TechWire

Bank Of Ireland finally accepts Safari log-ins

It has finally come into the 21st century. Is this a sign that Safari use is on the increase in Ireland?

What next?

What should I be doing on this blog?

2,460 dot ie domains are registered to "statutory bodies"

I'm writing up a piece on the IEDR at the moment, so I may throw in one or two posts on that subject over the next day or two. Here's a tidbit from its 2007 annual report, though.

According to the latest figures, 2,460 dot ie domains are registered to “statutory bodies”, of which 1,283 are “state agency names”. A further 1,712 domains are registered to “educational institutions” and 239 domains are registered to “constitutional bodies”.

Are there really 1,283 state agencies? Are there really 2,460 statutory bodies? Where are all these .ie domains and what are they for?

The IEDR: Ireland's online moral arbiter

David Curtin, chief executive of the .ie Domain Registry (IEDR), is a straight-talking man. The IEDR is doing well under his stewardship, with profits and registrations up. But is the IEDR qualified to act as moral arbiter on what Irish people -- and industry -- are allowed pursue on the web? Should it be allowed to deny adult industry registrations?
The IEDR's current position on adult .ie registrations is summed up in a single line: "The proposed domain name must not be offensive or contrary to public policy or generally accepted principles of morality."
According to Curtin, that means that swear words or anything with a sexual allusion is generally turned down. This came to a head last year when a man called Stephen Ryan tried to register the name porn.ie. The IEDR refused, saying that it needed "to protect children", among other reasons.
But isn't this acting the same way as book-banning censors 40 years ago? After all, adult services are absolutely legal in Ireland.
"I suppose we could be open to that charge, but the IEDR does have a public policy role," said Curtin. He said that there is one clear exception to the rule, where a registrant has obtained authentication from the Companies Registration Office. In that case, the IEDR is "unfortunately left with little choice".
'Unfortunately'? As decent a job as Curtin is doing, there will be those who disagree with the IEDR's application of principles on this issue.

Summer lull in gaming industry: bring out the babes

I know this seems like a cheap post to get some hottie image on the blog, but there is an actual purpose behind it. There's a lull in up-coming games launches for the next two months. That is, except in one area: 'top 10' lists of video game babes. Everyone's at it, it seems, from IGN to Stuff and even Playboy, which is preparing its specially commissioned 2008 list as we speak (no insider information on who's in it, by the way). Ayane (pictured left) from Tecmo's popular Xbox game Dead Or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball is one of those who regularly makes the list.

Irish Army's software choice: Microsoft v Novell

Apparently, the Irish Defence Forces (army, navy, overseas peacekeeping missions) currently relies on a mix of Novell Netware and Microsoft Server 2003. But it wants to switch to one or the other for the entire force. As per today's tender:

"The Defence Forces now requires a single software reseller to supply all its standard software requirements and assist in managing its licencesing infrastructure. A framework contract with the successful bidder will be put in place for 3 years and should be comprehensive enough to cover all future software requirements."

More ancient state-funded websites

This one is fairly unfortunate: the Irish Council for Science, Technology & Innovation.

'Latest news' is from 18 May, 2005.

A state website not updated in nine years

Is this the oldest, most neglected state website still drawing taxpayer funds for hosting and other costs? As far as I can see, 'Employment Initiative' was last updated in 1999! (It also appears under the 'links' section in Irlgov.ie.)

Silly website disclaimers

I've seen some interesting disclaimers on websites before, but this one on Irishstatuebook.ie (put up by the Office Of The Attorney General) is up there with the silliest. Basically, it asks you to accept a disclaimer acknowledging that their content may be bogus or inaccurate:

"Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information/material contained on the web site, the State and Attorney General, its servants or agents assume no responsibility for and give no guarantees, undertakings or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness or up to date nature of the information provided on the web site and do not accept any liability whatsoever arising from any errors or omissions."

PR firm's over-exuberance

There is one PR firm which seems to be unaccountably hyper in all correspondence. I think they must have a stash of this stuff in their canteen cupboards...