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We’re opening up access to Gov.uk forms

gds.blog.gov.uk

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Re: We’re opening up access to Gov.uk forms

#111

Post by ricardobayes »

LeonardoTolstoy wrote: post #64
meindnoch wrote: post #21

When I moved to the UK, one of the surprising things was how well the GOV.UK ecosystem worked. My original country uses a mishmash of Java applets, ajax-based websites, and a mixture of mildly broken, outdated web technologies, served from a variety of domains. GOV.UK was a breath of fresh air with its simple, consistent UI, served as static HTML. This is how internet services should look like.

I moved there from the US (and since then I've moved back). The main surprise was learning that working for the government is relatively high paying and considered a very nice and challenging job that great programmers coveted. At least that was my impression when a very good systems engineer workmate left my company to start working for gov.uk. I do wish there was a similar system in the US as I would find public se…

That's the same in Spain, the key is that public employees generally speaking can't be fired for performance reasons. That is the ultimate workplace in a country of 20%+ unemployment.

Re: We’re opening up access to Gov.uk forms

#112

Post by alias_neo »

jordanrobinson wrote: post #95
alias_neo wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Where did you find this? Is it part of the API response? Would be fun to use this for some digital decor at home. Next bank holiday is Christmas so I've got some time to build something! EDIT: Just found it in the JSON; shame, was hoping it would contain bunting patterns/colours. https://www.gov.uk/bank-holidays.json

If you go off this issue it looks like they use tinsel at Christmas, although I'm not sure where that logic is. https://github.com/alphagov/calendars/issues/678

I'd be interested in taking a look to see if they use different bunting styles for different occasions, my thought process was that I could create some form of digital-bunting in my home to indicate various occasions.

As a(n) (English) Brit, I believe this could be quite an excellent indicator of whether I should be drinking Guiness, Tea, Whisky, Pimms, Champagne or Mulled Wine at any given time of the year. I suppose it should live in the Kitchen, near the kettle, or the wine cooler.

Re: We’re opening up access to Gov.uk forms

#113

Post by dazc »

doublesocket wrote: post #96
meindnoch wrote: post #21

When I moved to the UK, one of the surprising things was how well the GOV.UK ecosystem worked. My original country uses a mishmash of Java applets, ajax-based websites, and a mixture of mildly broken, outdated web technologies, served from a variety of domains. GOV.UK was a breath of fresh air with its simple, consistent UI, served as static HTML. This is how internet services should look like.

The flip side of this is local government technology. Truly some of the worst crimes against web development have been committed by local councils, or rather their outsourcing partners. The service that takes that crown in my experience is tarantopermits.com, a parking permit management system that fills me with rage just thinking about it.

I often wonder why so many Local Authorities and Gov Departments have to have their own unique web portals?

There must be a massive cost-saving opportunity here.

Re: We’re opening up access to Gov.uk forms

#115

Post by habosa »

Just adding to the chorus here: I moved from the US to the UK and like any immigrant anywhere I had to fill out a lot of forms. Especially during covid, there was seemingly always a new form to fill. The Gov.uk forms are literally the most straightforward and usable internet forms I've ever used. As close to perfect as you can get.

Re: We’re opening up access to Gov.uk forms

#116

Post by qaisjp »

Chaosvex wrote: post #75
LeonardoTolstoy wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I moved there from the US (and since then I've moved back). The main surprise was learning that working for the government is relatively high paying and considered a very nice and challenging job that great programmers coveted. At least that was my impression when a very good systems engineer workmate left my company to start working for gov.uk. I do wish there was a similar system in the US as I would find public se…

This is definitely not true. Developers are better off in the private sector and I've never heard of any developer regard working for the government as coveted or prestigious.

When I retire I want to go work for the GDS

Re: We’re opening up access to Gov.uk forms

#117

Post by nonrandomstring »

Gud wrote: post #98
pjc50 wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Everyone uses Google Analytics. I don't find it particularly high up any list of real worries.

I don’t. I despise Google and what they became and so should you. Maybe my 10 visits a day webpage is an anomaly, and I’m truly the only one not using Google analytics - Still, don’t pretend Google analytics is used by everyone.

For our podcast we specifically set up Plausible to exclude Google analytics. Rather little of value to be gained or lost either way, but it's a matter of conscience and politeness to our users. Sadly we had to put in links to other big-tech application platforms, but those are links to click out of choice if you're a user of those services.

Re: We’re opening up access to Gov.uk forms

#118

Post by NavinF »

dazc wrote: post #108
pjc50 wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Everyone uses Google Analytics. I don't find it particularly high up any list of real worries.

A lot of people use google analytics for no logical reason what soever though. Typical use case for a small to medium website seems to be a list of most visited pages.

That's a perfectly logical reason to use GA. As long as HTTP servers don't have a built-in UI for analytics, people will continue to use GA (with server side Measurement Protocol for counting hits from people with adblockers) for that use case.

Re: We’re opening up access to Gov.uk forms

#119

Post by jeff_vader »

meindnoch wrote: post #21

When I moved to the UK, one of the surprising things was how well the GOV.UK ecosystem worked. My original country uses a mishmash of Java applets, ajax-based websites, and a mixture of mildly broken, outdated web technologies, served from a variety of domains. GOV.UK was a breath of fresh air with its simple, consistent UI, served as static HTML. This is how internet services should look like.

The design, look and feel is great. Authenticating / proving your identity on the other hand is lacking: https://www.gov.uk/using-your-gov-uk-one-login/proving-your-...

Meanwhile, at least in some EU countries, you can authenticate using your identity card and USB smartcard reader.

Re: We’re opening up access to Gov.uk forms

#120

Post by kwhitefoot »

jeff_vader wrote: post #119
meindnoch wrote: post #21

When I moved to the UK, one of the surprising things was how well the GOV.UK ecosystem worked. My original country uses a mishmash of Java applets, ajax-based websites, and a mixture of mildly broken, outdated web technologies, served from a variety of domains. GOV.UK was a breath of fresh air with its simple, consistent UI, served as static HTML. This is how internet services should look like.

The design, look and feel is great. Authenticating / proving your identity on the other hand is lacking: https://www.gov.uk/using-your-gov-uk-one-login/proving-your-... Meanwhile, at least in some EU countries, you can authenticate using your identity card and USB smartcard reader.

It can be done without an ID card and card reader too. BankID is what we use in Norway.
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