Unpredictable opportunities.

• Author: Varn, Richard J.
• Position: Internet - Includes related articles

It's only a decade since you had to adjust to computers, first in the clerks' offices then in your own. Now prepare to adjust to the Internet and its infinite possibilities.

IT WILL FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE THE WAY GOVERNMENT WORKS.

IT IS JUST ANOTHER COMMUNICATIONS TOOL AMONG A SUCCESSION OF SUCH TOOLS THAT WILL AFFECT GOVERNMENT, BUT NOT FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE IT.

Which is the true statement about the Internet? in the short run, probably the latter. In the long run, we all will probably look like fools for whatever predictions we make.

Here's what we know now:

* Before the end of the decade the Internet will be widespread, commonly available and easily accessible by the vast majority of Americans either in their homes or their neighborhoods.

* The Internet will carry all types of electronic communication (e-mail, publishing, radio, television, telephone, etc.), be more accessible than libraries and at least as accessible as cable TV (now in more than 60 percent of homes).

* Everything but warm hugs, hot coffee and cold beverages will become electronic and part of this medium.

* A medium that carries the electronic transactions of our society will carry the transactions of government even if some dragging, kicking and screaming ensue in the interim.

* The Internet will make information accessible regardless of language, political boundaries or data format. The Net will encourage collaboration between governments.

* Because information flows so easily, better ideas are spread farther and improved upon much more quickly (and bad news will travel faster than ever). This means the paradoxical increase in power of those who want to import new ideas as well as those who use the bad news to oppose change.

* Inexpensive, in-depth (text/graphics/audio/video) communication will allow people to work together in "virtual project teams" and "virtual organizations" through the Internet, regardless of their location or formal employer. But it will take one to two generations for this approach to be the norm for the organization of work.

* Information technologies like the Internet can and will be used to manipulate and control people as well as to empower them.

So what are legislatures and their members and staff supposed to do in response to the growth and spread of this technology? Start by being an active user. Users "get it." Non-users do not. Second, stay focused on outcomes and goals such as making government user-friendly. Focusing on the technology instead of the people who will be receiving the message is like building on quicksand. Finally, and most important, think about the strategic opportunities and perils technologies like the Internet present. Policy issues that have to be dealt with fall into seven key areas: access, dissemination, services, transactions, privacy, policymaking and citizen participation.

SHARING GOVERNMENT WITH THE PEOPLE

Access is opening up the process. It's giving citizens the opportunity to see government in action and to get the same information lawmakers use to make decisions. There's only one word to describe what's going to happen when the public seeks government information via the Internet: "MORE."

Now, only a few citizens take the time and trouble to acquire information about government. It's the newspaper or the radio that clues them in about a proposed law or agency change. If the legislature is considering an increase in child care funding, citizens make phone calls, visit the library and exchange snail mail with legislators to get an answer about the issue.

With Internet access a dick or voice command away, more people will want more information more often. It doesn't mean that most...