The Vermont Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication is pleased to present Rich Maggiani and his presentation: Cloud Computing and Communication on Wednesday, October 14, 2009.

While cloud computing is a metaphor for the Internet, its breadth and range are much more significant and ground-breaking. Cloud computing is a complex infrastructure of software, hardware, processing, and storage that is available as a service.

But cloud computing goes beyond that, offering a way for people to expand their local computing power onto the (seemingly) infinite processing power of the Internet. One of the results is a changing method of communication.

Cloud computing can be a single-function application, an infrastructure on which these applications (and many others) can run, a set of services that offer the advantages of huge amounts of computing resources, and the ability to store large amounts of data remotely. This session explains cloud computing and presents some of the applications that can be used for professional communication, some of which you might already be unintentionally using. There will be time allocated to discuss the implications that cloud computing might have on your everyday work.

The Speaker

Rich Maggiani views the world as metaphor. Through the solitude of mountaineering excursions, he gains the clarity that metaphors bring to an otherwise noisy world. Rich applies these insights to attain the simple, clear communication necessary to enlighten and bring people together toward a common goal (which is why he is so keen on social media). Rich, a Communication Consultant with over 25 years experience, is the founder of Solari Communication (http://www.solari.net/), a Fellow of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), and a Director on STC’s Board. He writes, consults, teaches, and speaks on a variety of communication topics across the country.

You can read his blog, Toward Humanity, at http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/; and read other free goodies by going to http://www.solari.net/free-resources.php.

Special Note: Rich asks that if you hunger for him to address anything in particular regarding cloud computing, please contact him at rich [dot] maggiani [at] solari [dot] net or 877-879-9330.

When: Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Time: 5:30 P.M., networking and snacks; 5:45-7:15 P.M., presentation

Where: GE Healthcare, (formerly IDX Systems Corporation), 40 IDX Drive, South Burlington, VT (directions below)

Admission: Free to STC and Professional Collaborative (TPC) members; $20 for nonmembers or free with a first-timers coupon available at http://www.stc-vermont.org/ .

RSVP: RSVP to Patty Myers at 802-859-6685 or patricia [dot] myers [at] ge [dot] com.

From interstate 89, take exit 13 to highway 189/Shelburne Road.
Follow highway 189 to the end and turn left onto Shelburne Road/Route 7 South.
Turn left at the light onto IDX Drive. (Talbots will be on your left and Lewis Motors will be on your right.)
Turn right into the GE Healthcare parking lot.
Go straight and park in Visitors’ Parking or nearby.
Walk across the circular drive and come to the main entrance in the fully glass-fronted part of the building. You will be greeted there.