Wow! SNAZZY new look for SFRC website!

[Luftmensch067]

Much more attractive and easily navigable, in my opinion!
http://foreign.senate.gov/

[Luftmensch067]

1. Love the "Chairman's Press" link!

And when you click on JK's picture, it leads you to his Senate site, which is also looking freshly minted and spiffy. Check out the Video Center!

[wisteria]

5. Yes, that is a good link. I also like that he added Ranking Member's Press.

Always the diplomat, he includes their contributions too. That link is a very nice touch.

[karynnj]

7. I think there were always links to both - just harder to find

[wisteria]

8. Oh, well there you go. I never even noticed the other link. n/t

[Blaukraut]

9. Yup, but poor Lugar really needs to update his site.

Compared to JK's, Lugar's looks like it's been done by an amateur.

[karynnj]

2. I don't think it is finished, as I don't think you can get the hearings from this year

just the testimony of witnesses. Before, you could view the hearing, get statements from Kerry and Lugar, and get that testimony. If this is the finished product - it is horrible. It does look much nicer, but in terms of content, it is now a shell of what it was. (If they intend to include the other stuff, they should have waited until adding them before going live.) You CAN get the video for the 2008 and before hearings. (In addition, it doesn't correct one pet peeve I have with the site - the Afghanistan roundtable of February 5 is still listed as "business meeting".

Assuming that they are adding these things, it is nice. It is much easier to see who is on what sub-committee. But, if they don't add back the links to the hearings and the statements, my comment is a big "YUCK!!!!!!" No amount of improvement in graphics and design could compensate for losing the information. (I also hope they include a link to the live broadcast, when it is live as some other sites (ie Finance) do. I always look back to get the link, Tay posted long ago). Otherwise we will be able to see only those hearings that CSPAN covers.

[Luftmensch067]

3. Good points!

I hadn't yet explored in that much depth. My guess is that they went live early because I truly believe they somehow don't think anyone ever looks at the site! I agree that this was not a wise move, because of course people do, especially us. I'm sure they're planning to use the recess to finish it. You've provided an excellent list for us to check off to make sure they finish it right!

[beachmom]

6. I think you should contact them and ask.

Best to bring it up now, than wait and think it will be fixed.

[karynnj]

10. Still no video link - if it's not there by Friday, I will ask

but, I did find something elsewhere that has the full transcript of hearings - nice for extracting comments - http://www.access.gpo.gov/congress/senate/senate11sh111.html (It looks like the newest are July.)

[Luftmensch067]

11. Yes, the graphic is there but video doesn't play

http://foreign.senate.gov//hearings/hearing/

Also, note the agenda text at above link!
(If this makes no sense, I hope, at some future date, it is currently this:

Agenda

SR.516, Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Nam magna enim, accumsan eu, blandit sed, blandit a, eros.)

This site was definitely not ready to go live!

[karynnj]

13. It really is beginning to look great

You are right that it was not ready to go live - maybe they thought no one would look at the hearing page before it was complete. You can see the design though and it looks really great.

(It is funny that the web designs seem to use latin until the real text is entered.

[karynnj]

15. WOW!! There is a nomination for the head of USAID now and the link is prominent on the main page

to get the live video! This really is better than any committee site that I have seen. It is in a bright orange and is in the very top left hand corner - extending slightly above the page itself.

[wisteria]

4. Very impressive and classy. I like the fresh new look.

Thank you for letting us know about this change.

[blm]

12. This would be a good tool to share with those interested in international progress over in GD.

.

[YvonneCa]

14. I absolutely agree. Link copied, and...

...ready to go! :7

[beachmom]

16. Spencer Ackermann not impressed:

the Sen For Rel Cmte's new website is much better looking and much less useful

[wisteria]

17. Maybe he doesn't like change. I found it to be very useful-easy access alone is great. n/t

[karynnj]

18. At this point, both are true statements

But, if the archived video was added, it would be better on both counts - as the live link on the home page is new. I really want the videos back. :-(

[wisteria]

19. Is this something they are working on, do you know? n/t

[ProSense]

20. Finally, it looks great.

The page looks clean and is easy to read. I love the hearings page, well-organized information, including the transcripts and videos.