I had a company ask me to give a brief presentation to a delegation of about 16 Chinese officials.

It sounds interesting, so I agree. Just a 30 minute talk about maintenance and security on PCs and the internet.

I’m then told that they are senior government officials… some part of the police system… hmmm

It needs to be a simple talk about “what is the internet”, PC maintenance, and the need to maintain PCs patched and infection free, as well as how to encrypt sensitive files… its all basic stuff (to me).

Although I wonder: the knowledge I’m giving should be easily obtainable within China.

Anyway, on the day, as I launch into my presentation, the translator/facilitator tells me I don’t need to mention the really basic stuff… they already use PCs and the internet, so I should focus on the PC security, in order to indicate the technical depth from by 20 years experience.

OK, so I use my presentation as a vague guide, and improvise. I end up doing a reasonable job (since I know a lot of this inside out).

At the end, everyone seems pleased, and I’m asked 2 or 3 relevant questions

So despite some miscommunication beforehand, everything turns out well.

It feels strange to be in a room full people, but not understand a word that’s being spoken.