City redesigns its Internet site

Carson City updated its Web site during the Labor Day weekend, its first major overhaul since it was created several years ago.

Though it looks better, making it easier to use also is important, said Kevin Haggerty, the city's information technology director.

Rather than exclusively going to department pages to find information about activities and services, the idea is also to allow people to search "verbs and nouns" to get what they need, Haggerty said.

Another goal is to use the Web as a way to inform the public during emergencies. The new system will allow the city to provide information quickly and update it frequently, he said.

"We didn't have that during the flood this past winter," Haggerty said.

The city hasn't kept track of the number of visitors the site receives. This capability, however, will be added soon.

"It's very much a work in progress," he said. "There have been glitches."

People who use Internet bookmarks may have to reset them for the new Web site. Go to the city's home page (carson-city.nv.us) use the menus mostly at the top to find the sections used frequently to bookmark them again.

The municipal code section, however, is one of the sections that has remained in the same location.

Not all of the sections of the Web site have been updated yet. And visitors shouldn't be surprised to find empty pages in some instances. This is because the pages are being filled by workers throughout the city as they find the time. They were given training on how to put information on the site a couple of weeks ago, Haggerty said.

"We believe this is a good medium to get information to the public," he said. "Hopefully it will be more user-friendly. And we'll continue to make it that way."

As part of the redesign, the home page is mostly blue and has a softer appearance than before.

The print is the same virtually throughout the site and is easier to read than before. One of about a dozen photos can show up on the home page, each of a Carson locale. Hit the refresh button and a different picture will show up.

To report technical problems or make comments, call Information Technology at 887-2160.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

On the Net

• Carson City's main page: www.carson-city.nv.us

• To report technical problems or make comments, call Information Technology at 887-2160.