Domain Name Changes
Posted by Andy on November 12th, 2009 - Leighton Buzzard office  

There are big changes about to happen in the world of domain names. By mid 2010, we will start to see domains in non-Latin scripts.

But what does this mean?

It means it will be possible to have domain names written in Arabic, Chinese, and Cyrillic. Previously only Latin characters have been able to be used for domain name addresses. So we’ll start to see domain names containing all sorts of characters that would be unfamiliar to those of us who don’t understand those languages.

So, why the change?

Globally, billions of people will never use the Latin alphabet. So allowing non-Latin scripts to be used for domain names makes the internet more accessible and importantly, more understandable to those who do not use the Latin alphabet.

This will create a universal address system that will ultimately allow any computer in the world to connect to any other computer in the world. Initially only top level domains (for example, .uk, .gr, .de) will have the changes applied to them. Top level domains are domains that are controlled by their respective governments.

But these are huge changes to the system that controls the way domain names work. Because of this, the changes are being implemented gradually over time. This will not be a sudden overnight change.

The main downside here is security. The concern is that these changes could make it easier for criminals to set up phising websites and other online scams to try and get our bank details. But this issue can and will be solved.

The thing to remember is this is going to result in a true international multi-lingual internet that can be accessed by anyone in the world.

Foundry Labs working with Laura Frey
Posted by Andy on November 2nd, 2009 - Leighton Buzzard office  

We are proud to be managing the website for radio and television presenter Laura Frey. Laura's site can be found at LauraFrey.co.uk.

Laura Frey is a presenter, interviewer and performer, with a sense of fun and warmth which shows in everything she does. Laura can talk about anything. Quick thinking, bright and witty, Laura is the person you want to have at your dinner party, listen to at Breakfast, or join on a radio show, it's as simple as that.

New Website Launches for Best Western The Watermill Hotel
Posted by Andy on August 4th, 2009 - Leighton Buzzard office  

We are very pleased to announce the launch of the new website for Best Western The Watermill Hotel.

Best Western The Watermill Hotel already had a web presence but approached us to design a whole new website for them. The brief included designing the website, ensuring it meets the brand compliance set out by Best Western, being able to edit the site themselves, brand new photography for the whole hotel, and bring ownership of the website, domain name and hosting to the UK. All this had to be done at absolute minimum disruption to the hotel and it's online services.

We designed the website on a test server so that the hotel could view it as we progressed. This enabled them to request changes, if required, before the design had got too far - thus saving them money. We photographed the hotel inside and out, including bedrooms, function rooms, bar, restaurant, conservatory, marquee, and gardens.

Once the site was complete we contacted their current web providers in India to arrange the transfer of the domain name to our account in the UK. Once we had control of the domain name we then changed the name servers to point at the new website. We set this to change over the night during a weekend to ensure minimal loss of email.

Throughout the whole project we liased with the hotel, their current designers in India and Best Western UK to ensure that we met all requirements of the brief.

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