Hi Eugene I was told yesterday that the Goanet archives from 1999 are not available after I tried to unsuccessfully access them myself. In addition to what I posted previously regarding Goa Sudharop's contribution to WGD, I did not mention the WGD yahoogroup too. I mention this to state a fact and emphatically write that I personally deserve and take no credit, all credit belongs to everyone else. However, it is interesting that those in the know have not publicly corrected the record when many opportunities have presented themselves.
As I mentioned before (and this is not meant to come across as sour grapes), Goa Sudharop got no mention in two important articles written on the Goa Computer Schools Project when 90% of the funding was provided by Goa Sudharop. Goa Sudharop also funded a Goan website and at its launch in Goa, not one word mentioned acknowledging Goa Sudharop. I have now come to expect a certain amount of ingratitude and lack of credit from some Goans. However, a Goan wrote to me privately that he is interested in writing a complete history. Others have written in with their support and I will reply as time permits. But let us move from "who deserves credit", to the event itself as you seem interested by your subject line "Further insights into WGD". I would like to mention there are important issues to deal with in the future: 1. Not to allow some Goan associations and their self-promoting Presidents to hijack WGD. For example, I mentioned a WGD picnic where there was no mention of WGD, no poster, no announcement, no WGD agenda, nothing. Just a lot of self-serving cyber-publicity and promotion. 2. There are a number of Goan associations who used to celebrate WGD but no longer do so. I suspect that number added up over time equals or exceeds those who celebrated it this year. The question to ask is what happened? Did they no longer see the WGD purpose? Did they feel inadequately recognized? Did they feel they did all the work and got no credit? Did they feel the event was not meangingful? Etc.? Those answers may help WGD become a stronger event. Long-term WGD can serve a higher purpose. In a very thoughtful email, one Goan based in London emailed Rene and me to enchance the event. He is right. It can be an important community event which endures and not flicker out. For that to happen it must focus on community, and not individuals. Regards, George
