Dear Branch member,

We hope you can come to our next meeting on 21 February which is all about how business has been exploiting the Second Life phenomenon.

In March, at our "What's Hot?" event, participants have a chance to win the cash prize for the best idea. Or just come along and listen and vote. See below for what's involved.

This issue also includes news about various other events which may be of interest to members.

For our February meeting, we take a look at virtual worlds and, in particular, Second Life.

IBM has long been recognised as an interested player in virtual worlds. Roo Reynolds will share how a handful of brave IBMers first began a foray into Second Life and other virtual worlds, and how this grass-roots interest became widespread adoption within the company.

This is particularly timely as the January 31 edition of Computing carries an article by Karen Price, chief executive of e-skills UK, on how they have been using Second Life to run events such as virtual careers fairs.

Do you think that you have the next great thing in IT and are dying to try it out on a supportive audience? We are looking for people to pitch their ideas on new technology or the application of technology and to answer questions from an expert panel.

At the end of the evening, there will be an audience vote and the winner will receive a cash prize.

If you think you might be interested in taking part, please use the simple form on our website to let us know. We'll contact you to discuss your idea and, if selected, help you to prepare for the evening.

This lecture, on "The future of computer technology, and its implications for the computer industry" will be given by Professor Steve Furber. Professor Furber worked at Acorn computers in the 1980s, where he was principal designer of the BBC Microcomputer and the ARM 32-bit RISC microprocessor. Follow the link to read more about the lecture and his distinguished subsequent career.

This year's free BCS/IET Turing Lecture, "Target Earth" gives you a rare chance to hear renowned IT guru James Martin.

Dr James Martin founded the James Martin Institute for Science and Civilization at the University of Oxford. He has written 103 major textbooks - more than any other living person; was ranked 4th in Computer World's 25th Anniversary Edition's most influential people in computer technology; and is renowned as a riveting lecturer.

The lecture is preceded by a showing of his film, The Meaning of the 21st Century, narrated by Michael Douglas.

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