The Activate conference looks interesting but I can't really take it on as presented while the history of Guardian Talk stays as it is.

In case you find this blog post without the previous ones what happened is like this. Quite a long time ago ( I can find my own copies from 2004) the Guardian had a talk board that readers could contribute to.

Then, a couple of years ago it was closed down without any warning or amnesty so that content could be recovered. Now there is just the option to add bits on to Comment is Free.

During the ten years or so there was no investment in new software, no contribution from Guardian staff, no mention in the print version.

So this should be explained sometime, I think.