As the media has been reporting this week on Obama's first 100 days of Presidency, I want to take moment to look at the change we have seen...on the website. Now, whichever way you voted, you can't deny that the promise of change was kept, at least on the web.
In a time when the government frequently has become the example of how NOT to do things. The king of red tape, convoluted processes and $30,000 toilet seats, I have to say that how the site has evolved is quite remarkable. An understated beauty, simple, elegant and jam packed with information, http://www.whitehouse.gov/ has really come into it's own. The use of a serif font on the web has been carried off as well or better than anything I have come across. The balance of live type and graphics, understated gradients, not to mention a wealth of content.All with a reasonable load time.
From a standpoint of historical data alone, the site is rich with information and photos of past Presidents, the Oval Office, Camp David, Air Force One and the division of power which has made our country what it is today. The educational content can serve children and adults alike, and serves as an example for communities, as well as business.
I didn't capture an image of what the site looked like previously, but was able to locate this article from Gismodo with images of both sites as the respective President took office.
Granted, other factors at play as well. In 8 years, a lot has changed; bandwidth, technology, Flash, image compression, etc. We have come into a more sophisticated time for websites, in the midst of the "economic downturn" companies have been pulling back on print media, mailings and the like and placing more focus on new media options. As we become more and more wired, I believe this trend will continue. I was at a social gathering recently and were discussing a website, in a flash of digital blur, out whips a cell phone and we are instantly browsing the site. The world literally at your fingertips.
When you visit your website today, is it time for a change?