Websites of the Atlanta Elections 2001

Analysis

As of 6-29-01 I honestly don't know where I will go with the analysis.  For now I'm making some notes below.  Ultimately I want to write several RFP's for campaign websites.  Photo courtesy Philip Greenspun.

• It would be really nice if folks knew how to pronounce your name.  It might be even better if they could hear you speak your name using real audio on your site:  The voice is the stock and trade of a politician.  Why not use high tech to deliver that very human part of you?
• Now (July  28) there is a "Flash" site which is probably not a good thing.  Flash allows designers to make beautiful sites, so what's the problem?   Read Jacob Neilsen's Flash: 99% Bad.
• Good advice from Jacob Neilsen on managing public relations on your website.  See Kathy Woolard's "Press Room" 
• I like email alerts.  I like the idea that the candidate will communicate directly with me.  It gives me a sense that the candidate knows who I am and tries to keep me up to date.  Candidates should keep alerts going after the election.
• Form mail is OK but many folks would like to send you an email and they would like to put your email in their address list.
• Some folks will avoid form mail if you require name, address, telephone etc.  You may miss an important message.
• How do folks know which district they are in?  You can't tell from any of the candidates' sites.
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution writers Stacy Shelton and Julie B. Hairston are covering the race as of July 26, 2001.
• Creative Loafing writer Kevin Griffis is covering the race.
• The Atlanta Tribune, and Southern Voice, also cover the races from time to time.  It is often easier to search google.com to find article about the races.

School Board Website Analysis

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