Comments on: Empowerment packs from the gov’t http://davepress.net/2008/04/11/empowerment-packs-from-the-govt/ Open government and everything else Tue, 08 May 2012 15:15:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Dave http://davepress.net/2008/04/11/empowerment-packs-from-the-govt/comment-page-1/#comment-767 Dave Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:27:19 +0000 http://davepress.net/2008/04/11/empowerment-packs-from-the-govt/#comment-767 Paul - that's disappointing. I noticed there is a wiki as well, but you have to be invited to take part. I might send DCLG my copy of <i>Here Comes Everybody</i> when I am done with it! Paul – that’s disappointing. I noticed there is a wiki as well, but you have to be invited to take part. I might send DCLG my copy of Here Comes Everybody when I am done with it!

]]> By: paul canning http://davepress.net/2008/04/11/empowerment-packs-from-the-govt/comment-page-1/#comment-764 paul canning Sun, 13 Apr 2008 11:04:11 +0000 http://davepress.net/2008/04/11/empowerment-packs-from-the-govt/#comment-764 Followed the links to 'people and participation' and it's telling me this .. 'However blogs that are branded for particular organisations and that rely on paid staff to update them can cost several thousand pounds to run annually.' run away, run away ... ! Followed the links to ‘people and participation’ and it’s telling me this ..

‘However blogs that are branded for particular organisations and that rely on paid staff to update them can cost several thousand pounds to run annually.’

run away, run away … !

]]> By: Dave http://davepress.net/2008/04/11/empowerment-packs-from-the-govt/comment-page-1/#comment-761 Dave Sun, 13 Apr 2008 10:34:55 +0000 http://davepress.net/2008/04/11/empowerment-packs-from-the-govt/#comment-761 @ Edward, thanks for stopping by and responding so positively and openly! The word format thing is a real issue for me - there are many people without the software necessary to edit .doc files, so using a more open format like .rtf is a good idea accessibility-wise. @ Tim, interesting stuff! Hopefully Edward and his colleagues will look into your suggestions too! @ Edward, thanks for stopping by and responding so positively and openly! The word format thing is a real issue for me – there are many people without the software necessary to edit .doc files, so using a more open format like .rtf is a good idea accessibility-wise.

@ Tim, interesting stuff! Hopefully Edward and his colleagues will look into your suggestions too!

]]> By: Tim http://davepress.net/2008/04/11/empowerment-packs-from-the-govt/comment-page-1/#comment-759 Tim Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:47:33 +0000 http://davepress.net/2008/04/11/empowerment-packs-from-the-govt/#comment-759 Done well these sorts of tools can make a big difference to the quantity and quality of consultation / engagement exercise responses: E.g. http://www.timdavies.org.uk/2008/03/11/philosophical-consultation-independent-asylum-commission Delivering as PDF / Print Outs does work in terms of starting from where many people are (not used to navigating a side - want to print it out and read it) - although in the case of the Power Pack - 50+ pages doesn't quite start from where most people are - and I would perhaps have thought about splitting it up into two or three 'flavours' (small meeting, big meeting etc.) to make it more accessible from the start. Of course, adding complementary pre-prepared powerpoint slides (on Slideshare) or quick video as an option in place of the 'introduction to the white paper' text-based content may well be worth exploring also.... Done well these sorts of tools can make a big difference to the quantity and quality of consultation / engagement exercise responses:

E.g. http://www.timdavies.org.uk/2008/03/11/philosophical-consultation-independent-asylum-commission

Delivering as PDF / Print Outs does work in terms of starting from where many people are (not used to navigating a side – want to print it out and read it) – although in the case of the Power Pack – 50+ pages doesn’t quite start from where most people are – and I would perhaps have thought about splitting it up into two or three ‘flavours’ (small meeting, big meeting etc.) to make it more accessible from the start.

Of course, adding complementary pre-prepared powerpoint slides (on Slideshare) or quick video as an option in place of the ‘introduction to the white paper’ text-based content may well be worth exploring also….

]]> By: Edward Andersson http://davepress.net/2008/04/11/empowerment-packs-from-the-govt/comment-page-1/#comment-756 Edward Andersson Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:48:08 +0000 http://davepress.net/2008/04/11/empowerment-packs-from-the-govt/#comment-756 Hi Dave, As someone who wrote parts of the Power Pack I'd like to say thanks for your feedback. I'll make sure that the lack of clarity around the copyright issue is resolved. I think you're right to point out that having the document in a web format has many benefits. I also think that for some people a large sprawling website can feel overwhelming and for them a PDF or Word document feels easier to manage. Some people feel the complete opposite so I guess it's a case of horses for courses. I'll try to get an online response form up so that people have as many ways of contributing as possible. If you have any more thoughts do let me know and I'll see if we can't take them onboard! Edward Andersson Hi Dave,

As someone who wrote parts of the Power Pack I’d like to say thanks for your feedback. I’ll make sure that the lack of clarity around the copyright issue is resolved.

I think you’re right to point out that having the document in a web format has many benefits. I also think that for some people a large sprawling website can feel overwhelming and for them a PDF or Word document feels easier to manage. Some people feel the complete opposite so I guess it’s a case of horses for courses.

I’ll try to get an online response form up so that people have as many ways of contributing as possible. If you have any more thoughts do let me know and I’ll see if we can’t take them onboard!

Edward Andersson

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