Internet service provider MindSpring Enterprises Inc is buying the assets of Internet Direct Inc, a privately-held company headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Terms of the deal include the transfer of Internet Direct’s web hosting subscribers, its proprietary hosting technologies, facilities and employees to MindSpring. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Internet Direct, which began business in 1993 as a full-service ISP, introduced a concept called virtual internet server hosting under the brand name I-Site, which was later changed to GoSite. The proprietary GoSite technologies include FTP, SQL, email, real-time transaction processing and server- and client- side administration tools. MindSpring will continue to operate the acquired Phoenix facility and its hosting development program.
