County unveils new Website, Wi-Fi

Catching up from yesterday and still checking email. The county has redesigned its Website. Personally, I don't like it, but maybe it's just a case of getting used to. I liked the old design, despite what the local alternative paper felt about it. They don't like anything anyway. But at least they do their own work and don't make up crap and use second and third-hand sources to report something as fact. But I digress.

Here's the county release, brought to you by Michael "Big Sexy" Grider:

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett unveiled a new Knox County website today, and announced the "Knox County Find It iPhone" app and expanded Wi-Fi services in the City County Building.(Check out the site, right smack here.)

“It used to be that we only accessed a website from our computers, but now more people than ever use mobile devices to get information from the Web,” said Mayor Burchett.  “We want to make it easier for constituents to access County information, and that means a website designed for mobile use, apps with interactive County data and access to public Wi-Fi.  Our IT Department, especially Matt Coleman and Jon Guymon, worked very hard to make Knox County’s website even better.”

The new website was designed by the Knox County Information Technology Department and has a completely updated look.  The new design has a responsive user interface that works on desktop computers and laptops, as well as mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. 

Other highlights include:

• Interface design and navigation based on site traffic analytics
• Bold colors for a cleaner look and easier nagivation
• Mobile-friendly design that is responsive and automatically fits a user's device
• "Ask Rene" smart search feature allows users to ask or search for services.
• Links to social media, contact information and interactive maps
• Social media is integrated throughout, allowing users to share pages on various social media sites

On the new homepage there is also a link to the recently developed Knox County Find It app, which is available as a free download in the Apple App Store.  The app features an interactive map that displays County services closest to the user’s current location. Users can initiate GPS navigation to a selected destination directly from the app.  A Droid version of the app is not yet available, but may be released in the future.

In addition to rolling out a new website and app, Knox County’s IT Department recently expanded Wi-Fi services in the City County Building.  Members of the community, media, judges, attorneys and staff now have wireless internet access when in courtrooms or on the main and first floors of the City County Building.  This project was driven by the needs of the justice system, which allowed the installation to be grant-funded.  Public Wi-Fi access is also available in the Main and Small Assembly Rooms.