NEWS IN BRIEF
For the record 26 June
26-06-2007
by Stephen Errity
Dot-ie domain names available to all soon | Down Syndrome Ireland launches IT resource kit
Hosting firm Hosting365 has linked up with digital agency Webfactory in a move that will see the pair combine their services in a bid to target major international clients. Webfactory will merge its consultancy and design services with Hosting365's development services. They say this will help them to attract as many as 20 new major accounts a year for both companies. Webfactory counts Board Gais, Coca-Cola, Mars Corporation and Vivas Health as some of its main clients, while Hosting365 says it controls 30 percent of the hosting market in Ireland with over 50,000 customers.
Private individuals may soon be able to apply for their own dot-ie (.ie) domain name. The IEDR has announced that it has consulted with dot-ie resellers, who have said they are supportive of the introduction of dot-ie personal domains. This policy relaxation is scheduled to be ratified by the IEDR board in July. Previously, dot-ie domain names were restricted to businesses and public figures. The change is thought to have been brought about at least partly in response to the recent explosion in blogging and social networking among Irish people. All applicants for a dot-ie domain in their own name will be required to provide proof of identity in an effort to avoid instances of cyber-squatting.
The mobile market in the Middle East is potentially more lucrative for operators than the European one. This is the conclusion of a new report from telecoms, IT and media analyst firm Analysys. The report identifies several factors contributing to the trend, including the relatively low level of fixed-line penetration in some Middle Eastern countries and the high potential for subscriber growth in newly liberalised markets. The report's author did sound a note of caution, however, saying that as competition intensifies across the region, operators will have an increasingly tough time trying to maintain their initial lucrative revenues.
Neil White has been appointed CEO of online 'paperless records' company BridgeDoc. White will be responsible for scaling the company's outsourced business model to global markets, with a particular focus on Europe and the US. White has over 14 years' experience in the software industry and most recently was CEO and co-founder of Ejility Inc, a California-based provider of business management software.
Teenagers and young adults with Down Syndrome can now get help in accessing and interacting with the internet safely from a new online resource and booklet produced by Down Syndrome Ireland. The online resource offers training on how to use the internet and send e-mail, while the accompanying booklet provides internet safety guidelines for parents. The overall aim is to improve the literacy and communication skills of young people with Down Syndrome. The project has been funded by a Government initiative and was designed by Waterford company Multi Media Instruction.
Crown Paints has launched a website to promote its new range of 'County Colours' paint, made up of the official GAA colour schemes of all 32 counties. Visitors to the site can play an online game where they paint rival counties in their team's colours and view of photo gallery of the most colourful fans spotted at matches around the country. They can also take a test to measure just how much of a GAA fan they are and record their opinion on various GAA matters in an online poll.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 