Impressions of Australia

[Prof. David Farber <David.Farber () cisr anu edu au>]

I am sitting in my office at the Australian National University in
Canberra. It is 1000 on MOnday the 8 th of August. The past two weeks
were a blend of rest and activity since we were up in Sydney from our
arrival time till last Thursday. 


In Sydney we stayed at the Regent Hotel by the Circular Quay. It is a
great hotel with the type of service one expects from a world class
hotel. It is marvelously  located  near the ferries and the Rock. Best
restaurant in Sydney was the Rockpool on George Street -- among the best
I have ever been in. 


I gave two interviews one for ABC and one for Australian Communications
Magazine, a talk for Electronic Frontiers - Australia and one at the
University of Sydney. 


GG and I traveled, shopped and rested also.


Down in Canberra -- a relatively small town that reminds me of Ottawa I
have toured, given one interview for the Australian (will appear
tomorrow (may have to leave town  - more latter)) and will give a major
talk at ANU on the American Information Infrastructure  and one for EFA
and the Australian Computer Society on Democracy in Cyberspace as well
as meeting the two Australian Panels who are charged with their
infratsructure plans -- one general panel and one targeted at research
as well as flying down to Melborne to visit Telecom.  It will be a busy
week.


The weather is fine. Canberra is cold -- about 0 at night and 9 to 10
during the day. I dont miss Philadelphia's heat. I went to a "football"
game as a guest of the ACT Government . The game was exciting and fun
and the Australians are great people. 


I said I might have to leave the country after the Australian comes out
tomorrow. The reporter asked me what my technical impressions of AU were
in networking and communications. I said it reminded me of a sleepy town
comfortable with it's lot. I contrasted it with Sweden and Finland . I
also commented thast the Universities seem to have little academic
interest in real networking yet and that for the future health of
Australia they should target major resoruces to generating technically
trained and educated graduates from their Universities and thast will
require projects that involve Univ/Industrial collaboration.


When I tell the Australians (including Ministers) what I said they dont
argue so maybe I can stay till Friday.


More latter


Dave