CLA launches Internet Charter to fight cyber congestion

The CLA will today (Saturday, 18 September) launch its Internet Charter which aims to tackle problems caused by lack of access to broadband in rural areas.

The Charter – which will be unveiled at the Penrith & the Border Broadband Conference, hosted by Conservative MP Rory Stewart – will highlight how issues faced by rural internet users are exacerbated by oversized emails and over-designed websites from Government bodies and other large organisations with super-fastest computer networks.

The CLA is urging the culprits of so-called cyber congestion to sign up to its Internet Charter to help cut the amount of wasted time and bandwidth for those still on dial-up connections.

CLA Head of Rural Business Development Dr Charles Trotman said: Until everybody can access an acceptably fast connection of at least two megabits per second, organisations must consider all end users when they send emails or have design work done on their websites.

While not wishing to stifle creativity, we feel there is no need for organisations to use every feature in their software or to pad out their information with oversized and irrelevant graphics.

Dr Trotman added: Many people ignore or simply forget that a lot of rural users are still on dial-up. It is often difficult for farmers and other rural businesses to comply with Government regulations to file their tax returns online. We need to reverse this trend and hope senior managers will use the CLA Internet Charter to influence the way their staff communicate.

One day everyone should benefit from high speed broadband, but until then we need to communicate in a way that is accessible for all, especially when delivering public services.

The CLA Internet Charter

1.         No email should be bigger than it needs to be.

If you dont know how big that is, then it is almost certainly too big.

2.         Dont send unsolicited attachments.
Think about whether the recipient really needs to see a video which will slow their bandwidth.

3.         Avoid signatures or logos and never add them if you dont know how to reduce the file size.

Not only does it make a letters file size far too large, it is also poor security, as someone could merely transfer both logo and signature to a letter of their own.

4.         Enclose pictures only if they are a vital illustration.

If it is so big the recipient cannot download it, thats daft. If a farmer wants to see a cow, he will probably look out of the window.

5.         Dont routinely produce PDF files.

They may look nice, but can be large and are not always the best format for the job.

6.         Dont reply to all or copy numerous people in on your routine emails. Be selective. Think of who should know.
Communicate on a need-to-know basis and would-like-know basis, but never on an I-dont-care-who-knows basis.

7.         You dont have to use every effect in your design software.
The fewer fonts, colours and effects, the easier it is to read.

8.         Dont include anything on your website just for the sake of it.

If you feel there is no interest in something, why is it there in the first place?

9.         All current information should ideally be accessible from the homepage of your website in no more than three clicks.

Its an old rule of thumb but is often forgotten every time new software is installed.

10.       If you didn’t understand any of the above, insist on training.

Any training should take note of this charter.

The CLA Internet Charter will be launched by CLA Head of Rural Business Development Dr Charles Trotman at the Penrith & the Border Broadband Conference, Rheged Centre, Penrith, on Saturday, 18 September.

To support the CLA’s Internet Charter please visit: http://www.cla.org.uk/Policy_Work/Broadband/

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has around 35,000 members.

As a membership organisation, the CLA supports landowners by advising them on how best to protect and maximise their asset: the land. We are dedicated to supporting landowners and their businesses. Our success is measured by how effectively we do that. We have a team of experts in London and a regional structure able to give local support.

We have been looking after the interests of our members, as well as promoting the positive aspects of land ownership, land management and rural business activities for the past 100 years. CLA members own or manage approximately half the rural land in England and Wales, and the resulting expertise puts us in a unique position to formulate policies and lobby effectively.

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