Web Site Takes Off

Spitfires Scramble For Sortie Into Web Page Cyberspace

The Island's newest Internet service provider IofM.net has scrambled Spitfires into cyberspace!

The company has used its web experience to assist the Manx Aviation Preservation Society (MAPS) to go online at www.maps.iofm.net.

MAPS is an organisation that promotes awareness of the role played by the Isle of Man during World War II.

The service provider has also launched the Manx Retirement Association on line at www.manx-retirement.iofm.net.

IofM.net is backed by Powernet Telecom, one of the UK’s leading independent telecommunication and Internet Service Providers. Powernet was recently valued at more than £600 million by independent city analysts and the company plans to float on the London Stock Exchange later this year.

IofM.net are producing and on-line magazine in collaboration with The Manx Retirement Association. The magazine targeted at the over 50s and the site has been launched in response to the growing number of older and retired people getting connected to the web.

According to the Managing Director of IofM.net, Malcolm McDonald, the company has already established itself as the leading high quality provider of free Internet access on the Isle of Man: "Our latest move into offering our web site and on-line expertise will enable these organisations to get their message across by way of the latest media. This is clearly a logical development for our business."

He added: ""It is incredible that an organisation such as the Manx Aviation Preservation Society, that dedicates its time and energies to an era before the computer had even been invented, should turn to the world of cyberspace in a bid to promote awareness of its activities."

Mr McDonald said IofM.net is already talking to a number of other organisations on the Island about putting them on-line: "The backing and infrastructure of Powernet Telecom will enable us to deliver high speed reliable access to both corporate and private users."

There was also a similar article in the News section of the same edition, titled "Launch of Free Internet Service for Local Clubs".

Manx Radio Interview

As well as the newspaper articles about this site Anne Dawson of Manx Radio interviewed its Web Master and this was aired at the start of April.

The above newspaper article appeared in the Business News of the Isle of Man Examiner, 4th April 2000.

By kind permission of Isle of Man Newspapers Limited.