LinkedIn adds new directory service
Online network LinkedIn is to offer a new directory search, giving its members a new method of choosing business service providers based on recommendations.
In the new directory, LinkedIn users will be able to search for service providers among those recommended by friends, or else broaden the search to include friends of friends.
Online sales volumes rose dramatically in 2005
A survey released today by the Office for National Statistics shows the increasing popularity of e-commerce among businesses, with a massive rise in online sales volumes last year.
The ONS e-commerce survey, based on results from businesses with 10 or more employees, shows rapid growth both in the use of Information and Communications Technologies, and the value of trade over the internet.
Google may face YouTube copyright battle
After paying $1.6bn for the world's favourite video sharing site this week, Google could be facing copyright problems over some of the site's video content, as content owners take advantage of the search engine giant's deeper pockets.
Media group Time Warner has indicated that it will be pursuing its copyright claims against YouTube with its new owners, and other companies may well choose to follow suit.
BT pioneers new ‘spam-buster’ system
BT hopes to take a lead in the battle against the scourge of spam on the internet by introducing a new system designed to filter out spam before it reaches their customer’s PCs.
BT’s Content Forensics system, devised by StreamShield Networks, will scan millions of emails every day, alerting them to the location of spam related problems on its network.
Mobile operators launch TV trial in the UK
Four major mobile phone operators yesterday launched trials for a new mobile TV service, which will take place initially in the Bristol area.
The trial, which will run for the next three months, will test whether mobile operators into can use their existing infrastructure to deliver mobile TV and other multimedia services to users with compatible handsets.
IE7 upgrade may cause problems for web developers
According to Microsoft’s IE Blog, the new version of the Internet Explorer browser will be ready this month, and some web developers are concerned about the new version’s compatibility with some websites.
IE7 will be available for download this month, with the new browser being delivered to Microsoft customers via automatic updates soon after.
Jakob Nielsen’s tips on increasing community participation
In his latest post, usability guru Jakob Nielsen talks about participation inequality and gives some tips on how websites can overcome this problem.
In any given online community, be it a discussion board or a site such as Amazon which uses customer reviews to help sell its products, the rule of thumb is that 90% of users (Nielsen calls them lurkers) will never contribute.
Spamhaus domain name under threat from US court ruling
The Spamhaus project, a UK based website which monitors the activities of spammers, may lose its domain name due to legal action in the US.
The legal action was taken by US email marketing company e360 Insight, who were aggrieved at being blacklisted as a spammer by Spamhaus.
UK broadband coverage will reach 64% in next 2 years
New research predicts rapid growth in UK broadband coverage over the next two years, with broadband penetration reaching levels of up to 90% in some areas.
Point Topic's forecast uses data from each of the 222,000 Census areas in the UK, allowing them to paint a geographical picture of broadband take-up around the country.
Ebay launches new UK shopping service
Auction website eBay has today launched the UK version of its new online shopping service, eBay Express. The site will sell both new and used goods at fixed prices.
All of the sellers on the site have been signed up to a professional code of conduct by eBay, to ensure that they all offer returns policies and guaranteed delivery dates.
The company hopes that the site will attract those shoppers who prefer a more more conventional e-commerce shopping experience.
Social media: the best and worst of 2009
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Web 2.0
Graham Charlton
Strategy & Planning
