tertiary Degree Accreditation programme.

In addition, a revamped nationwide monthly events programme and broader introductory course and workshop offerings will provide something for everyone who's serious about ongoing professional development.

Recognising IT proficiency through NZCS Certifications

As most will know, at the end of 2009 NZCS released ITCP Certification (Information Technology Certified Professional). ITCP is a certification for senior practitioners (much like Chartered Accountant, Certified Builders, Chartered Engineers, etc in those fields).

However ITCP is and only ever was part of the picture. In mid-2012 NZCS will be releasing Certified Technologist, an accreditation and recognition for all IT practitioners that meet the minimum education, experience and ethics requirements. Global IP3 Accreditation will also mean that both ITCP and CT will be recognised around the world.

2012: A year of action

As you can see, 2012 is going to be another big year for NZCS. We truly hope you'll choose to be a part of it and we look forward to discussing some of these proposed changes with you in due course - we need your input.

And if you're having a break over Christmas have a safe and wonderful holiday and catch you in 2012!

 

Kind regards,

 

Paul Matthews Chief Executive NZ Computer Society Inc (NZCS)

Ray Delany President NZ Computer Society Inc (NZCS)

NZCS has released the latest NZCS Newsline.

In This Issue:

• Various: NZCS: Changing structures (3 of 4): 1985 - 2000
• Juha Saarinen: Not so flash
• Stuart Charters: Supercomputing and Education
• Marie Shroff: Privacy: Improvements follow Social Media debacle
• ICTEvents.org.nz: Spotlight Event: NZCS Auckland Christmas Drinks
• ICT around town: All the latest ICT-related events in your area

You can view the NZCS Newsline here.

NZCS has released the latest NZCS Newsline.

In This Issue:

• Various: NZCS: Formative years (Part 2 of 4): 1975 - 1985
• Juha Saarinen: The tyranny of asymmetry
• Chris O'Brien: Testing aint Quality
• Patrick McCalman: IT Tax update: Implications of the festive season
• ICTEvents.org.nz: Spotlight event: IT-related Degree Accreditation Workshops
• ICT around town: All the latest ICT-related events in your area

You can view the NZCS Newsline here.