To keep up to date, we try to get along to at least a few computer and technology shows each year. CeBIT Sydney is one of them. Held during late May, the CeBIT show is arguably one of the most popular, aimed more at the business market than the "tyre kickers".

Last year, I recall saying "more of the same but different". CeBIT 2005 was similar – a lot of the latest hardware on display; software to do just about anything (and if it wasn’t there, plenty of people who’d write it for you . . .) and plenty of people trying to sell you their particular gizmo or gimmick. If you were a sample CD collector, you could come away very happy indeed.

I have to say that CeBIT is not the place to go to get a bargain. Even "special CeBIT show offfer" prices were generally not much better than what you’d pay at a retail or online shop (which in fact many sellers were from, just disguised a bit!).

The two biggest things I noticed this year were Wireless and VoIP. Both were everywhere – Wireless in particular. It seemed that every second stand had something to do with Wireless – whether 802.11 variety or other incarnations such as WiMax. Antennas, connectors, cables, software, hardware . . . including a LOT of building-to-building solutions. It is very obvious that Wireless networking is here for the long haul – and for the long distance!

And there were plenty of stands offering CD and DVD duplication; others with one of last year’s favourites, computer cooling.