New Government broadband site

iwb · 10-02-2004 6:10pm #1

I just heard about it and went for a look. It is good that they have this site there now. I only had a quick look but I wanted to let you guys know as I am interested in what others think also.
http://www.broadband.gov.ie
I am very interested in the site as my site attempts to do the same thing.

zenith · 10-02-2004 6:37pm

<bitter> Och, sure, it's all right, if the objective is to highlight how few places actually have a broadband choice, and how large the prices are. </bitter>

Capt'n Midnight · 10-02-2004 6:38pm

Broadband is an always-on internet connection that gives you high-speed access and downloads for a flat-rate monthly charge.

Sorta rules out those services that charge if you exceed your cap. <--- cf. Ireland Offline and unmetered broadband.

http://www.broadband.gov.ie/BBInfo/ServiceListWF.aspx
No mention of UTV or Netsource or the foreign download only satellite companies NetSystem, EOL etc. where you use an existing line for the uplink - no mention of CAP on Eircom product.

Also does not add the pre-requisite costs of Line rental for ADSL and Basic TV for NTL / Chorus.

[edit - this was not sarcasm]
Nice start to the site

- lots of providers and info missing (AT THE MOMENT.)

dahamsta · 10-02-2004 6:49pm

I don't think I've ever seen a website start off perfect. I say give them the benefit of the doubt, and email with errors and updates.

adam

oneweb · 10-02-2004 7:03pm

Um, yet another sign of the government's incompetence? Can't connect to site http://www.broadband.gov.ie (Operation timed out):mad: :dunno: :rolleyes:

shinzon · 10-02-2004 7:39pm

me sends an e-mail

shin

Gadgie · 10-02-2004 7:53pm

Here is a copy of the mail I sent:

I recently visited your site, www.broadband.gov.ie, and noticed some providers who were missing:

* Cablesurf (http://www.cablesurf.com/) offer a cable modem broadband service in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. The price is EUR 40 per month for a 4Mbps unmetered connection.
* Netsource (http://www.netsource.ie/) and UTV (http://www.u.tv/clicksilver/) offer DSL services via Eircom lines.
* Netsystem (http://www.netsystem.com/eng/), Europe Online (http://www.europeonline.com), CPSat (http://www.cpsat.co.uk) and Silvermead (http://www.silvermead.net/satellite/) are satellite providers who offer one-way broadband services (upload requests go via dial-up modem).

Also, I would like to make a suggestion regarding the broadband comparision table. It would be a good idea if you listed any download caps and pre-requisites for the services on offer. For example, Eircom I-Stream starter has a 4GB monthly download cap and you need to have an Eircom PSTN line to avail of the service; NTL's Always-on services have a daily download limit of 1GB and you need to subscribe to their basic television package in order to get the broadband offering.

Other than that, congratulations on creating a promising site - hopefully it will show that there is demand for broadband in Ireland outside the high prices and poor services offered by Eircom.

I suggest people write a similar message in your own words.

Don't forget to register demand for more broadband services in your area at http://www.broadband.gov.ie/BBInfo/RegisterDemandWF.aspx

Gadgie · 10-02-2004 8:08pm

Originally posted by Glenn
Here is a copy of the mail I sent:

My mail was returned.

The original message was received at Tue, 10 Feb 2004 18:45:28 GMT
from [10.100.6.13]

The following addresses had permanent fatal errors

<information@broadband.gov.ie>
(reason: 554 5.4.6 Too many hops)

Transcript of session follows

554 5.4.6 Too many hops 26 (25 max): from <glenn@xxx> via localhost, to <information@broadband.gov.ie>

Reporting-MTA: dns; gw.dcmnr.ie
Arrival-Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2004 18:45:28 GMT

Final-Recipient: rfc822; information@broadband.gov.ie
X-Actual-Recipient: RFC822; information@broadband.gov.ie
Action: failed
Status: 5.4.6
Diagnostic-Code: SMTP; 554 5.4.6 Too many hops
Last-Attempt-Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2004 18:52:52 GMT

What does 'too many hops' mean?

Ripwave · 10-02-2004 8:35pm

Originally posted by Glenn
What does 'too many hops' mean?

It means that whoever set up the alias for that address didn't do it right, and the mail got into an endless loop. If anyone in the DCMNR figures out that there's a problem, they might get it fixed, but they might say "Oh, I wonder why no-ones sending us any mail?" and never get around to it!

shinzon · 10-02-2004 8:50pm

Same here

got the to many hops error message as well, wonder was it done on purpose, the government not wanting to here from the people, surely not

Perish the thought

Shin

viking · 10-02-2004 8:53pm

Methinks the availability database may not be completely accurate...

Still good to see the Department making an effort. Now what we need to see is full and correct information and a follow up marketing campaign to establish the site as the complete reference point for the consumer.

viking

EDIT: No offence IWB, I've got mucho respect for your site. Even got a link to it on mine!

sceptre · 10-02-2004 9:07pm

Like Adam I'm in favour of giving them the benefit of the doubt (as long as the mailbox starts working). Good development. Hopefully they'll regard it as a tool rather than a solution. I'll not be best pleased if they regard it as anything more than a small step in the right direction. It's a potential useful addition to the Oasis-type services already available, as long as the information is kept accurate and up to date.

(in other words, Dermot, it's worth a cursory ten-second mention next time you're on the telly so that people know about it, NOT worth trying to take over an interview with on the basis of how wonderful a minister you are)

iwb · 11-02-2004 12:15am

Viking,
Thanks for that. I didn't know you linked me. I hadn't gotten around to building a useful links page yet but your site was going to be and will be on it:)
Glenn,
I wasn't aware of some of those operators. I am going to track them down and fill in the blanks on my pricing page also.
I did have a conversation with the Dept. about the site as I had heard they would produce one. They indicated that the site can only go so far as a government run affair. They saw a place for my site still and to be honest, some of the things I plan to do on the site wouldn't be possible for Gov't to do. They have to remain completely impartial which I don't. It will always be accurate I hope but also tell it like it is.
I do agree with the sentiment that it is only one piece in the puzzle. The reason for this site is the recommendation from the ISC in their report last year. It does show that they are listening and willing to act on advice which is quite positive.
Hopefully the other pieces are forthcoming shortly.
iwb.

jbkenn · 11-02-2004 2:12am

My mail was returned.

You would expect better from the site developer

http://www.communicraft.com/

jbkenn

Mossy Monk · 11-02-2004 3:13am

they can't spell Dungarvan either

dahamsta · 11-02-2004 9:55am

Originally posted by jbkenn
You would expect better from the site developer

How is the developer responsible for mail delivery?

LFCFan · 11-02-2004 10:57am

the 'vote for broadband in your area' section is good. It actually tells you after you vote how many people have voted for your area.

jbkenn · 11-02-2004 11:09am

How is the developer responsible for mail delivery?

They are not, however, one would expect, that they would ensure all aspects of the site are functional, before going live.

jbkenn

dahamsta · 11-02-2004 11:44am

I'm a web developer. The majority of my clients think they know better than me on the subject of the web and the net. Civil servants are particular guilty of this. My experience tells me that it's far more likely that Gov.ie said, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, we'll look after that, we're not stoopid, on yer bike."

adam

jd · 11-02-2004 11:45am

He
Developers aren't testers. The users (ie the dept) should be responsible for UAT. If someone screws up the mail handling (probably an alias) the web developers can hardly be responsibe.

LFCFan · 11-02-2004 12:40pm

I notice on the trigger website if you enter a number that is on an enabled exchange it gives the list of resellers with only Eircom's site having a clickable link.

Kazu · 11-02-2004 12:50pm

Are foreign download only satellite companies like www.europeonline.com anygood has anyone in ireland tryed this service and is it anygood

oneweb · 11-02-2004 1:27pm

Originally posted by Ripwave
It means that whoever set up the alias for that address didn't do it right, and the mail got into an endless loop. If anyone in the DCMNR figures out that there's a problem, they might get it fixed, but they might say "Oh, I wonder why no-ones sending us any mail?" and never get around to it!

Sure it must mean nobody's interested in broadband at all... :dunno:

viking · 12-02-2004 5:41pm

Still not quite accurate... hehe

viking

Fallschirmjager · 13-02-2004 9:46am

yep i got amocom as well for blessington, just winged an email...you never know but methinks someone has a small db error there....but to be fair -- its a nice simple and most imprtantly for us, i think..its centralised. wonder can we get access to some of the summary info as well? i mean i would hate to think that the triggers are ignored by any companies.

also you know someone has a sense of humour in the governement. have a look at the supplier Chorus...my long time favourite. their website is chorus.com...well i see chorus have reached a new low in looking for money...a spam site...

Fallschirmjager · 13-02-2004 3:08pm

just got this back for those who are seeing coverage from amocom. as guessed there is a small error and they recommend you goto their website to see real coverage which is only in cork:

ah well, for a few hours there i was only minutes away from wireless.....

SkepticOne · 14-02-2004 12:32am

Only five non-satelite providers in my area in South Dublin and two of them are damn Eircom resellers.

New Government broadband site

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