“Has hell finally frozen over?” That was my first thought when visiting the City of Aberdeen’s new web site. Of course that may be due to being presented with a header graphic depicting a snow-covered evergreen with Aberdeen’s new slogan, “The Future of Harford”, perhaps a final bit a legacy from the city’s previous mayor.
As promised by the current administration in its transition report, Aberdeen has a fancy new home page. It certainly is a departure from the city’s previous attempts at entering this brave new world. Before we get to the highlights and lowlights of the new site, let’s take a trip down memory lane…
1998
Al Gore himself couldn’t have done much better when he invented the ‘net. Not a bad first attempt. Certainly not the worst municipal web site around at the time.
2000
There was this big thing that supposed to happen when the ball dropped. Something about computers acting crazy and taking over the world. Y2K, or something? Oh god, the memories are returning. I’m starting to panic: Let me check out that Y2K link right in the middle of this version of the city’s web site to see if it will calm me down:
Whew, now I feel better! (yes, this is really from the Y2K section of Aberdeen’s web site)
2002
We now have 3 slogans on one page. Take your pick! You can choose from “Proud Yesterday, Progressive Tomorrow,” “All-America City,” or my favorite, “People of Vision.”
2008
Not much had changed with the site since 2002, other than the color of the link buttons. The new 2008 version is a welcome surprise. The most important feature of the new site is the use of a content management system to store the data. The site was developed by the Piccirilli Group in Bel Air, and is using Drupal, an open-source CMS. Drupal is a great tool, and to make some in Aberdeen happy, it is completely free.
It seems they are still working out some of the glitches, like the previously mentioned snow header and the site missing all 2008 documents, but we’ll cut them a break. After all, they might still be recovering from some of those Y2K expenses…
The problem with Aberdeen’s web sites of old was not so much their design and aesthetics, but that they were scarcely, if ever, updated with new material and information. I think it took a series of public complaints to get the city administration to assert itself to at least get the agenda for a Monday night city council meeting posted online the Friday before the session.
That said, this new site looks and feels slick. It has a calendar of events that actually appears to work when you click on it. It has a photo of City Councilwoman Ruth Ann Young (finally) and nice pictures of city manager Doug Miller and finance director Opiribo Jack, which might come in handy some day. The information is neatly packaged and it’s quick to find any phone number or email address.
Best of all might be the ‘This Week at City Hall’ page with proposed legislation, mayoral visits and other goingson in Aberdeen. Of course, it’s worthless if it’s not updated each week.
I’m still not sure why the huge logo at the top of every screen reads “The Future of Harford!” and not “Aberdeen: The Future of Harford!” Isn’t it a requesite that a slogan actually mention the thing that is being heralded?
I know the site is new and likely has some kinks to be worked out, but I’ve stumbled upon a big one that’s really inexcusable. There is a nice page set up for the Aberdeen Police Department , but a major problem lurks within.
The link to ‘Visit the Aberdeen FOP Page,’ actually takes the visitor HERE:
It’s the home page for the Aberdeen Police Department – Aberdeen, South Dakota, that is.
Other than wondering why the city police changed their patch and logo, it actually took me a minute to realize the error. The mission statements, community policing programs and crime prevention measures read quite the same in both Aberdeens. I guess it’s not wise to stray from the course when fighting crime.
At any rate, the new web site is definitely an upgrade for a city that, despite previous logos and slogans, has been slow to adopt 20th century technology.
It would sure be interesting to see how much the new logo/branding/website package cost the city and compare that to the $13k that was requested for this year’s now-canceled volunteer dinner…
You’re right that the site is better. It at least looks worthy of this decade. But there is so much more that they could be doing, especially with the software they are using.
Where is Mayor Bennett’s blog? Where is the DPW Blog? As much as the elected officials may despise blogs (us), they are a powerful tool to provide hourly/daily/weekly updates to the citizens. You engage the public, and they begin to actually use your site. The media has an easy way to find out what’s going on. People become happier!
That is exactly dead on Steve- interactive only if you have users and old content and no areas to openly communicate will do away with any chance of those individuals.
It is indeed better, at least in aesthetics…. we will see what the city of Aberdeen chooses to do with their new beauty of a site. But I do have to say… “change the snow picture already”.
I’ve got a nice picture of Ripken Stadium if they want me to send it to them.
Nice to see that they quickly fixed the link to the Aberdeen PD’s website.
Take a look at that fancy ad by madd ( mothers against drunk drivers) come on mom”s you can drink and drive in aberdeen. the drunk’s have nothing to fear.
just take the info needed to the p.d.
nothing will be done. been there & done that.
Where is this MADD ad V V?
One thing I did notice this morning about the site is a large number of “page not found” errors. One the services page, the following, and possibly important, links do not work:
Building Permit Process
Committee & Non-Profit Organizations
CITY OF ABERDEEN RESIDENTS 2006 PICK-UP SCHEDULE (2006?????)
Now, these links are available on other pages. Just some cleanup is needed.
that add is running over on aberdeen crime &statistics.
Ahh, it’s finally spring time in Aberdeen, and the website header has been changed…
Did anyone realy expect them to have a clue…or leave themselvs open…..to you know what?
Does anyone find it odd that the Council Minutes are only posted through May 12. Granted there atre only 2 council meetings a month now but it would be nice to have up to date minutes posted. If the citizens don’t get current information what good is the web site? When Fred was at the helm the pages were updated on a regular basis. How can one boast of transparent government when something as simple as the council minutes aren’t posted in a timely fashion.
Or…………
Could it be that nothing is being accomplished and putting the minutes out there would just add a nail or two to a coffin?
Nothing odd……outta mind outa sight…..
Odd? Like adopting a “code of ethics” that violated the second you adopted it? Odd, like targeting employees for termination without cause because of a disgruntled former employee told you information that you find no need in verifying? Or odd as in they really have no idea what they are doing?
I was looking for some information and got into this site today. For the last two years Ms. Young harangued the City about the lack of info on the web. The last set of minutes posted is for June 9th! Ms. Young, you’re in the chair now, are you ever going to do something? There will not be a Council meeting this Monday because the Babe Ruth World Series is in Town, so what? What has a baseball game got to do with the business of the City? Send a proclamation, excuse on Council member and get busy! Aberdeen is the laughing stock of the State for its inability to finish the simplest project.
The next meeting will include a discussion of the town house regs. Has it occurred to anyone else that this standard is flat out racist and elitist? What are the standards for single family dwellings? This reg is a fully earthen vessel full of fecal matter!