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Reset Rating

In the past decade, there has been an explosion of online services offered by government. Because technologies are ever-developing and ever-changing, we should be asking: How meaningful are these services and resources? And because for some politicians press releases are more important than sound policy, we have to ask: Are these new features beneficial or just buggy? The Ultimate Test: Are these services actually easier than going to City Hall — getting in your car or hopping on the bus, showing up at a public office, standing in line, and speaking with a public employee? In the era of Gov 2.0, a movement to improve processes for, participation in, and accessibility of government by utilizing advancements in technology, conversations like these are happening across the country. Politicians love to proclaim, “there’s an app for that.” But do these new applications, API’s and platforms actually work to make our governments better and our lives easier? The Reset Ratings offer a readout on these new online resources. Right now, we are reviewing San Francisco City and County services, but we will expand to state and federal services in the months ahead. Each service is evaluated using five categories: Accessibility: Is this service: offered in languages other than English, intuitive, available on mobile devices, and available offline? Ease of Use: Can I do this in my sleep? Really? Design: Are the pages and forms visually consistent? Like Steve Krug says, “Don’t make me think!” The Guide: If the process isn’t intuitive, does the service offer minimally confusing instructions to walk me through it? Feedback: How do I let them know when something isn’t working? Or when I am really happy that something is working? Each category is rated on a three-point scale, the points are cumulated, and a total grade is assessed out of 15 points: 15/15 = A+, 14/15 = A, 13/15 = A-, and so on. We’ve given you our thoughts on these services guided by this rubric, but the conversation doesn’t stop here. Tell us what you think: are we right? Then: how can the government do this better?

About the Reset Rating
10 years ago

About the Reset Rating

By  •  Reset Rating

In the past decade, there has been an explosion of online services offered by government. Because technologies are ever-developing and ever-changing, we should be asking: How meaningful are these services …
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How do I report a crime in San Francisco online?
13 years ago

How do I report a crime in San Francisco online?

By  •  Reset Rating

Link: http://sf-police.org/index.aspx?page=778

The only thing worse than having your unattended laptop stolen at a Peet’s coffee shop is then having to go to the SFPD to file a report for that stolen laptop. The San Francisco …
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How do I license my dog in San Francisco? Fido, Web 2.0 … Web 2.0, Fido
13 years ago

How do I license my dog in San Francisco? Fido, Web 2.0 … Web 2.0, Fido

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Link: http://www.sfgov2.org/index.aspx?page=1047

In San Francisco, it is illegal to own a dog without licensing your pet (and apparently people should license dogs for other reasons, legality aside). To attempt to make it easier …
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How do I pay for my San Francisco parking ticket online?
13 years ago

How do I pay for my San Francisco parking ticket online?

By  •  Reset Rating

By: Katie Short

Link: https://wmq.etimspayments.com/main.jsp

That parking ticket you received while popping into the post office for just a second can now be paid online in less time than it took you to go into …
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Crime Maps – How safe is my neighborhood?
13 years ago

Crime Maps – How safe is my neighborhood?

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Link: http://www.sf-police.org/index.aspx?page=1618

Moving to a new apartment in another San Francisco neighborhood? Wondering why your apartment is so cheap despite the wood floors and new, attractive Kohler faucets?

CrimeMAPs, generated by The Omega …
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How to purchase a SFMTA Parking Meter Card?
13 years ago

How to purchase a SFMTA Parking Meter Card?

By  •  Reset Rating

By: Katie Short

Link: https://wmq.etimspayments.com/input.jsp

For that Saturday drive to Golden Gate Park, toting a picnic, you no longer need to stop by a Bank of the West and pick up …
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