EXPLORE SOCIAL NETWORKING WITH PORTHCURNO TELEGRAPH MUSEUM
Second lecture looks at impact of Facebook, Bebo and MySpace

Press release: February 2008 (PDF version, 37KB)

The phenomenon of social networking on the Internet is being explored in the second lecture from the Communicate 2008 series being held at University College Falmouth.

Hosted by Porthcurno Telegraph Museum, Web for Good: Challenging the triviality of the Internet will look at how using website such as Facebook, MySpace and Bebo can make a positive impact on society.

The talk will be presented by Jonathan Simmons, director of communications agency Public Zone, who regularly uses the Internet and social networking websites to help promote its clients.

Students at University College Falmouth will be recording the lecture to make it available as a downloadable podcast after the event.

He said: "There is a perception that online social networking is something for the ‘younger generation', but I strongly believe this can be used to more meaningful ends.

"Currently, sites such as Facebook and Myspace are an incredibly powerful tool in marketing and communications. We're keen to promote the idea of social networking for grown-ups, where human contributions can be of real value."

Libby Buckley, director of Porthcurno Telegraph Museum, said: "Social networking is an interesting and very relevant topic today. Advances in information technology means the world of communication is constantly changing.

"Holding these lectures keeps the work of the museum current, and helps people engage with what we do. We've had a great response from our first lecture in January, and we're looking forward to some more fascinating presentations."

The Communicate 2008 lecture series is being chaired by BBC South West's political editor Chris Rogers.

The lectures take place at 7.30pm at University College Falmouth's Tremough campus. Tickets for the events are priced £7.50/£5.00 (concessions) and are available from the Poly in Falmouth.

The Poly box office is open from 10-5 Monday to Saturday. Tel: 01326 212 300 or book online at www.thepoly.org. For more information about Porthcurno Telegraph Museum, go to www.porthcurno.org.uk

Lectures to follow include:

Thursday, March 27: History of Telecommunications - People and Technology by Dr Jack Rowley.

Dr Rowley is Director of Research and Sustainability at GSMA, a global trade organisation which represents mobile phone operators in over 200 countries.

With a background in electronic engineering, Dr Rowley has more than 18 years experience in the telecommunications industry. He is responsible for researching the safety and social aspects of mobile communications.

Dr Rowley will explore the history of telecommunications, from messenger on horseback to wireless Internet connection.

Thursday, April 24: New Media, New Terrorism: Dr Maura Conway explores the relationship between terrorism and the Internet.

Dr Conway is the MA programme director for the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University. Her research interest is the use of the Internet in terrorist activity, including al Qaeda's use of new media and comparing media hype with reality.

End

For more information please contact Rachel Foster on 07989 695522 or email rachelvfoster@tiscali.co.uk.

Notes for Editors

Porthcurno Telegraph Museum www.porthcurno.org.uk 01736 810 478

Background
Porthcurno has a unique historic provenance: this is where the telegraph cables that linked Britain with its Empire and other nations came ashore. The valley was the hub of international cable communications from 1870-1970 and also training college for the communications industry until 1993. Porthcurno was the largest cable station in the world.

Our collection is unique in its completeness. We have the only working cable station (complete in all details except the actual cable) in the world. We also have all the supporting materials and associated ephemera that are rarely preserved with such collections. Porthcurno also had one of the earliest commercial wireless stations in 1902 so we are able to show the emerging competition between cable and wireless technology.

The ethos of the museum is to have as much as possible to be demonstrated in working order. To keep the collections working we rely on the knowledge and support of a dedicated team of volunteers.

The role of the cable station and the training school at Porthcurno has had a significant impact on the valley and local communities. The museum is now a focus for representing local history as well as communications technology.

History of the PK Trust
The Porthcurno Telegraph Museum is owned and operated by The Cable & Wireless Porthcurno and Collections Trust (The PK Trust) an independent educational charity and heritage trust. The PK Trust was created in 1997 by Cable & Wireless to hold the Company's historic buildings and collections at Porthcurno.

Its main activities are the operation of Porthcurno Telegraph Museum and the management of the Cable & Wireless historic archive. The museum and archive already provide access to an internationally recognised resource and have become a centre for the education of the public in the history of telegraph communications. As well as a successful museum a lot of work is carried out with local schools and community groups.