Unexpected number of visitors to Conference Internet site during Opening Ceremony temporarily overwhelms services
The 12th World AIDS Conference's Internet-based news service was visited by so many people during the opening Ceremony that it was necessary to change service providers in order to ensure access to the latest in news on HIV/AIDS.

The Internet site -- which features breaking news from Scientific and Community aspects of the Conference, a personalised email system, live video and programme updates -- was specifically designed to serve the needs of both Delegates attending the Conference venue, as well as those unable to attend.

Barrage of email
The Conference's unprecedented email system has been one of the most accessed services. The service, which provides a 5-day personal email account for each Delegate, enabled Conference-goers to keep in touch with colleagues at home and with each other while attending.

On the first day of service, over 39,000 email messages were sent over the custom-designed system. On Thursday, 20,000 messages had been passed through the system before 5 p.m. Even after the Conference closed each day, Delegates continued to use the system from their hotel rooms.

The unexpected heavy email traffic required upgrading of the entire programme "on the fly" in order to accommodate the demand. Victor Gabriel, head of the Information Technology (IT) aspects of the Conference, sums up the the popularity of the IT services: "Simply, email is free, but telephones cost money."

All night long
The Internet site has been maintained by its designer, Randy Schmieder and a small team who often stayed up until 6 a.m. to prepare the news for Delegates the following day.

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