New software to discover local content

sounds like they have just re-packaged a few existing Firefox add-ons (such as FlagFox) and pushing them as their own tool.

When are we going to see local ISPs offering an uncapped local only product? (now that Mweb has canned their trial).
 
first impressions, well designed website, solid in functionality, great that they have a firefox toolbar addon and a API for programmers to use

but I'm not sure we really need another indexing site of local content, and with the opening of additional bandwidth in the distant future, is this really a good idea for a new local startup?
 
Okay, I installed the toolbar in firefox.
I googled for Telkom.
Nope, nothing on the results page shows me anything indicating locailty.

So, would somebody explain to me what this means then:
“This means flags are placed near URLs indicating whether the link is accessible locally, or via international only -- great for when you want to determine whether you're saving money,” says Sturgess.
Click to expand...

[EDIT: It works fine, sorry!]
 
Last edited:
Never mind!
It works 100%, just give it a couple of minutes to initialise itself!

The google results now show a SA flag icon in front of the local links, and a green orb for the others.
 
davemc said:
Never mind!
It works 100%, just give it a couple of minutes to initialise itself!

The google results now show a SA flag icon in front of the local links, and a green orb for the others.
Click to expand...

Indeed, please bear in mind the latency evident in querying the DNS records for international sites -- which should be a lot faster for local sites. The more people start using the add-on, too, the faster it should become though, as results are cached to improve performance.

The green icon is a globe, if you were wondering, and indicates an internationally hosted link.

Thanks for the feedback!
 
zamrg said:
...but I'm not sure we really need another indexing site of local content, and with the opening of additional bandwidth in the distant future, is this really a good idea for a new local startup?
Click to expand...

Excellent observation, and thanks for the feedback.

What's important leading into the future of broadband in South Africa is the push to help drop prices not only for consumers but for providers of content too. As costs for access drop, so too should the cost of hosting in South Africa, one hopes, though it's uncertain whether such content providers will have incentive to move back into RSA. An initiative like ours will continue to promote content which is produced and hosted in South Africa as other benefits, such as increased performance, will persist beyond the drop in prices.
 
so how do you submit your site ? or does it crawl? I assume hosting at Hetzner SA makes it local?
 
Onraji said:
so how do you submit your site ? or does it crawl? I assume hosting at Hetzner SA makes it local?
Click to expand...

Hi Onraji,

To index a site you need only have the toolbar installed, then to browse to the site in question. Should the site be hosted locally, it will automatically be suggested for indexing -- awaiting approval.

To determine if the site is hosted locally, a South African flag will appear to the right of your address/location bar.
 
Locality said:
Hi Onraji,

To index a site you need only have the toolbar installed, then to browse to the site in question. Should the site be hosted locally, it will automatically be suggested for indexing -- awaiting approval.

To determine if the site is hosted locally, a South African flag will appear to the right of your address/location bar.
Click to expand...

sounds good, but why not automate the process instead of having manual approval? AFAIK, the local ip routes on the is routes server are pretty accurate, and could be used to automatically identify whether the site is local, and then add the site to your database.
 
zamrg said:
sounds good, but why not automate the process instead of having manual approval? AFAIK, the local ip routes on the is routes server are pretty accurate, and could be used to automatically identify whether the site is local, and then add the site to your database.
Click to expand...

Approval involves categorising and defining title and description data, which is often void in the majority of website meta data. Some hostnames may also only have DNS hosting in South Africa, which point to servers that are hosted overseas, in accessory to sites which have location changing headers, and meta refresh forwarding.

So even though the system can detect whether the site is hosted, or mirrored, locally some measures are still required to be taken manually.
 
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