Well, 2006 flew by. This first and last post for December and final post for 2006 is going to be brief, I’m running late and need to go work out before the events of the evening call – and that window is looking tight.

First of all, happy new year to all! And a special hi to everyone I’ve met in the last few weeks at the parties and between biz travel, okay you biz guys also, where I’ve been too busy to reply to emails.

Further, I’ve read a good number of blog posts this year – heh, mostly in airport lounges and in taxis but I’m sure you don’t do it that way :) – from which I’ve learned something new, which always makes me feel good. Same for a few very v helpful folks who have taken the time and effort to fill in some gaps for this old dog. I’d like to thank you all, some of you know who you are and the bloggers, well, keep on blogging your insights and hypothesis – methinks you’re adding big value to the societal scheme, the democratisation process needs and is calling for your continued efforts.

But wait, there’s more.

With all of the unusual and tough to believe sometimes comings and goings this year you’ve got to look at the folks who really contributed, intentionally or not, to the bigger picture, for instance China. Will we look at some point with 20/20 hindsight and see Niklas Zennström’s Skype was instrumental in the tipping point kind of way in connecting peeps and bringing change along against the grain. And it’s not just Skype in China, or other such VoIP services innovating or, importantly, prodding gently, ehemm, the comms industry economics back from the extortive call pricing schemes they’ve concocted. But I digress.

Hope you all have enjoyed a great holiday and I wish everyone – all of us in every nation and of every ethnicity and religious belief – a healthy, peaceful and prosperous new year.