[nzlug] Government Communication Formats

[Simon Bridge]

On Mon, 2008-04-14 at 16:16 +1200, Matthew Poole wrote:
> On Mon, 14 Apr 2008, Andrew Bruce wrote:
> > We used to frequently receive press releases from an MP in Word format.  We 
> > also requested that they be sent in different format, at least PDF, but they 
> > told us that we were the only people having trouble opening them, and it 
> > wasn't their problem.
> >
> >> http://www.e.govt.nz/archive/standards/e-gif/e-gif-v-1-1/chapter7.html
> explicitly says that for text, HTML or PDF should be used.

The worthy responded very quickly with the entire release in plain-text
in the body of the email - but pointed out (without apology) that the
embedded graphics could not be included.

It seems nobody reads e-GIF. I included the link - but this person
apparently did not notice that JPG format is mandated by that document
for sending images.

However - the same page mandates PDF format for this kind of document.

However - the impression I get is that the e-GIF is intended for
web-pages rather than e-mails.
"E-government enables people to use digital technology to find and use
New Zealand government information and services."
http://www.e.govt.nz/archive/about-egovt/listing_archives

However, there is a more comprehensive statement in the forward:
http://www.e.govt.nz/archive/standards/e-gif/e-gif-v-1-1/chapter1.html
"The New Zealand e-Government Interoperability Framework (e-GIF) is a
set of policies, technical standards, and guidelines (recommended
practices) that outline the Government's policy on how public sector
organisations should achieve electronic "interoperability" (i.e. the
ability to share information and technology through using common
policies and standards). Cabinet approved the e-GIF for use in the
public sector on 13 June 2002. 

Its content currently covers data and information, information and
communications technology (ICT), and inter-agency electronic business
protocols. Use of the e-GIF will enable agencies to make gains in
efficiency, and also to improve the quality of service they offer to the
public."
... but the emphasis is on interoperability between govt agencies.
Communication with the public seems a low priority.