There are now 25 local SIGs in various stages of formation. Three of them are in Europe and four of them are in Canada. Given the number, diversity and geographical spread of these groups it seems a good time to reflect on what it means to be a local group.
Physical distance is no longer a serious barrier to communication or collaboration.
One of the technologies helping to bring groups together is the World Wide Web. The addresses of these home pages will henceforth be included with the other contact information on the inside back cover. Having grown up in Melbourne I was familiar with the surroundings and culture. I was reminded of how far away Australia is and how little that distance matters. Even within Australia the distances between major cities are great and the population relatively small.