IT Counts open to the public

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The ICAEW’s IT Counts website is now open to the public. It’s already won a Web 2.0 Strategies award, and is shortlisted for the 2008 Accountacy Age Awards. Be interesting to see what kind of demographic visitor profile it attracts with its focus on accountancy, IT and business with topics ranging from better use of MS Excel (did I mention it’s sponsored by Microsoft?) to the latest SocialCalc wiki spreadsheet from Socialtext, with the chance via Dennis Howlett to become one of the first users. There’s even mention of the credit crunch. Of course if you want to use the site to make contacts, post blogs and comments you have to register but at least now the content is open for all & Google to read.

Maybe accuracy is the next thing we will all search for

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Social networking sites are increasing in popularity and web surfers care more about politicians’ image than their policies, according to a new study.

Bill Tancer, general manager of global research at Hitwise, has been studying internet usage patterns and found that social networking sites are receiving more and more hits, particularly in the 18 to 24 age bracket.

He also found that images of Sarah Palin were searched for more than her policy statements and ditto with Barack Obama, with many particularly interested in his height.

More people visited celebrity websites that those for religion, wellbeing, politics and diets put together.

He worried, however, about the amount of bad information now available.

‘With the explosion of this type of false information on the internet, I think we will see someone come forward and develop a new type of software that can filter for the most accurate information, he said.

‘Maybe accuracy is the next thing we will all search for.’

Internet founder Sir Tim Berners-Lee also recently stated that there should be a mechanism to control falsehoods spread online.

BCS, 19/09/08, ‘Online search habits revealed’.