Change on WhiteHouse.gov too

Published: January 21, 2009 in articles » management by Thomas Baekdal

A lot of internet professionals see President Barack Obama as a person that can show the world the importance of the internet. That the internet is not just a secondary way to communicate, but has to be treated as an essential, and all important way to connect to the people.

So far he hasn't let us down. He ran one of the most internet centric campaigns ever in the history, of not just the presidential elections, but in the election of any politician in the world. He even created and maintained a very detailed site during the few months of being presidential elect - over at change.gov.

Now that he has moved into the White House, the official presidential website, the whitehouse.gov, has been completely transformed as well. Including weekly videos, a blog, proclamations, executive orders, what they are trying to do, who they are, and - most importantly - ways for the American people to participate.

Also note that the White House use YouTube, not only via the official YouTube channel, but more so directly from the blog articles at whitehouse.org (one example). BTW: Where is the official White House Facebook page?

As an internet professional myself, I really welcome this particular change. First we had Apple announcing that it would focus its attention away from fairs, and instead spent it online because it was more effective. Now we have a very high-profile US President embracing the internet as well.

Maybe now, companies will realize that the internet is not just a website, with some contact information and a few pictures of your products. The internet is where you communicate, it is where you get people to act, it is where you help people to get involved, and it is incredibly cost-effective (if done right).

#1
Jan 21
2009

Aku

Pretty.

Now teachers need to start allowing the students to actually type their essays, and we'll be one step closer to everyone understanding the internet.

3% of all humans have internet.

#2
Jan 21
2009

Thomas Baekdal

Writer, Project Manager and Interaction Designer

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3% of all humans have internet.

Huh? According to Internet World Stats, the figure is actually 21.9% (with significantly higher figures for the Europe, North America, Japan and Korea, and Oceania). The Netherlands tops the charts where more than 90% have access to the internet.

http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm

But yes, The schools seriously needs to use the internet as an integrated part of the learning process.

#3
Jan 21
2009