Hello 2008

[Tami]

....goodbye 2007 - and what a year it was. Of course in many ways it was a typical KillaNet year - advances, setbacks and mothballs. It was a year where a careful look was taken at where we've been and where we would like to be - and what we would like to have - like a business license - but that's just part of the bigger picture.

The biggest milestone in 2007 for KillaNet was without a doubt the arrest and charging of Greg King after the three years of attacks we put up with from him. Hopefully 2008 will finally see justice served where he is concerned. At least along the way we met an FBI agent and a US State Attorney who both understood the technical side of the case, our frustration with the lack of progress in the case, and they also have a great sense of humour. Should Scott and I travel down to California once the case goes to full trial, I will definitely be looking forward to meeting them.

Looking back on events we attended throughout the year, I think that the two most momentous were [url=\"http://www.pennyarcadeexpo.com/\"]PAX[/url] in August - where we were able to attend panel discussions given by the designers from ArenaNet (and also obtain many signed prints from the artists) - and of course attending the [url=\"http://www.worldcybergames.com\"]World Cyber Games[/url] Grand Finals last October in Seattle. It was quite the experience to attend such a huge and truly global event. 2007 was also the inaugural year for two new events in Vancouer - the [url=\"http://www.gamedesignexpo.com\"]Game Design Expo[/url] in January and the [url=\"http://www.vancouvergamesummit.com/\"]Vancouver Game Summit[/url] in May. Both events were incredibly informative, well-run, and a very positive addition to the industry here in British Columbia. Also new last year was the commencement of the [url=\"http://mdm.gnwc.ca/index.php\"]Masters of Digital Media[/url] programme at [url=\"http://www.gnwc.ca/\"]Great Northern Way Campus[/url] in Vancouver. This programme was many years in the making and it was exciting to be a part of the process, even as an observer.

This year KillaNet will turn four years old and we will see the return of Digital Storm LAN - bigger and better than ever. We are also looking forward to the re-opening of the KillaNet store, which will be carrying many new and wonderful items - especially if the projects I've been working on with a local printer come to fruition. We will also see KillaNet's involvement with the local game development and animation industry increase, and partnerships with certain educational facilities form. KillaNet is maturing and finding its niche in the outside world - in fact, it's quite satisfying to see alot of our hard work starting to pay off. In 2007 we became a member of [url=\"http://www.newmediabc.com/index.php\"]New Media BC[/url], which marked the start of KillaNet's coming of age. We look forward to attending several NMBC events in 2008 and meeting new people along the way. We will also be forming a non-profit branch of KillaNet, and many of you who so desire will have the opportunity to become a Founding Member - but there will be more about that in the near future. This will be a very exciting development for us and will move the whole community forward in leaps and bounds.

There are many, many industry events already on our calendar for 2008 - starting with the [url=\"http://www.gamedesignexpo.com\"]Game Design Expo[/url] hosted by [url=\"http://www.vfs.com\"]Vancouver Film School[/url]. Summer will be extremely busy for us between conferences in both Vancouver and Seattle along with [url=\"http://www.digitalstormlan.com\"]Digital Storm[/url], then in the fall we have [url=\"http://www.vidfest.com\"]VIDfest[/url] and the [url=\"http://siggraph.ca/events/archive/2007/09/index.html\"]Computer Animation Festival[/url] in September, followed by [url=\"http://www.videogameslive.com/index.php?s=home\"]Video Games Live[/url] appearing with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. We will also be attending a performance by [url=\"http://www.jeffdunham.com\"]Jeff Dunham[/url] at the Mount Baker Theatre - not industry related at all, but it is guaranteed to be a very good time. The KillaNet [url=\"http://www.killanet.net/forum/calendar.html\"]Community Calendar [/url]is always a good resource to check out - events around the world are added as information comes available, so if you want to know what is happening in the world of Digital Media around the globe, check it out. I could happily spend a good part of the year attending conferences, seminars and meeting industry people if only time and finances allowed.

2008 promises to be the year in which KillaNet will take its place in the new media industry and truly grow into the vision we have of a well-rounded educational resource community open to everyone of any skill level. As we look upon the new year with anticipation, I would like to welcome all of the new members who have joined us over the past year, and thank all of the community staff and "older" members for their time and participation in keeping KillaNet on a growing curve. To each and every one of you - may you have a prosperous year of learning, triumphs and achievements as you venture forth into the future on whatever paths you have chosen.

Happy 2008 Everyone.

[Jim]

Good Job KillaNet, best wishes for 2008 <img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... /smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':)\' />

[NightStorm]

It's always an amazing feeling to see something that you helped to get moving, develop into something like what we have here. An amazing community of (mostly <img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... igwink.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\';)\' />) intelligent young adults who are striving to better themselves in a healthy and productive way, instead of putting their art on walls and windows (read:graffiti).
The people of this community make me proud to say that I am a part of it. Congratulations to you all for helping Killanet into 2008, and thank you everyone.

[Wayne]

This year will certainly be an exciting one moving foward. With all the ups and downs in the past years, it will be exciting to see what 2008 will bring us. Between business plans and community building plans, I really hope to see more great new features and improvments to this community that has done so much for me. Thank you to all the people that have continued to make this a great experience for all involved.

Best Wishes,
Wayne

[Josh]

Sounds like KillaNet is pretty well set for the 2008 year! I've enjoyed all of the years up to this point... Here's to another fun year! <img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... iggrin.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':D\' />

[us3rX]

Hmm, 2008 is the year of the rat =s there went that idea of saying something nice... haha

But yes, its been a weird year... alot has gone on, but the best thing was that greg was finally taken care of, hopefully he will get what he deserves and maybe... just maybe he learned his lesson =)

Best of wishes to everyone in 2008

us3rX <img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... /ph34r.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':ph34r:\' />

[ner0]

Here's to a great 2008.

I like the idea of a non-profit branch, would probably be useful in terms of getting grants & opening new doors etc.

Would be awesome to see KN really succeed <img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... iggrin.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':D\' />

[Twister]

My time here was pretty good in 2007. I know i kind of left mIRC alone for a long time and then I came back and nothing has changed at all. A lot is going on with school and i still get help from my friends on this server here and there. So i look forward into getting more involved in the KN Community this year.