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Review of the Web 2003
A look at the past year and the new year on the Web from a Dominica perspective.
If I had to sum up 2003 in one word it would be broadband. With the increased spread of aDSL around the island, and more reliability, this has the potential to revolutionise Dominica. If you dont think, so consider this: I run a web site that gets over a quarter of a million hits monthly from my home office in the heights of the Roseau Valley
Exciting new sites in 2003? So Im blowing my own trumpet, but Visit-Dominica.com was just what was needed at just the right time. A powerful, all-inclusive, database-driven site that lists ALL accommodations (large or small), and all attractions from waterfalls to dive sites. This is what potential visitors need to decide where and how theyll spend their time in Dominica. Dont be confused by smoke and mirrors; the discerning potential visitor to our island needs a site like this.
More businesses went online in 2003. Gone are the days when there was a decision about whether to have a web site or not. Now its a given, certainly in the field of tourism, and yet if we are still less then certain, it s because weve got the wrong idea. Too often we think only about getting a site online. That is in fact the start of a long road. Hey, youd not expect your new phone to start ringing the moment you get it installed would you? You have to get your number/web site out there and theres no quick fix to that. More in a subsequent article.
One of the best sites of 2003 was the Dominica Calypso Associations site, da-calypso.org. Sadly no longer live, this was the epitome of a good site clean and content-rich with sections to keep the visitor coming back. Its time to get it back up, guys!
Which brings me to another of my favourite gripes timing! Its all about timing. Your Creole Festival site cant go live the week before the event. Your Carnival site cant have 2003 info a month before 2004 carnival opens. What, people dont plan their vacations months in advance?
Anyway, back to the future. What does 2004 hold? The exciting possibility of wireless Internet access from the new entrants in the local telecoms market would be my number one thing to look for.
Other developments finally, local banks get with it and embrace the Net. Online banking has been around for years and the local inherent conservatism has held us back.
Indeed, we must be looking to many more local institutions, private and public sector alike, using the Web to their and our benefit in 2004. Saving money and serving the customers better are just two of many reasons to get online. DOMLEC, DOWASCO, Inland Revenue, Dominica Social Security... lead the way!
Steve McCabe
Delphis Ltd.
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