Norwich Internet news pioneer

A Norwich-based Internet service is launched today to provide automated news feeds that can be added to standard HTML Web sites quickly and easily. The new service at http://www.metacentric.net/ provides special links that notify subscribers when new items are added to a Web site, like the news wire services provided by agencies like Reuters.

Metacentric managing director Philip Shaw said: "Many people visit a Web site once and never return. A news feed is a great way to keep in touch with the people that are genuinely interested in your site and bring them back for more."

Philip Shaw was one of the founders of the Archant Group's Internet service, Eastern Counties Network, in the mid-nineties where he produced early versions of the group's regional newspaper titles online. He also created the award-winning Norwich City Football Club Web site with Anglia Multimedia in 1999.

Philip Shaw said: "News and sports sites generate a huge demand for the latest developments, opinion and insights, but all sites have a core readership that want to keep up to date." He said: "Commercial sites already have the information their customers want and a news feed is a good way to let people know about the latest products, events or services."

Philip Shaw said: "People are wary of giving up their email address for Web site notification. News feeds protect your privacy and security because they use the Web, not email."

Many commercial services like Amazon and PC World have embraced news feeds and traditional news publishers like the BBC and news wire veterans Reuters provide news feeds for their headline news categories.

Philip Shaw said: "News feeds are moving into the mainstream and Web site owners need an easy way to make that transition." He believes that there are many Web site owners who appreciate the benefits of a news feed but find it difficult to introduce new technology.

Philip Shaw said: "We have gone to great lengths to make our news feed service easy to use and keep jargon to a minimum. The service does not require any software, scripts or databases to be installed on the customer's Web server. We deliver the service for them and provide personal support."

Service charges are based on overall usage and invoiced 30 days in arrears, so customers can discover the benefits of a news feed for themselves.

Notes for editors

Metacentric Internet Limited is a British company based in Norwich, England. A media kit with high resolution graphics, illustrations, screen shots and further background information is available at http://www.metacentric.net/about/MediaKit.jsp

News feed technology has been adopted by commercial Internet services like Amazon and PC World, and traditional news publishers like the BBC and Reuters. Feed readers are built in to many Web browsers and email programs, including the forthcoming version of Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Feed readers check news feeds while you are looking at other Web sites or reading your email and alert you to new items. News feeds use a plain text format, so cannot carry the viruses and worms that have made people so suspicious of email notification. Each news item includes summary text and a link back to the Web site to read the "full story".

Please contact Philip Shaw for further questions and quotes on 01603 506486 (UK) or +44 1603 506486 (International). Email philip.shaw@metacentric.net