Myth #1 “Southold Town Government can have a useful website
for free.”
Truth: While a website can be the most effective and efficient
form of communication for appropriate purposes, time and money
are required to create an appropriate website. Freedom is something
we need to work (not fight) for. Southold Town can not afford
not to pay a reasonable amount to create a more appropriate
website.
Myth #2 “Southold Town Data Processing Department is
capable of creating an appropriate website for Southold Town
Government.”
Truth: Southold Town Data Processing Department is competent
to manage the technical aspects of posting a website on the
web, but has neither any intention nor the ability to imagine
much less assemble either the content or the prerequisite
form.
Myth #3 “All you need is the right content”
Truth: Before you start you need to imagine a vision of the
ultimate contents. Just as Southold Town government is in a
sense nothing but a municipal corporation, but that corporations
interacts with every person, group and business in Southold
Town. The website should include a view of Town Hall. But, the
website should also include views from Town Hall.
Myth #4 “Websites are like biuldings, you put them up
and forget about them”
Truth: If a website is “finished” it is time to
take it down. As long as a website is being read, and possibly
rewritten, it is still unfinished.
The things that need doing then are to keep the website moving
in the direction of positive progress. Historically and continuing
today, Southold Town website currently changes only when absolutely
forced to, thus moving in a very negative direction.
Myth #5 “Websites are easy”, or “Websites are
hard”.
Truth: While is takes considerable knowledge and skill to
be a website architect and create a new website, Reading from,
and writing on, an existing website shouldn’t take a “webmaster”.
Anyone who can read and write basic english should be able
to
read and write an appropriate website.
Myth #6 “Websites are useless.”
Truth: A website does not replace a police car, a meeting
hall, or a telephone number. Or does it?
