Rigorous checking procedures.

I think you will smile.

Via Guido to the Register, and this little item about the Government's online programme intended to advise children how best to use the internet safely, all except children in this Bristol school that is. The lovely new and very up to date government advisory area, hosted on directgov, was to be called "Buster's World" and was provided with a logo of a happy little badge-wearing black and tan terrier. Presumably this lovely fluffy dog called Buster would appeal to children and also help make the site's name easy to remember.

Good idea, don't you think? Seems a sensible sort of thing to do? Can't see a problem?

Unfortunately neither the company responsible for designing the new government site nor anybody in DCSF did a thorough check of existing domain names, so didn't spot another "Busters World" that's hosted in USA and has been around since 2000 (and is valid until 2013). The site, apparently, isn't the sort of site young children should be viewing.

The Register published the statement from DCSF as follows :

The naming of this webpage was clearly a mistake and we regret that the supplier’s usual thorough checking procedures when creating web content seem to have failed. When this was brought to our attention we urgently took the site down, pending a rename, to avoid any further issues.

The name concerned was new and had not yet been promoted widely to young people.

The safety of children on the internet is of paramount importance and we will be looking at the procedures of our suppliers to ensure this does not happen again.

To refer to this carelessness as a "cock-up" would be something of a cliché.

..........

Incidentally, there are many, many sites that offer advice on internet safety. There is one that's worth recommending as suitable, and useful, for all ages.

WiredSafety is truly excellent, it's been around for years and offers help and advice to not only children but also to adults who may have suddenly found the internet is not the cosy place they imagined it to be.

Those running the site can, if needed, help on a one-to-one basis and in 'real time' too.

Here it is again : -  WiredSafety

And here's a bit more about the organisation and what they do : -

WiredSafety provides help, information and education to Internet and mobile device users of all ages. We help victims of cyberabuse ranging from online fraud, cyberstalking and child safety, to hacking and malicious code attacks. We also help parents with issues, such as Social Networking (MySpace, Facebook etc.) and Cyberbullying.

and

 WiredSafety.org is a 501(c) (3) charity and the largest and oldest online safety, education, and help group in the world. Originating in 1995 as a group of volunteers rating websites, it now provides one-to-one help, extensive information, and education to cyberspace users of all ages on a myriad of Internet and interactive technology safety issues. Read more ...

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