Alex Haley once said it very succinctly. "Anytime you see a turtle atop a fence post," he once wrote, "you know it had some help."

I was immediately reminded of Haley's remark when at AJAXWorld Conference & Expo 2007 East in New York City I was yesterday awarded the Roundarch 2006 Interactive Experience Award.

Previous winners are David Mendels of Adobe, Coach Wei of Nexaweb, and David Temkin of Laszlo Systems. It was a little like being told that you are seven foot tall, have six legs, or three heads. Surely it was simply a case of mistaken identity?

It seems not. An official news release went out just yesterday, containing quotes that would make anyone's cheeks go red:

"Jeremy Geelan has been a leading evangelist and critical thinker in the Web 2.0 movement that is reshaping how people experience the web" said Jeff Maling, President and Chief Experience Officer at Roundarch

Now I am really blushing. But wait, there is more! 

"Jeremy Geelan has been challenging the global technology community to be smart about how the next generation of the web is developed. The evolution of rich internet applications, AJAX, broadband and service orientated architecture are creating a new paradigm of web experiences. Jeremy has been a voice of clarity as this next generation of the web is being redefined and going through its expected growing pains. The overstated promises of Web 1.0 and accompanying irrational exuberance are in stark contrast to the Jeremy's sober, well informed and insightful evangelization of today's interactive possibilities", remarked Charles Fiesel, Roundarch Managing Director and frequent speaker and writer about Web 2.0.

It is hard to express how humble such kind words make me feel. Honored, but humble. Never has Newton's remark about 'standing on the shoulders of giants' been more patently valid. The giants are those who are actually programming the Web 2.0 world that I have the happy privilege of proselytizing about in print, online, and on keynote platforms around the world.

The Roundarch 2006 Interactive Experience Award, which is a stunningly beautiful crystal glass design from Tiffany was presented to me by the CEO of Roundarch, Geoff Cubitt, who reminded the audience in the Grand Ballroo of The Roosevelt Hotel of the purpose and history of the Award:

"The Roundarch Interactive Experience Award is given to companies and individuals that best represent the advancement of Web experiences through the integration of user-centric design and advanced technology."

I blushed for all to see as I accepted this honor in New York at AJAXWorld, and promise that I will not forget what Alex Haley wrote!