3 ms·

What exactly is your issue with GDS? I thought they just build tech infrastructure for public services with a more modern approach.

richmarr 11y ago
Yep, that's what they do. They do a good thing, and they do it well. I know a number of people in and around GDS, it's really, really, strange for me to see their name in that list.
- ptaipale 11y ago
  Throwing in lots of three letter acronyms will typically scare people by implying that there's something sinister going on. Just wait till you learn of the French VDM...
  - richmarr 11y ago
    > Just wait till you learn of the French VDM... The doctor gave me a cream for it... cleared up nicely.
- vox_mollis 11y ago
  It's not that strange. Many people do not consider improving the efficiency with which the state can oppress its citizenry a good thing. And to many libertarians, something as seemingly innocuous as tax collection or child protective services are oppressive. Hence the hate.
  - richmarr 11y ago
    So, you'd rather pay an inefficient government more taxes to oppress you inefficiently. I look forward to hearing more of these libertarian ideas.
anon1385 11y ago
Google Analytics may be modern but that doesn't make it good (or legal) to install on government websites.
- designorant 11y ago
  To be fair, they are actually very transparent about their use of Google Analytics [1][2], and anonymise some of the data [3]. That is not too bad keeping in mind they share a huge chunk of that data with the public [4][5]. [1] https://www.blog.gov.uk/cookies/#googleanalytics https://www.blog.gov.uk/cookies/#googleanalytics [2] https://insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2015/05/22/upgrading-to-universal-analytics/ https://insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2015/05/22/upgrading-to-univ... [3] https://assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk/spotlight/javascripts/analytics-7d55304a990af8fbf6e44c4df1211d6a.js https://assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk/spotlight/javas... [4] https://www.gov.uk/performance/web-traffic https://www.gov.uk/performance/web-traffic [5] https://www.gov.uk/performance/about https://www.gov.uk/performance/about
  - Spearchucker 11y ago
    Being transparent doesn't make it right. It (and the fact they use and advocate the use of Gmail in government) worries me. They're the people's government and that implies they're there on behalf of the people, to serve the people. That sentiment doesn't exist at GDS. They believe they're right about everything they do, are recalcitrant and take criticism very badly. They are good at web pages though.
- walshemj 11y ago
  why? not all sites need the full adbobe / ensigten tools set and its costs. For a lot of sites GTM and GA is quiet good enough

richmarr 11y ago

Yep, that's what they do. They do a good thing, and they do it well. I know a number of people in and around GDS, it's really, really, strange for me to see their name in that list.

ptaipale 11y ago
Throwing in lots of three letter acronyms will typically scare people by implying that there's something sinister going on. Just wait till you learn of the French VDM...
- richmarr 11y ago
  > Just wait till you learn of the French VDM... The doctor gave me a cream for it... cleared up nicely.
vox_mollis 11y ago
It's not that strange. Many people do not consider improving the efficiency with which the state can oppress its citizenry a good thing. And to many libertarians, something as seemingly innocuous as tax collection or child protective services are oppressive. Hence the hate.
- richmarr 11y ago
  So, you'd rather pay an inefficient government more taxes to oppress you inefficiently. I look forward to hearing more of these libertarian ideas.

anon1385 11y ago

Google Analytics may be modern but that doesn't make it good (or legal) to install on government websites.

designorant 11y ago
To be fair, they are actually very transparent about their use of Google Analytics [1][2], and anonymise some of the data [3]. That is not too bad keeping in mind they share a huge chunk of that data with the public [4][5]. [1] https://www.blog.gov.uk/cookies/#googleanalytics https://www.blog.gov.uk/cookies/#googleanalytics [2] https://insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2015/05/22/upgrading-to-universal-analytics/ https://insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2015/05/22/upgrading-to-univ... [3] https://assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk/spotlight/javascripts/analytics-7d55304a990af8fbf6e44c4df1211d6a.js https://assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk/spotlight/javas... [4] https://www.gov.uk/performance/web-traffic https://www.gov.uk/performance/web-traffic [5] https://www.gov.uk/performance/about https://www.gov.uk/performance/about
- Spearchucker 11y ago
  Being transparent doesn't make it right. It (and the fact they use and advocate the use of Gmail in government) worries me. They're the people's government and that implies they're there on behalf of the people, to serve the people. That sentiment doesn't exist at GDS. They believe they're right about everything they do, are recalcitrant and take criticism very badly. They are good at web pages though.
walshemj 11y ago
why? not all sites need the full adbobe / ensigten tools set and its costs. For a lot of sites GTM and GA is quiet good enough