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The latest results from the IMRG CapGemini e-Retail Sales Index show that total sales online increased by 22% in May compared to last year in the highest growth since June 2008. Sales were boosted by warm weather and the bank holiday weekends.

We might be in economically difficult times, but UK internet users continue to show a commitment to spending online. Latest results from the IMRG CapGemini e-retail Sales Index show a 22% rise in online shopping spend for May 2010 compared to 12 months previous and the figures are impressive for anybody tempted to set-up an e-commentce operation.

The report confirms shoppers spent £4.5 billion online during May 2010 which is equivalent to £73 for every person in the UK, not just those online. With a 3% increase on the previous month (April) it does appear more and more are looking to the internet to supply goods that they need.

The report suggests pre-World Cup fever played a hand in the rise with a 23% increase in alcohol sales reported compared to last year as shoppers stocked up ahead of the World Cup. There were also lots of special offers looking to entice in big-spenders ahead of the competition – reflected in sales of electrical goods also increasing by 13% and sales of clothing up 32% compared to last year.

Year to date, the UK e-retail market has grown 14% and with the internet offering a more efficient way of looking for a bargain or discount, the trend of people turning to e-commerce is expected to continue as the country continues to look for better value in difficult financial times.

If you’ve yet to get into the e-commerce arena why not try our e-commerce product which will get you a functional and professional looking online-shop from just £8.99 per month.

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Over the years there have been plenty of stories about domain speculators looking to make a fast-buck from the death of a superstar – take for example the rush last year for Michael Jackson related domains following his death. Now though, we are able to report a more humanistic domain story based around the death of a celebrity.

Domain registrar Tucows has donated the domain name freddiemercury.com to the estate of Queen legend Freddie Mercury in order to protect and continue the legacy of his work. The story was reported at the end of last week on the official Queen Online site. It appears that Tucows via their domain consultancy division YummyNames secured the domain name and then donated the same to the deceased star’s estate.

A nice touch given the obvious value of the domain for Queen fans or those perhaps looking to trade upon the popularity of the Zanzibar-born Gay icon and rock legend.

We wonder whether there are more to follow?

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You’ve probably noticed that this is a particularly sport-filled June. Not only is the football in full-swing, but the annual strawberries-and-creamathon that is Wimbledon has opened its doors too.

Where there’s a big sporting event, you’ll usually find big technology. And Wimbledon has tech in spades. From Hawk-Eye‘s computerised assistance for close line calls to the 41 miles of cable the BBC installs, technology is key to the tournament’s success.

Get Wimbledon on your phone

As you might expect, the organisers of Wimbledon haven’t been slow to jump on the mobile phone bandwagon. Last year they released an application called IBM Seer that allowed people attending the tournament to point their phone’s camera at the match they were watching, and superimpose information onto the screen.

That could be anything from statistics about the players to the location of the nearest bar. Well, you can’t expect a Wimbledon-goer to manage without a glass of Pimms for long, right?

This year’s version takes things further. Apparently, if you’re wandering around the tennis club and hear cheering, you can see video of what’s going on by pointing your phone in the direction of the noise. And you can check queue sizes without leaving your seat.

This video shows the new Wimbledon app in action:

Many people seem to think this sort of augmented reality is the next big thing for mobile phones. And we have to admit, the way it combines what you’re seeing in the real world with information from the internet is pretty cool.

However, we do have two reservations:

• There isn’t much for people who don’t attend the tournament. Yet in our experience, when you’re actually there, watching an exciting sporting event, the last thing you want to do is keep your eyes on a small mobile phone screen.
• It’s going to need a good connection. As football fans will know, the crowds at big events can make it hard to even send and receive text messages, never mind get a connection to watch streaming video. That could make the app a serious source of frustration.

Still, we’ll reserve judgement till we’ve seen it in action.

The IBM Seer app is free. It’s available for iPhones and mobile phones running the Android operating system – you can find it by searching for “IBM Seer” in the iPhone app store or Android Marketplace.

If you’re off to Wimbledon and have a compatible phone, please leave a comment. We’d love to hear how well this works in practice.

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After taking on the mighty Brazillians in their opening World Cup group game, the North Korean side have another difficult encounter today in their second group game. The North Korean side are not one of the best supported sides in the competition – political restrictions would hinder that anyway, but those fans that are there certainly won’t be staying in touch with their home country via the internet.

North Korea is one of the world’s few remaining information black holes, at least until last week it was. The dictator-ruled nation last week quietly took a first step toward a full internet connection, although it is unlikely the bulk of North Koreans will get access to it in the near future, even if they find out about it. Internet connection there is unlikely to mean freedom of information for North Korea’s citizens.

For many years a block of 1,024 Internet addresses has been reserved for  North Korea by the internet community but has never been taken up. Until earlier this month when a company (Star Joint Venture) based in the capital city Pyongyang and with close links to the Government (they helped launch the first mobile phone network in 2002) registered the IP addresses in its name.

What use they will put them to is yet to be seen but the likelihood is that it will be military and government use first. Freedom of information within the country is amongst the most heavily controlled in the world. There is little doubt, as has been seen in China, that access by the public to the full wonders of the internet would have a dramatic effect on the socialisation and education of the population in matters the countries rulers would prefer they didn’t know about.

At present the country relies on servers in other countries to disseminate information. The official mouthpiece, the Korea Central News Agency,  runs on a server in Japan, while Uriminzokkiri an unofficial official Web site for the country uses a server in China.

There is a nationwide intranet system called Kwangmyong, running since 200 and connecting educational establishments and the like but that has no links to world beyond. In fact it is estimated that just a few thousand elite members of society have a true internet link. So, if you were thinking of launching an e-commerce project in North Korea it might be best to have a re-think.

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However far you pursued or are pursuing your education, there is no doubt, that feeling of fear and adrenaline you experience when standing outside the exam hall is something you will always remember. Equally so, that eerie silence, almost atmospheric void you experienced once you were in the exam sat at your desk. Yet, now those days may be numbered.

American firm Software Secure Inc have developed new technology, that includes anti-cheating software and could allow people to sit exams from home or at least away from the traditional big examination hall.

Ironically, despite the fears many might have, it may even provide added security against potential cheating. The programme uses a small stand-alone device plugged into a student’s computer, which validates a student’s fingerprint before access to the exam is granted. With a webcam and microphone also switched on, the system can also detect movement or conversations to stop others entering the room or the student conversing via phone or other communication device with others during the exam. As a further precaution the device ‘locks down’ the machine being used, so that the student can’t turn to the internet or previously saved notes to cheat.

With the system already being trialed in some UK educational establishments it might not be long before the Securexam Remote Proctor offers schools, colleges, universities and training organisations the chance to administer computer-based tests 365/24/7 for students anywhere in the world.

Don’t forget if you are a student you can still take advantage of our excellent student hosting offer: hosting for a £1 per month, a free .info domain and loads of free software.

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You can’t move for well-meaning security advice. For the basics, we recommend checking out Get Safe Online, PC Advisor’s Security Bible – plus Microsoft’s advice.

And to keep you on the right track, here are six common security mistakes.

If you can avoid making these basic errors you’ll be well on the way to keeping your computer, files, data and identity nice and secure.

1. Losing stuff. 2008 research found that European business travellers lose 15,648 laptops a week – 900 at Heathrow. Wonder how many of those people lost important files as a result. If you’re travelling with your laptop, keep everything backed up, and don’t leave it in any departure lounges.
    
2. Avoiding system restarts. You know the message: Restart your computer to finish installing important updates. It’s an unwanted interruption and it’s easy to hit Postpone. Don’t. That restart could give you extra protection again hackers – so shut down and take the opportunity for a break.
    
3. Turning security software off. Security software can occasionally interfere with software on your computer. But however tempting it may seem, don’t turn it off. The moment you do, you become more susceptible to viruses, hackers and other threats.
    
4. Using illegal software. Pirated software can be tempting – especially if it’s free. But there’s a high price to pay in other ways. A recent survey found 62% of people using pirated software said that obtaining it had led to their PC being infected with a virus. Still seem like such a bargain?
    
5. Letting strangers see your personal details. Yes, so if you add 500 acquaintances, contacts and total strangers as Facebook friends you’ll look more popular. You also risk exposing sensitive details like your date of birth, home town and phone number to people who might steal your identity.
    
6. Using easy passwords. A recent analysis of 32 million leaked passwords revealed that a high proportion of people use the same common passwords. Like 123456. And password. Even though they can be harder to remember, you really, really should use strong passwords. Go on. Change yours now.

Most of us have made mistakes where security is concerned – what are yours? If you’re willing to admit to leaving a laptop in a strange place or inadevertently emailing your password to your whole address book, leave a comment to let us know.

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The Wii generation revolutionised the gaming world and offered a response to those saying we all risked developing into couch-potato gaming geeks. However, even die-hard gamers and Wii fans have probably had gaming sessions, slumped on the sofa rather than taking on the full gaming experience, which somewhat cheats the Wii concept. This Autumn however, the latest gaming revolution will mean laziness is not an option.

Project Natal from Microsoft has been rebranded Kinect and this week is showcasing at the E3 games expo in Los Angeles.The system uses a hands-free control interface and there will even be software to utilise facial and vocal recognition, it is the gaming of the future that seemed little more than a Sci-Fi dream, just a decade a go, but Microsoft expects to have homes across the world interacting with the Kinect by Christmas, although no official launch date has been given.

Competition for the MS Kinect comes from the Sony PlayStation Move controller and Nintendo’s upgraded WiiMotion Plus, but neither offers the full body movement control method of the Kinect that may sound gimmicky but really could mean a realistic challenge to outdoor sport from the indoor games industry.

With some of the ‘older’ generations getting on the gaming bandwagon thanks to Wii, it will be interesting to see if Microsoft’s latest development will be embraced equally by old and young alike.

Are you excited about the MS Kinect?

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Well that’s the first weekend of the World Cup over with but there is plenty more to come. Fed-up already?

If you are the sporty-type but prefer your balls in a different shape or size, there’s Wimbledon to come and we’ll be updating you more on that with another fantastic 123-reg offer in due course.

For those less sporty – and without the inclination to  watch wannabe stars living in the Big Brother house, we think you should switch off the television set and go and do something less boring instead.

The internet continues to grow so why not think about your latest web-based project and get things up and running while the rest of the world dwells on that football competition. Our e-commerce packages start from just £8.99 per month. You don’t need additional hosting and setting up your online shop is so easy to do with the template driven system.

Then there’s the ever-expanding range of domains on offer at 123-reg including our pre-registration offer on .co domains. Have you got yours yet?

So if football, tennis and tv voyeurism are not your thing, make the most of others having their eye ‘on the ball’ and catch them ‘off the ball’ with your latest online project.

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So today is the start of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. As well as the accolade of being football World Champions and the inevitable life-long sponsorship spin-offs that could bring, there is a big of pot of gold for the winners of this year’s World Cup in South Africa.

The winning country receive a total of $31m (£18.7m) to their national football association while the runners-up will get $24m, semi-finalists $20m and the quarter-finalists $18m each. Not a bad return. Teams that reach just the second round will get $9m and even those eliminated in the group phase will receive $8m, so that’s just for turning up in South Africa. As well as this, each national team will have already received $1m from FIFA towards their “preparation costs” such as hotels, travel and training facilities.

They are the biggest payouts ever arranged for the tournament and if England do win there will be massive payouts in England too. Not from the prize-money handed out by FIFA but from the insurance policies a large number of retailers will have taken out to cover the possibility of England’s win. Electronics giant Toshiba have been offering ‘money-back if England win the world cup’ deals on TVs & PCs bought before the tournament, while electronics retailer Currys have been offering £10 back on TVs for every goal scored by England’s boys. If Capello’s men do win the tournament however, the retail sector would expect a noticeable rise in sales post World Cup on the back of the feel-good mood of the nation.

One nation not feeling that good about the tournament is the Republic of Ireland. After being eliminated in the play-offs for the final stages by a dubious goal from France (Remember Thierry Henry and that ‘handball’?) there is still some bitterness in the Emerald Isle. As ever though they have applied the Irish sense of humour to it. Taking a similar approach to its UK sister company, Currys in Ireland has adopted the slogan “When the French lose… the Irish win!” and is offering vouchers of up to €100 to TV buyers,  that can be redeemed when France exits the tournament. Meanwhile Pizza Hut in Ireland are offering a free pizza for every goal scored against the French for those signed up via their Facebook page (limited to 350 pizzas per goal).

As with every tournament there will be winners and losers but this time around with social media also taking a hold, it is good to see some novel marketing concepts coming to the fore too.

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And so we have entered the final chapter of the Big Brother saga with Big Brother 11, quite literally a circus.

Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that as a concept Big Brother was revolutionary to the way TV is created and the way we live our lives. The rise in popularity of BB stemmed from a human instinct to snoop into other people’s lives and perhaps its dwindling popularity owes as much to the increase in social media as it does to people tiring of the format and the people it featured.

Where we once clambered to spy on the Big Brother house, now we can follow the daily lives of ordinary people and celebrities alike via Twitter. So Twitter may have helped kill off Big Brother but for the former stars of the show the irony is that Twitter is helping continue their fame. The BB phenomena made celebrities of many of the contestants over the years and having opened themselves up to the snoopers via TV, it is perhaps no surprise that some of those former contestants are now part of the Twitterati of celebrities that tweet.

Series one of Big Brother seems a long time ago. ‘Nasty Nick’ Bateman didn’t win but after being thrown out of the house for trying to manipulate votes has gone on to a fairly successful media career and boasts over 1200 followers on Twitter. Even more successful has been BB3 winner and first female winner Kate Lawler. Now a DJ with a big profile she has over 13,000 followers watching her every Twitter move.

Tourette Syndrome sufferer Pete Bennett who won Big Brother 7 is followed by over 10,000 on Twitter and his tweets have attracted some acclaim being nominated for a Shorty Award earlier this year. The following series, Big Brother fan Brian Belo won the prize  and still has over 6,000 people following his daily updates, but it was wannabe Chanelle Hayes who many remember from that series and her 8000 followers suggest nothing has changed.

With the end of Big Brother there will no doubt be a new format to create future ‘celebrities’ but in the meantime the former contestants are not doing too bad in the world of social media. Whether we will find ‘stars’ from the final series is yet to be seen but you can bet the Official Big Brother Twitter account will be trying to influence Twitter trends over the next few months. It is unlikely however that anybody from the series past, present or future will rival presenter Davina McCall in the Twitter stakes. With 280,000 followers she is one of the most followed celebrities in the UK.

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