The leading Data Protection expert, Professor Ian Lloyd, spoke about the impact of recent legislation and the effect on businesses.

Data Protection legislation has had a significant impact on the activities of UK companies since the 1984 act came into force. Professor Lloyd will outline the new issues that have arisen as a consequence of the passing of the 1998 Act which wholly replaces its predecessor.

Dr Iain R. White gave a very impressive demonstration of his software for Munro Baggers, "The Munros Through Windows 3"

A keen hillwalker, Iain developed this practical and fascinating interactive multimedia program using modern object-oriented software techniques. It is a tool which allows creation of vector maps, route cards and logs as well as containing an amazing 600 photographs plus video clips, music, songs and slide shows. You can even listen to the correct Gaelic pronounciation of the names of the hills!

Iain spoke about the development of the software over the past six years and gave tips to budding software developers. He also shared his insight into what is necessary to create and control a multimedia program of this complexity, how to convert a program into a successful commercial product and what it takes to support thousands of customers.

The presentation was followed by a lively Q & A session.

As always, the branch invited students from Universities and Colleges in the neighbouring areas to sample the hospitality, hear the benefits of BCS membership and to take away as many leaflets and magazines as they could carry.

This year, the response of students appeared to concentrate mainly on the the Universities in the local area, but was considered a success, and this year held it's own against the competition from the football match.

As always, the event was informal. Alan Crombie (Contractor in Human Technology Interaction, and active member of the branch committee), encouraged the audience to "boldly go where they have not been before" through his introduction to the BCS. This was followed by a student member's point of view from the Martine McFarlane, active member on the branch and YPG committees and, more importantly the one who did not want to carry all the leaflets, CDs, books and magazines back home!

Committee members mingled among the students and answered any questions or queries asked of them. Leaflets, CDs, books, magazines and application forms were distributed to those in attendance.

Students were invited to come and join in future events organised by the Glasgow Branch, and to visit the branch's website on a regular basis.

Frank Binnie addressed a well attended and lively meeting. He covered the geography and recent history of the Internet and led up to the founding of ScotlandIS. He outlined the services that ScotlandIS currently offers and its plans for the future.

The topic of a domain name for Scotland provoked much discussion and the evening concluded with a vote of thanks from the Chair.

The ultimate virtual reality laboratory visit.

Mark Sunner of Messagelabs braved the cold of a January night to come to Glasgow and spread the good news of the Messagelabs/Star fight against the hordes of virus-spreaders. He described in a compelling fashion the evolution of the Messagelabs virus-scanning product (a very powerful combination of major league hardware and software) into a carrier-class anti-virus product which can rightly claim to be in the premier league of the global AV community. The detail of the situation can be read in this edited version of the white paper - MS Word and the web sites referred to in the paper.

SYHA is the largest accommodation provider in Scotland. Rob Ralston will describe the ways in which the Association has sought to benefit from the opportunities of e-commerce and some of the problems and benefits which have been encountered.

Another highly successful multimedia night thanks to the hospitality of Glasgow Caledonian University. Morphing, Cubase, Web Design and Web Phone were just a few of the delights available for hands-on fun.

The social event of the year! A wonderful night was had by all at the Ceilidh which promises to be a regular event on the BCS Glasgow calendar. Dinner was followed by an evening of entertainment of song, music and dancing.

We were fortunate to have two marvellous singers on Saturday night. Iain Inglis performed a wide range of songs from Scotland, an Irish song for St Patrick's Night and a side-splittingly funny American song (for no particular reason except that it was funny!). Iain and his wife, Margaret, were also kind enough to lead the dancing - thanks to both of them for keeping our Stathspeys in order!

Karine Davison, a Mezzo Soprano, sang some haunting ballads and a selection of street songs. An extra bonus was an impromptu performance by Karine's husband Ian who sang some of his own compositions for us.

Dancing to the sound of the accomplished accordianist and a young piper ensured a traditional Scottish atmosphere.

We were particularly pleased to greet our friends from the Young Professional Group HQ and the Edinburgh Project Management Specialist Group.

Martine wielded a very professional camera so - WATCH THIS SPACE!

Dr Paul Siebert Director of the Faraday Centre in the Computing Science Department of Glasgow University