Dear Goanet members, In connection with Goanet's 10th anniversary, and plans to become even more meaningful to our readers in cyberspace, we have been working on a number of ideas over the past few months.
Over the past few years, we have launched the Cybermatrimonials network. It puts interested people in touch with each other, and builds links leveraging cyberspace. This, together with the 'birthdays/anniversaries initiative', has been well appreciated by our readership. In the coming weeks, we will be announcing some new initiatives. But the immediate one is the launch of Goanet News Service and a network called Goanet- Careers. We are currently finalising the launch of the Goanet News Service, which will bring in some special and exclusive coverage from, on and about Goa. We are specially looking at how we can go beyond the mainstream, newspaper- based news circuit in Goa. We see Goanet as contributing to play a positive role in creating more space for the average Goan (and friend of Goa) to express themselves. We also look forward to bringing out more content that would be relevant to Goanetters of diverse age groups, interests and nationalities. News has long been a vital input for Goanet. We recognise its importance in keeping the Goan diaspora connected with Goa, in helping them understand their roots, and in playing a more critical role in making a difference to Goa and the lives of the people of the region, wherever they may be currently living. We are in the process of revamping our news setup, and should have better options shortly in place. You can expect to see the impact of the changes within the next fortnight. In the meantime, we would like to thank Joel D'Souza (GoaCom) and wish him well, for the news-summaries he has been offering our readers. Joel has followed the footsteps of Vishwas Chavan and Frederick Noronha, and has been one who has sent out daily news to the members of Goanet. Joel moves on to pursue other endeavours. His last news clippings will be posted at the end of January. We appreciate his contribution! Goanet-Careers is oriented towards career-related issues for our readers. More information will follow. How you can help Goanet: * Be a volunteer to report news happenings in your Goan community. * Be a volunteer to draw Goanet's attention to breaking news in cyberspace. * Opt to volunteer as a 'Goanet Overseas Ambassador', a 'GOA' island wherever you're located, building links between Goanet and the wider community of Goans and people interested in Goa. * Give feedback and suggestions regarding Goanet and its content. * Forward copies of news and postings to non-Goanetters (family and friends), and suggest that they sign-up if they'd benefit from this service. It is important to us that you give us feedback during this process so that we can tailor our services to provide you with the information you want and to do it efficiently and effectively. Your feedback matters! Thank you Goanetters for your support in the past decade as we continue to undertake our innovative journey in unchartered cyberwaters. Yours sincerely, Herman Carneiro Chair Goanet Admin GOANET -- BUILDING SOCIAL CAPITAL SINCE 1994. Social capital refers to the collective value of all 'social networks' and the inclinations that arise from these networks to do things for each other, according to Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone and the concept's leading exponent. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_capital ********************