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.
-ends-
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