December iiNews
editor's note
Happy Holidays everyone!
It's hard to believe but we're about to round off yet another year - and what a year it's been! 2008 saw us roll out the welcome mat for the shiny new 3G iPhone, we embraced change with US President Elect Obama and came to terms with penny pinching as financial crisis gripped the world.
Closer to home we've seen some big developments and changes. We've opened a new call centre in Cape Town to help us Follow the Sun, we've beefed up our suite of cool Freezone offerings, teamed up with Westnet and in July we upped monthly download quotas for most broadband plans. To relive more of our biggest 2008 moments, check out our iiNet timeline.
Walking away from Memory Lane, this month's iiNews is all about giving and sharing. We're super excited about introducing our new look website, we show our support of the Arts with Sydney Festival 2009, we make friends with fellow innovators 3 and break out a new business voice product. Geek Speak helps you cut through more tech tape while our competitions bag opens up more prizes for you to grab. If you're stuck for some last minute gift ideas for the silly season, we've got you covered. Site Scan helps you sift through some eleventh-hour options.
Lastly, a big thanks to everyone for helping us make 2008 a huge year. We're pumped about what's ahead in 2009. See you soon!
Swee Au-Yong
iiNews Editor (iinewsfeedback@iinet.net.au)
news
New iiNet website
It's a big change, but just in case you missed it we're delighted to have recently launched a brand spanking new iiNet website!
Apart from the cosmetic changes, you'll find a cleaned up layout to make navigation cleaner and more user friendly. So what does this really mean? Well for starters, our new site promises to be more intelligent in helping users (both existing and new) find exactly what they're looking for - faster.
For those of you who like to use Bookmarks or Favourites in your web browser, these links to the old site will now detour you over to our new site instead.
We'd love to hear any feedback you have about the new look website. Shoot your comments through to newwebsitefeedback@iinet.net.au.
iiNet partners with ninemsn
Off the back of our new website launch, we're happy to announce our new partnership with ninemsn Pty Limited.
Earlier in the year, we conducted extensive market research which showed customers wanted a slick new site, featuring more news and lifestyle media content. We've taken all this on board and banded together with ninemsn to deliver up-to-the-minute news, sport, weather and entertainment.
It's all here - take a look at our new front page, now loaded with even more interesting stuff to keep you clicking.
Sydney Festival - iiNet Films Afloat
For three weeks in January, the heart of Sydney will transform into Australia's largest cultural hub as Sydney Festival 2009 takes hold of the city.
We're excited to be part of 2009's Festival as a sponsor for a new event taking place from 14th-18th January, iiNet Films Afloat @ Darling Harbour. Over five days, we'll be screening classic cult films on a giant screen floating on Darling Harbour while live bands from around the world will play music to accompany the movies.
Check out the awesome line up:
- Wednesday 14 January: Run Lola Run with music by The Bays
- Thursday 15 January: Run Lola Run with music by The Bays
- Friday 16 January: Enter the Dragon with music by Karsh Kale & MIDIval Punditz
- Saturday 17 January: Enter the Dragon with music by Karsh Kale & MIDIval Punditz
- Sunday18 January: Fantastic Planet with music by Ben Walsh & The Orkestra of the Underground
Before the feature each night, we'll be screening the best entries from the iiNet Get Animated competition. We'll also be pitching up a big tent during the five days, filled with Macs and VoIP phones to try out as well as other goodies. So if you're in Sydney, round up your friends and check us out. You'll be in for free evenings of live music and film under the stars.
We're giving away one super Festival prize, featuring the official Sydney Festival 2009 album plus two tickets to All Tomorrow's Parties on Cockatoo Island curated by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds (obviously you'll need to be in Sydney during the Festival period). We've also got an extra 19 official Sydney Festival 2009 albums up for grabs, for everyone outside the harbour city.
To win the major prize, email competitions with 'December Sydney Festival Competition' in the subject line. For those outside of Sydney, email competitions with the subject line 'December Festival Album Competition'. Remember to include your username, full name and address, along with the answer to this question: Name the new event iiNet is sponsoring as part of Sydney Festival 2009? by 5pm (WST) Friday 2 January, 2009.
iiNet Get Animated - Voting Now Open!
Break out the popcorn! Submissions for our Get Animated competition have closed and it's time to get voting for your favourite.
We've received some very cool shorts which you can check out by visiting the Get Animated site. To make it even more worth your while, you'll be in the running to win one of three Playstation®3 consoles, bundled with the new LittleBigPlanet™ game, when you cast a vote. Be quick though, our Peoples' Choice voting poll closes early January 2009.
iiNet buddies with 3
Last week, we sealed a deal with 3 which will see iiNet expand broadband products and services to customers in the future.
There's that old saying - you are who your friends are, which is why we're really pleased to be working with fellow industry innovators. Our friends at 3 led the pack in launching Australia's first 3G mobile network which has since set a standard in the market; much like iiNet's own ADSL2+ broadband network.
Further down the track, our new partnership will pave the way for teamwork on a broader range of future offerings. Keep an eye out for more news into 2009 or read up more from our media release about the deal.
iiNet and Westnet top ADSL2exchanges polls
We've got some good news to wrap up a great year! ADSL2exchanges.com.au announced its award winners for 2008 and it looks like we've taken out both the Best Overall ISP (Large) and Fastest ISP titles. Our good friends over at Westnet were also recognized through the online poll, walking away with the Best Customer Service award.
ADSL2exchanges is an Australian-run website, offering loads of information on ADSL2+ exchanges across the country.
Thanks to everyone who cast a vote for us - it's thanks to you we're on top!
Xbox unmetered content update
Last month we let you in on our very cool deal to bring unmetered Xbox LIVE content to all iiNet broadband customers. This means you can now download game demos, trailers, arcade games and console updates without affecting your monthly quota.
We're working hard to include as much Xbox LIVE gaming traffic as possible in the iiNet Freezone. However, as Xbox LIVE opens you up to players all over the world, this country-hopping traffic makes it very hard to capture and keep off the meter. With this in mind, you can think of any quota-free gaming as a happy bonus to go hand-in-hand with the game updates and demos that will make up the bulk of Xbox LIVE traffic (which definitely are part of Freezone).
Head over to the Freezone for more info on content that's not counted towards your quota.
business news
SIP Trunking - here to help you save!
December 9th was a big day for iiNet Business with the launch of SIP Trunking, the next evolution in our business voice products. SIP Trunking is a great cost saver for small to medium businesses and we're excited to be among the first ISPs to offer the service to customers nationally.
So what is it?
SIP (Session Internet Protocol) Trunking (like a tree trunk) is a business grade voice solution which allows you to have multiple lines, with all calls running through your internet connection instead of a standard landline.
Most businesses only really need a concurrent call capacity for a third of their employees (meaning at most 1/3 of their lines are engaged at any given time). That leaves you paying full line rental when 2/3 of your lines are idling away. Doesn't sound right does it? We don't think so either.
With SIP Trunking, you can choose the best balance of concurrent call volumes, so you only pay for the lines you use. You can also continue to use regular telephone extensions (to make and receive calls), benefit from low line rental rates, make 20c per minute mobile calls, without having to pay flagfall charges and heaps more.
Keen to find out more? Visit our SIP Trunking page where you'll find everything you'll need to know to get you trunking calls. There's even a handy savings comparisons, so you can see just how much you'd save by switching over from either PSTN or ISDN.
Finally, if you've got any questions, feel free to call our priority Business Support Team on 13 24 49, or send them an email at bizsupport@iinet.net.au.
support & services
Christmas & Boxing Day opening hours - iiNet support
Christmas is just a few sleeps away! Our contact centres will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and operating on reduced hours throughout the holiday period (see below for full details).
- Wednesday, December 24th - 6am to midnight (your local time)
- Thursday, December 25th - Closed
- Friday, December 26th - Closed
- Saturday, December 27th - 8am to midnight (your local time)
- Sunday, December 28th - 8am to midnight (your local time)
- Monday, December 29th - 8am to midnight (your local time)
- Tuesday, December 30th - 8am to midnight (your local time)
- Wednesday, December 31st - 8am to midnight (your local time)
- Thursday, January 1st - Closed
- Friday, January 2nd - 24x7 support resumes at 6am
While we know you're used to 24/7 support, we hope you'll understand that our iiNet staff love Christmas as much as you.
From what we've seen from the past, the holiday period over Christmas is pretty quiet. If you do have any issues with your Internet service (between swapping Secret Santa gifts and picnics at the beach), you'll have access to our iiHelp knowledgebase and your comprehensive set of DIY tools in Toolbox.
Open Day 2008 over for another year
We'd like to say a big thank you to all the iiNet punters and locals who trekked their way in to iiNet's Open Day. This year, hundreds took advantage of our once-a-year opportunity to peek behind the doors at iiNet's HQ.
Our special guests for the day attended seminars on a broad range of topics, sat in on educational workshops and followed staff guided tours through our Perth operations. There was even a chance to rub shoulders with Senior Managers, talk up big issues with our iiNet Execs and say hello to our friendly face of iiNet - Finn.
For everyone who wrote in saying they couldn't make it along this year, or for anyone not in Perth, we'll be making the seminars and presentation materials available online really soon. We'll keep you posted with when we upload this content in the next iiNews. Otherwise, keep an eye on our Open Day page for updates.
If you've got any more questions in the meantime, email openday@iinet.net.au and we'll be happy to help.
Geek Speak
Geek Speak is here to help turn technical internet jargon into plain and simple English. We understand not everyone is a net nerd, so each month iiNews will publish a Geek Speak topic to give you a hand. If you have any feedback or questions you'd like answered, just email us at geekspeak@iinet.net.au.
What is VoIP?
VoIP stands for Voice-over-Internet Protocol. In a nutshell, VoIP allows you to make phone calls over the Internet. You still use your telephone the same as before, but instead of plugging your phone into the socket on your wall, you plug it into the back of your modem or router (the box thing that connects your computer to the internet) instead. For most people, using VoIP means much cheaper call rates.
To use VoIP you'll need a broadband connection and a VoIP enabled modem or router.
Competitions
November Musichead promo
Thanks to our friends from Musichead, we've got 10 Musichead packs to giveaway featuring Coldplay, Miley Cyrus and Sarah Brightman. We've also scored 5 copies of Keith Urban's latest DVD, so read on to find out how you can make them yours.
Keith Urban
Love, Pain, & The Whole Crazy World Tour
No one else in the world melds country and rock together quite like Keith. Relive Urban's Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy World Tour, with excusive footage, outtakes and photographs from the boy from Queensland.
Miley Cyrus
Breakout
For a lot of artists, there's no avoiding the dreaded sophomore slump. In the case of Miley Cyrus this clearly isn't an issue, especially in the eyes of her peppy pubescent fans. Expect a boppy collection of pop infused dance rock along the veins of her current chart-topper Fly on the Wall.
Coldplay
Prospekt's March
Just in time for the Christmas rush, Prospekt's March brings 8 fresh new tracks from one of the UK's greatest bands. Standouts include Lost + (featuring hip hop powerhouse Jay-Z) and a remix of their Lovers in Japan single.
Sarah Brightman
A Winter Symphony
Recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Symphonic Orchestra and a 46-piece choir, A Winter Symphony makes the perfect festive soundtrack, with Brightman's angelic soprano bringing an elegant twist to classic carols.
To be in the running for one of our CD prize packs with 3 albums, email competitions with 'December Musichead Music Competition' in the subject line. To win one of our special Keith Urban DVDs, email competitions with 'December Musichead DVD Competition' in the subject line. Don't forget to include your username, full name and address, along with the answer to this 'fill in the blanks' question for both entries: Thanks to _____________, iiNet's new website now features up-to-the-minute news, sport, weather and entertainment by 5pm (WST) Friday 2 January, 2009.
games reviews
We've buddied up again with Games Warehouse to bring you our monthly games review and yet another $100 voucher to splurge on games to take you through the holidays.
If you fancy winning and spending this voucher, email competitions with 'December Games Warehouse Competition' in the subject line. Don't forget to include your username, full name and address, along with the answer to this question: What new business voice product did iiNet launch in early December? by 5pm (WST) Friday 2 January, 2009.
Gamer's 2-minute review
I've long been a fan of the Prince of Persia series, from back when our hero wore a white onesie on my trusty old (and I mean old) 386. Since stepping onto the Xbox a few years ago, the series smartly managed to go 3D without losing its mojo where other franchises fell in on themselves... I'm looking at you, Sonic. So if we forgive PoP: Warrior Within for taking the brand on a brief holiday to Crapville, let's assume our Prince has done good as a repeat performer up til now.
I'm setting up for something right? Yah huh. To bite right into it, Prince of Persia is a fair crack at a platform romp... it's just not Princey enough. Current opinion online sees the latest PoP adventure getting broad praise and high scores for its reinvention of the Prince engine - and that right there is where I part company and stamp my Boot of Disapproval. People expect a certain familiarity with a gaming brand; unless you really know what you're doing, mucking with a proven formula is about as convincing as a rugby player in drag.
At first glance, the game has a lot in common with its console predecessors. The environments are colourful, intricate and grand of scale. Your Prince is still a nimble acrobat, leaping around the place and wooing the ladies with his big sword. He's still running across walls, swinging off poles and shimmying his way over ledges and crevices. In essence, the game itself isn't bad standalone, but to appreciate it you really need to un-learn that which made Sands of Time and Two Thrones enjoyable... or you'll wind up as I did, clinging to a game that didn't exist.
The biggest deviation is in how involved you are in both acrobatics and combat. Arcade veterans may remember an old game called Dragons Lair, in which a cartoon played out on screen with you occasionally pushing specific buttons to advance the plot. It was entertaining, but you weren't really in control of the antics - just playing whack-a-mole with the buttons when required. The new Prince of Persia is much the same: every action is kicked off with a single button push, from wall runs to sword cuts. It's flatly uninvolving and takes the grit out of the excitement when you're being bumpered into what is ultimately a binary, linear romp.
There's a stronger adventure theme within though, as each level is connected to the others as one huge, navigable world. To complete the game, the player needs to unlock access to other realms by clearing sections, harvesting hundreds of 'light gems' and taking on one of five mini-bosses, over and over. While it's refreshing to have that level of flexibility, it doesn't carry a genuine 'explorer' vibe, as for the most part the maps play out the same regardless of when you decide to tackle them.
Mushing this all into a ball I guess the issue I have is that for this beautiful story to unfold, I'm removed from the action I held so dear in the past. There's no sense of risk, no flirting with danger because most of the action is predetermined and when you screw it up, you're plonked back in the action, in realtime, unscathed.
If you liked Dragons Lair or Spyro the Dragon, now might be the time to check in with the Prince. If you liked Sands of Time or Two Thrones, avoid this one outright, he is not your friend. That said, while I may lost that loving feeling, I can't deny others will probably enjoy it in a different light.
site scan
For the last few months the exchange rate has taken the wind out of online shopping. So, we've scoured the net to breathe new life into your gift-buying adventures. All of these shops feature the Aussie dollar and good ol' Aussie shipping rates.
The Good Store
Think of this as a general store for modern lifestyle - edibles, toys, clothing and accessories, even stuff for kids. It's too late for Christmas online orders, but worth the wait for a second round of pressies after the holidays are over. Last-minute Perthies can visit their shop in Victoria Park.
Dadshop
Dadshop has you covered for the family member who's hardest to shop for. Their stock ranges from tools to tech, golf and games to shavers and stationary, and even ridiculous novelty pieces for a good dad joke. Brothers and boyfriends can play too.
Gifts for My Girl
Sure, it's a play on the stereotype, but Gifts for My Girl offers a safe bet for stuff that most female types can enjoy. The site carries a modest yet delightful selection of 'girlish' apparel, accessories, books, household wares, hampers and gift packs for the ladies in your life.
CoolThings Australia
CoolThings is a one-stop novelty gift shop for a noisy, active, curious, educational or remote-controlled summer season. The Christmas cutoff dates have passed, but Tassie procrastinators can visit their shop in Launceston.
Oxfam Unwrapped
To help a good cause and have a bit of fun, go for a 'gift-less gift' from Oxfam Unwrapped. Choose from ducks, pigs, water supplies and more - all your dollars go toward developing countries on behalf of the recipient, and you can request a card (or e-card) to send your well wishes.
