Merry Christmas!

(Credit: Christmas tree close up by RAWKU5, royalty free)

Around this time of year, it's traditional for publications to look back upon the previous 12 months and reminisce about the biggest stories of the year, the most outrageous quotes and the funniest mishaps.

But this year has been a little different.

Although ZDNet.com.au has indeed looked into our most popular stories, what really stuck out for us this year has been the level to which we have engaged with our readers. If ZDNet.com.au has been anything in 2010, it has been a home for vigorous debate between members of Australia's technology community.

Only a few years ago, you would have to write a particularly angry article attacking Linux or Apple to get readers excited enough to comment in their dozens or hundreds.

Today, most of our articles attract reader comment, be they focused on massive initiatives like the National Broadband Network or HP buying EDS, or as small as the internal politics of a mid-tier Australian IT services outfit like Oakton or about the merits of a particular mobile phone or server.

And that is truly a wonderful thing. If there is one thing that we need more of as Australia's technology industry goes forward, it is debate. Powerful debate with views from both sides.

It is only in the crucible of that debate that the industry can find the best way forward.

Speaking for the staff working at ZDNet.com.au this year — and this isn't just the journalists, but also our wonderful IT, sales, marketing, design and administrative teams — it's been an honour to host much of that debate this year, and we look forward to even more in 2010.

To all of our readers, have a very Merry Christmas, and a safe and peaceful New Year.

Cheers,

The ZDNet.com.au staff

PS: We'll be on a limited publishing schedule from Christmas Day until 4 January 2010, enjoying the beach.