Possumblog

Well, not quite.

From the Birmingham Business Journal--State of Alabama's official Web site ranks in top 10 again

The state of Alabama's official government Web site, www.alabama.gov, has been ranked among the top 10 state Web sites for the second year in a row.

Now in its tenth year, the Best of the Web competition evaluates government Web sites based on their innovation, Web-based delivery of public service, efficiency, economy and functionality. The 2005 Best of the Web competition was conducted by the Center for Digital Government, an international research and advisory institute. [...]

Well, I suppose it's one of those things where people are wont to say "it's just an honor to be nominated," but after finding the Center for Digital Government's website (when will BBJ be more conscientious about links!?) I noted that only the first five places actually get awards--the rest are just finalists, and as with football and beauty contests, no one ever remembers the losers.

Nice to see Fritz Schranck's home state pick up the heavy 1st Place hardware, although I must say I think it would have been even better if they'd have a little animated blue hen pecking around.

As for the sites themselves, I'm at a bit of a loss to see what separates one from another--they all look okay, though a bit pixel-happy with all the links and places and news and pictures and colors and stuff. But in the end, they all look like official state websites--like license plates, it seems no one is willing to be creative anymore. And Texas! It's not any bigger than any of the other websites! How disappointing.

I suppose it's a bit like cars--they all tend to start looking alike after a while, until someone comes up with something fresh to set the new fashion trend.

Posted by Terry Oglesby at November 29, 2005 02:15 PM