The benefits of e-working - using technology to work outside the office environment - are being acknowledged by employers as a way of retaining staff, particularly those with family responsibilities or those who spend long periods commuting, according to Mr John Dunne of the employers' organisation, IBEC. Mr Dunne was speaking at the launch by the Government of the Code of Practice on e-Working in Ireland. The code was launched in consultation with IBEC and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).
The Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce, Mr Treacy, said the document would inform employers and those interested in e-working what exactly was required to get involved. The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness (PPF) contains a commitment to endorse the Code of Practice, which is available at www.entemp.ie/e-work/.
No Float: Flotation on the Nasdaq should not be the primary financial aim of Internet entrepreneurs, an industry expert has said. Mr Raomal Perera, managing director of Network365, said there was a danger of "E-gold fever" striking some entrepreneurs who would view a flotation on Nasdaq as a means of getting rich quick. Speaking at the Irish Internet Association (IIA) inaugural national conference at the e-XPO show in Dublin, Mr Perera said that in the first instance firms should look for seed or venture capital from either private investors or venture capital companies.
Film On The Web: An Irish film is to be released on the Internet on a pay-per-view basis next month. Underworld, directed by Ronan Gallagher and starring Don Baker and Michael McElhatton, goes live on June 1st when users will be able to see 90 per cent of the film for free but will have to pay to see the end.
EMI Trial: The major music industry company, EMI, has decided to offer digital downloads of more than 100 albums - including work from Pink Floyd and Frank Sinatra - as part of a trial of new distribution methods. The company says that "digital delivery will eventually become part of our standard release pattern" and that "this is the first step in building the necessary framework and infrastructure for the digital future."
Seedy Saga Twist: A spokesman for TransNames.com, the website offering the web address bertieahern.com for sale, has said he may make a comment next week as to why the site is now linking to the Taoiseach's own department website. The site had previously contained pornographic images. However, a Department of the Taoiseach spokesperson said that they had not purchased the name and were baffled as to why it was now linking to its site.
Oops!: A Filipino computer student has said he may have released the "Love Bug" computer virus accidentally. The virus crippled e-mail systems worldwide after being launched on May 4th. Speaking on television, Mr Onel A. de Guzman would not say whether he had written the virus. Another man, Mr Reonel Ramones (27), detained and later released by Filipino authorities in connection with the virus, is due in court this week.
Metal Detected: The web-based music swapping company, Napster, has blocked a number of subscribers, named last week by heavy metal band Metallica, from its service. The band claimed the subscribers were violating its copyrights by allegedly making songs available for online trading. Although Napster agreed to ban 317,377 users, the company warned that the move was based on Metallica's allegations and that users might have been "mistakenly implicated".
Mission Possible: A team of students from Sutton Park Secondary School in Dublin has won first prize in the schools' category of the Cable & Wireless International Childnet Awards. The school won for developing its Mission Possible website (www.suttonpark.ie/missionpossible/), which challenges children to save Agent E.N. Vironment from the evils of pollution. A full report will be carried in tomorrow's education supplement, EL.
Plant Online: Bulldozers, farm tractors, hydraulic excavators, JCBs, cranes, balers, forklifts, CATs dumptrucks and wheeled loaders are some of the products available on a recently-launched Irish website, usedplantandmachinery.com. The site is designed as a central selling point for farmers and contractors wishing to trade second-hand heavy duty equipment.
Internet Relations: Despite the stereotypes, the Internet enhances communications with friends and families, according to a study released during the week. "It's clear that the Internet is being woven into people's most important relationships," said Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Internet and American Life Project. The study of 3,533 adults found that 72 per cent of Internet users visited a relative or a friend a day earlier, compared with 61 per cent for non-users.
In Brief... Salon.com has acquired MP3Lit.com which offers spoken word and audio literature recordings in the MP3 format. . . 3Com Corporation's mini PCI card will provide LAN and modem connectivity inside the new HP OmniBook 6000 notebook PC from HewlettPackard. . . Irish technology products buying channel EurZone has signed an exclusive access partnership with Ireland On-Line (IOL). . .