Better search!!!

NOTE: This is content from the web re:Brand posts going back to November 2010. We have kept the re:Brand posts as a legacy archive but, on a go forward basis as of October, 2011, the new DATA eh? content takes over this space.

OK, so I've been promising to share some of what we are thinking of doing to make the site better.  Let's start with search.  Here's a mock up-ed visual on the deets:

You can do the proverbial "click on the pic" to get a larger view - but you knew that didn't you? 

Note:

Search Results page

• Display Best results prominently at the top. 
  
• Display Images when appropriate (e.g. photo of the Councilor or a small map) - inserted beside results
• Sorting results by Relevance or by Date
• Hide Summaries
• Narrow down results by using filters from the drop-down
• Scan results by Content Type (FAQ, News etc) 
• See "more or less" results per page 
• Suggested Topics to give you quick access to relevant content based on your searched criteria
• Ability to Save your Searches 
• Ability to Subscribe to updates for any Search query  

Want we want to know:
Are all of these features useful to you or do you tend to just go back into the search box if you want to get more?  We're wanting to know about your behaviour?  Anything else you'd like to suggest? Tell us anything and everything about your needs for search. 

Oh, and, "Bend your knees" ...
Our product is Google by the way. One thing I'd like to add on a personal note.  I don't want to stereo type  but, as a male, I have a tendency when opening the fridge at home to not really poke around.  I seem to just shout out: "I can't find it".  My wife usually says: "Did you bend your knees and look?"  I have to admit - if I did that I would probably find the ketchup or whatever.  Same with web search.  I do believe users have to do some of the work ultimately.

If I'm wrong here ... you will surely correct me.

Meantime, pass the ketchup!

 
#20/2009

Post a comment ...

Time lines?

NOTE: This is content from the web re:Brand posts going back to November 2010. We have kept the re:Brand posts as a legacy archive but, on a go forward basis as of October, 2011, the new DATA eh? content takes over this space.

Thought I'd share a word or two about time lines for this re:Brand thing we are talking about.

Seems lots of folks are expecting an overnight change or some magic "reveal" at the end of a certain window of time. We're not actually going to go big bang on this but, rather, introduce some tweaks on the old site and gently introduce a brand new lab space where you can experiment with us.  We expect the full year next year will feature demo ideas and models. So, it's going to be a while yet before we close off the current toronto.ca.

Part of the reason for this is we are introducing web content management tools. We'll run both the old "look and feel" site and the new labs space in tandem until we sort through all of the content we have for you. Kind of like continuing to do business in an old building while the new building goes up and making sure we only take with us what is needed.

Make the new building better
You can help us determine what we do to make the new site better.  Clearly, no one wants to bring in useless content and a legacy of confusing navigations - that's part of the reason staff will be taking a real critical look at the web pages we have now.

We're getting lots of good comments on the comments wall around your impressions of the site. Keep them coming and, please, feel free to be more extensive in comments here.

#19/2009

Open not closed

NOTE: This is content from the web re:Brand posts going back to November 2010. We have kept the re:Brand posts as a legacy archive but, on a go forward basis as of October, 2011, the new DATA eh? content takes over this space.

Hi, I'm back - I see the mini poll showed 2 people as having voted a fail on our toronto.ca/open launch. Not that 2 votes are overwhelming evidence of anything but I'd love to hear more details if you share that reaction.

Any specifics will help on future launches.  

 
#18/2009

Let the "open" unfold

NOTE: This is content from the web re:Brand posts going back to November 2010. We have kept the re:Brand posts as a legacy archive but, on a go forward basis as of October, 2011, the new DATA eh? content takes over this space.


I get to be away from "the office" for a week (Nov 9 - Nov 13).  Love to have you look around here while I'm gone and make some noise.  I'd be glad to post any reactions to any of the blogs written so far. If I hear from you, I'll get on it. Otherwise, see you in a week as we get back to re:Brand thoughts and see how toronto.ca/open is moving along. I've posted a quick poll on getting a pass or fail from the launch (phase 1).

#17/2009

Too many cooks and not enough kitchens

NOTE: This is content from the web re:Brand posts going back to November 2010. We have kept the re:Brand posts as a legacy archive but, on a go forward basis as of October, 2011, the new DATA eh? content takes over this space.

A fantastic exchange happened at yesterday's Toronto Innovation Showcase.  This was during the Open Data Lab review.  I want to post the moment in video and eagerly await the video archive form our webcaster.  Meantime, let me describe what happened.

The exchange was between panelists Greg Wilson and Jay Goldman. I'm paraphrasing here but Jay essentially said the government makes wonky apps - not so good while the community can do better.  Greg countered by saying having begun partnership exchanges with his U of T class and the City, he can see how much effort is being put into development work - all while staff continues to put out fires.

A later bit of conversation talked about trust issues - namely who would you trust more in giving your credit card information: "Greg's class or the City?"

Geeks!

NOTE: This is content from the web re:Brand posts going back to November 2010. We have kept the re:Brand posts as a legacy archive but, on a go forward basis as of October, 2011, the new DATA eh? content takes over this space.

In my last post I used the terms: "Social Media gurus" and "open data freaks" for those attending the Open Data Lab at the Toronto Innovation Showcase.

I think, to be fair, I shouldn't go for that stereotype all the time. Mark Kuznicki, the individual who brought the Open Data Lab together, summarised attendees in his review of the day as follows:

• City staff and management
• Software developers & technologists
• Web entrepreneurs
• Social entrepreneurs
• Designers
• Social policy researchers
• Data librarians
• Media creators

Much better huh?

#15/2009

Innovation Showcase leads to more innovation?

NOTE: This is content from the web re:Brand posts going back to November 2010. We have kept the re:Brand posts as a legacy archive but, on a go forward basis as of October, 2011, the new DATA eh? content takes over this space.

Interesting array of talent assembled at the Toronto Innovation Showcase on day 1.

City staff mingled with Social Media gurus, open data freaks and tech heads from both sides. With so much talent running around, you might well believe lots will get done with our (just coming on the market) data sets!

So, it begins
More data releases will follow and we'll hear the outcomes of the Open Data Lab tomorrow.  While reading the tweets on the #opendataTO feed, this year's follow up to last year's Web 2.0 Summit, clearly has some resonance.

We knew it would - especially since the Mayor announced in April the intention to get data out the door by the fall ... and here we are!

I really believe this is a milestone moment for the City and for our developer community.  It kind of overshadows everything else from today but I must say - I was impressed with our very own Innovation Award winners - folks who worked on the inside to develop innovation solutions that saved money and maximized resources.

Sometimes it's good to acknowledge that and I hope some of their families saw the webcast (it will be on archive post event). 

When you witness skill sets coming together from inside and outside like this, it's pretty clear the future really does look bright.

Other blogs on this:

http://webrebrand.blogspot.com/2009/11/geeks.html

http://webrebrand.blogspot.com/2009/11/too-many-cooks-and-not-enough-kitchens.html

http://webrebrand.blogspot.com/2009/11/let-open-unfold.html

#14/2009