California Refreshes CA.Gov SiteCalifornia Refreshes CA.Gov Site

California has launched a major redesign of its CA.gov Web site that features a rich user interface, improved search capabilities, and more access to government data and services than its predecessor, according to state CIO Teri Takai.

The move is part of numerous efforts Takai's office has undertaken to improve IT operations and make its activities more transparent to foster better engagement with California residents. To promote the updated site, the state has posted a video tour of it on its YouTube channel.

The site features a much richer and more contemporary user interface, including a Flash-based 3-D photo gallery of picturesque locations around the state on the home page.

To help people take advantage of the new multimedia features of the site, developers have added proxy-detection technology to render it for optimum viewing depending on what presentation technology is on the other end. For instance, the site can detect Flash and will render in Flash for people viewing the site on a device that has that technology, or will upload Flash-free if a device does not have it.

Search capabilities also have been improved to make information easier to find. Specifically, developers redesigned search so that categories and hierarchy of information are based on the most popular search terms used by past visitors of the site, according to Takai's office.

The site also now includes a directory of agencies that can be searched by keyword. The directory also includes the social media Web sites of specific agencies. Location-based search technology that displays information about relevant local facilities, government offices, and services has been added to the site as well.

The redesign also features an updated public-data site, data.ca.gov, providing access to more than 100 million records. People can create custom mashup applications out of the records as well.

There is also a strong mobile component to the revamped site. It gives people access to 20 applications they can access from a variety of smartphones, including the iPhone. People also can access searchable maps that include data on thousands of state government facilities -- including field offices, state parks, public schools, universities, libraries, and more -- from mobile devices.

The new site is one of many improvements to California's IT operations and properties Takai has been working on for the past several years. In 2007, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Takai to serve as state CIO to try to improve a disorganized and poorly managed IT department.

Other efforts Takai is in charge of include a massive data consolidation project that will reduce the state's data center space 50% by July 2011 and cut energy usage from IT operations 30% by July 2012.

However, Takai soon may be leaving the state for a federal position. In March President Obama nominated her as the new CIO and assistant secretary for networks and information integration at the Department of Defense. She has not yet been confirmed.