In partnership with ITTS (ittf.gov.om) and OEPNPA (www.omanobserver.com), PEIE (www.peie.om) has launched a quarterly ICT magazine, Digital Oman (DO) (www.digitaloman.gov.om)DO is looking to involve and engage its readers rather than merely attract attention. Gaining attention isn’t enough. Put simply, DO’s remit is to analyze technology that has the potential to transform lives, business, industry, government or financial markets. As well as providing in-depth coverage of domestic and international innovations as they move from labs and pilot projects to the marketplace, DO evaluates the social impact of technologies in a variety of fields - from Government, manufacturing, sport through to consumer products.
The emergence of the Internet, mobile phones, satellite TV and SMS has raised Omani consumer expectations of interactivity in all the media they use. Moreover, there’s a heightened quest for self-improvement in Omani society and the explosion of new media is helping to fuel and satisfy this need. DO readers have a keen interest in self-improvement, new learning, ICT, innovation and entrepreneurship. Indeed, DO’s aimed directly at these social transformers. These are people that are involved in change. It is assumed that a high proportion of DO readers have recently changed jobs, completed an undergraduate course, enrolled or are considering postgraduate studies, moved home, had a first child, and so on – this is the educated, business savvy 21 – 35 year-old bracket. These are people that are open to change, guidance and practical information from trusted sources.
DO has the power to arouse interest in ICT and provide information that isn’t readily available. Indeed, in these days of information overload people need trusted influences to guide them through the mass of information. In this regard, DO should be perceived as an idea-generator and motivator. In brief, a reliable and intelligent ‘friend’ that passes on ICT recommendations - issues to think about, explore, do or buy. In fact, DO’s designed to be a companion which is consumed in ‘me’ time, making a private personal experience. In short, DO has been created specifically to become part of an individual’s personal network of reliable sources.
On the domestic ICT publishing front, DO has a head start in responding to this rapidly evolving post-mass-media world. Provided it gives readers good reasons to engage with it, and knows how to harness that engagement, DO should have a bright and long-term future.
