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Keith Lightfoot attending an early New Zealand Computer Society Conference in Dunedin.

Walk into any bookstore and you will find numerous manuals, magazines, books and editorials dedicated to computers. People stand and read the articles during their lunch hour, hoping to catch a glimpse of their next computer or find the answer to a nagging problem.

In the early days of computers, no such material was available, computers were a very rare commodity purchased only by large organisations, and there were only a handful of people who knew anything about their workings or their potential.		  

New Zealand Computer Geek

Keith Lightfoot was one of the early pioneers of computer users in New Zealand. Initially programming in Machine Code and MPL on an ICT 1301 mainframe in 1969; then moving to Cobol on an ICL 1901.

Database design skills followed in London whilst working for Honeywell, then Keith moved back to New Zealand to program Burroughs and NCR mainframe computers.

Promotion to Data Processing Manager at New Zealand Aluminium Smelters introduced the IBM range of mainframe computers to Keith, followed by the eventual introduction of the IBM PC.

Keith established his own computer business in the early 80’s and extended his knowledge into the world of small business systems, networks and sales.

South Island Sales Manager for ICL was the next challenge and then National Mobile Data Manager for Telecom New Zealand, before once again embarking on a solo career as a consultant, speaker and net worker.

The recruitment industry with a special focus on immigration assistance for migrants became a passion for Keith, particularly because of his own original immigrant status into New Zealand. Unfortunately this business venture collapsed due to changes in international currencies, immigration policies and related decisions made by the three directors and Keith lost his marriage, his income, his assets and his family.

Keith picked himself up and began writing music, books, teaching people to speak in public and consulting for a well established internet development company.