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Introducing the beta of GOV.UK – Government Digital Service
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2.7-2.7-1.2-2.7-2.7-2.7z"></path> </svg> </a> </div> </div> </header> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <header class="header" aria-label="blog name"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="blog-title govuk-heading-xl"> <span class="blog"><a href="https://www.blog.gov.uk/">Blog</a></span> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk">Government Digital Service</a> </div> <div class="bottom blog-meta"> <dl> <dt>Organisations:</dt> <dd><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-digital-service">Government Digital Service</a>, <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-science-innovation-and-technology">Department for Science, Innovation and Technology</a></dd> </dl> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third"> <div class="bottom search-container"> <form role="search" method="get" id="searchform" class="form-search" action="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/"> <label class="govuk-label govuk-label--m" for="s">Search blog</label> <div class="search-input-wrapper"> <input enterkeyhint="search" title="Search" type="search" value="" name="s" id="s" class="search-query"> <input type="submit" id="searchsubmit" value="Search" class="btn"> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> </header> <main id="content" class="govuk-grid-row" role="main"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds main-content"> <article class="govuk-clearfix post-2435 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-gds-team category-gov-uk"> <div class="visible-print"> <p>https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/</p> </div> <header> <h1 class="govuk-heading-xl">Introducing the beta of GOV.UK</h1> <div class="govuk-body-s"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Posted by: </span> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/author/tom-loosemore/" title="Posts by Tom Loosemore - former Deputy Director, Government Digital Service" class="author url fn" rel="author">Tom Loosemore - former Deputy Director, Government Digital Service</a>, <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Posted on: </span><time class="updated" datetime="2012-01-31T20:21:17+00:00">31 January 2012</time> - <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Categories: </span> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/category/gds-team/" rel="category tag">GDS team</a>, <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/category/gov-uk/" rel="category tag">GOV.UK</a></div> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p>A few minutes ago we released the first phase of the <a title="GOV.UK beta test" href="http://www.gov.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">beta test of GOV.UK</a> - the next step on the journey towards a single domain for central government. As Mike Bracken, HMG Executive Director for Digital said, our <a title="Mike Bracken blog post on launch of beta of GOV.UK" href="http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2012/01/31/this-is-why-we-are-here/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">aim</a> is to deliver simpler, clearer, faster services for users and savings and innovation for Government.<br /> <span id="more-2435"></span></p> <p>This journey started with <a title="Martha Lane Fox review of government online" href="http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/directgov-2010-and-beyond-revolution-not-evolution" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Martha Lane Fox’s report</a> demanding that Government 'revolutionise' its online services, and <a title="Martha Lane Fox review of government online" href="http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/directgov-2010-and-beyond-revolution-not-evolution" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Francis Maude’s affirmative reply</a> on behalf of the Government. The <a title="Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office, opens the new home of the Government Digital Service" href="http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2011/12/08/new-home-for-gds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Government Digital Service (GDS)</a> was formed as a result, and soon launched an <a title="Gov.uk – from Alpha to Beta" href="http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2011/08/11/gov-uk-from-alpha-to-beta/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">experimental prototype</a> of GOV.UK (<a title="the Alpha test of GOV.UK" href="http://www.alpha.gov.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">alpha.gov.uk</a> - now closed).</p> <p>The beta of single domain <a title="Gov.uk – from Alpha to Beta" href="http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2011/08/11/gov-uk-from-alpha-to-beta/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">was given the go-ahead</a> in August 2011. There are three phases:</p> <ol> <li><em>Public beta test of the site delivering the mainstream, citizen-facing aspects of GOV.UK.</em></li> <li><em>Private beta test of a shared GOV.UK ‘corporate’ publishing platform, aimed at replacing most of the activity currently hosted on numerous departmental publishing environments.</em></li> <li><em>A first draft of a GOV.UK ‘Global Experience Language’, to provide clear, consistent design, user-experience and brand clarity for those developing sites for the single GOV.UK domain. (see <a title="BBC.co.uk global experience language" href="http://bbc.co.uk/gel" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BBC.co.uk/gel</a> for an example).</em></li> </ol> <p>Today we have released the first phase. The second is on track to be released in a few weeks, with the third set fair for the end of March.</p> <p>This post will give you lots of background about this phase of the beta. It’s going to be long. We’re sorry about that, but there’s a lot to say. If you prefer, you can take a <a title="Tour of GOV.UK" href="https://www.gov.uk/tour" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">quick tour</a> of the beta.</p> <p><strong>Background and Directgov</strong></p> <p>The GOV.UK beta builds on years of work and learning across government and outside it about how to deliver great services to users. In the first instance it is designed to replace the content you’ll currently find at <a title="Directgov" href="http://www.direct.gov.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Directgov</a>. Directgov is a tremendous achievement and has consistently delivered huge value to its 30m+ visitors each month. However it is now <a title="Directgov – our story" href="http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2011/07/29/directgov-our-story/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">8 years old</a> - an eternity in web years - and the user experience it offers is showing its age.</p> <p>It’s important to remember though - GOV.UK is just a beta test. It is not finished and may not be accurate and completely up to date - if you’ve got actual business to conduct with Government you should continue do it via <a title="Directgov" href="http://www.direct.gov.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Directgov</a>.</p> <p><strong>What we’ve done</strong></p> <p>We have <a title="It’s all about the words" href="http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2012/01/11/its-all-about-the-words/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">re-written</a>, <a title="Ben Terrett on designing GOV.UK" href="http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2012/01/19/designing-govuk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">re-designed</a> and re-thought 667 of <a title="Introducing the Needotron: working out the shape of the product" href="http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2011/09/19/introducing-the-needotron-working-out-the-shape-of-the-product/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the needs people have of Government </a>(broadly, those currently catered for by Directgov) - making them as <a title="Using search data to meet user needs" href="http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2012/01/27/search-data-user-needs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">findable</a>, <a title="Quantitative testing Betagov content and layout" href="http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2012/01/13/quantitative-testing-betagov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">understandable</a> and <a title="It’s all about the nodes and what lives at them" href="http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2011/05/16/its-all-about-the-nodes-and-what-lives-at-them/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">actionable</a> as we can. We’ve built a scalable, modular <a title="GOV.UK open source code on Github" href="https://github.com/alphagov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">open source technology platform</a> to support them, we’ve designed the user experience around them and we’ve worked with colleagues across many departments to fact-check them. Through designing and iterating these we’ve got the templates and techniques we need to support a whole host more needs - either written by ourselves or others.</p> <p><strong>What we’ve not done</strong></p> <ul> <li>A handful of <em>really</em> significant citizen needs are still on our 'to do' list (applying for your passport, job search, travel advice etc.)</li> <li>Search always needs improving. Synonyms, misspellings and auto-complete, for instance, will benefit input from real users.</li> <li>Browsing - the site is currently optimised for search, browsing by section needs more work.</li> <li>For some more complex 'needs' we’ve written a guide when actually a step-by-step answer might be better. We'll get to these shortly.</li> <li>The redesign of transactions, or government gateway, will take time. Keep an eye on this blog for updates.</li> </ul> <p><strong>What next?</strong></p> <p>There are two big areas for development: further design iteration and wider, deeper content.</p> <p>First, iteration: we’re going to be looking at <a title="GOV.UK feedback on GetSatisfaction.com" href="http://getsatisfaction.com/govuk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">your feedback</a>, observing user behaviour and doing loads of testing to see how we can improve the experience of the site. Expect lots of design elements to change, features to appear and disappear and various aspects of the site to be tightened up and refined.</p> <p>Second, content: there are huge swathes of government information and services that we haven’t dealt with yet. Content which explains what each Government department does is <a title="The vision for government corporate websites in the Single Domain (with product wireframes)" href="http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2011/10/27/the-vision-for-government-corporate-websites-in-the-single-domain-with-product-wireframes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">coming soon in the second phase of the beta</a> (we use the term ‘corporate’ as a shorthand for this). And information of special interest to businesses will follow in the second half of the year. And, as yet, we’ve not scratched the surface of improving the service design/user experience of transactions nor the vast corpus of specialist and technical content that government publishes for lawyers, accountants and the like.</p> <p><strong>How it was built</strong></p> <p>We’ve used a small team of designers, developers and managers supplemented by micro-businesses when we need particular specialist skills. We’re using open software and tools as much as possible, and <a title="Github open source repository of GOV.UK code" href="http://www.github.com/alphagov" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">developing in the open</a>. The site is <a title="Hosting the beta of GOV.UK" href="http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2012/01/24/hosting-the-beta-of-gov-uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">hosted in the cloud</a>. Our processes are<a title="Agile does work in government" href="http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2011/05/13/agile-does-work-in-government/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> iterative and agile</a>, we have daily stand-ups and our walls are covered in whiteboards and post-it notes. Which is possibly just a lot of jargon to you. What it means is - we’re building GOV.UK the way Google build Google and Amazon build Amazon.</p> <p><strong>Who we should thank</strong></p> <ul> <li>All the critical friends and pioneers from inside and outside government gathered at places like <a title="UK Govcamp" href="http://www.ukgovcamp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">GovCamp</a> and on <a title="Puffbox" href="http://puffbox.com/simon-dickson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">blogs</a> and <a title="Twitter search for govuk" href="https://twitter.com/#!/search/govuk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">twitter</a>.</li> <li>All the departments and colleagues who’ve helped and supported our sometimes unreasonable requests.</li> <li><a title="Martha Lane Fox, UK Digital Champion" href="http://www.marthalanefox.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Martha Lane Fox</a>, UK Digital Champion, and Francis Maude, Minister for Cabinet Office, for their steadfast support.</li> </ul> <p><strong>What we ask of you</strong></p> <p>Primarily, ultimately, most importantly, this is a beta and for a beta to succeed it needs your feedback. So, please, go look at the site, have a play and tell us what you think - the good, the bad, the disastrous, the brilliant. The best way to do that is via <a title="GOV.UK page on Get Satisfaction" href="http://getsatisfaction.com/govuk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">our Get Satisfaction site</a>, we’ll be answering questions there and you’ll be able to see what others think. Or you can comment below, tweet at us on <a title="Twitter profile of @GOVUK" href="http://twitter.com/govuk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">@GovUK</a> or email us at govuk-feedback@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk</p> <p><strong>Finding out more</strong></p> <p>Visit the <a title="GOV.UK beta test" href="http://www.gov.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">beta site itself </a> (You’re reading the Government Digital Service blog). There’s also a <a title="Tour of GOV.UK" href="https://www.gov.uk/tour" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tour</a>.</p> <p>We hope you find it useful, and ask you to <a title="Feedback for Beta of GOV.UK" href="https://www.gov.uk/feedback" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tell us if not</a>.</p> <p><em>Tom Loosemore is leading the development of this phase of the GOV.UK beta</em></p> </div> <div class="footer single"> </div> </article> <nav class="page-numbers-container page-navigation" aria-label="Pagination"> <div class="previous"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/this-is-why-we-are-here/" rel="prev">This is why we are here</a> </div> <div class="next"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/02/01/govuk-beta-day1/" rel="next">GOV.UK beta day 1- your feedback acted upon</a> </div> </nav> <h2 class="govuk-visually-hidden">Sharing and comments</h2> <div class="icons-buttons"> <h3>Share this page</h3> <ul> <li> <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgds.blog.gov.uk%2F2012%2F01%2F31%2Fbeta%2F&text=Introducing+the+beta+of+GOV.UK" class="twitter">Twitter</a> </li> <li> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fgds.blog.gov.uk%2F2012%2F01%2F31%2Fbeta%2F" class="facebook">Facebook</a> </li> <li> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgds.blog.gov.uk%2F2012%2F01%2F31%2Fbeta%2F" class="linkedin">LinkedIn</a> </li> <li> <a href="mailto:?subject=I wanted to share this post with you from Government Digital Service&body=Introducing the beta of GOV.UK https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/" class="email">Email</a> </li> </ul> <div class="govuk-clearfix"></div> </div> <section id="comments" class="comments"> <h3 class="govuk-heading-m">40 comments</h3> <ol class="media-list"> <li id="comment-1100" class="comment even thread-even depth-1 media comment-1100"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">John</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2013-02-09T12:25:31+00:00">09 February 2013</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>I like the idea of combining everything</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1100" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1099" class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media comment-1099"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Mary Pargeter</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2013-01-10T13:36:05+00:00">10 January 2013</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>As a graphic designer the Homepage look rather bitty to me. If you put the solid green banner and the Inside Government strip at the top, then the 3 columns at the top to the middle and put the 3 items at the base in the same colour tint boxes, I think it would appear cleaner, neater and less cluttered. Otherwise I like the use of large type.</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1099" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1098" class="pingback even thread-even depth-1 media comment-1098"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">This is why we are here - Mike Bracken.</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-11-03T04:38:14+00:00">03 November 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] Read more about the beta of GOV.UK in Tom Loosemore’s post here. [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1098" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1095" class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media comment-1095"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Ben Tomsett</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-10-23T10:06:59+01:00">23 October 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>nonsense! I cannot connect.</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1095" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> <ul class="comment even thread-even depth-1 media unstyled comment-1095"> <li id="comment-1096" class="comment odd alt depth-2 media comment-1096"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Replies to Ben Tomsett></span> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Ben Tomsett</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-10-23T10:07:38+01:00">23 October 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>please be more expicit</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1096" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> <ul class="comment even depth-2 media unstyled comment-1096"> <li id="comment-1097" class="comment odd alt depth-3 media comment-1097"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Replies to Ben Tomsett></span> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">James Taylor</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-10-23T10:45:40+01:00">23 October 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>Hi Ben - not sure how what it is you can't link to. Please let us know so we can help.</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1097" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> </ul></div></li> </ul></div></li> <li id="comment-1094" class="comment even thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media comment-1094"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Tim Daniels</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-10-04T12:56:39+01:00">04 October 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>I really like the new Beta Test Site but I am trying to find out if you will eventually switch off the direct.gov.uk website or perhaps just archive it? There is some information on there that I have bookmarked and isn't on the new website so trying to work out if it's worth noting it down 'offline'...</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1094" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1093" class="pingback odd alt thread-even depth-1 media comment-1093"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">With GOV.UK, British government redefines the online government platform - O'Reilly Radar</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-09-18T10:14:29+01:00">18 September 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] Loosemore, deputy director of government digital service at UK Government, introduced the beta of GOV.UK at the Government Digital Service blog, including a great deal of context on its development and [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1093" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1092" class="comment even thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media comment-1092"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Dr.Mohammed</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-09-18T07:39:17+01:00">18 September 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>I’m impressed by the initiative; Good to see agile development processes is adopted in delivering gov portal.</p> <p>Best Wishes from Dr.Mohammed, MyHRGulf.com</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1092" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1091" class="pingback odd alt thread-even depth-1 media comment-1091"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Gov.uk: un esempio per la pubblica amministrazione - Luca Rosati</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-09-17T00:06:08+01:00">17 September 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] Introducing the beta of GOV.UK [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1091" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1090" class="comment even thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media comment-1090"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Man and Van Hounslow</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-07-13T22:21:48+01:00">13 July 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>All .gov websites should be sub domained. That way you only have to go to one website to get to the others.</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1090" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1089" class="pingback odd alt thread-even depth-1 media comment-1089"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Introducing the next iteration of GOV.UK | Government Digital Service</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-07-03T17:56:23+01:00">03 July 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] the next iteration of GOV.UK by Sarah Prag on 03/07/2012 As Tom explained back in January, the GOV.UK beta is a work in progress. We’ve been hard at work behind the scenes since then, [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1089" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1088" class="pingback even thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media comment-1088"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Government as a local platform? - bm.wel.by</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-05-15T21:38:55+01:00">15 May 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] contributed by the public and the beta is changing on a daily basis. They’re up front about what’s not there (yet) but they’re equally clear that gaps will be plugged as and when they get [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1088" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1087" class="pingback odd alt thread-even depth-1 media comment-1087"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Introducing the design principles alpha for GDS | Government Digital Service</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-04-03T17:10:34+01:00">03 April 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] Today we release the third phase of the beta of GOV.UK as set out in Tom Loosemore’s blog post. [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1087" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1086" class="comment even thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media comment-1086"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Nicholas Birchall</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-03-07T09:58:29+00:00">07 March 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>Please....Please....Please.... Check all of the links work!</p> <p>I spent and wasted many hours using the old site</p> <p>which sent me in loops and into dead ends trying to book</p> <p>an ADI driving test. ALL links directed me to "Business Link"</p> <p>and asked for a business number I did not have as I am</p> <p>Only training at the moment. So back to the "cool medium"</p> <p>of the telephone, which worked first time.</p> <p>Also a simple site No animation or music PLEASE!</p> <p>Regards</p> <p>Nick</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1086" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1085" class="pingback odd alt thread-even depth-1 media comment-1085"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Really Useful Day | Government Digital Service</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-03-02T16:52:15+00:00">02 March 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] the beta of GOV.UK was released, it naturally provoked a huge number of questions from people working in local as well as central [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1085" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1084" class="comment even thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media comment-1084"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Ex-RA Ravid MC.Hughes[veteran & disabled]</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-29T15:15:49+00:00">29 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>As both disabled myself and expert in both Ethnic/Disabled Accessible Format/Language System's and Ethnic/Disability Assistive Technology System's, or a user of these for my own disabilities too.<br /> The creators of this so called new British Government Website, should go back to the drawing board, but how much tax payer's more is being wasted is another question though?.<br /> .<br /> First they need to read and properly understand, British, European and United Nation's Diversity, Equality and Disability Laws, with regards websites.</p> <p>Second then design the British Government new website, to provide for all types of disabilities, in accordance with said laws.</p> <p>Third where are the Equality Impact Assessment (EIA's) reports on these new Government websites, or the Public Inclusion and Involvement Consultations (P2ic's), for these new Government Websites, which the Government is legally required to carryout for disabled people?.</p> <p>Or Government Minister's and Civilian Servants, are just going to find themselves in a court of law, facing charges for clear disabled discrimination and breaching the Government legal duties to disabled people.</p> <p>As far as I am concerned, because the new Government website, is no better than the old Government websites. We disabled people will not be any better served.<br /> Yours Wheelchaircharlie39 / Ex-RA David MC>Hughes]veteran and disabled].</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1084" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1083" class="pingback odd alt thread-even depth-1 media comment-1083"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Introducing the next phase of the GOV.UK beta | Government Digital Service</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-28T20:50:21+00:00">28 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] is a slightly different flavour of beta to the previous GOV.UK release, in that it’s much less [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1083" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1082" class="pingback even thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media comment-1082"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Thoughts on my recent trip to the West Coast with Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office | Government Digital Service</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-10T16:24:03+00:00">10 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] Francis Maude, and I recently travelled to the West Coast of the US which coincided with the launch of GOV.UK. It was slightly surreal not to be in the UK for such an important moment for GDS but really [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1082" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1081" class="pingback odd alt thread-even depth-1 media comment-1081"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Digital Engagement for the beta release of GOV.UK- our experience | Government Digital Service</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-10T11:59:39+00:00">10 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] to assist GDS friends and colleagues with all things digitally engaging related to the release of the beta of GOV.UK, we arrived at Aviation House last Wednesday all fired up, having read up on all the twitter buzz [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1081" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1080" class="pingback even thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media comment-1080"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">That was the local government week that was « We Love Local Government</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-10T06:01:09+00:00">10 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] contributed by the public and the beta is changing on a dailybasis. They’re up front about what’s not there (yet) but they’re equally clear that gaps will be plugged as and when they get [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1080" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1079" class="pingback odd alt thread-even depth-1 media comment-1079"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Weekly bits of interest – 6 February 2012 | Public Sector Innovation Toolkit</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-06T06:11:51+00:00">06 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] The UK Government has launched the beta of GOV.UK, the next step on the journey towards a single domain for central government. Alex Howard discusses the specifics. ”Unfortunately, far too often .gov websites cost millions and don’t deliver as needed. GOV.UK is open source, mobile-friendly, platform agnostic, uses HTML5, scalable, hosted in the cloud and open for feedback. Those criteria collectively embody the default for how government should approach their online efforts in the 21st century.” [This quote is not covered by the Creative Commons licence or Commonwealth Copyright. From Alex Howard "With GOV.UK, British government redefines the online government platform" 31 January 2012 accessed at <a href="http://radar.oreilly.com/2012/01/with-govuk-british-government.html%5D" rel="nofollow ugc">http://radar.oreilly.com/2012/01/with-govuk-british-government.html%5D</a> [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1079" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1078" class="comment even thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media comment-1078"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Meg Privett</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-04T14:43:34+00:00">04 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>I really like this layout and ease of use. When/if the info provided is accurate it will be much easier to use than the current Direct.gov site which I find cumbersome and not at all intuitive. I'm an ADI so I use if often - to check on Licence rules, driving tests and the like.</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1078" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1077" class="comment odd alt thread-even depth-1 media comment-1077"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Will Callaghan (@willguv)</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-02T23:58:46+00:00">02 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>You're doing a grand job. It's great to see a Govt team that listens to users and is able to respond almost instantly. Here's to more daily releases!</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1077" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1076" class="pingback even thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media comment-1076"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">UK Government Launches Direct Gov Replacement GOV.UK | TechMASH Tech Gadget & Geeky News</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-02T09:06:00+00:00">02 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] to the Cabinet Office website, these are the three phases to the full launch; Public beta test of the site delivering the [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1076" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1074" class="comment odd alt thread-even depth-1 media comment-1074"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">George Ornbo (@shapeshed)</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-01T19:54:00+00:00">01 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>Open source technologies developed in the open with users at the centre of the process. This is a huge achievement and should be celebrated!</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1074" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1073" class="pingback even thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media comment-1073"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Martha Lane Fox and Tom Loosemore on BBC News | Government Digital Service</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-01T19:50:46+00:00">01 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] Digital Champion, Martha Lane Fox and Tom Loosemore, who is leading on the development of this phase of GOV.UK, were invited on to BBC News today to introduce GOV.UK to their [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1073" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1072" class="pingback odd alt thread-even depth-1 media comment-1072"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">(20:34 01-02-2012) Noticias más populares de #opengov en las ultimas 24 horas | Tuits de Software Libre</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-01T19:36:43+00:00">01 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] (15) Introducing the beta of GOV.UK | Government Digital Service [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1072" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1071" class="comment even thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media comment-1071"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Brian</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-01T18:54:50+00:00">01 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>Oh dear, the Government clowns have been taken over by the geeks with buzz words.</p> <p>Don't be fooled into believing this actually means anything useful will come of all of this disjointed activity.</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1071" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> <ul class="comment odd alt thread-even depth-1 media unstyled comment-1071"> <li id="comment-1075" class="comment even depth-2 media comment-1075"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Replies to Brian></span> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Andre</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-01T22:44:26+00:00">01 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>Say you were put in charge of this project Brian, how would you do things differently? You obviously have extensive experience in the digital or related fields.</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1075" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> </ul></div></li> <li id="comment-1070" class="pingback odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media comment-1070"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">The Best and the Worst Part of Gov.uk Beta Is What You Don’t See</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-01T17:41:58+00:00">01 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] Digital Service created by Minister Maude under the leadership of Mike Bracken (ex-Guardian) just released a much-awaited beta version of its new unified web site for public sector, at [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1070" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1068" class="pingback even thread-even depth-1 media comment-1068"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">UK Government Release Their New Streamlined Site In BETA « TechFleece</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-01T14:35:06+00:00">01 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] really is a ton of stuff that they have on there already, but as they state on their blog, there’s plenty more to add as they go [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1068" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1067" class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media comment-1067"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Stephen Dale</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-01T13:19:11+00:00">01 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>I'm impressed by the progress; good to see agile development processes being used. Makes a change from the usual snail-like pace of change associated with many public sector projects. Most people (users) will accept imperfection if they feel they are being listened to. Hoping this might be a template for how other gov projects are managed. Great stuff!</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1067" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1066" class="comment even thread-even depth-1 media comment-1066"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Jonathan Woods</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-01T10:37:50+00:00">01 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>This is an excellent start by the government, if a little late.</p> <p>In my experience there is a real variance in the quality / professionalism of websites across then government and public sector. The digital space is moving quickly and the public sector should be engaging more with the wealth of innovative digital agencies that exist in this country.</p> <p>I am confident that additional spending by government bodies on their digital platforms would certainly reap cost savings long term.</p> <p>A positive start.</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1066" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1065" class="pingback odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media comment-1065"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">The UK’s first step towards a single government website | BestHancock</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-01T08:35:31+00:00">01 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] a little). Some early observations (from a quick look at the site, an introduction post on the Government Digital Service (GDS) website and an excellent O’Reilly radar [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1065" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1064" class="comment even thread-even depth-1 media comment-1064"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Kristy Fifelski</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-01T00:15:23+00:00">01 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>Insightful article. I'm curious if your government has a Search platform service similar to USA Search: <a href="https://search.usa.gov/affiliates/how_it_works" rel="nofollow ugc">https://search.usa.gov/affiliates/how_it_works</a>. It is run by our federal government, but it is available for any type of government in our country to use.</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1064" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> <ul class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media unstyled comment-1064"> <li id="comment-1069" class="comment even depth-2 media comment-1069"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Replies to Kristy Fifelski></span> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Glen Forde</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-02-01T17:03:12+00:00">01 February 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>GOV.UK should be the starting place a search for UK specific government queries in all spheres of public life (International, National, Regional & Local).</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1069" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> </ul></div></li> <li id="comment-1063" class="comment odd alt thread-even depth-1 media comment-1063"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">Martha</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-01-31T22:14:33+00:00">31 January 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>Great work ninja teamteam. This heralds a tsunami of change in government - keep going!</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1063" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1062" class="comment even thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 media comment-1062"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">James Reeve (@jamesreeve)</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-01-31T21:54:11+00:00">31 January 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>This is a very exciting time for digital government.</p> <p>I am looking forward to seeing how this much needed initiative grows/develops. Having worked on many government websites, I can appreciate the challenges faced by trying to push the public sector kicking and screaming into the digital age, I think the beta approach enables the full UX process to exist by also educating non-believers of the importance of thinking digital.</p> <p>A great achievement for all involved. Well done!</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1062" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> <li id="comment-1061" class="pingback odd alt thread-even depth-1 media comment-1061"> <div class="media-body"> <p class="govuk-body media-heading"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">Comment by</span> <span class="author">This is why we are here | Government Digital Service</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">posted on </span> <time datetime="2012-01-31T21:26:15+00:00">31 January 2012</time> </p> <div class="comment-body"> <p>[...] more about the beta of GOV.UK in Tom Loosemore’s post here and in the slides [...]</p> <div class="comment-links"> <a href="https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2012/01/31/beta/#comment-1061" rel="external nofollow">Link to this comment</a> </div> </div> </div></li> </ol> </section><!-- /#comments --> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third sidebar-contain"> <div class="sidebar"> <h2 class="govuk-heading-m govuk-visually-hidden">Related content and links</h2> <section class="widget about_widget"><h3>Government Digital Service</h3><p>GDS is here to make digital government simpler, clearer and faster for everyone. 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