What a space-age experience!

The futuristic ambience at this year's IT&T Fair has definitely left an impression on anyone who visited the stand set up by the Ministry of Information, Technology and Investment.

The ministry managed to grab visitors' attention by portraying how life will be in 10 years' time and how the routine domestic chores will be facilitated through the use of information and communication technologies.

Over 22,000 visitors visualised the future by walking through the "Future Tunnel", an innovative walk-through experience, representing the ways in which technology can improve the quality of life of those using it.

This space-age winding tunnel took the visitor through an experience where technologies are adopted in a number of life events, from the work place, to the home environment and to leisure-related activities.

People experiencing this walk-through were accompanied by low-frequency futuristic sounds and plasma screens depicting technology not only as a means but as a way of life. Sight and sound presentations illustrated how the usage of technology can improve experiences related to health, environment, business, transport, education and employment.

Over the past three years, the ministry responsible for information technology participated in the IT & T Fair. The objective was to bring technology closer to the public, engaging them in various initiatives, from registration for free computer courses to free e-mail addresses as well as the provision of technology-related information through awareness material, including instruction booklets on the use of e-mail and the internet.

This year's stand of the IT ministry was a showcase of the main ICT projects which have been rolled-out by the government. The stand included live demonstrations on how the citizen can make use the various eGovernment services, which include eLibraries, eRents, Inland Revenue services, eLicenses, Public Registry services, Acquisition of Immovable Property, eExams, Police reporting and the customer care system - Servizz.gov.

Visitors were assisted by trained government employees, who gave presentations and responded to queries on all the eGovernment services. In addition, visitors were also invited to browse and familiarise themselves with the government portal and the ministry's website. Visitors also had the possibility to apply for a free web-based email address.

The web-phones which are now available in all towns and villages were also installed at the stand while a user demonstration guided the interested visitors through the main functions of the phone.

Consequently, the web-phone at the stand enticed many, especially the younger generation, who took advantage of their parent's momentary distraction to engage themselves in a quick game of their favourite cartoon characters. A handy and convenient booklet that illustrates simple guidelines on how to use the web-phone was also distributed for quick future reference.

Another attraction at the stand was the Maltapost desk, where over 900 students purchased their Microsoft subsidised software. Furthermore, all Maltese parents had the opportunity to avail themselves of a number of free yearly subscriptions of the "CyberPatrol" parental control software. This filtering software manages internet access and provides full control over the children's on-line experience. The helpful CyberPartrol representatives at the stand encouraged parents to get a free 12-month subscription of CyberPatrol by visiting the following website: http://www.cyberpatrol.com/go/malta www.cyberpatrol.com/go/malta

Roberta Zahra is at the Ministry for IT and Investment.