While you might think that the adult industry would rush willingly into the arms of a new selling feature, it appears the leading (red) lights in the porn industry are anything but titillated. In an unlikely move, the New York Times reports that the porn industry is on the same side as religious organisations who are lobbying against the .XXX appellation, claiming it will add regulation and shove the porn industry to the sidelines of the internet.

In essence, the problem for that industry would be that .XXX websites would become easy to block, giving parents, idealists and others a ‘cleaner’ web experience.  Those who don’t like pornography could have a weblife free from it. Given that much of online porn is also plagued by credit card robbery, identity theft, and questionable ethics, enthusiasts are claiming that this is an opportunity to clean up the online industry.

More often than not, pornographers resort to ‘free speech’ and ‘censorship’ as keywords in their battle to remain afloat.  In fact it became clear during an interview I did last year for radio with a porn director, the online industry is inadvertently choking off the porn industry in the US.  The director claimed that there has been an explosion of free online content, meaning that adherents are less likely to pay for DVDs, magazines and other material, including protected (read: paid) online content.  That would mean that there is less and less ‘new’ pornographic material being generated.  For many, a good thing, for those involved in the industry (which is vast), a potential credit crunch in their economy.

The legitimate side of the industry fears that the creation of a .XXX domain will see increased marginalisation, and further reductions in their salaries. Really the question for them is a reduction in their slice of an enormously wealthy cake, if there is a proliferation of new names and content online.

However, it appears that newer players in the market are excited by the prospect.  Over 100,000 new domains have pre-registered for the domain ending, with over half a million expected in the coming year.  Those more established in the market will continue to use their dotcoms, but there is little doubt that they will also add the .XXX despite their protestations.

My opinion? I am not a judge on content online – it’s up to people what they want to watch or experience on the web.  However, as part of a large family with a lot of young children, I know my family would like if their kids were not exposed to pornography when undertaking the simplest of Google searches.  ‘Legitimate’ industry or not, online imagery is pervasive and persistent in exposing material not everyone needs to see.

In a move that will mean significant job losses among civil servants, not only will websites be shut down, but remaining sites are expected to cut budgets in half.  That will mean that many external tech companies will lose out on potential or existing business (depending on contract details).  The coalition is looking to the private sector to take up the slack on civil service job losses.  Hardly likely when much of the private sector is predicated against government tendering.

I have no argument with looking at the cost of resourcing these facilities, but also to look at redistributing expertise within government departments.  No-one could argue that a cost per visit analysis will throw up spanners – e.g., the Guardian Tech blog quotes a government report that one site costs £11.78 per visit (uktradeinvest.gov.uk).  The body disputes this, saying that this related to an old site, and they’ve installed a new, more cost-efficient website.

As with any government, you’ve got to look at the fine print viz. the Coalition’s claim of issuing a ‘Progressive Budget’, versus the (independent) IFS analysis of the detail as ‘regressive’, because of a disproportionate impact on the poor.  There is no doubt that there have been eye-watering amounts spent on Government IT contracts over the last decade (see the UK’s NHS technology spend, for example).  However, this is baby and bathwater time: be careful that useful IT resources like DirectGov and single department websites don’t get lost in a sea of self-righteous slashing.  Websites might seem virtual, but there’s real people behind the technology, and real needs being served by websites.

Problems with new iPhone?

With many iPhone users reporting signal difficulties on their new piece of kit, Apple has been floundering in how they’re dealing with the problem.

When the phone is held at the bottom left hand corner, signal strength diminishes, which could cause a dropped call, or an inability to make a call.  Ironically, the problem is caused because of Apple’s big engineering success, integration of antennae into the steel casing around the new iPhone model.  When a person’s finger or palm touches both sides of the antenna on the bottom left, it causes a sort of short circuit that interferes with the signal.

Apple’s original solution (from Steve Jobs), was “Don’t hold it that way”.  Verging on the arrogant, methinks.  Solution number two is to buy (at a not insignificant price) one of Apple’s new ‘bumpers’ which are designed to protect the phone if it falls.  That solves the short circuit issue.

Apple created an official response which it has been sending out to all complainants:

“Gripping any phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas. This is a fact of life for every wireless phone. If you ever experience this on your iPhone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases.”

Whatever the cause, Apples response to date has not been, shall we say, ‘complete’.  Rumours that there will shortly be a software fix in an updated iOS4 download remain unsubstantiated, but users that have waited and queued to get their shiny new iPhone 4, and have shelled out will not all be happy until a more substantial resolution is offered by Apple.

Seamie is a supplier of all kinds of furniture, fabrics and services, and is based in Ardee, County Louth.

The new site is a full-service online store designed to complement the excellent service delivered in store.  Together with a full time interior design service, and an unparalleled selection of suites, beds, occasional furniture, lighting and more.

You can check out the site by visiting: www.seamiewalshinteriors.ie

Wait!  The Guardian has posted some details on how to get the best out of the update: visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/jun/22/apple-iphone-os-4