NZ Computer Society National Series: Transformational ICT through Open Data 18 May 2010: 12:00pm - 1:30pm Events Room 1, Gallagher Hub City Campus, Gate 5 Tristram Street, Hamilton NZCS is proud to bring you the next of the National ICT Series, this month focusing on the concept of open data, and how it is transforming the ICT sector. Transformational ICT through Open Data Throughout Europe in the 18th Century the great Age of Enlightenment was born, a movement promoting the black arts of education, reason and logic in decision-making. In this entertaining and informative presentation popular ICT commentator and online strategist Paul Reynolds will shine light on the new Internet-driven "Age of Enlightenment" happening right now, and how individuals and organisations can cash in on the phenomena by building upon the growing wealth of publicly-available open data covering everything from map and geospatial information, through to the human genome itself. Exploring what is available and where is fascinating, and as Reynolds takes us through some of the more obscure and interesting datasets freely available, what we can do with it will surprise even the most data-aware information scientists amongst us. Reynolds will argue that with the age of the Internet and the new age of Cloud Computing now upon us, the revolution is already here, with levels of information and data never seen before at our fingertips and the type, nature and volume of open data expanding rapidly. Similarly, the scope and range of the tools being applied to open government and e-democracy are transforming the landscape we, as ICT professionals, operate in, also impacting on politicians, bureaucrats, citizens and business. But where does the ICT profession sit in relation to these double revolutions? Managing information and data has responsibilities attached, and is the profession really ready and open to always-on ubiquitous networks, or will risk aversion, and a craving for the old certainties of centralisation send the baby with the bathwater? In a truly inspired presentation designed to provoke discussion and debate Paul Reynolds's asks: Is the ICT profession ready for the 18th century? Note: Light lunch provided. Free for NZCS members, inexpensive for others. Registration required at the following URL: http://www.nzcs.org.nz/events/waikato_bop/139-National_Series_Transformation... Regards, David Hallett, BSc, MNZCS ITCP P.O. Box 15-516 Hamilton, New Zealand Phone: +64-7-210 5520 Mobile: +64-21-802 256