Wed, 28 Jan 2009

Irish IPv6 Summit

Why are the likes of Minister Eamonn Ryan, Fred Baker (Cisco), John Boland (HEAnet), representatives from BT, TSSG, Google, Hutchinson 3G, Tiscali and many others gathered in Dublin Castle today? Policy makers and technical representatives from ISPs and various other high tech bodies fill thhe audience, learning about the potential impacts of the internet running out of IPv4 addresses - the unique identifiers that allow each computer on the internet to talk to another. Given the pervasiveness of the internet in all walks of life today, this very real limitation on the existing internet infrastructure that has impacts across all walks of life.

There appear to be two big questions on everyone's mind: firstly, what's the impact, and how can we mitigate it, and secondly, is IPv6 really the answer?

HEAnet are providing a live stream of the talks, available at http://live.heanet.ie/ipv6.asx.

posted at: 09:21 | path: /technical | permanent link to this entry

Mon, 05 Jan 2009

A note of thanks...

The last few days have been exciting, taxing, interesting, vexing, tiring, brilliant, conflicting and awesome! As things return to normality once more, I'd like to specifically thank two groups of people.

Firstly, thanks to the many helpful staff of Holles Street Hospital. You are all wonderful, wonderful people. I understand that there are shortcomings in the hospital systems in Ireland, and the HSE is continually coming under fire for various gaffes and oversights; but they can rest assured that every staff member in Holles Street is doing a superb job. Over the past few days they were there to help myself and Rachael, provide advice and reassurance, left us have time alone with our new beautiful small daughter, but kept a close enough eye on everything to make sure that things were going to plan at all times. We really could not have asked for anything more.

Secondly, thanks to all the people who sent us New Year's best wishes, and messages of congratulations. Rach and I responded to many of them, but with so much going on I'm sure that some texts went unanswered and many e-mails and Facebook messages and the like passed by without response. Rest assured that all messages were read, and greatly appreciated. Thanks for all your kind wishes and we three look forward to catching up with all of you in the near future.

posted at: 03:05 | path: | permanent link to this entry

Thu, 01 Jan 2009

If you thought the contractions hurt...

...apparently they're like nothing compared with the final stages of labour. I am now the proud possessor of a tiny beautiful girl, replete with ten tiny fingers, and ten tiny toes - and just the right amount of brown hair on her head.

Huge thanks to all the wonderful people in Holles Street Hospital for their kind attentions, ministrations and cups of tea when things were not going as well, or as quickly, as they might.

posted at: 08:34 | path: | permanent link to this entry