SAO Internet Usage Policy

Introduction Definitions Development Appropriate Use

Introduction

The SAO recognizes the internet/intranet as a powerful tool to gain information to support the mission of the office. It can save time and money for the citizens that it services. The web shall be used for business purposes to support the mission and administrative functions of the SAO. The office Intranet has been established as the central source of information for the Office. It contains:

  • Administrative Information
  • Division Information
  • Research Information
  • Tools and Instructions
Definitions:
Intranet: Designed to provide information to a single organization. It is secure in that only users with access to the network and the server are granted access. An example is the SAO Home Page.
Internet: Is the accepted as the World Wide Web (WWW). The network is accessed by anyone how has access to the WWW. An example is the SAO page WWW.sa15.state.fl.us
Extranet: A network that allows access to other agencies, but restricts its membership. An example of an Extranet is the FDLE CJNet.

Web Master: The Web Master is the architect and supervising engineer of the web site. It is the Web Masters responsibility to insure the pages meet SAO policy and standards.

WWW: World Wide Web a common name for the Internet.

Web Page Development

A High Standard of Quality: The World Wide Web is recognized by SAO as a powerful tool for disseminating information. For those outside this office, it is an extremely productive way to learn about the SAO and the work in progress here. For the general public, it provides a window into the world of the State Attorney, and is often the first (and sometimes only) view that the general public has of the State Attorney. Thus, the SAO web must live up to the highest standards of quality. Content, style, use of figures and dynamic objects must all be appropriate to the topic being presented.

Distributed Management. The web at SAO is implemented as a distributed "web of webs". Sub-webs are overseen by Division Supervisors who, with their Chiefs approval, take responsibility for page quality, and assist in linking together local topics with pages elsewhere at the SAO. Web page managers are Information Officers responsible for ensuring that the SAO web policy is understood when posting content to their part of the web. Violations of policy may be reported by these supervisors to the individual's supervisor, and may result in disciplinary action. To maintain accountability, each web page must be registered with the Web Master.

Flexibility with Quality Control: Much of the value of the web derives from its dynamic and evolving content, and so it would be counter-productive to impose centralized editorial control over the web contents. Oversight is delegated by the CIO to Information Officers and individuals responsible for a specific topic, with approval of that person's supervisor. Periodic meetings with the State Attorney and Internet/Intranet committees will be conducted to review content and quality.

Internet Page Requirements: The first page on a particular topic (the home page for that topic) must have:

  1. The date of last modification.
  2. An email address of the content author in small font at the bottom of the page.
  3. A link back to the SAO home page.

It is also recommended that lower level pages within that topic have links back to the topic home page to allow easy navigation for those entering the web in the middle.

Appropriate Use. The SAO web is to be used only to support the activities of the office, including its mission and its business operations.

Under no circumstances may the web be used for any illegal activities, for sexually explicit content, for running or supporting or advertising a commercial enterprise or professional service, for providing any service which might be construed to have personal commercial value, or for supporting any club, organization, or activity not officially chartered by SAO. Links may not be made to any page used for illegal activities or to any page used for accessing sexually explicit content.

Posting content to the web is a form of publication, and shall conform to the SAO Publications Policy. In particular, no content may be posted if it would violate U.S. copyright or SAO's intellectual property rights.

Violation.

Last Modified 11/20/99