My agency, due to various factors outside direct control, has long had a reluctance to consider the use of Adobe Flash (previously Macromedia Flash) in our intranet or websites. I can understand this – there are network and security considerations that need resolution, and Flash has only been around since 1996 (well OK I don’t…
Every time I have redesigned a website or intranet over the last 12 years I have asked the question of what is the minimum monitor resolution we need to support for customers. I was very glad when we could stop catering for 640×480 resolution and make the new minimum 800×600. Since then each time I…
It’s always been my view that organisations needs to ensure that their websites are fully usable and accessible in the most commonly used web browsers. This makes it critical for online professionals to keep a weather eye on developments in the web browser market – particularly on the market leaders, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla…
Mashups are, in my opinion, a fantastic tool for allowing people to creatively use data to solve problems or create value. For those unfamiliar with the term, it refers to situations where individuals or organisations combine (mashup) data from different sources, often in real-time across the internet to provide hybrid applications. Some of the more…
This is a great Alertbox article from usability guru Jakob Neilsen regarding writing for the web versus the print medium…. Writing Style for Print vs. Web In summary: I’ve spent many columns explicating the differences between the Web and television, which can be summarized as lean-forward vs. lean-back: On the Web, users are engaged and…
eMetrics is a personal interest of mine. Being able to measure what actions people take and what information they use is, in my opinion, one of the key differentiators between the online channel and other communications mediums. I find that the insights into customer and staff behaviour gained through eMetrics provides a solid basis for…
Why is it that movie and sports stars, who are already earning millions for their public performances, feel the need to lend their reputations to endorse products such as lipstick, running shoes and advanced hair restoration treatments? Of course there’s the money and the extra public exposure to build their celebrity status and it helps…
The Webby Awards are beginning to resemble the Oscars in their level of hype. However as the most prestigious global award for digital media I can excuse them the need to make their mark alongside the older media awards. The Government winner this year was the Peace Corps for their teen site. It’s an attractive…
My Agency has just finished a nine-month long independent expert usability review of all of our online properties – website, intranet and secure online transaction service. Needless to say most of the results matched what we already knew our website needs more of a customer-focus and is due for a facelift, our intranet needs reorganisation…
There is some exciting activity happening in the Australian eGovernment scene. States such as Victoria, Queensland and WA have taken major steps to standardise their online approaches across departments. At local level South Australia has introduced a phenomenal content management system that allows every council to have a well structured website, providing access to the…
This archive mirrors the original eGov AU blog — Craig’s professional commentary on AI, digital government and technology in public life, running since 2006.
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