Internet Scrappage Scheme

April 29, 2006 · Posted in Uncategorized · 12 Comments 

As we do events around the country I have got the sense that it is not necessarily the availability of broadband that is stopping micro and SME businesses from embracing it – it is often an issue of cost and perceived benefit. Some business owners in Kilkenny told me recently that dial-up is more than adequate for their needs. Adequate is not good enough. This is something we need to address and the IIA has to persuade people as to the benefits of going broadband. I also had a good discussion about this at the Kilkenny event with Keith Bohanna.

With this in mind I would like to float an idea and seek opinions. What if we lobby Government to introduce an Internet Scrappage Scheme, similar to the highly effective Vevicle Scrappage Scheme. Dial-up users would be offered either a once-off cash payment or tax credits, if they upgrade their exisiting dial-up facilities to braodband. This will have the double effect of driving demand and generating awareness of the benefits. I am still formulating this idea and want to canvas opinion but if there is enogh enthusiasm for it I can structure a propoer proposal and bring it to the relevant department. Any thoughts?

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Monetising the IIA blog

April 22, 2006 · Posted in Uncategorized · 9 Comments 

The IIA is a not for profit organisation. I am currently looking at ways to monetise our blog to pay for its upkeep. Besides Adsense does any one have any ideas how the IIA could make this channel into a revenue generating blog. Interested in all opinions.

One way to monetise the blog is to use it as a blatant channel for promoting events – like our Annual Congress on May 25th. Google, MSN, Yahoo, eBay and Bebo are all speaking. If you want to be there you can book online.

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To Bebo or not to Bebo

April 22, 2006 · Posted in Uncategorized · 10 Comments 

Bebo were featured on Prime Time on RTE last week. I felt the report was a bit one-sided and Miriam O’Callaghan directed the report in a slightly biased fashion. There was a Dr. Rachel O’Connell from the UK National Internet Safety Board who talked a lot of sense. Bebo is not the problem. Young people using the internet have lots of access to free publishing space. The issue is with educating them to why cyber bullying is bad and why relinguishing their personal details may not always be prudent.

Did anyone see the Prime Time report or have a comment in relation to how Bebo is being presented in the press and media? I have a good reaosn for asking – we have the SVP of Bebo coming to speak at our Annual Congress on May 25th. If there is a case to answer then this is a great opportunity to ask one of their senior managers. I am making a call for questions in advance and hope to have the Bebo representative featured on our upcoming podcast prior to the event.

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Podcasting with the Engineers

April 22, 2006 · Posted in Uncategorized · 1 Comment 

We recently ran a seminar in the Engineers Ireland HQ in Dublin all about RSS, Blogging and Podcasting. The event had a good mix in the audience and it was great to see the level of participation in the Q&A at the end of the event. I think the attendees got the most value out of this part of the session and it leads me to think there is an appetite for more discussion based events. Any comments or opinions on this?

We had Michele Neylon, Brian Greene and Steve McCormack speaking. All put on a good show. If you would like to take part or offer yourself as a speaker in a particular area please let me know.

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