Good online citizenship really is a little like good governance, or good customer relations, just online. It's made possible by the ever-changing Web, with the addition of a two-point-oh behind the Web bit.
The Internet is a great tool, when used properly. Spending most of my time behind a PC screen, it's often my first point of contact with companies. Sometimes, I get lucky and can actually find contact details, or whatever other information I seek.
Sometimes, and this is oddly still the case with some corporate Web sites, I get nowhere. Nothing, nada, zip. This amazes me. I cannot imagine why in this day-and-age there are still companies that have Web sites that are simply not navigable. What would Christopher Columbus think? Out to sea without a map, no doubt.
More infuriating are those little 'contact us' forms, with no alternatives provided. Sure, now that's going to yield a response. I'm convinced those forms are archived in file 13.
No rules
What would Christopher Columbus think? Out to sea without a map, no doubt.
Nicola Mawson, senior journalist, ITWeb
Online, however, does not have rules, unlike the road network system. Unless I'm mistaken, it is not permissible for busses to travel at over 100km/h on a suburban road, hooting as they go zooming along.
So, like a good citizen, I try in vain to inform said bus company of said atrocious behavior. Turns out, this particular firm is a 'bad online citizen'.
Other entities are moving in to fill the gap. Hello Peter is one example that comes to mind. Often, consumers can get issues resolved through this complaint forum, a feat that could simply not be achieved by following the normal channels. Some of the comments are rather amusing.
Road Hogs is another site where you can get your own back when drivers on the road act like complete imbeciles. On this site, you anonymously enter information, such as location, registration number and a brief description. The site is moderated, which is just as well when looking at some of the comments.
The Arrive Alive site also deals with traffic offences. Apart from tips on road safety and news, the site allows motorists to fill in a form that is then allegedly sent to the registered owner of the offending number plate. I don't know if this is actually the case, but this does strike me as a good way of making the net work.
As the Internet becomes more pervasive, and broadband becomes more of a reality, I suspect we will see more advocates making their way onto the World Wide Web. This can only be a good thing.
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