That said, the site could use some improvements including a more clear definition of the organization’s goals. Viewers may ask, “Who are Americans for Campaign reform? How do we know they are trustworthy?” The site could also provide more information about public funding in order to educate the public. The site seems to be designed for insiders rather than new-recruits or lay people. In addition, the site creators may benefit from utilizing social media to help spread their message. They could also provide more press links in the media section to help legitimize the site’s mission.

Christy & Jody

The tabs should have a drop down menu instead of opening in a new window.

-Make pull-down buttons (sub-headers) more apparent, social networking connections.

-Good on simplicity/intuitive navigation.

-Media room was exceptional.

-Good use of RSS feeds, but not easy to discern on podcast.

The most recent video in the media section is from 2006.

More graphics on the front page.

Makes it easy to contact members of congress.

The answer to why public funding, is two clicks into the site (after the splash page, three). It should probably be on the first page.

No social media integration.

-want to know who is behind the website
- put link to bio of chairs on names
- make purpose of website clearer faster
- bullet point main ideas behind public financing
- they want private contributions so private contributions aren’t necessary?
- donate button bigger
- blog organization – categories, tags and other side bar navigation links
-

What exactly am I signing up for when I give them my email address? Future solicitations? I don’t want to give my email to just anyone.

Facebook Application

Quick Polls

Images on Blog

Videos (posted on YouTube-set up a profile)

Podcasts

Host a contest for best video made by users explaining their cause.

The website seems very static.

* Gary – we were hired in 2001 after citizen recommendations on what to do with the TV station
* We decided we were going to do it, not just talk about convergence. Website has about 5K videos – look up anything we’ve done and stream it.
* How do you want to be contacted by your gov’t — the biggest answer was “don’t – we don’t want to be contacted by our government”
* We believe that if you are involved with your city in some way — culture, movies, theatre — at some point you might want more info about the city government or your neighborhood
* You can download a podcast of a city council meeting
* 5-minute newscast of city events each week
* half hour public affairs program
* weekly magazine show called “City Stream” – 5-6 min feature
* Local arts programing, Art Zone – 12 hr a week, Th-Fr-Sa night. Full length events. Weekly half hour where-to-go what-to-do
* Cable footprint in Seattle is under 200,000 homes – that’s why early on they decided to go to the web
* Documentaries – people want more info about history, local personalities and people
* Lectures – Town Hall

* See Seattle Men’s Chorus Archive – woot!

* How is Seattle Channel different from “public TV” – public television is federally charged – Seattle Channel is locally funded via cable fees

* Beth – web site is #1 growth potential for increasing audience

* Making all content available is number one priority

* As customers, you have an expectation based on your experience with other websites

* 6 or 7 years ago we were pioneers with putting all our content on line. partners with Real initially. we switched over to Flash last summer – as well as non-invasive download, etc

* How do we figure out how to add value to our content, to facilitate dialog between community members (ex: two citizens, one loves off leash dog parks, one hates them) …. bringing policy experts in, putting them online, interact with audience

* Gary – new city blogging policy on Seattle.gov site — records retention will apply here like they do for anything else. Comments that are not posted also have to be retained.

* Gary deals with the rest of the city gov’t electronic protocol – Seattle Channel is just one part of his responsibility

* Seattle.gov – have a customized home page (make sure they use OpenID as an option!!!). Right now any transaction system is different – different user ID etc

* Marc – what about the IM network?

* Trying to figure out how to incorporate UGC with Seattle Channel site

* Seattle Channel does have a YouTube channel (Kathy can’t find it)

* Video voters guide – 2 min per candidate

* What about the rest of the city gov’t re digital initiatives?