Quantum Theory Perplexes Information Hippies in Nelson

Brendon Ford and I have just returned from a miniature junket in Nelson to present the mechanics behind the award-winning intranet we worked on for the Ministry of Transport back in 06/07.

Quantum Content

During my presentation I briefly tried to compare quantum theory to CMS-metadata-driven content – which for me has its similarities in that content can live in multiple locations and formats at the same time. Despite the blank stares from the audience I believe this might have wings and is something I’d like to explore further.

Mission Information Management

The symposium was run by the ALGIM (Association of Local Government Information Management Inc). They have a mission "To provide leadership to Local Government in Information Management and Information Processes, and to provide a voice for Local Government Information Management". So sounds like they really dig information stuff…

My impression is that they’re doing good work and are much needed to ensure our people stay well informed by local government. I discovered that there’s over 85 local govt websites in NZ, and most are run by individuals on shoe-string budgets.

It hit home to me the importance of the web as a communication channel following a presentation about the Northland Regional Council. They provided 24hr coverage during a recent disaster, floods which cut off most of the region for days. Their website included information on road closures, safety and emergency procedures. The website also acted as an information hub for friends and family outside the region and for the media to keep up to date with the news.

Dogs Being Weeded In Tauranga

Most curious to me was the Tauranga City Council who switched from a traditional Council-type website to a simple search-based approach in November 2007. Since then usage has more than doubled.

I suspect I know why. People can’t find stuff and are searching more than ever!

In a quick usability test I searched for "dog permit". I got one result on "Chemical Weed Control".

Sounds nasty.

However, a search for "dog registration" returns a nice info sheet and 66 results. Great! But they still have some sorting out to do in matching "citizen speak" with "council speak".

Personally, I regard search as a last resort. Getting an accurate, ‘on target’ search result usually involves knowing how to massage the search engine. Just because you get 49,823 results in Google doesn’t mean you found what you were looking for. You most likely found something close enough, but how do you know it’s the special content you really need? Browsing links (done correctly) is like hand-holding – it leads people to the right place – the special, well crafted and accurate content you really want to communicate to people.

Back to 1999?

 I heard something else interesting at the ALGIM conference…

Apparently a noticeable number of internet users in NZ (well, in Rotorua anyway) are switching back from broadband to dial-up.

Why?

Because they like to download games, movies and music. On dialup they get unlimited downloads for a super low price. With broadband they get a download limit and much larger access fees.

Under the Hood of Discover

Here’s my section of the presentation on the award-winning intranet for the Ministry of Transport. This has an emphasis on the metadata/tagging approach to the Information Architecture. Presented to the New Zealand Association of Local Government Information Management on 6th May 2008.