America Online Launches New Government Guide.Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers DULLES, VA.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 6, 2001 Expanded New Service Provides Easy Access to more than 60,000 Government Sites ZIP Code zip code System of postal-zone codes (zip stands for “zone improvement plan”) introduced in the U.S. in 1963 to improve mail delivery and exploit electronic reading and sorting capabilities. Feature Gives Citizens a Direct Link to Localized Information America Online See AOL. , the world's leading interactive service, today launched its new GovernmentGuide 2.0 (www.governmentguide.com), the most comprehensive online listing of federal, state and local government information, resources and services. Building on the success of GovernmentGuide 1.0 unveiled in 1999, AOL (A division of Time Warner, Inc., New York, NY, www.aol.com) The world's largest online information service with access to the Internet, e-mail, chat rooms and a variety of databases and services. has expanded the service to include more than 60,000 federal, state and local sites in a clear, easily searchable directory. With the simple click of the mouse, consumers can get quick-click access to the most complete listings of federal, state and local information - from the smallest city hall to the biggest federal agency. Using the new GovernmentGuide, for the first time ever citizens across the nation will have access to ZIP code-specific government information. By simply typing in any ZIP code, citizens can receive a personalized guide about the myriad of federal, state, county and local government services in their region. Citizens can learn how to register to vote, pay their taxes, register a boat, dispose of recyclables and find a registered day care provider for their children. With new consumer-friendly features - such as the Citizen Toolbox - the new GovernmentGuide gives citizens easy shortcuts See Win Shortcuts. to taking care of everyday tasks like renewing a driver's license Noun 1. driver's license - a license authorizing the bearer to drive a motor vehicle driver's licence, driving licence, driving license license, permit, licence - a legal document giving official permission to do something . "The Internet has helped transform the relationship between citizens and their government, and AOL has been a leader in providing easy access to online government resources. Today's announcement builds on these efforts to use the Internet to bring government closer to the people," said Kathleen deLaski, America Online's Director of Political and Government Programming. "By employing cutting-edge technology, citizens can now access the wealth of resources at all levels of government, simply by entering their ZIP code." In 1999, AOL unveiled its first GovernmentGuide, a free on-line tool available to citizens to help them locate and make use of thousands of federal government services and resources available on the Internet. From reporting problems with children's cribs to figuring out how to pay for college, GovernmentGuide has directed millions of Americans to the most useful Web-based resources within the government. This site - which has been rated by Jupiter's Media Metrix as the No. 1 online consumer site for federal government information - has helped take the bureaucracy out of government, make government more responsive to the needs of citizens and even expand opportunities for participation in our democracy. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a new online survey by Digital Marketing Services (DMS (1) (Document Management System) See document management. (2) (Defense Messaging System) An X.500-compliant messaging system developed by the U.S. Dept. of Defense. ), a leading provider of online research, 79 percent of the 992 respondents polled feel that the Internet has helped the government make information more accessible to the general public. In addition, 66 percent of respondents feel the government has been very successful in using the Internet to provide online services, resources, and information. Of those polled, 72 percent have used government services or received information via the Internet. "As more and more government information and resources are put online, AOL's GovernmentGuide is helping consumers find those services in a user-friendly way," said Ms. deLaski. "Because the vast majority of government services are conducted at state and local levels, GovernmentGuide addresses the localized needs of consumers across the nation. " The DMS survey also revealed that, of those who used the Internet for government services or information, more than half accessed information about taxes. With April 15th looming, consumers can quickly access tax forms as well as tax planning Tax planning Devising strategies throughout the year in order to minimize tax liability, for example, by choosing a tax filing status that is most beneficial to the taxpayer. advice via the GovernmentGuide's Tax Center. GovernmentGuide's one-stop tax planning site provides information about filing extensions, obtaining refunds, filing returns electronically and more. Users can also send the IRS An abbreviation for the Internal Revenue Service, a federal agency charged with the responsibility of administering and enforcing internal revenue laws. comments on any tax issue. Key features of the New GovernmentGuide include: State Information: To better provide resources at all levels of government, the new GovernmentGuide also features the nation's most comprehensive database of links to state government Internet sites. Through its alliance with NIC (1) (Network Interface Card) See network adapter. See also InterNIC. (2) (New Internet Computer) An earlier Linux-based computer from The New Internet Computer Company (NICC), Palo Alto, CA. , "The eGovernment Company(TM)," over 26,000 state government links are now incorporated throughout the site, and are complemented by navigational tools that direct users directly to the services they are seeking. A Personalized Guide: By typing in their ZIP code, citizens can access localized, tailored information on everything from the structure of their local governments to the location of the local library or trash dump. In the top 15 most populated cities across the nation, AOL has created an extensive and organized guide by combining the state and local sites to make them more consumer-friendly and easy to navigate. These cities include: New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , NY, Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. , Phoenix, San Antonio San Antonio (săn ăntō`nēō, əntōn`), city (1990 pop. 935,933), seat of Bexar co., S central Tex., at the source of the San Antonio River; inc. 1837. , Dallas, Detroit, San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden , Boston, Washington, DC, Miami, Nashville and Long Beach, CA. In the coming months, AOL will expand this feature to additional cities. In the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified" meantime, meanwhile , for all other cities, when typing in a ZIP code, citizens will gain access to over 28,000 links to the official county and city government sites. Citizen Toolbox: Most Americans prefer to spend time hiking with kids rather than renewing a driver's license. And, most also would rather be making money than figuring out how to get a home business license. Citizen Toolbox provides quick easy shortcuts to taking care of everyday tasks, so that Americans can get quick information and service online instead of waiting in line. Citizen Toolbox provides easy-to-complete "How Do I?" forms for 16 different areas, including: Caring for an Older Parent, Filing State Taxes, Paying for College and Running a Business, by State. Neighborhood Action Center: The new GovernmentGuide includes a new feature called Neighborhood Action Center, where citizens can have quick and direct access to information to help solve community problems. Rather than searching through the yellow pages or waiting on hold with the town hall, citizens can find the right information to get a street sign fixed , report a stray animal or fill a pothole pothole, in geology, cylindrical pit formed in the rocky channel of a turbulent stream. It is formed and enlarged by the abrading action of pebbles and cobbles that are carried by eddies, or circular water currents that move against the main current of a stream. . Other popular features of GovernmentGuide: One-Stop Complaint Center - Consumers can use GovernmentGuide to immediately register their concerns with the appropriate federal agency about problems they've encountered with products or services. Government Checklist - After responding to a few questions, this feature gives users a personalized list of federal sites that help with important tasks such as caring for an older parent, obtaining a passport or visa, or paying for college. My Elected Officials - Through a continued partnership with Capitol Advantage Capitol Advantage is a technology and publishing firm based in Fairfax, VA. The company is the largest publisher of Congressional directories in the country as well as the market leader in software for online advocacy, having over 1,700 clients. , the new GovernmentGuide includes the popular My Elected Officials feature, which helps citizens keep tabs on their elected officials. Citizens can find out how their senators or representatives voted on key issues, offer input before upcoming votes, and send them E-mails to register their opinions. The Leader Meter - Citizens can let President Bush know how he's handling issues that are important to them by registering their voices in The Leader Meter. Total Recall Center: This feature allows users to become more informed consumers by checking this area for the latest product recalls. These and other GovernmentGuide services are provided free so all Americans can use the power of the Information Age to improve their daily lives. GovernmentGuide is accessible through AOL Keyword: Government and on the Web at www.governmentguide.com. CompuServe, Netscape and Digital City will also carry GovernmentGuide. About America Online America Online Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary Wholly Owned Subsidiary A subsidiary whose parent company owns 100% of its common stock. Notes: In other words, the parent company owns the company outright and there are no minority owners. of AOL Time Warner, Inc. Based in Dulles, Virginia Dulles, Virginia is an unincorporated census-designated place located in Loudoun County, Virginia, part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. The headquarters of AOL, Orbital Sciences Corporation and ODIN technologies and the former headquarters of MCI Inc. are located in Dulles. , America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services. |
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