The background picture is of the Old Bridge Pontypridd ,built at the fourth attempt over the River Taff, South Wales by William Edwards in 1756. It was a miracle of engineering and innovation and is still standing. It was the longest single span stone bridge in the world for 40 years and I like it as the background image for What’s the PONT.
What’s the PONT is about learning. The things I’ve learnt or find interesting and want to share with a few friends. Pont is the Welsh for bridge, and ‘What’s the PONT’ is also just that, a bridge. I’m interested in learning and sharing knowledge for the greater good and because I think its important. This is what PONT is about, nothing more.
Disclaimer. I need to say that these are my own personal views and opinions and have nothing to do with the views of the organisation I work for, or any of the other organisations I might have any connection with.
I’m not a huge fan of rules but this is what I’m going to try to stick to. I lifted these from
the Wikinomics book I read a while back. It’s the guidance one of the big US tech firms gave to their staff on blogging:
- Don’t do anything stupid.
- Write about what you know.
- Make it interesting.
I’ll let you be the judge of if I’m any good on these.
About Me. The things I’m currently interested in are:
- How people learn and share knowledge;
- Social Media, Web2.0 whatever you want to call the current world of the internet;
- Better public services.
I’m native of the South Wales Valleys, spending much of my life within about 10 miles of
Pontypridd, which is why the William Edwards bridge is important to me.
I’m a scientist by background. I’ve done a number of diverse roles from being a marine biologist, working with fisheries and waste water treatment. Other things I’ve done include being a corporate planner, supporting democracy and public service improvement.
Interesting ‘About’ page, interesting concept – good for you.
Thanks for following @CardiffInternet on Twitter. Hope that you can make one of our forthcoming events? http://cardiffinternet.com/next-event
Best regards, David
Thanks for the comments David.
Yes I am hoping to come to the event on Monday.
Just have a few things to sort out first.
Glad you liked the idea behind What’s the PONT.
I reckon the Newbridge at Pontypridd should feature as on of the Welsh Icons.
I’ll have a look at how I nominate.
Hope to see you monday.
Chris
Rather than just be a “lurker” I will say how much I enjoyed the last 20 minutes with your blog. I’m really thinking about a little e-class born of my blog and discovered you in “researching” online participation. But I stayed because I enjoyed the malicious compliance stories, general literate tone, and image of that beautiful bridge. Thank you! Best, Katy Gilmore
Thanks Katy,
I very much appreciate your comments.
The malicious compliance stories are all part the day to day here.
The recent rain has held things up so there may be more to come, particularly as an ancient motorbike has been ‘discovered’ which the kids are itching to restore.
Thanks again,
Chris
I am going to make a point of visiting the Old Bridge in Pontypridd next time I am in the area. I would vote for it as one of the welsh icons. Nice blog.
Thanks for the comments, much appreciated.
Pontypridd, Newbridge is definitely a Welsh Icon.
There are some pictures of it lit up with different coloured lights on the Pontypridd Town website http://www.pontytown.co.uk/photos.html.
I enjoyed your Berlin graffiti post. I have left you a comment. Went there myself in May, was amazed by graffiti.
Have written a piece on the love padlocks I saw on bridges I’m due to post soon.
Hi Chris,
I’m an editor for a software development news and tutorials site (dzone.com) and I wanted to see if you might be interested in having some of your blog content featured on a new topic portal on social business tools and methods. Shoot me an email and we can talk.
Hi Mitch,
Will do.
Chris
Dear Sir
Hope I have the right email address.
Found your name as a contact under wordpress communitiies in the UK – Wales
Wondered if you could recommend to us please on any forums where we can advertise jobs for wordpress developers.
We have already gone on WordPress.net, but as an expert we thought you might be able to help us with recommendations.
We are a thriving graphic design and marketing agency in SW UK with an ever expanding order book and we want to make sure we advertise to the right candidates.
Any feedback will be gratefully received.
Kind regards
Cat
Hello Cat,
Thanks for the message.
A place you could look at is WordPress Users Wales.
This is a voluntary group of people who are interested in WordPress and meetup every couple of months.
The twitter account is @wordpresswales
The blog is cardiffusers.wordpress.com
If you make contact through either of these routes we can try to help out.
Hope this is of use,
Thanks for getting in touch.
Chris