Half of EU e-gov users happy with service: More than half of citizen users of e-government services in Europe are satisfied with their experience, according to an EU-funded "eUser" survey. Fifty-five percent of e-government users in the EU25 reported a positive experience of online government services. However, a substantial number -- 33 percent -- said they had encountered at least one major hurdle when using e-services. The obstacles cited include locating the relevant online service, using e-services efficiently, dealing with poor or patchy quality of content, and limitations in service functionality. Respondents to the survey also said that, while generally attracted by the possibility of contacting public administrations online, they often felt that no tangible benefit was derived when compared to traditional delivery channels, such as face-to-face or via phone. Other barriers to e-government mentioned in the study are the perceived need to discuss matters face-to-face with administration staff, concerns about the security and privacy of personal data submitted via the internet, and online services not being flexible enough to allow users to adapt them to their specific circumstances. For more on the study, visit www.eUser-eu.org.
Munich begins Linux migration: The city of Munich in Germany has finally begun its migration to Linux on the desktop, one year later than originally planned and around three years since the move was first proposed. The LiMux project, which involves switching 14,000 desktop and laptop computers from Microsoft software to open source alternatives, has just got under way, with 100 users in the Lord Mayor's office making the switch to a Debian configuration. Plans are in place to migrate 80 percent of users to open source software by mid-2009. A full migration to Linux has been deemed unfeasible, as some machines need to remain on Windows or Apple Mac platforms. The EUR30 million project has suffered a number of delays since it was first announced, including a row over software patents, lengthy contractual negotiations with suppliers and a year-long extension to the project's pilot phase.
US satisfaction with e-gov stagnates: The growth of citizen satisfaction with US federal websites has stalled, according to the latest report by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). The ACSI's e-Government Satisfaction Index fell slightly in the most recent quarter to 73.7 points out of 100, down 0.4 percent from the all-time high set in the previous quarter. Only 25 percent of 95 websites surveyed showed an increase in satisfaction since the last quarter, while 40 percent declined and 35 percent remained constant. Eighteen sites reached the top tier of the Index, with scores of 80 or above, while 30 sites scored below 70. "If e-government sites just maintain the status quo, they will see satisfaction erode over time as citizens become increasingly internet-savvy and their standards rise," said Dr Claes Fornell, founder of ACSI.
US libraries need e-gov funding: Public libraries in the US should be given more funding because they are increasingly providing e-government services, according to a new study by Florida State University, reports Newswise.com. The report, "Public Libraries and the Internet 2006", says that public sector agencies are now referring people to libraries for access and assistance with online services, a trend seen by many librarians as both an opportunity and an 'unfunded mandate'. "The increased reliance on public libraries for access to e-government services places new pressure on the public libraries' technology and personnel infrastructures," said report author Professor John Carlo Bertot. "Libraries are struggling to keep up with the demand." Around 64 percent of respondents to the survey said their IT budgets had not been increased over the previous year, while 5 percent said their technology budgets had been reduced.
Oman to roll out smart ID cards: The sultanate of Oman has chosen digital security firm Gemalto to supply it with smartcards for the second phase of the country's national ID program. The program, due to commence at the end of the year, involves the rollout of over 2.5 million national ID cards, containing personal information such as name, address, digital photograph, fingerprints and driving licence details. There are also plans to integrate an 'electronic purse' into the cards, enabling citizens to make e-payments. Under the terms of the contract, Gemalto will update the current National Registration System, provide integration services, and supply the smartcards. The sultanate said that the new National Registration System would form the core of all future e-government initiatives in Oman. More than 1.2 million citizens have already been provided with smartcards under the first phase of the national ID program, which began in 2004.
Autor(en)/Author(s): Sylvia Leatham
Quelle/Source: ElectricNews, 27.09.2006
