General Chat

.

Taken from todays Province Newspaper: John Bermingham, The Province Published: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 There may be no return from the grave, but what about remaining virtually alive? Computer and funeral experts in Vancouver are hailing Microsoft's move into the field of 'immortal computing.' The U.S. computer giant is looking at ways for the dearly departed to store e-mail messages and biographical information for centuries. The information could be stored on tombstones or cremation urns, or in a virtual cemetery on the Internet. 'I think it's going to be quite successful,' said Giuseppe Carenini, assistant professor of computer science at the University of B.C. 'People are going to prepare their own book or their own memorial. It is going to be with pictures, with writing, with songs.' Carenini said it's possible people may no longer have their bodies stored in a specific place, but remain in a virtual cemetery. When friends and relatives visit, they would leave their thoughts, not flowers. Microsoft is researching ways of storing the data for generations without having the storage devices break down. Instructions to access the data could come in multiple languages, even hieroglyphics. Another issue is how to power the interface. One option is to use alternative energy such as thermal or inductive power. Glen Hodges, who runs Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver, said he likes the idea of the world being able to access a dead person's life. 'I think it's great,' he said. 'It just adds another layer to the possibilities.' The cemetery will always be a choice for people who want the environment and a piece of stone. Walter Johanson, who runs the Memorial Society of B.C., a funeral consumer group, said virtual cemeteries might prove popular with people who choose to have their ashes scattered. 'You have these remains scattered somewhere, but there's no sense of place, that this is a sacred place for this person,' he said. Johanson, a former pastor, wondered how an electronic memorial will endure, since park benches and gravestones don't last forever. 'It's just another way of spending money,' he said. 'There's no one around anymore to remember the deceased. 'A few generations down the line, we're forgotten.'

Thanks for posting this. Very interesting!

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to store our genealogy information for future generations to read? Deb

Hi Deb I like that idea very much :-) how are you?? feeling a bit better I hope? Keep meaning to tell you, I've been reading in the papers here about the horrible murders just outside Vancouver - not too near you I hope?? Scary stuff ! Maz. XX

Hi Maz - feeling a little better yesterday, but back to the pain today :( It will take time. As far as the murders go - the Pickton farm is TOO close to were we live. Deb

oh dear - sorry to hear the pain is back. get some of that red wine down yer girl !! blimey - I bet it was a shock to you when it all came out. was reading one thing that the police were told a number of years ago about him, but did nothing - shocking really. Maz. XX