From the:

Dated Sunday, March 30, 2003

New Look

Opinion
Capital Beat Column
Jennifer Skalka and Lisa Wangsness
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With the help of Bob Anderson, the state's new $150,000-a-year head of technology implementation, Benson's Web site was reborn last week.

Last month, we asked four New Hampshire graphic designers to take a look at the governor's old site.

Our experts gave it mediocre marks, citing poor pictures, shallow press archives and a lack of contact information for Benson's staff, among other shortcomings.

But one of our reviewers - Mei Chau, a partner with the Bedford graphics and Web design firm Scribble Graphics - said this week that the governor's new site is a significant improvement. She likes its look, direct e-mail links to staff and archives.

"It's good to see he took some of that criticism to heart," she said.

In an e-mail to the Monitor last week, Anderson said he did in fact take his cue from the experts in our article. The rotating New Hampshire photo montage has been updated, and the press archives list a couple dozen or so releases.

"Many of the points you highlighted in your article have been addressed," he wrote. "So in a way, your article helped shape the final product!"

Still missing from the site, however, is information about the state's first lady, Denise Benson, and the Benson daughters. Just a thought.
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(Jennifer Skalka can be reached at 224-5301, ext. 325, or by e-mail at jskalka@cmonitor.com.)