CLEAR Net steps towards world-class web hosting

Media statement Monday December 6, 1999

CLEAR Net takes first step towards world-class web hosting

CLEAR Net announced today that it has implemented the first step in a three phase development programme aimed at enhancing its web hosting service to meet the highest international standards.

The ISP's first enhancement is the addition of server side programming support to its professional web hosting service, enabling dynamic website programming, ecommerce and database capabilities.

The two server side additions are Miva script, an XML based scripting language, and Server Side Includes (SSI), a tool for embedding dynamic content in websites. Customers will incur no extra cost for the enhancements, which are included in CLEAR Net's monthly flat rate of $39.95 (excluding GST) for professional web hosting. This rate gives customers 1 MB of site storage capacity and allows for 1 GB of traffic.

CLEAR's Web Hosting Technical Development Manager, Michael Clark, says CLEAR Net's web hosting development plan reflects the ISP's commitment to becoming a leading web hosting provider in New Zealand.

"Currently up to 50 percent of New Zealand websites with .nz domain names are hosted in the United States because, until now, the technology available overseas has not been offered by New Zealand hosts," says Clark. "The addition of Miva script and SSI support brings our web hosting service up to speed, offering customers a local service that competes in price and performance with international providers."

The new enhancements will benefit web developers who will be able to offer their customers enhanced site functionality.

CLEAR Net plans to roll out a number of service enhancements over the next six months. The additions planned for the New Year include secure server support, a site search engine, enhanced access control and other ecommerce-related features.

CLEAR selected Miva script because of its flexibility. The script uses html like tags and is compatible with progammes such as Frontpage and Microsoft applications.

There is also huge potential for Miva script features to be integrated with current and future CLEAR services, says CLEAR's Web Hosting Business Manager Craig Tikao.

"For instance, Miva Merchant, a Miva scripted product that offers shopping basket style features, could be combined with an ASP service like CLEAR's Payment Gateway and secure server support. This would be an ultimate solution for any ecommerce website.

"Our future developments are aimed at meeting the high-level requirements of businesses, giving them technology that will support what they want to do with their sites," says Tikao.

Clark expects web developers, who are familiar with other website programming languages, to pick up Miva script easily. CLEAR Net has created a developer resource site, that is written in Miva script, to showcase some of the technology available on the company's web hosting platform. The site is available at http://webhosting.clear.net.nz/ and features a free downloadable Miva script article editor that lets users, who are unfamiliar with html and website development technology, update site content in real time. To use Miva script, CLEAR Net customers can download a free copy of Miva Mia software which is available for Windows 95 / 98 and NT. The software lets users develop and test Miva script applications on their desktop before uploading the content to the CLEAR Net server.

Further information and pricing for CLEAR Net Professional web hosting is available at, http://www.clear.net.nz/services/webhosting.html.

ENDS

For further information contact Ross Inglis Public Affairs Manager CLEAR Communications Ph: (09) 912 4400 Office Ph: (021) 636 228 Mobile

© Scoop Media