Archive for 'coi'

Will COI publish its raw! data! now!?

15 June 2009 4 , ,
I've seen a few ripples of excitement at the news that ABCe is to act 'as a sole third party to independently validate the figures generated by an audit of government websites, in the largest project of its kind to date', with 'COI [to] publish comprehensive figures on the cost quality and use of government [...] read on »

The open source answer to website auditing

31 March 2009 4 , , , , ,
I wrote the other week about 'the implications of free': how the widespread availability of high-quality technology changed the rules when it comes to project management. Another example struck me today, around COI's ongoing consultation on improving government websites. There's a lengthy section on measuring website usage, with detailed proposals around the new requirement for website [...] read on »

The implications of free

19 March 2009 2 , ,
I'm in the early stages of spec'ing up a new site build. The client helpfully provided a wireframe sketch of the homepage, which included - deep breath - a news ticker. And for the first time in living memory, I haven't recoiled in horror. In fact, I'm quite happy to give it to them. Previously, my [...] read on »

COI browser guidelines: consultation works!

23 January 2009 1 , ,
The final version of COI's browser testing guidelines have emerged, and it's simply wonderful to see a shorter, tighter, more standards-centric document than the draft I reviewed back in September. In fact, looking down my bullet-list of specific recommended changes, all of them seem to have gone into the final document. Cool. The revised document is [...] read on »

COI’s contradictory rules on browsers

9 September 2008 3 , ,
Timely, given the release of Google Chrome, and the reopening of the Browser Wars: COI has just issued a consultation document, five months in gestation, on browser standards for public sector websites. Its 15 pages can essentially be boiled down to the following, based on an intriguing 2% rule of thumb: 17. Browsers used by 2% [...] read on »

COI’s instant response to RSS request – blimey!

15 August 2008 3 , , ,
I'm pinching myself. Wednesday, 08:30am: Justin Kerr-Stevens makes a request via OPSI's Public Sector Information Unlocking Service. A couple of dozen people sign up to say 'good idea'. A few people (me included) add some more substantial comments. Fast forward two days to Friday, 12:32pm: COI publishes details of RSS feeds for (virtually) every Cabinet-level [...] read on »
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Thoughts from Barcamp: just do it

The mere fact that Saturday's BarcampUKGovWeb happened at all would have been enough in itself; but the assembled group of influential, inspirational and interesting people made for a fantastic day. At one point in the afternoon, I remember looking at the schedule and getting depressed at the countless interesting sessions I'd missed. It's been a [...] read on »