I'm a member of the Kent Local Network and wanted to join a TPN to find speakers for events for my subject specialism, IT and software development. Looking through the TPN list though I am not sure which one fits the industry I am in. I write software in a variety of languages (Java, Scala, PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, HTML, CSS etc) and the software is mostly targeted at the web and web development.

At first glance the Multimedia group seems the most likely but content on this network tends to revolve around telecomms and mobile infrastructure, not web and software development.

When IT is one of the main subject areas of the IET, why is there no equivalent TPN, or, if there is, which one is it?

Kind regards,

John Ennew MEng CEng MIET

I'd certainly like to see something similar although IT is an extremely broad church from the software guys like yourself to the networking guys like myself with all the systems guys in between so it would have to have a wide remit.

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Jake Greenland, CEng MIET.
CCIE #22595

I think maybe there should be three or four TPNs for IT: Software, IT Hardware, IT Networks, Systems Engineering. There is already a TPN with the last of those four names, whether it's about systems engineering in the IT sense or in some other sense I don't know.

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Eur Ing Tom Thomson MA MSc MBCS CITP CMath FIMA CEng FIET

In response to the OP I can confirm there are not currently any TPN's directly related to I.T. Systems Engineering is in a more general sense and not specifically focused on I.T. The IET is currently reviewing its community engagement programme and there is a consultation process currently under way and I would encourage you to submit your response on this matter as this will aid the IET in its decissions going forward - http://kn.theiet.org/community-engagement/

You are right in noticing that the closest match is the Multimedia Communications Network is the one that deals with I.T related topics. Whilst their focus is largely on broadcast and communications, they have covered I.T and internet related topics with for example; a lecture on the 40th anniversary of Donald Davies paper on packet switching and a technical visit and tour around the National museum of Computing.

The IET is looking to expand its activity in the I.T space and the Information and Communications Sector is one of the ways. If there is a subject you would particularly be interested in having an activity on then please feel free to let me know and I can work with the Executive team and see what is possible.

Kind regards,
Simon Yarwood
Head of Sector - Information and Communications
Community Development Manager - MMC Network and V&I Network

HI Simon

Has any IT TPNs been created recently following the consultation process?

Thanks
Hisham

Hisham,

The review did not generate the creation of any new Communities. The feedback received has outlined the importance for a Community to be driven by its members rather than staff, as such we are working on a web platform to enable people to create a Community themsleves within the IET online environment.

This is an ongoing project and will hopefully be completed in the early summer with the platform currently being tested and improved.

There will be communications to Community registrants when things are ready to be used so if you are registered on the IET with MyIET you will know when things are ready.

Kind regards,
Simon

I would like to see an IT TPN too.

For anyone interested in a new IT related Community, then please do check out the new platform I was referring to, MyCommunity, which you can access through the get invovled tab in the websites meganav.

The below text is directly copied from the MyCommunity homepage;

If you're an IET member, why not create a community for you and your peers to connect, share knowledge, store and share documents, videos, and photos?

Please email mycommunity@theiet.org, stating the community you wish to set up and its purpose.

Kind regards,
Simon