A
new top-level internet domain for Scotland has been launched, allowing people
to choose a .scot web or email address for the first time.
About
50 sites run by "launch pioneers" are expected to go live on Tuesday.
Among
those who have signed up for a new domain are the Scottish government,
referendum campaigners Yes Scotland and Better Together, WWF Scotland, NHS
Scotland and Scouts Scotland.
International
pioneers include the Louisiana Scots and the Clan Wallace.
The
.scot domain is one of a number of new top-level domains that are becoming
available this year, such as .wales, .london, .berlin and .NYC.
It
was launched after
not-for-profit company Dot Scot Registry agreed terms with
international regulators Icann to operate the new domain.
The
official launch time was noon on Tuesday, but it was expected to take several
hours for sites to go live.
Dot
Scot director Gavin McCutcheon said: "Icann threw the switch, so to speak,
on .scot at noon today. It was from noon that the registry could accept the new
domains.
"From
there, the owners of the domains do their part and set it up so that the domain
points to their servers.
"Once
that's complete, it can take up to a few hours for the new information to
propagate across the internet through the various domain name servers.
"The
domains should be resolving very soon, this is no glitch."
Earlier,
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the launch.
"It
is entirely right that Scotland should have its own distinctive and
recognisable internet domain - in particular, one that will resonate
internationally, helping to promote Scottish business and culture throughout
the world," she said.
"I
am confident that the .scot domain name will prove to be a real asset to the
people of Scotland and to the worldwide family of Scots.
"I
am looking forward to the Scottish government being able to make use of this
new domain and to having www.gov.scot up and running before the end of the
year, as well as our pioneer domains including www.welcome.scot, which go live
today."
Mr
McCutcheon described it as a "fantastic day for Scotland online".
"Owning
a .scot domain will allow people and organisations a new unique way to express
their identity online," he said.
"It's
a community domain intended for everybody who lives and works in Scotland - and
for the 50 million people around the globe who are part of Scotland's diaspora.
"After
such a long campaign to secure the new .scot domain, we're delighted that we
can launch when the eyes of the world are on Scotland, with the Commonwealth
Games coming to Glasgow next week."
For
the next 60 days, only launch pioneers will be allowed to use the .scot domain,
but others are being invited to register interest via http://nic.scot. After 23
September, the domain will be open to all.
Richard
Stevenson, of domain name registrar 1&1 Internet Ltd, said there had been
strong demand for .scot reservations.
"Across
history, Scotland has been synonymous with ambitious, truly innovative and
impactful technology," he added.
"For
Scottish businesses and citizens alike, the .scot domain is the opportunity to
strengthen their web and email identity, optimise the way in which their
websites are found and, importantly, leverage the enormously valuable brand
that Scotland holds worldwide."
BusinessDay
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