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Digital push services for access to all the Cities locations, services and amenities:
Transport Timetables, Sporting events, Entertainment Guides, News, Weather etc etc etc.
Job Vacancies
Joining together vacancies from the user perspective not site specific, but classification selectable and across multiple job websites.
e Government - re- purposes selected government sites to accommodate the general user, modifies and simplifies the data and the structure, towards use by all.
Auto infill: of e Government / Council documents applications etc by Smart Card
Full Internet Access - secured by special software which only allows authorised website access.
Video: full screen high quality video ftp / streaming enhanced / satellite and cable broadband delivery channels.
Audio - Spoken read outs of on screen text i.e. for those with certain disabilities and for assistance and clarity.
Multiple / simultaneous web access - generates links and displays multiple websites on screen all at the same time, i.e. of high value for breaking news, job vacancies etc
What information is on the system?
A Public DataWeb public access system allows access to information from both public and private sectors. The Public DataWeb fully validated findings (derived from three years of European Union research) shows that the needs of the users – the general public, are very diverse and a mixture of public and private sector information in combination is provided (single subject services tend to fail as they fail to keep the user's attention). A simple system, easy to navigate and able to display options from a large array of sources, seamlessly delivered in a simple front end, was also developed and validated in the Public DataWeb European Union project. Often the user is seeking entertainment as well as e-government options and familiarisation of the system through the entertainment use gives them operational confidence.
Combining these services takes considerable planning is essential for a successful, popular system. This is the key to successful operation which as been proven in Public DataWeb deployments in Sheffield and elsewhere.
Public Portal features
A few of the features being standardised include :-
Services are described in terms understood by the user
Information included is of general interest as well as allowing Internet access (combined with effective web screening software)
Vastly simplified search techniques are included which always generate a positive result
The editing suite helps editors to develop content around user needs
Flexible templates generate multimedia functionality automatically
Source content can include imported documents in various formats
Large touch screens (17 inch) provide excellent clarity
A typical Public DataWeb system embraces information from a variety of sources and can cover a vast array of interconnected topics and transactional services. The logic is simple: the more comprehensive the information supplied, the greater the use (and hence the choice of location in areas of greatest footfall - street locations).
There is a useful crossover when information of general interest is combined with e-government transaction systems - a user can look for council services and then go to “what’s on at the local cinema” without any navigation difficulties. A pattern of use is established. This familiarity gives confidence and is used for other services later when more urgently required i.e. council/government access. Our research has shown that the touch screen method of access has gained common usage with the advent of single function systems such as in-store loyalty card applications and has proved popular with the general public. Another factor encouraging high usage of the Public DataWeb system is that the entire service is FREE, including both email and Internet access.
Public DataWeb databases once constructed can take on a utility of their own and can become valuable commodities in their own right with the primary service based upon street-located kiosks in city
centres. Public DataWeb have proven that systems located in city streets give the best usage statistics. |
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