Government of Canada Internet Guide
This section discusses on-line interactive tools, such as list servers, chat rooms,
Webcasting, newsgroups and e-commerce. You may use these for various reasons: to consult
and survey clients, disseminate a message, advertise, generate a transaction or help people
discuss an issue, for example. It is a challenge to choose the best tools for the Web
initiative while considering all relevant federal government policies.
Interactive tools, which are still very much in the development stage, are presented in
two groups: real-time communications and time-delayed
communications.
Most real-time communications tools allow participants to post and respond to messages
in real time, share documents or see the thread of a discussion. They include the following.
Live chat rooms include text-based chat and graphical chat (see below for more about chat rooms).
Newsgroups are unmoderated on-line discussion groups where visitors can post a message
and start a virtual conversation. For information on technical and non-technical issues
related to newsgroups, see Net Gain at <http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inee-ef.nsf/en/Home>.
Virtual consultations, virtual focus groups or town halls allow you to poll audiences
in real time. They can be "invitation only" or open to all.
Real-time e-mail allows visitors to have a private, one-on-one, real-time
correspondence with staff.
Audio or video streaming (Web casting) allows you to broadcast audio or video in real
time via the Internet. Streaming technology lets users play large files as they download
them, permitting near real-time transmission. Image and sound quality does not yet compare
to that offered by off-line technologies, such as CD-ROM or DVD, but streaming is an
acceptable way to deliver basic multimedia information. It can be expensive to prepare good
audio and video for streaming, so it is important to consider whether you really need to
publish information in this multimedia format.
Video conferencing allows two-way transmission of video in real time to and from
participants.
Web conferencing allows you to deliver presentations over the Internet. Participants can
view your presentation from their computers.
E-commerce allows you to securely buy and sell information, products and services via
the Internet. See the e-commerce resources
section for more information.
Asynchronous communications allow people to participate in discussions at
different times. Examples include the following.
Electronic mail is widely used. In accordance with the GOL initiative, a client must be
able to e-mail institutions and receive an automatic electronic acknowledgement as a result
of the e-mail. For e-mail standards and best practices, see the CLF Standards on E-mail. See also the section
in this guide called More About E-mail.
E-mail lists (or listservs) distribute e-mail messages to groups of people registered on
a managed list. See also the section in this guide called More About
Listservs (Mailing Lists).
Bulletin boards are electronic message centres where clients have to log in to see what
has been added.
Newsgroups are on-line moderated discussion groups where visitors can post a message
and start a virtual conversation.
On-line polling can be asynchronous or in real time. It uses a Web-based application
that allows clients to express opinions through an interactive forum. For guidance on the
creation of forms, see <www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/clf-nsi/inter/inter-01-tb_e.asp>.
Multimedia technologies can be used to deliver audio or video content to clients in
only one direction.
For more information on interactivity tools, see Interactivity
Tool Resources and Interactivity
Tool Maintenance.
Text-based chat consists solely of typed conversations. Typically, an individual has
a split-screen view with the top half displaying the running conversation and the bottom
half displaying the user's remarks as he or she types them.
Graphical chat still relies on typed words, but the chat session takes place over a
graphical backdrop, and clients can create graphical representations of themselves called
"avatars" that appear next to the text they enter.
Entire contents © 2000 by Gartner Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this
publication in any form without prior written permission is forbidden. The information
contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Gartner disclaims
all warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of such information. Gartner
shall have no liability for errors, omissions or inadequacies in the information contained
herein or for interpretations thereof. The reader assumes sole responsibility for the
selection of these materials to achieve its intended results. The opinions expressed herein
are subject to change without notice.
E-mail is frequently used to send users additional information besides the e-mail message
itself, such as attached documents, embedded graphics, software programs or hyperlinks to
on-line information. You should ensure that recipients can use these features.
a) Attachments: When sending attached files to the public, send it in a format that does
not require people to use proprietary software to see the information. Use formats that a
variety of common software programs can recognize and display. For example, almost any Web
browser can display any Web page, but some browsers may not be able to display a
spreadsheet.
b) Software: Computer programs that open automatically when the recipient launches them
should be tested to ensure they function as intended, do not present information barriers
for those with special needs, and do not adversely affect the recipient's hardware or
software.
c) Graphics: Embedded graphic elements are frequently removed automatically when e-mail
moves from one network to another. While common look and feel guidelines make provisions for
using departmental signatures, you should scrutinize other graphic elements for their
appropriateness. If you use them, make sure they do not contain critical information that
is not duplicated in text.
d) Hyperlinks: When e-mail contains hyperlinks to information on the Internet, provide
the full Internet address in the text to ensure that the recipient receives the information
and that it remains part of the message, regardless of whether the e-mail is stored,
forwarded or printed.
List servers are a relatively simple way to allow people with similar interests to
share ideas, publications and information via electronic mail. You can manage these
electronic lists using one of a variety of software packages (such as LISTSERV). These
lists can function with a central list owner or with multiple list owners who have equal
or varied levels of access. Lists can be public or private, open or closed, moderated or
unmoderated. You should consider these aspects of lists during the planning process, as
your decisions may affect your Web site and resources.
There are two main types of lists: announcement lists and discussion lists.
Announcement lists function much like traditional newsletters: the mail
messages flow in one direction, from publisher to subscriber. Discussion lists
function like a public forum, providing a place where subscribers can receive
information, ask questions, offer advice and exchange ideas.
Discussion lists may be moderated or unmoderated. On moderated lists, a human
moderator filters posts before redirecting the messages to all subscribers. On
unmoderated discussion lists, no one reads, edits or screens messages before
they are distributed. The mailing list software simply receives and redirects
posts to all subscribers.
More information on implementing mailing lists can be found on the Net Gain
site at <http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inee-ef.nsf/en/ee00736e.html>.
|
