I like the blame/shame idea but think that it will only make matters worse and I dont think it’s a viable solution. I dont have any better ideas and have grappled with this problem before amongst peers. I’m afraid we’ll just have to wait for the next generation to grow up and take over…

It can mirror the same concept except that it would include a section on “websites that need help”. Surely that would be a little better than a website dedicated to detecting site imperfections as it would feature examples good web design (“Coda, your url will surely be on top of the kickbutt heap”). Each entry in the “need help” category would then have a blog-style list of points detailing the problems detected

Wouldn’t that dilute the shaming element considerably? Just a thought. Whaddya think?

@lebogang: You raise some very (albeit hypothetical) valid points, I wonder if they’d even considered any of that before getting the basics right first. Let’s hope not, but it would be awesome. It will be interesting to see what they produce over the next few months.

@Johan: Thanks for the feedback. In hindsight, “shames” wasn’t the right word to use. The forum shouldn’t involve pointing fingers or being exploitative – I realise that I made it sound like it could be. As I said about my previous evangelistic efforts, I doubt they worked because nobody likes to hear where they’re failing. But solutions begin by identifying the problems, which is why the IEC are now (we hope) moving forward. I’m open to more mature suggestions though.

It’s my intention that this be a community-driven project which local designers and developers can get behind and support, rather than feel threatened by. I read a great quote this week:

People on a design team must be as happy to be wrong as right. If their ideas hold up under strong (but fair) criticism, then great, they can proceed with confidence. If their ideas are rejected with good rationale, then they have learned something. A healthy team is made up of people who have the attitude that it is better to learn something new than to be right.

Alongside this list, links to local designers and developers who are accredited with providing the relevant services that meet this demand – and are willing to do it for a budget well within R3 million. ”

Dont you think by doing this you will just get into the same trouble you found yourself in with the blog post you recently put up about another company?
I don’t think this is up to us to exploit things, its up to use to make sure the sites we build are following the correct guidelines and rules that have been put in place.

Instead of pointing out issues rather find mature solutions to the problem.

I don’t mind the 3 million being spent on the site — From I heard the last time around the IEC spent quite a bit on getting the ballot paper to be understood by ALL who can vote — maybe they are doing the same thing with the site — maybe also, they will merge it with other platforms (mobile) — maybe they are consolidating it to work also with the ‘election day counting’ (making the information available not only on tv, but radio, mobile, the net); maybe they are including ways for other platforms to be able to poll data from the site; maybe they are improving on security, authenticity of the information; maybe they are also integrating with home affairs, maybe they are migrating from platform to another; maybe they are also integrating it with GIS (Google Maps doesn’t count in Rural South/Africa); maybe they are prototyping it so as to use it across Africa, so it can work next time around? maybe they will include online videos, audio, live streaming; maybe its a 3 year contract; maybe they is a lot of work to be done, than us thinking making the site work on FF3 is all that is needed.

Just maybe, it does cost 3 million do all those things. If I was consulted to build all these maybes, I am dam sure, it will cost around 3 million.

Besides, the AIM of the IEC is to ensure that elections are Free AND Fair — and maybe finally, somebody in government realised that the ‘web’ is also a medium.

my 2,999,999,98¢