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Ulster-Scots Agency officially launches a new website

 

The Ulster-Scots Agency is delighted to announce that its’ new website will be officially launched on Thursday 15th October, 2009.  Agency Board members and staff will be joined by guests at the official launch in Belfast, while Board member, Jacqui Reed, who is attending the Stonemountain Highland Games will launch the website internationally on Friday 16th October, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

 

The new website is a transformation from the current Agency website, which was developed back in 2002.  Technology has advanced significantly over the past seven years and in the same period, the range and volume of work by the Ulster-Scots community and the Ulster-Scots Agency has also developed, it is hoped the new website will reflect this.  

 

In addition to incorporating new technical features, another dramatic improvement in the development of the new website is the graphic design and interface.  The site’s structure has been streamlined making navigation much easier and overall more user-friendly.  Improved features of the new website include; 

 

Ulster-Scots Publications:

Ulster-Scots Agency publications will be available utilising sophisticated page turning software; this will replace the current format for viewing publications including the Ulster-Scot which is currently available online to download as individual pages in PDF format.  An archive of Ulster-Scot publications will also be available.

 

Future Events:

Details of future Ulster-Scots events will now be available in an interactive, up-to-date calendar of events where visitors can select to view all forthcoming Ulster-Scots events or to search the database by category (dance, music, cookery, etc) or by month.  It is hoped this facility will enable visitors to identify more easily the events of interest taking place in their area.  

 

News

Information on all new Ulster-Scots initiatives, projects and any other items of interest will be published within the ‘News’ section of the new website to ensure visitors to the Ulster-Scots website remain up to date on all our recent activity.

 

Community

Up to the minute information relevant to community and voluntary groups including everything required to start a project and apply for funding from the Ulster-Scots Agency.  This area also includes a section for case studies which have been provided by groups with first hand experience of running Ulster-Scots events; it is hoped this will encourage more Ulster-Scots activity in the future.

 

Education

A complete database of teaching resources for the educational sector – booklets are available on a variety of subjects for pupils and teachers at various key stage levels.

 

Another development in launching the new website will be the introduction of an Ulster-Scots e-newsletter, a method of communication not previously utilised by the Agency.  Visitors to the site will be invited to register their details to receive the newsletter by email to provide up to date information for those interested in history, dance, music, new publications, events and various other areas of Ulster-Scots.  Registering will involve providing a name, email address and selecting areas of interest.  These details will be stored by the Agency to enable an e-newsletter tailored to each registrant’s interests to be emailed on a bi-monthly basis.

 

The official launch marks the completion of the first phase of development of the new website; the Agency does not see this as the completion of the project.  In fact over the coming months and years the Agency’s website will continually evolve by introducing new features, utilising new technologies and moving in time with technological advancements in addition to the site content being regularly updated to ensure the content remains interesting and fresh.

 

Speaking about the new website, George Patton, Chief Executive of the Ulster-Scots Agency, commented “The launch of the website is a great step to provide users with up to date information on Ulster-Scots activity.  In addition to updating the content and functionality of the website, we wanted to align the design of the site with the Agency’s brand. We are delighted with the outcome of the website development project to date and look forward to continuing to develop it in the future.”

 

The new website was developed by local company Tibus who have extensive experience in the design and development of content management systems and employ a very strategic approach to technology, for which they have received many awards in the areas of creativity, reliability, service excellence and business solutions.  Their most recent award was for ‘Best Business’ in the North-South Category of the Marketing Institute of Ireland's All Ireland Marketing (AIM) Awards in 2008. Visit www.tibus.com for further information.

 

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