The Internet, but easier

The Government, broadcasters, the private sector and community organisations have today joined forces to launch 'Internet Made Easy', a free CD-ROM interactive tutorial for people without knowledge of the web.

The CD will be distributed to most homes in Northern Ireland over the coming weeks. For most users, simply pop the CD in the computer's CD tray, close the tray and follow the instructions.

The CD-ROM, launched today by the BBC's Donna Traynor at the headquarters of the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) is to be distributed to households across the region, and is a free, friendly and extremely easy-to-follow guide for anyone with a computer. Narrated by the Donna Traynor and cartoon compere Matt the Mouse, it will be available in libraries for those without PC equipment, and covers the basics of computer use, all the way from determining which end is which on a computer mouse to booking cheap flights online.

The presentation is the result of a major collaborative effort between multiple government departments through the eGovernment Unit, the education sector, community sector and major companies active in Northern Ireland with a significant online presence.

From NICVA's point of view, the CD is a welcome tool in addressing issues of information exclusion in Northern Ireland; the region is the most connected in the UK, but internet usage in the home is far from universal or equally spread across the region or socio-economic strata. The CD tackles fear and misunderstanding of the internet in a fun, easily accessible format.

For those without a computer in the home, the tutorial CD will be available at some 400 public internet access points across Northern Ireland.