As the Large Hadron Collider ramps up operations and breaks world records, it is an exciting time for everyone at CERN. To get the computing perspective, the Bulletin this week caught up with Ian Bird, leader of the Worldwide LHC Computing Grid (WLCG). He is confident that everything is ready for the first data. >>

The 2009 start-of-run has allowed the LHC experiments to do some remarkable things. All the detectors are performing according to specifications; the turnaround time to analyse data is strikingly short; and real and simulated data agree impressively well. >>

The High Intensity and Energy ISOLDE project (HIE-ISOLDE), an important upgrade of the ISOLDE facility, was approved at the Research Board’s December meeting. Thanks to a new superconducting linear accelerator and an improved target installation, HIE-ISOLDE will be able to provide higher energy and higher intensity beams to the experiments. New opportunities will open up for nuclear physics with radioactive ion beams at CERN.   >>

Can you tell a Z from a WW? The Bulletin is offering a prize for deciphering LEP events on show in Restaurant No. 1.   >>