LIAM EAGLE: LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

WHIR Magazine, August 2005 - Hosting from the Beach

With this issue, we set out to tackle, in a variety of ways, one of the technologies changing the way Web hosting businesses are, or will be, run - wireless communications.

Because so many Web hosts are small businesses - and all of them are communications companies - it's no surprise that the industry in general is so quick to adapt to new communications technologies. Instant messaging, for example, sees vital use among Web hosts as both a sales and support tool.

While obviously a little tongue-in-cheek, our cover story Hosting From the Beach sets out to seriously explore the new kind of management wireless technology is enabling in the Web hosting business, with a summertime twist. And we supplement that with a WHIR fi rst - a series of technology "fashion" spreads in which we take some of these remote devices to some very remote locations.

In his introduction to our main feature, WHIR regular Dennis McCaff erty explores some of the ways in which lightweight laptops, powerful handheld devices and ubiquitous wireless hot spots are enabling hosting executives to work with employees, customers and partners while outside of the traditional offi ce environment.

Of course, the remote management of a hosting company involves quite a few considerations beyond just wireless technology, and we explore some of these in a series of supplemental articles.

Carl Burnham dissects some of the finer points of delegating responsibility in his feature Learning to Let Go, discussing some of the business management theory surrounding building a business through the selective delegating of tasks.

And in her feature Outsourcing Suppport, Esther M. Bauer examines some of the advantages and pitfalls of outsourcing a Web host's tech support functions to a third party - a practice that can save money and free up internal resources for more complex tasks.

With any luck, this issue finds you stretched out on a beach chair. If not, hopefully it can help you to stay connected while you find your way out of the office with a little more frequency.

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