Web 2.0

“Transformation Web 2.0 Style”. (Article by Bill Schrier in Digital Communities, September 2008 issue)

This article confirmed some of my thoughts concerning new methods of communicating with residents.

The Author notes that Web 2.0 technologies (YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, blogs etc.) is transforming government, since the technologies allow government and people to communicate and interact in new ways.

The technologies include:

1. Social Networking sites could be used to interact in new ways, as well as promote communication within small groups etc.

2. Blogging is a good way for officials to interact and communicate with residents.

3. Video and images could be used to post images and videos of the community. (Personally, I don’t know who has time to review numerous videos, but this is one aspect which needs to be considered.)

4. Interactive surveys can be accomplished quicker and cheaper and on a more variety of activities. (One major problem is they are not statistically significant and could be impacted by special interest groups etc.)

I actually see more of a chance for misuse than benefit in interactive surveys.

5. Wikis (internal and external) could be used to provide instruction, standardize procedures etc.

“The Digital Divide” is one of the major problems with Web 2.0 (and with the soon to arrive Web 3.,0). Since reading this article, I have started paying special attention to insure our residents who are not computer literate or may not feel comfortable with Web 2.0 (or even the internet) have alternative methods of interacting with the City. This includes reviewing notices to insure they include a phone number, address or office and that notices are provided by all channels, including non-internet means.