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Albany, NY - Soon businesses, citizens, and government officials will be able to find expanded New York information on the Internet. Anyone sitting at a home computer or using the office workstation will be able to use any service that connects with the World Wide Web, such as America On-line, CompuServe or community services like CRISNY  to get government information and services. Governor Pataki launched the New York State Home Page in December. Since then, the Center for Technology in Government (CTG) has been guiding several New York agencies through the process of developing their own Web sites. On Thursday morning June 20, 1996, the Center will host a demonstration of the "Internet Testbed" project in the recital hall of the University at Albany. Seven agencies, including Empire State Development, the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, Hamilton County, the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal, the NYS Division of Military and Naval Affairs, the NYS Office of Real Property Services, and the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services will be on hand to describe their participation in the project. 

The Internet Testbed was designed to help agencies provide greater, more cost-effective access to government. The major benefits to being on the Internet's Web are the ability to deliver government services and information 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing one-stop service to citizens, and eliminating duplication of data and effort. CTG conducted workshops on Internet tools, graphics, costs and management considerations and brought in corporate experts to assist team members. State representatives had hands-on practice in using software and hardware in the Center's Technology Solutions laboratory. Since an agency's information can be seen by anyone around the world once it's on the Web, design considerations, accuracy and ease of use were important issues to discuss and resolve. The NYS Forum for Information Resource Management and the NY State Archives and Records Administration are also cooperating on the project.

The Center for Technology in Government is continuing to work on a technologies component of the Internet Testbed. In addition to studying Internet security issues, the Center is also examining the World Wide Web as a universal mechanism for delivery of New York services. The Web has the potential to integrate the delivery of service and to present a more unified and user-friendly way for citizens to find and use government services. The researchers will investigate whether the Web is sophisticated enough and open enough for conducting business. The State University of New York Central Administration (SUNY Central) is a partner in the Technologies Testbed project.

The mission of the Center for Technology in Government at the University at Albany is to foster public sector innovation, enhance capability, generate public value, and support good governance. We carry out this mission through applied research, knowledge sharing, and collaboration at the intersection of policy, management, and technology.