It's all over for this year

A MASSIVE BIG HEARTFELT THANK YOU

To everyone who took part and attended Limerick Technology Fair on Saturday in Thomond Park.We had a amazing turn out and got brilliant feedback from exhibitors and attendees alike.

To all the people who attended from communities all over Limerick and even further afield, thank you so much and we hope that you enjoyed the day.

To all our exhibitors and mentors thank you so much for all your hard work and enthusiasm and belief in the aim of the day.

Much gratitiude to our sponsors, Limerick Regeneration Agencies, Midwest Regional Authority, PAUL Partnership and City of Limerick VEC.

The venue was spectacular thanks for that goes to everyone at Thomond Park Conference Centre and ECS who did a brilliant job setting up the stands.

We want to give a big shout out to our Volunteer Stewards from L.I.T. you were amazing.

A big well done to everyone from ICT Steeting Group, PAUL Partnership and CLVEC who were involved in organising the event.Thanks also to Laura in the Limerick Co-ordination Office who gave us loads of PR tips.

Finally Leona,Ronan, Owen and Bill Doyle thanks for the HUGE support you gave to organisers before and during the event.

We hope that we do not lose the learning from the Technology Fair and hope that if you have a comments about the event, outcomes of any networking that took place and ideas for next year about that you could post it on this blog.

We would also love if anyone has photos or videos that they took on the day that we could put them on your youtube and flikr pages. You can email them to this tararobinson@clvec.ie

Again much thanks and we will be in contact about making next year even better!!

Post Fair Press Release

Limerick Technology Fair an outstanding success

The first Limerick Technology fair which took place in Thomond Park Conference Centre on Saturday November 1st. was a technology fair with a difference. The fair organised by Limerick City ICT Steering Group, City of Limerick VEC and the PAUL Partnership not only featured the best in new technologies from the likes of Dell, Adobe, Microsoft, and Sony (to name but a few) but also featured twenty five interactive displays built by community and education groups. It also featured a huge variety of workshops and fun activities for all the family.

Community and education groups showcased their technology projects from Podcasting to Facebook, Skype to Youtube. Michael O’ Regan from St. Munchin’s Community Development Project was one of a group of keen ‘silver surfers’- all over 65’s and from all over the city - who were demonstrating how to “google”, “email”, “skype” and “you-tube” with the best of them. . Michael explained why he got involved in this event: “if people only got a chance to see what computers can do and they get started they would find them really useful”. Michael explained his particular interest was podcasting “Podcast is a word you will hear a lot if you listen to the radio” explained Michael “simply put it is a version of a radio show that is put up on the internet, and you can listen to old Gerry Ryan and Ray Darcy shows if you missed them.”

What made the day unique was that it gave community groups and learners a chance to rub shoulders with technology giants and it showcased the capacity of community groups to get the best from new technologies: From Youthreach participants (pictured) involved in film production to VTOS learners producing digital displays; from the latest in interactive classroom technology to the launch of Sonys latest psp game ‘littlebigplanet’; from the ‘how to do almost anything online ’ interactive displays to the numerous digital technology workshops, the fair really had something for all tastes. The involvement of Munster Rugby with a Munster Rugby interactive stand, special guest Shaun Payne and the opportunity for all present to get their picture taken with the Heineken Cup helped to ensure that many people who might not always come to a technology fair came along on the day.

The idea for the Fair originated in response to research commissioned by the ICT Steering Group recently, which showed that despite the rapid growth of digital technology large numbers are being excluded from the benefits technology have to offer. The study found that in certain parts of Limerick 47% of respondents had never used a computer, never wanted to use one and did not see the relevance of technology in their lives. Only 35% of the same respondents had ever used the internet, 12 % had ever shopped online and internet connections in these areas were 50% lower than national levels. The research called for a jargon-free presentation of technologies and approaches focused on practical relevant activities.

Limerick Technology Fair-Stands and Worskops

Dell-Everyday uses for computer technology
Science Gallery - Trinity College-Pimp your T-Shirt (technology brings your t-shirt to life)
Our Lady of Lourdes Action Centre-Google Earth - A birds-eye view of Limerick and beyond
St Munchins CDP-Downloading podcasts
St. Marys Adult Education Centre-Skype and Facebook made easy
Paul Partnership-Buying online without a credit card
Three-Getting the best from 3G Mobile Phones and Mobile Broadband
Munster Rugby-Heineken Cup - How to buy Tickets online & the Munster Rugby E-zine
CLVEC Community Education-Posting on Youtube & building an easy to use Community Learning Website
Tipperary Institute-XNA Ireland Challenge Games
Southill Family Resource Centre-Get the best from USB Keys
Tesco-Online Shopping made simple
Access Campus UL-Fun with Digital Photography
Shannon Broadband-Demonstration of Online Tools featuring Limerick eArchives
Fas/ Libraries Project-Community Based blended learning project
National Games show-Electro- Quiz
Prim-Ed-Interactive Whiteboards and new Learner Response System
UL Wireless Access Centre-Wireless technology
Limerick City Council-Information and Services available through City Council websites
SMILE School Completion Project-Sports and Arts Digital PhotoGallery
Adobe-Desktop publishing made simple - Photoshop
Moyross Community Development Network -USB Keys and the production of Community Newsletters
Spunout-Interactive multimedia website – how to nail short audio and video clips
Limerick Youthreach (CLVEC)-Filming for all
Enclude-Free and great value technology resources for communities
Southill Outreach-Video production
Microsoft-Xbox and windows live services
VivaMusic/Dan Sykes-Music Technology, DJ Workshops and recording techniques
The Computer Clinic-DB Computer Systems provide expert advice for the Home Computer User
Limerick VTOS (CLVEC)-Digital photography made easy with Adobe Photoshop
Limerick City Sports Partnership -Keep fit and have fun with Wii Fit and Wii Sports
Clancys Electrical-Smart Technology for the Home
UL Interactive Design-Cutting Edge Computer Science & Information Systems
Discover Science and Engineering-Nano Quest Games and careers in Science and Technology
Moyross Community Enterprise Centre-Digital Display celebrating 30 years of Moyross Parish
Lero-Computer programming and games made simple
Sony Games-The latest and best in Gaming
Digital Cr8or-Create real life digital media projects
Fresh Films-Filmmaking for those of 18 and under
Whelans Cameras-Latest and Best in Digital photography
Parkmagic-Pay by phone on-street parking
Suite 2
Enclude, Adobe, Limerick Archives-Open Source software and CRM,
Suite 3
Sony-Brand New Game-LittleBigPlanet in the Sony Interactive Space
Suite 4
Northside Learning Hub & Limerick College of Further Education-Green Screen Video Production techniques
Reception
Adult Education Guidance Service (CLVEC)-Easy Access to Learning and Information & Community Information Kiosks
Limerick Institute of Technology -Wii interactive Technologies – Interface 2D and 3D

Technology Fair Workshops-

Limerick Technology Fair is delighted to present you with a sneak preview of the some of the exciting workshops that will take place on the day of the Fair. Come early to avoid disappointment

Limerick Gamers are going to love this special opportunity to try out Little Big Planet the brand new Sony Game. We expect this workshop to be heavily suscribed so come early
Sony—11.30-1.30 and 2-4pm –Learn to use ‘LittleBigPlanet’ in the Sony Interactive Space

For those of you creative types.....

Digital Cre8or- workshops every half hour on creating your own ringtones, i-comic and much more.

For all you photographers and desktop publishers....

Adobe & Big Wave Media Training-CS4 new release - & Photoshop in detail (12-12.30,2.00-3.30)

Anyone intererested in finding out about CRM as well as how to access free software.....

Relationship Management Technology 11.30-12.00 - Enclude- & Open Source Technology 2.30-3.00pm

For all you historians out there-

Limerick City Archives- Limerick City Council - 11.30-12.00 and 1.30-2.00


Come Early as places are limited!

RTE News 2-from the Limerick Technology Fair Launch October 20th

Limerick Technology Fair Launch, 20th of October

Marian Moloney, Sr. Marys Adult Education Service shares her love of Facebook

Stacey Kiely, CLVEC Youthreach being interviewed for News 2 about their stand 'taking pictures on your phone"

Tracy Scullion, CLVEC Youthreach, talking to Laura Fletcher RTE Two News

CLVEC Youthreach prepare their 'Technology for the Terrified Image"

Deirdre Curley CLVEC Youthreach tutor being tangled up in Technology

Todays media Launch of Limerick Technology Fair was a great success. A number of local and national papers were in attendance and RTE were there to film a segment too.

Event organisers and particiapants from CLVEC Youthreach, St. Marys Adult Education Centre and Community Education Pilates class were on hand to talk about their projects to the gathered journalists.

So far we have had coverage in the Irish Examiner, the Daily Mail, the Sun, the Star and the Limerick Independent as well as a piece on RTE News 2

Photos by Ronan Murphy

Community Bus Route

First Pick up at Southhill FRC-10.30am
Next stop our lady of lourdes-10.40am
Drop of Thomond Park-11.00am

Next collection-11.30 FRC Southhill
Our Lady Of Lourdes-11.40
Thomond Park-12.00

Next collection-12.30 FRC Southhill
Our lady Of Lourdes-12.40
Thomond Park-1.00pm

30/40 Min Break before next collection

Next collection-2.00 FRC Southhill (Last Collection Time)
Our Lady of Loudes-2.10pm
Thomond Park-2.30pm

Route Back---Next collection at Thomond Park-3.00pm
Dropped at Southill FRC - 3.20pm
Dropped at Our lady Of Lourdes - 3.30pm

Route Back---Last Collection at Thomond Park-3.45pm
Dropped at Southill FRC - 4.05pm
Dropped at Our Lady Of Lourdes - 4.15pm

For anyone who misses the last collection there is a Bus Stop outside Thomond Park that goes into town--(william street)
There is a Connecting bus from same bus stop on william street to Southhill. This is a public bus so charges will apply

TECHNOLOGY FOR THE TERRIFIED

Bewildered by Bebo, Baffled by broadband, and Bamboozled by Blogs???

Does the world of technology seem like a scary place?  Then come visit the first Limerick Technology Fair and tackle those tech terrors.  The fair takes place in Thomond Park Conference Centre on Saturday November 1st from 11-4. Admission is FREE and there will be lots of prizes and attractions on the day and maybe even some SURPRISE guests.

Limerick Technology Fair is a fair with a difference, it will feature 50 jargon-free interactive displays that show how simple new technologies are to use.  There will be something for everyone at the Fair but it will really benefit people who may not be aware of how every day technology can help them save time and money and be lots of fun!

On the day people will be able see how to make free phone calls on the net, shop online, download music, take and share digital photos and get free software. There is the opportunity to see inside the new state of the art Thomond Park Conference Centre and to get your photo taken with the Heineken Cup.  Visitors will also be the first people ever to see the Munster Rugby Interactive Museum.

The interactive displays featured in the fair will be built by a mixture of private companies and community and education groups. In centres around the city, community groups have been checking out things like Podcasting, Facebook, Skype and Youtube to showcase on the day.  Caroline Clarke from Our Lady of Lourdes Community Centre says “Our group have been using Google Earth.  Already they have been on virtual visits to Paris and New York and been able to print directions from their houses to Limerick landmarks like Thomond Park.  Everyone is having great fun and finding it really easy to use”

Amongst others, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, Digital Creators, Creative Labs, Limerick City Sports Partnership, LIT, Limerick City Council, and Munster Rugby will be there to showcase how their technologies work. A number of short snappy ‘How to’ workshops will take place in break-out rooms; featured topics include ‘Technology for the Travelling Munster Fan’ and ‘Getting the Light Right for your Digital Pictures’