Scotland declares digital independence: from now on: “gov.scot”

Wednesday, February 18th 2015 - 22:07 UTC

Full article 46 comments

“Using the dot-scot domain as our primary web address will be a visible symbol of the Scottish Government’s online presence” said in an official release

Then First Minister Alex Salmond anticipated back in March 2012 that Scotland “will soon be independent in cyberspace too - with the dotScot domain”

On Tuesday, the Scottish Government shifted its internet presence from 'scotland.gov.uk' to 'gov.scot', redirecting the old domain to its new home. The move has been heralded for years by the Scottish National Party (SNP).

Then First Minister Alex Salmond declared back in March 2012: “Scotland is well on the road to independence, and it looks like we will soon be independent in cyberspace too - the dotScot domain name will be a great boost in promoting Scotland around the globe.”

As recently as July last year, and just months before the vote on independence from the UK, deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “It is entirely right that Scotland should have its own distinctive and recognizable Internet domain, in particular one that will resonate internationally, helping to promote Scottish business and culture throughout the world.“

Sturgeon is now First Minister, of course, after Salmond resigned following the 55-45 vote against independence back in November, leaving it to her deputy John Swinney to wave the flag for digital independence.

”Using the dot-scot domain as our primary web address will be a visible symbol of the Scottish Government’s online presence and our involvement with the worldwide family of Scots who choose to express their identity or affinity online,” he said in an official release. (JohnSwinney.scot is registered but doesn't resolve.)

“Users will see the new web address on our site straight away,” said Swinney, “but other changes to the infrastructure, including new email addresses for Scottish Government staff, will be introduced in a phased and structured way to ensure no one is inconvenienced.”

As of today, there are just over 8,500 dot-scot domains, putting it above many of the new internet extensions but a very, very long way from established domains like dot-uk which has over 10 million domains.

Categories: Politics, International.

Tags: Alex Salmond, Dot Scot Registry (DSR), Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland, Scottish Government’s online presence, Scottish National Party (SNP), www.gov.scot.

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paulcedron
“Scotland is well on the road to independence, and it looks like we will soon be independent”
exactly.
well done.
Feb 18th, 2015 - 10:32 pm 0
CaptainSilver
Big deal, and support from Villa 31s chief Architect too! Bahahahaha
Feb 18th, 2015 - 10:42 pm 0
The Voice
But, Salmond was completely wrong. Scotland voted clearly against Independence in the recent referendum . And, with the oil price sinking below the horizon none of his already dodgy sums add up. Scotland would be broke and go the way of Greece having to beg on its knees for the UK to bail it out. If it did become independent and loose the current UK taxpayer subsidy of £1400 per person per annum things would rapidly get very difficult for Scots. Social benefits, child tax credits, education, free university places, widespread public housing and free health treatment would suffer massive cuts and taxes would have to rise. There would be a stampede to get out and into England which is presently the fastest growing economy in Europe and the developed world.

.scot a badge of distiction or decrepitude?
Feb 18th, 2015 - 11:00 pm 0

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