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|type = sponsored top level domain ([[sTLD]])
|type = sponsored top level domain ([[sTLD]])
|community = U.S. government entities
|community = U.S. government entities
|keypeople = Martha N. Johnson, Administrator
|keypeople = [[Martha N. Johnson]], Administrator
}}
}}
'''.gov''' is one of the original [[TLD|top-level domain names]]s (TLDs) that was implemented in the [[Root Zone|root zone]] of the internet [[DNS|Domain Name System]] (DNS). The domain is a short term for "government." Use is restricted to United States government agencies, and therefore it is considered a [[sTLD|sponsored top-level domain name]] (sTLD). The other TLDs introduced by [[Jon Postel]] and [[Joyce Reynolds]] at the same time were [[.arpa]] [[.com]], [[.edu]], [[.net]], [[.mil]], and [[.org]].<ref>[http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc920 RFC 920]</ref> The [[GSA|General Services Administration]] (GSA), an independent agency responsible for supervising the businesses of the United States federal government, serves as the administrator of .gov domain.<ref>[http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104774 About GSA]</ref>
'''.gov''' is one of the original [[TLD|top-level domain names]]s (TLDs) that was implemented in the [[Root Zone|root zone]] of the internet [[DNS|Domain Name System]] (DNS). The domain is a short term for "government." Use is restricted to United States government agencies, and therefore it is considered a [[sTLD|sponsored top-level domain name]] (sTLD). The other TLDs introduced by [[Jon Postel]] and [[Joyce Reynolds]] at the same time were [[.arpa]] [[.com]], [[.edu]], [[.net]], [[.mil]], and [[.org]].<ref>[http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc920 RFC 920]</ref> The [[GSA|General Services Administration]] (GSA), an independent agency responsible for supervising the businesses of the United States federal government, serves as the administrator of .gov domain.<ref>[http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104774 About GSA]</ref>
==.Gov Reform Initiative==
==.Gov Reform Initiative==
On December 13, 2011, President Barack Obama launched the Campaign to Cut Waste and signed Executive Order 13576-Delivering an Efficient, Effective, and Accountable Government. Part of this campaign is the 'gov Reform Initiative which aims to identify and consolidate unnecessary websites to reduce costs and deliver better services to Americans. The .gov Task Force was tasked to lead the initiative.Members of the Task Force include Chief Information Officers, Web Managers, New Media Directors and other entities with extensive knowledge and experience regarding federal web requirements, policies and public & customer service. <ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/06/13/executive-order-delivering-efficient-effective-and-accountable-governmen Executive Order 13576--Delivering an Efficient, Effective, and Accountable Government]</ref> <ref>[http://www.usa.gov/WebReform.shtml#what .gov Reform Effort: Improving Federal Websites]</ref>
On December 13, 2011, President Barack Obama launched the Campaign to Cut Waste and signed Executive Order 13576-Delivering an Efficient, Effective, and Accountable Government. Part of this campaign is the 'gov Reform Initiative which aims to identify and consolidate unnecessary websites to reduce costs and deliver better services to Americans. The .gov Task Force was tasked to lead the initiative. Members of the Task Force include Chief Information Officers, Web Managers, New Media Directors and other entities with extensive knowledge and experience regarding federal web requirements, policies and public & customer service. <ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/06/13/executive-order-delivering-efficient-effective-and-accountable-governmen Executive Order 13576--Delivering an Efficient, Effective, and Accountable Government]</ref> <ref>[http://www.usa.gov/WebReform.shtml#what .gov Reform Effort: Improving Federal Websites]</ref>
On December 16, 2011, the .gov Task Force published the State of the Federal Web Report with the following key findings:<ref>[http://www.usa.gov/webreform/state-of-the-web.pdf State of the Federal Web Report]</ref>
On December 16, 2011, the .gov Task Force published the State of the Federal Web Report with the following key findings:<ref>[http://www.usa.gov/webreform/state-of-the-web.pdf State of the Federal Web Report]</ref>
* There is a wide discrepancy in the number of available domain names and websites.Based on the self-reported .gov web inventory there are 1,489 domains and approximately 11,013 websites from 56 agencies.
* There is wide discrepancy in the number of available domain names and websites. Based on the self-reported .gov web inventory there are 1,489 domains and approximately 11,013 websites from 56 agencies.
* Five major agencies reported 100 domains
* Five major agencies reported 100 domains
* Nineteen percent (19%) are inactive
* Nineteen percent (19%) are inactive
* Agencies plan to eliminate and merge 30% of domains and maintain the remaining 70%
* Agencies plan to eliminate and merge 30% of domains and maintain the remaining 70%
* Thirty five percent (35%) of agencies implements standard web policies and procedures across their departments/agencies.
* Thirty five percent (35%) of agencies implement standard web policies and procedures across their departments/agencies.
* A total of 250 web hosting provides services for the agencies with an average of 10 provider per agency.
* A total of 250 web hosting providers service the agencies with an average of 10 providers per agency.
* Majority of the resource decisions are made at the program or bureau level instead of strategically carrying out decisions across the agency to reduce expenditure.
* A majority of the resource decisions are made at the program or bureau level instead of strategically carrying out decisions across the agency to reduce expenditure.
* Majority of agencies reported that they do not implement a uniform web design for the entire agency or department but they consistent operational units.
* A majority of agencies reported that they do not implement a uniform web design for the entire agency or department.
* Only 10% of agencies reported the same performance metrics in order to evaluate their websites consistently.
* Only 10% of agencies reported the same performance metrics in order to evaluate their websites consistently.
* Majority of agencies reported a a highly decentralized web management structure, conduct regular reviews to ensure accuracy and accessibility of web content.
* A majority of agencies reported a highly decentralized web management structure.
* All agencies customers to incorporate direct user feedback to improve their websites.
* All agencies customers to incorporate direct user feedback to improve their websites.
* Majority of the agencies are also considering the following ideas to enhance their web services;
* A majority of the agencies are also considering the following ideas to enhance their web services;
** Change to a culture of customer service
** Improve accountability
** Implement strategy of continuous improvement
** Write content in plain language and test websites regularly with users
** Make online content more accessible, searchable, and easier to use
** Improve services in different languages
==.Gov Task Force Members==
===.gov Task Force Members===
A complete list of the current members of the .Gov Task Force is available [http://www.usa.gov/WebReform.shtml#what '''here]
A complete list of the current members of the .Gov Task Force is available [http://www.usa.gov/WebReform.shtml#what '''here]