User:Gordon Laird/Sandbox

Computer pioneer
Lochhead was a pioneer user of a personal computer from before 1980. He taught himself the programming language to turn the computer into an aide for him in his theological and biblical studies. Lochhead establishing a personal FidoNet site, linking up with other sites across North America.

Lochhead met others of similar interest from many other Churches, primarily in the U. S. A. They began to communicate together using The Source an online service provider founded in 1979, one of the early computer networks. They learned how the Participate ("Parti") software enhanced dialogical discussion. He started UCHUG, a group of computer enthusiasts from the United Church of Canada in an experiment finance by the Church. Out of many discussions an ecumenical network took shape involving dozens of other Churches. By 1985 the network was operating which two years later was called was incorporated as Ecunet, Inc. David Lochhead was elected the first President of Ecunet, Inc, which has grown from a membership of a few hundred to many thousands.

--== Work with Native people ==

In 1985 theVancouver School of Theology became involved with the theological training of Native people, by establishing the Native Ministries Consortium. Lochhead taught in the first summer schools offered and then became a key person in the developemnt of a Master of Divinity degree by extension for First Nations people. He provided course material and taught courses.

The distance from Vancouver to remote northern Native communities was partially overcome by Lochhead's knowledge of computer communication. David was instrumental in developing a network of communication through his involvement with Ecunet. Each area obtained modems and joined Ecunet through which ongoing contact and communication was facilitated.

One of the challenges in delivering this extension program was ongoing communication with the tutors and students in the field as the program grew to involve First Nations people in such distant places as Northern British Columbia, Northern Manitoba, Alaska, and South Dakota, connecting with Native communities is these areas. Lochhead establishedFidoNet Bulletin Boards in Northern British Columbia. This early use of new technology by the Nisga’a provided part of the impetus for that nation to make more and more use of the computer generated virtual world. Indeed by the early nineties the Nisga’a had developed one of the first Geographical Information System in northwestern BC.