Miraculous makeover: using the new FCC.gov

The Federal Communications Commission unveiled a new beta version of its website (beta.fcc.gov) that doesn't just respond to concerns. It puts fcc.gov on the road to becoming one of the best government communications sites -- anywhere.

First, there's the attractive and economic blue design. Instead of trying to stuff every conceivable department and category into the home page, like the current site does, beta.fcc offers four initial categories: "The FCC," "Our Work," "Tools and Data," and "Business and Legal," that more easily take users to everywhere else in the portal. That's the key to this beta's success.

Here are some of the best features of the new site:

• Take action: Anyone who goes to beta.fcc will quickly notice a prominent subhead on the top right side of the page titled "Take Action." From there you'll be directed to a page where you can file public comments with the FCC on a wide variety of issues.
• Understanding FCC jargon: The new site now offers an encyclopedia! In beta form it seems to be a compendium of terms about telecommunications related issues -- e.g., "roaming," and "retransmission consent" -- plus a glossary about the FCC itself.
• Finding important issues: "Business and Legal" section easily takes you to the mergers page. The "Our Work" section takes you to broadband, spectrum, and public safety pages. And lo and behold, the "The FCC" menu actually takes you to a page that explains what the FCC does.