NETWORKING 2009

"What a di?erence a year makes - 52 little weeks" This variation of the ?rst line from Dinah Washington's famous song, which originally reads, "What a di?erence a day makes - 24 little hours," brings it to the point: Accordingtoallexperts,thepress,andmostpeople'simpressionwearetoday in a serious economic recession. Less than one year ago, we practically lived on the "island of the blessed" (namely, at Networking 2008 that was held on the island of Singapore), or in the famous country where "milk and honey ?ow" (or "where wine and liquor ?ow"). This convenient situation has changed abruptly within less than 52 weeks. It looks like the same kind of problems has emerged in all areas - and the "Networking" area has, of course, been a?ected, too. Looking into the 2009 proceedings, however, you will immediately notice that the manuscripts are largely una?ected by any aspect of the economic c- sis (which should be a bit of a consolation). Apparently, research directions are dictated by a process that is all too sluggish in order to be quickly and radically changed by a "tsunami." Likewise, the conference itself was prepared in spite of such a crisis.