Does anyone understand Error Messages

I wouldn't claim to have a great knowledge of all the things that go in to today's modern technologies but I think, given basic instuctions, I could work out how to get my way around today's gadgets - mobile phones, X-boxes or computers.

As you can see from earlier posts on this blog I'm having trouble with my new company's email system which was working perfectly for the last six months until last Wednesday night.

I've spent quite a while today trying to get some idea where to start looking for the reason why the sudden change came about and the only clue I can find is this error message. Can anyone explain what it means?

The connection to the server has failed. Account: 'martinjack@thinkdifferentevents.co.uk', Server: 'mail.thinkdifferentevents.co.uk', Protocol: SMTP, Port: 25, Secure(SSL): No, Socket Error: 10061, Error Number: 0x800CCC0E

The day after the night before

This isn't me but it sums up the way I'm feeling just now!!

Just sitting here recovering from one too many wee sherries last night. This is a quick note to thank everybody who contributed to my leaving present yesterday and hope that all the gang who turned up for the leaving do, both past and present staff, got home safely. It was a bit of a shock to me, and no doubt a few others, to see a film clip from 1984 with my Michael Bolton haircut - hey remember it was fashionable then!!

Still no sign of fixing the Think Different Events email problem so I just have to hope that anyone trying to contact me has my phone number.

Last Day with Learning and Teaching Scotland

A horde of delegates await further pronouncements on the imminent departure of Jacky and David.

Just a few more hours to go and then, after almost 24 years, I'll be leaving Learning and Teaching Scotland to earn a living on my own.

The last 24 hours have been a bit hectic especially since I found that my 'new' email system had somehow crashed meaning no email in and no email out. The last thing I needed on the eve of starting up on my own. If anybody out there tried to get through during this time then sorry, but you weren't being ignored.
It really makes you appreciate having a system support team in-house to fix all those system problems as and when they arise. Just hope that I don't have too many problems in the future.

The leaving 'do' is due to begin at three in here with me and David both being honoured or dishonoured depending on your view with a range of stories of our times here and there. Then it’s off to drown our sorrows with a few wee Sherries and await the inevitable hangover that will be awaiting tomorrow. I've tried to personally thank as many people as I could with various emails a few weeks ago but there are a couple worth a more public vote of thanks including Willie Coffey, hopefully a soon to be MSP, from my development days - Ian Graham, Mike Thomas, Graham Wilson, Paul Kennedy, Ralph Andrew and Iain Fyfe. The Technology Centre would never have been the same without Diane Izatt and Fiona Andrew. And SETT - The Scottish Learning Festival is a whole team effort with this year special mention to Bronagh Bell, Jackie Ferguson, David Boag, Moira Taylor, Heidi Idle, Ailie Pollock, Jeremy Stevenson and last but by no means least Elaine Docherty and Tracy Reilly.

Without them and hundreds if not thousands like them the last 24 years or so would have been really dull.

Just putting the final touches to some of the work that had to be completed post the festival and then hopefully some time to relax, well at least for a day or two.

Trying to tidy things up

This week is all about trying to make sure I tie up all the loose ends for the various work I've been doing over the last few months in particular. Quarter two claims are required to go to the Scottish Executive for last week's successful Scottish Learning Festival which means going through all the budgets and financial information. I'm still trying to tie down some contracts for Xchange 2007 which Learning and Teaching Scotland are hosting and there's the small matter of getting myself organised for working on my own - trying to source a computer to work with and continue with this blog, buying paper and folders, keeping the bank manager happy now that I don't have a regular income.

Also need to start thinking about developing the business and contacting people who may be helpful in sourcing work for me.

The hardest thing about setting up on my own has been the amount of administration I've had to do to make sure I don't lose anything that might help me in the coming months - contact details, press cuttings, expense receipts, keeping the website up to date, www.thinkdifferentevents.co.uk, etc. And at the same time knowing I've a full shift to put in for Learning and Teaching Scotland especially the logistical planning for the Scottish Learning Festival which seemed to go with a bang last week.
Still got a few things to finish off before I leave on Friday - letters of thanks, preparing for the steering group, handover to other people, etc. Oh and the small matter of a few wee sherry's on Friday night!!

The Final Countdown

On the final countdown to leaving the security of the company behind me to set up on my own as a conference and events management company. Finally leave Learning and Teaching Scotland after almost 24 years to begin life as Chairman, Chief Executive, Business Development Director, Festival Director....Accountant, Administrator, Driver, etc. etc. Basically for any job that needs to be done over the coming months I'll have to look in the mirror and tell the person facing me that I've got every faith in him and it's his responsibility to get it done.