posted on 23rd November 2010 under Habits
Vinton Cerf, now Internet Evangelist in Google, created the Internet along with Robert Kahn. Without the help of three Norwegians; Pål Spilling, Yngvar Lund and Dag Belsnes, they might never have succeeded. At Stanford University in California, you’ll see a plaque engraved with 33 names – people in the world that were most significant in the development of basic Internet technology.
The three Norwegians contribution was very important for TCP/IP technology that we developed, Cerf said to me when I met him in Oslo in 2007. It all started in the 1970s when there was several internal computer networks developed in U.S. (e.g. Arpanet) and UK. Cerf wanted to develop a technology for connecting networks together, so-called Inter-netting, so that data could be transferred between computers connected to arbitrary network. His group of students and researchers, including the Norwegians Day Belsnes and Pål Spilling, worked hard to develop this technology; both in data transporting and guarantee of that data received the right computer. This technology is what we call the TCP/IP protocol system.
Rosing – The IT Award Ceremony in Norway:
The Norwegian Computer Society (DND) is the host of this yearly Award event. Awards are given out in categories like “IT Security”, “Usability”, “Competence”, “Creativity”, “Best Net Service” e.g. to software companies, consultants, organization or others that have provided some special and good solutions within IT and the Internet. However, it is a distinction which ranks higher than all others, namely The Honorary Award and this year it was given to these three Norwegians:
From left: Belsnes, Lund & Spilling – Right: M. Thorkildsen, IBM & President of DND
I had the honour and pleasure to have a nice chat with these three internet pioneers at the Award party tonight. Belsnes said he met Cerf at a conference in England in 1973, and went to Stanford in California the year after. The focus at that time was to establish a pairing between the different networks that were under development and the objective was to make a network connection from end to end. Spilling said it was a very inspiring team effort and their contributions were mainly measurements, calculations and simulations to determine which options best suited. In January 1983 the whole Internet consisting of about 400 machines using the transport control (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP) standard to transfer data in the network between computers: Internet was created and with Norwegian help!
Vinton G. Cerf at Rosing Award ceremony in 2007:
Like I said, Cerf was here and I met him in 2007 when we had a nice chat too. I said I had heard Norway was the first country outside US who connected to the Arpanet, but he wasn’t sure if it was UK or Norway.
With a gray beard, mustache, his stylish suit and tie, it’s almost as you realize that he is not like any other American – besides being “the Internet’s father”. He was very nice talking to and although he was not physically present this year, it was kind of a full circle made when he sent a video greeting that was played tonight to congratulate the Norwegian winners.
You may read all about his visit and key note presentation in 2007 from my post: “Vinton G. Cerf at Norway’s IT Award Ceremony”.
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posted on 21st November 2010 under Habits, Winter
I’ve been looking for a quick & easy way to post from my mobile phone. So if this work, it’s my first try & and it works : – )
Even with a photo: 
It’s a photo from the neighbourhood a week ago – taken with my mobile phone of course – just so you know we have some snow already.
Posted by Wordmobi
Update (edited from my puter):
It all went quite well, except for the photo – and I guess you want to see:
Finally Snow in Oslo by RennyBA
If anybody have any experience in posting from mobile phones, please share in comment!
Comments (10)
posted on 17th November 2010 under Food, History, Travel Abroad
Located by Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom – Northern Europe’s largest Gothic church), Alter Wartesaal or The Old Waiting Room is part of the railway station (Hauptbahnhofs) and looks back on to impressive history. His majesty Kaiser Wilhelm II and wife used to take tea or champagne in the former waiting room for first-class passengers at Cologne’s main train station. I was there some weeks ago (I’ll explain why later) and gladly share it with you – including pics taken with my Nokia x6 (at night with difficult lightening!). Let’s start with the front of the Duomo and at its foot; the entrance of the waiting room (click pics to bigify & enjoy!):
The restaurant was first opened in 1915 and remained a popular attraction up to the end of the golden twenties. It sustained little damage during World War II but gradually lost importance as a meeting point for high society. In the early 1980s private investors restored the restaurant, which had fallen into disrepair, to its former condition as an architectural jewel with elegant cherry panelling and art deco chairs and light fixtures:
Re-opened as a club, restaurant and concert venue, it now provides better ways to spend your time than waiting for a train. With its impressive architecture and cosmopolitan atmosphere, it features remarkable rooms and offers lots of space for larger events:
I was there one evening while participating at the ECDL’s Forum 2010 in Bonn where we had a gastronomic adventure including the Award Ceremony. You see, rounding out the many sections of the terrace of the old waiting room, you can dine with excellent views of the imposing cathedral:
As has been a habit from my business trips like this, of course I’ll share the delicious dinner with you – from the starter to the sweet and artistic dessert:
White Wine: Heger Sonett Grauburgunder & Starter: Salmon pate
Left: Carrot ginger soup – Right: Main course: Fried brook trout with chanterelles and thyme foam
Dessert: Chocolate Walnut torte with fresh berries
ECDL Forum 2010 Awards:
ECDL (European Computer Driving License) enable proficient use of ICT that empowers individuals, organisations and society through their end user certification programmes. Known as ICDL (International CDL) outside of Europe, with more than 10 million candidates participating it has set the global benchmark in end-user skills certification. Every year, representatives of Computer Associations (exclusive country licensees) from all over meet up at the Forum meeting – this year in Bonn.
Typical for meetings like this is a dinner party with presentation of various annual awards. You know it’s always nice to celebrate and recognise outstanding efforts of participants and associates: best licensee, best promoter, best newcomer and innovator etc. I was lucky to sit at the table with representatives of one of the winners: The Irish Computer Society (ICS) and was allowed to take part in the extra attention that was given to the table after dinner. Let me give you a clue:
ICS’s 2010 ECDL Best Practice Trophy calls for champagne!
Alter Wartesaal Dance- & House- Party:
Dinner like ours is one example, but at the historically-preserved complex of the Cologne train station the premises are perfect for more events like: evening concerts, fashion shows, TV productions, cabarets, comedy nights, and product launches etc. Because the location which in 1983 was opened by the famous talk-show host and TV chef Alfred Biolek is outstanding: the magnificent restaurant with up to 4.80 m high, stuccoed ceilings and the original Art Nouveau hall from the year 1915, the variety of events leave no stone unturned. While at the wardrobe I saw a couple of posters which gives an example of some performances and I could not resist capturing them with my Nokia mobile phone:
1998: Jennie Lee – 2001: DJ Da Trooth
Hope this whets your appetite for more travel posts because there will be some of them in the near future. Today my wife and I will be travelling to Brussels, and we hope to be travelling to Portugal the week after that. Keep your fingers crossed for us because there is a general strike planned for the day we are to travel!!! I hope we make it to Portugal in the end because we are really looking forward to it!
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posted on 15th November 2010 under Fall, Nature
Pure and natural elements are all exposed on a beach if you add red sky; Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. It reminds me of an old sailor’s saying: “Red at night sailor’s delight, red in the morning sailors take warning“. That’s what I experienced one evening on our favourite beach at our vacation home in Mariestad – another quality time with my wife – and I tried to capture the magic moment:
I’m fascinated by the nature and its recreational effect if you take the time to soak in the atmosphere. Is there a better way to charge you’re batteries? Away from the urban stress, the traffic jam and the noisy mall – the beauty in the scenery is abundant (click pics to bigify and enjoy):
Ducks swimming under the red evening sky
The endless waves & the path into eternity
In the old times the sailors dependent of the weather and had great respect for nature in its various forms of expression. Long before meteorologists had sophisticated technology to help them predict the weather the sailors made forecasts based on their observations of the sky, animals and nature. The scientific explanation is of course that in the northern hemisphere weather usually moves from west to east:
Fronts which are usually associated with rain have high clouds with them too. As the sun rises in the east, sunlight is reflected by clouds in the west. Because of the way light bends through the atmosphere the light will be red. This will make the clouds in the west, that are heading our way, red. A front is approaching and will usually bring rain.
The significant four seasons:
No matter the science – what fascinates me is the recreational effect and that goes for the significant four seasons too. During the years I have taken photos of this favourite beach of ours many times and in all seasons. The one above was taken this fall in November. Here is some other examples from summer, winter and fall again:
Hot, blue summer beach in June
Left: Fall 2009 – Right: Winter 2010
One of the best parts of living in Scandinavia is the changing of the seasons and experiencing the nature at different times of year, different times of day and throughout different periods of our lives. Sharing this quality time with my wife doubles the pleasure as she loves the seasons as much as I do and understands my joy in the change and variety. I hope this inspired you to go out and enjoy the nature where you are – to recharge your batteries and enjoy the natural beauty all around us.
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posted on 11th November 2010 under Habits
Serving news, history, culture and traditions from Norway and the Nordic countries as well as some travel reports for five years has been an adventurous experience. As a network evangelist, I have learned a lot about how much you gain from interacting with others: to share knowledge & experience, be curious & interested, attentive & including and last but not least helpful. The more you give, the more you get – as I often say: It’s A Givers Gain. These good experiences have deepened and increased in importance since I started blogging, and have enriched my life and, above all, brought me so many new friends and acquaintances. This past year has been particularly eventful, let me mention some examples:
The Oslo Blog Gathering:
Inviting all my blog friends to Oslo was a Social Media experiment. However with good contacts and help – especially VisitOSLO, First Hotel Millennium and staff at the town hall, it was a great success and the experience of a lifetime. About 30 bloggers from around the world experienced Oslo and the Norwegian culture, traditions and history together! Many a new friendship across borders and continents were connected and the event was a testament to another of my motto: Blogging & Social Media connecting people.
You can read more about the event on the Guest Page that also provides an overview of participants’ blog articles about their own experiences.
A blog reborn:
I know a lot about technology and the internet, but even I have my limits. Then it is good to have a network and a little help from my friends. Just a few weeks after I started blogging, I came in contact with Charles Ravndal who is an artist in media and design. He has repeatedly helped me to create an original layout on my blog, including emigration from Blogger to WordPress. The ultimate transformation came this year when he created a new template and new logo design. Charles is good to customize the look of fabric, theme and content – I encourage you to click and visit his site where you can see more of his portfolio and other work.
Other Social Media:
Recent years has witnessed a virtual explosion of other social media that also connects people and provides opportunities for networking: making new contacts and sharing their experiences and knowledge. I was early out on Facebook’s services again originally as an experiment to learn more by doing it myself. This year I have expanded my use to create a fan page. Without going into more depth now, I wonder how long I’ll be blogging and instead use micro-blogging like Twitter and Facebook with all the features included. Maybe when I write a post about my anniversary next year we are closer to the answer.
From all of me, to all of You:
As in previous years, I end by thanking everyone for visiting, for your rewarding and instructive comments and especially for old and new acquaintances in the past year. It is an inspiration that I can continue and share my life and our culture, tradition and history and so many are still interested. A special attention is given as a link love, with a listing of all on my blogroll below. Do you see something wrong, or miss yours on the list, just let me know in a comment.
Charles Ravndal -My blog designer!
A fish blog.com -Magnus Tangen in Norway
An American Expat in Deutschland -Christina
An American In Oslo -Kristie from LA, US
A Changing Life -A in Europe
Aramis’ Blogg -A friend in Norwegian
Backpacking Philippines Travel Guide -Tutubi Flight Chronicles
Blog -Blond -Kuanyin from Maui Hawaii, US
Blogging Sueblimely -English ex-pat, Australian webdesigner & blogging aficionado
Brykmantra -Mark in US
Sandee (Comedy +) -in California, Us
Correr Es Mi Destino -Zhu, French/Canadian teacher in Ottawa
Confessions of an Expat’s Wife
Dackel Princess -Maribeth in US
Dagboek -Thess; Her writings during stolen moments…
DianeCA’s Metamorphoses -My beloved wife!
Diane’s Place in US
The Digital Society – Francis D’Silva, a planning consultant in Norway
Do It Myself Blog -Glenda’s inspiring autobiography
EastcoastLife -a lively girl in Singapore
eGuiden-Backstage -Gunnar in Norway
eirikso.com -Media.HTPC.Mobile.Food.Travel
Euroangle Graffiti -A Filipina in Germany
Excorcise my Devils -ShadowFalcon in Australia
ExpatTravels -From Switzerland to Canada
Espreson -Sarbarth, Expressing with words
Fleur de Lisa -From Indiana, US
Frena -A Filipino living in Chicago, US
Fruity from Fruit Spices
Gentle & Compassionate -Ghee in Japan + Ally And Allies
Genre Cookshop -Nancy Bea Miller in Philadelphia, US
Himalman’s Weblog -An Everest climber
Hope is Bright -Mary Ann in Tennessee, US
House of Lime -Michelle in Pennsylvania, US
Here in the Hills -Naomi: OldOldLadyOfTheHills in LA, US
Humanyms -Pearl in Canada
In Soul -Ginnie in Georgia, US and Amsterdam
In Nederland -Thess from the Philippines
Insanity Prevails -Melli in US
Interesting observations -Pearl with various aspects of blogging
Iternational Blog of Food -I’m a Team blogger her!
Fresh Mess -Mark from the Philippines living in Oslo
Italian’s Insight to Travel Italy
It’s all about luck -Morten Lund from Denmark
It’s all about me -Teena in Toronto, Canada
It’s my party -RIA in the Philippines
Kladdeboka by Paal (Norwegian)
Ladybug’s Leaf
Laza83 -Claudie in France
Life in the fast lane -Deborah Petersen in Alberta, Canada
Lifecruiser -in Sweden
Life, Humour and Recipes -Colin in UK
LikeTress -Kim, an award winning portrait artist
maremagnum -A Chilean expat in Barcelona, Spain
Max Coutinho -In Portugal
Miss Cellania -A funny single mom in Kentucky, US
Moderatlely Confused Pinay in Deutschland
Motivated Motion -Lynn Tucker in Canada
Much of a muchness -Diane, live in deepest, darkest Dorset
My life is murphy’s law -Ev Nucci in US
My Sarisari Store
mökkikunta -A blog friend from Finland
Nomadic Matt Travel Site -A twenty-something vagabond
-Nothern Natterings
-Return to Norway
BeaverBoosh -A Canadian in Norway
-An American in Norway
-An Alien in Copenhagen
Olga, the Traveling Bra -A Globetrotter
OneStep4ward -The Life & Times of a Serial Backpacker
Photojournalism, Travel and Nature Photography -JH a Globetrotter
Random thoughts on Norway -Kenneth from Norway in Prague
Return to Norway – Caroline back home
Speedcat Hollydale Page -Eric “Speedcat Hollydale” in Minnesota, US
Spilling Out -Mother of Invention in Canada
Sue’s Daily Photography
Susies The Boss in US
Tin-tin: What Makes My Life Pretty?
The Painted Veil -Shinade in Oklahoma, US
~*~Tinkerbell~*~ -The magical journal of a Dutch
Through JoAnn’s Digital Eyes’-NL
TorAa Mirror -in Norway
Travel Wonders of the world -Mark H in Sydney, Australia
Tricia’s Musings -A nurse, A wife living the Fun fun social life
Traveler’s Tales -Traveller, Foodie and Gearhead
Travel Guide Travel information portal.
Tulsa Gentleman -Bill Miller, Tulsa, OK in US
Two Go Round-The-World -Kathryn and Daniel
Visual Norway – my way -RuneE in Norway
Wanderlust Sha -Wanderlust in Greece
Will Pate – Hugs not thugs
Wish I was there -Hexe in Florida
Word Strumpet -Charlotte Rains Dixon in Portland, US
Yours-Truly.net -Caledonia in Scotland
I would like to thank my wife DianeCA for all of her support and understanding my passion for being so active in Social Media. Check out her post of being married to a blogger!
Cheers to a new blogging year: for new and exciting discoveries, and most of all to maintain old and develop new friendships.
Comments (17)
The three Norwegians contribution was very important for TCP/IP technology that we developed, Cerf said to me when I met him in Oslo in 2007. It all started in the 1970s when there was several internal computer networks developed in U.S. (e.g. Arpanet) and UK. Cerf wanted to develop a technology for connecting networks together, so-called Inter-netting, so that data could be transferred between computers connected to arbitrary network. His group of students and researchers, including the Norwegians Day Belsnes and Pål Spilling, worked hard to develop this technology; both in data transporting and guarantee of that data received the right computer. This technology is what we call the TCP/IP protocol system.
Like I said, Cerf was here and I met him in 2007 when we had a nice chat too. I said I had heard Norway was the first country outside US who connected to the Arpanet, but he wasn’t sure if it was UK or Norway.
