Communication between
governments and citizens is being revolutionized with the release of YouTown, a
new platform that allows agencies to publish local news, events, maps,
calendars, and services straight to the mobile devices of residents.
This is a big step towards
mobile government,” said Michael Riedyk, founder and CEO of DotGov, the
Seattle-based company that created YouTown. Cities won’t have to worry about
developing their own apps for different departments and agencies. They can now
sign up at YouTown.com and go mobile within a few hours without any costs.”
YouTown has been
under development for the past year and recently tested by over 25 cities,
counties, and agencies across the US
and Canada.
The options for data publication
range from Facebook and Twitter feeds to nature trails and parks maps, from
holiday sanitation schedules to local cultural events. Agencies are encouraged
to use YouTown
for their unique requirements; the app is versatile enough to accommodate a
wide variety of feeds and data.
For agencies aiming to
increase their use of technology to promote a culture of transparency and
participation, YouTown fits the bill. The City of Enid,
in northern Oklahoma,
participated in the development process of the app and found it valuable as an
avenue of connection to citizens and potential visitors alike.
Enid is publishing local
news and event feeds, descriptions of city services (like public transit
information), and an impressive variety of maps that chart locations for family
fun, fire stations, schools, dining, shopping, and beyond.
Derrick Silas, Web
developer for the City of Enid, OK, was able to establish the city’s mobile
presence within a few hours. YouTown provides that interaction in a form that
people already use often — the mobile device. YouTown allows us to be on the
forefront of government mobile technology. It allows Enid to maximize its dedication to providing
current and prospective citizens, visitors, and businesses a means of two-way
communication with the city,” Silas said.
By TelecomLead.com Team
[email protected]
