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Advanced Publish Functionality
Websites designed with a focus on the user can make it easy to find information. Directories of government agencies and services can facilitate browsing and searching. As an example, New Zealand has an “A to Z” directory of government services online. South Africa offers a list of national departments, which provides in one place basic information for each ministry, contact information for government officials, and links to ministry websites. Malaysia has a government directory, which links to ministry websites.
Publish functionality can become more advanced as governments aggregate content and services in ways that make it even easier for users to find information from multiple websites hosted by different ministries. For example, New Zealand has created a site on “things to know when,” which provides access to content and services based on activities such as “starting a school” or “having a baby.” Australia enables users to browse by subject. Even more advanced portal applications provide “personalized” content. For example, Singapore enables users to create their own “my government” web pages, configuring e-government content based on their individual needs and interests.
Advanced Publish features can include disseminating content to cell phones and PDAs. This practice is known as mobile government or “m-Government.” Japan’s national site provides a wireless access alternative, whereby eight government entities provide content via a mobile phone or other wireless device capable of browsing. Citizens using the service can, for example, view information on road closures, traffic warnings, and weather and road surface temperatures, as well as access phone numbers used to report problems. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers passport and visa application instructions along with contact information for local offices, and the National Police Agency provides pictures of wanted suspects. See United Nations Global e-Government Readiness Report 2005, p. 45.