[LINK] web2 government

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

Well said, Tom ..

Given the plethora of communication-channels (and one likes the example
that Ash noted, a movable conference-cam that swings and focusses on the
'loudest' speaker automatically .. makes sense), any public consultation
meeting which does not allow a cyber-participation in some form or other,
even if only after-the-fact, appears as if the Gov are not trying, & not
serious about democracy. Come on Kevin .. get our public service serving.


> At 02:47 AM 7/02/2009, stephen at melbpc.org.au wrote:
> >Agreed, Tom .. our Aussie governments need a strong on-line presence.
> >
> >Holding 'physical' meetings in Canberra, or anywhere, for consultation
> >and public discussion is environmentally detrimental, at least, if not
> >simply un-democratic & discriminatory, given modern-day communications.
> 
> Unfortunately that is not how the Environment Department see it. They 
> say they have limited time in which to respond to the government's 
> agenda and a face-to-face meeting is the quickest and most effect 
> way. I think that is all nonsense, but the people I talk to seem 
> sincere, if misguded.
> 
> >Your ideas Tom, of modified AusTender and GovDex systems seem sensible
> >and perhaps especially GovDex which is secure web2 technology. ...
> 
> GovDex uses the Confluence product 
> 
<https://www.govdex.gov.au/confluence/display/GTM/Home;jsessionid=66D55324
76393DB39A439AD191D81615>.

> 
> >However it's currently perhaps somewhat formal & exclusive, being 
> >invites-only.
> 
> Yes, it is formal and by invitation only. The government is not the 
> only place with this mindset. ANU have a collaborative system  called 
> "Alliance" <http://ilp.anu.edu.au/Alliance/about.htm>, built with 
> Sakai <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai_Project>. It drives me nuts 
> because only those registered (mostly ANU staff and students) can see 
> what is in it.
> 
> >Many agree with Roger current-technology-video hinders online meetings
> >but, in terms of e-government, everything but video is now 
appropriate. ...
> 
> I think video works well when blended with other online technology. 
> It was Rodger who suggested a technique used at the last Green ICT 
> Symposium. This was to have the remote presenter record and send a 
> video in advance and then take questions live via video conference.
> 
> >Perhaps even (gasp!) one, or more, conference calls .. for example ...
> 
> Audio conference calls also work well when blended with online 
> distribution of documents. ACS's educators make very effective use of 
> text chat for thier tutors meetings: there is no video or audio, the 
> meeting is conducted using real time text messages.
> 
> >And yes, why not government sponsored and moderated conference calls 
> >to discuss matters of Australian public and industry etc importance?
> 
> Traditional real time meetings, face-to-face or online seem to me to 
> be a waste of time unless well managed or between people of good 
> will. If there is not an agenda and a chair to make people stick to 
> it, then a few people tend to take up the time of the meeting to no 
> good effect. It is a matter of ACS folklore that I once set a strict 
> time limit on Council presentations. One presenter took so long to 
> set up for their multimedia show that they had only opened their 
> mouth to start when I said: "times up, next speaker!".
> 
> >Also save valuable time, money & carbon in assisting our governments!
> 
> The government staff will need training and support top use online 
> tools. Also many, perhaps most, staff in some policy agencies will 
> need extensive retraining or redeployment as most of what they do 
> will cease to exist.
> 
> 
> 
> Tom Worthington FACS HLM tom.worthington at tomw.net.au Ph: 0419 496150
> Director, Tomw Communications Pty Ltd            ABN: 17 088 714 309
> PO Box 13, Belconnen ACT 2617                      
http://www.tomw.net.au/
> Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Australian National University 
> 


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