Everyone from technology and computer wizards to absolute novices will be able to find something to fire up their interest thanks to the launch of Tech Week 2009.

Tech Week, which was officially launched by the Ministry of Energy, Telecommunications and E-commerce at Belco's C Eugene Cox Operations Centre yesterday, runs from now until Friday.

Energy, Telecommunications and E-commerce Minister Terry Lister kicked-off proceedings with a speech about the event, which is in its third year of running, focusing on what it means to Bermuda and its residents.

"As the Minister responsible for E-commerce, I would urge all of Bermuda's residents to once again support and participate in the Techweek events," he said. "It is sure to be an exciting week.

Linda Smith, senior vice-president of corporate relations at Belco, then talked about the company's operations centre and how it monitors everything from power generation, transmission and distribution at the plant.

Following that, students from the likes of Berkeley Institute and Cedarbridge Academy were given a tour of the facility and an insight into how it works.

The event's organising partners, including the Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative of Bermuda, B.TEC and AAC, Saatchi and Saatchi, drew up the activities for this week, such as the popular free "lunch and learns", where the public can learn about different technology-related subjects, ranging from how to use devices and the next generation of the Internet to the responsible disposal of e-waste and recycling, all during their lunch hour.

Other items on the schedule include student activities and TechTeas for seniors, while the Technology Innovation Awards, which recognise the creative ways businesses and individuals use technology to make a difference on the Island every day, will be held at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess hotel on Friday between 12.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.

Cyber safety will also feature highly on the agenda, with a 'Cyber Security Day' being hosted at the Chamber of Commerce board room between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. and then 5 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, with tips for parents and children on surfing the Internet safely and covering issues like cyberbullying in the community.

Today 'The Requirements for Starting an Online Business in Bermuda' will be run by the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation (BSBDC) from 12pm to 1 p.m., before a session on 'What You Need to Consider Before Developing a Website' by emedia between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., which will be followed by 'The Internet's Technical Evolution', focused on understanding how pending changes to the Internet's underlying technologies will impact businesses and their consumers, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. All sessions will be held at the Chamber.

Tomorrow's line up ranges from 'E-waste, Green Home & Green Office', by the Works & Engineering, Waste Management Section, between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 'Maximise your Broadband Experience', by BTC, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., both at the Chamber, and 'Mastering Quickbooks', by the BSBDC, between 5.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m., at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess hotel.

'Master your BlackBerry with Digicel' will be held at the Chamber from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, and 'Location, Location, Location - GIS Uses in Bermuda' takes place on Friday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chamber, as does 'Protecting Your Valuable Intellectual Property', by Cable & Wireless, between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at the Cable & Wireless customer service centre at the corner of Burnaby and Church Streets, and 'Master your BlackBerry with Digicel' from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chamber.

For more information about TechWeek 2009 visit www.techweek.bm