WIREDGOV

Directgov supports Internet Explorer 8 users

DIRECTGOV News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service on 27 March 2009

Directgov, the government's flagship website, is working with Microsoft to make it easier for Internet Explorer users to find helpful information by using new web tools.

Microsoft's new browser Internet Explorer 8 (IE8)* includes new 'accelerators': tools which help the user perform simple every day tasks without having to leave the website they are on. The accelerator will mean that the user will be able to right click on text in any page on the internet and quickly search for that term across the Directgov site.

Jayne Nickalls, Directgov Chief Executive, said:

"To feature as a web accelerator for Internet Explorer 8 is a first for Directgov. The new tool will make it even easier for citizens to find and use Directgov's free services. Directgov receives more than 14 million visits per month** and we anticipate an increase in visitors following this partnership with Microsoft.

"We would be pleased to talk to other organisations about similar initiatives." Nickalls added.

Topics covered by Directgov range from the everyday: including finding a school, renewing your car tax and planning a greener journey; as well as dealing with more topical needs like family problems, finding a job or help with mortgage payments.

Leila Martine, Director, Windows Consumer Microsoft UK said: "Directgov is taking advantage of new capabilities within Internet Explorer 8 to make it easier for members of the public to find information on the Directgov website. Directgov is among the forward-thinking organisations using modern technologies to benefit its target audience and we are delighted to be working with them."

Directgov is already present on the homepages (or 'portals') of the following mobile phone networks and services:
T-Mobile; Vodafone; O2 i-mode; O2 Active; and Orange.

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Notes to editors

* Directgov provides user-friendly, 24/7 information on all government services - including education, transport, tax, crime, the environment, employment - all in one place and in plain English.

* As well as being available on the website http://www.direct.gov.uk, which now attracts more than 14 million visits a month*; it can also be accessed on any internet-enabled mobile phone, on digital TV and on analogueTV via Teletext.

* http://www.direct.gov.uk is a Hitwise Top 10 Award winner for the quarter ending October - December 2008. During this period, http://www.direct.gov.uk ranked No. 2 based on market share of visits among all United Kingdom websites in the Hitwise Government - Central industry category. For more information, please visit http://www.hitwise.co.uk/

* Please note: Directgov is spelt as one word and with a lower case 'g'.

* Directgov's involvement in IE8 adds functionality for those users of IE8 but, does not limit or impact on users who choose a different internet explorer.

* Launched Thursday 19 March 2009
** Based on total number of visits during February 2009