Our reader survey last year indicated we were on target - 65 percent of you said you've employed ideas from GT articles to help improve your agency's operation. That was very gratifying, but we'd like to make sure we're out in front of the curve so we can capture that momentum and increase it.
We've incorporated your suggestions, and come up with some great ideas of our own. We've added a "solutions summary" box up front on most articles - a thumbnail sketch that includes the problem, the solution, the agency or jurisdiction and who to contact for more information. Our Art Director William Widmaier has designed informational icons that highlight the type of application a story covers, and what level of government is involved. It won't make any difference for those of you who said you read GT cover to cover, but if you're looking for a social service or GIS article at your own level of government, it should be easier to find.
Every jurisdiction mentioned in an article appears in our new editorial index (pg. 80). You'll find your state - and perhaps your county or city - listed there.
Technology has a light side, too, which we'll cover in our new "Department of Deengineering" (pg. 82). We'll feature cartoons by Rich Tennant and Scott Adams (Dilbert).
In 1995, we'll be interviewing senior officials who influence our technology future. This month it's Hawaii Sen. Carol Fukunaga (pg. 26), next month we'll feature California Assemblywoman Debra Bowen.
Also in this issue, we've interviewed futurist James Burke. How long with the Information Age last? What will follow? Is literacy dead? Is electronic surveillance of citizens inevitable in our approaching networked society? Find out Burke's view on page 32.
The November elections underscored the growing importance of state and local government as the focal point of service delivery to all Americans. In the year ahead, your role in managing technology to meet the challenges in human services, public safety, criminal justice and more will continue to grow.
This new year will bring challenges, discomfort, change and success. May it also bring new ideas, more helpful technologies and a fuller understanding of what needs to be done and how to do it.
We want to help, let us know how we're doing. You can e-mail us at: webmaster@govtech.net
