Talk about taking the Internet to the extreme.

Campbell, Calif.-based http://www.rockliffe.com>Rockliffe, which specializes in online messaging services, Tuesday says it secured a contract with the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) to use its MailSite to send and receive messages between research stations in the Antarctic and its head office in Tasmania.

"E-mail is vital for the scientists not only to send information back from their research stations in the Antarctic but also for staff to stay in close touch with their families during the long dark nights," says Rockliffe president John Davies.

The AAD is based in Hobart, Tasmania and is part of the Australian government's Department of the Environment and Heritage. The AAD is responsible for administering Australia's activity in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions.

Researchers there conduct scientific research programs both on land and in the ocean as well as maintaining a presence in Australian Antarctic and sub-Antarctic territories managing the four permanent Australian research stations.

Rockliffe's solution will be soon put to the test.

The Australian Minister for the Environment recently announced a major project that will put large turbines at Australia's Mawson station on the frozen continent.

The work, which will begin next summer, will provide nearly a megawatt of power to the station, but must deal with winds in excess of 300 km/h.

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Officials say coordinating between Enercon, the German company that made the turbines and Powercorp Pty Ltd, of Darwin (the installation company) will be critical.