BCS Edinburgh Branch

An Uphill struggle: IT in extreme environments

Wednesday 31st January 2007, 6:30 pm

Speakers: Jeremy White, Hampshire Scout Expeditions and BCS South Wales Branch

Venue: The Royal Scots Club Hepburn Suite, 30 Abercromby Place, Edinburgh EH3 6QE - map and direction.

This talk is free of charge and no reservation is required. Non members are most welcome. Refreshments available from 6:10 pm.

Synopsis

In autumn 2005 Jeremy White packed up his laptop and travelled to Tibet where he organised the base camp for an expedition to the world's sixth highest peak. A month or so after the talk, he'll be off to Everest for the team's next expedition. His talk explores the ups and downs of trying to use computers for managing an expedition, keeping a library of photographs, staying in touch with home and keeping the team entertained. There's practical advice for travellers anywhere as well as lessons for IT pros.

About the Speaker

I've been in IT since leaving University, getting involved in most aspects of the profession, and am now responsible for the implementation of Freedom of Information and Data Protection in the Welsh Assembly Government. Before this job I was Head of IS for the Assembly Government's research and development group. Outside work, I've been involved in the Scouts since I joined as a youngster in a Hampshire Village. I stayed with the local Scouts until University and was immediately persuaded to become a leader when I came back after University. About twenty years ago I helped start Hampshire Scout Expeditions; we try to maintain youngsters interest in Scouting by running expeditions to developing countries where they can take part in community development projects. We've been all over the World, most recently to Nepal and Tibet ... but that's January's story ...