They have done some changes in the layout (Maybe they saw your post?), even the address is changed now, it’s a lot better now, and I’ve noticed that they are utilizing the web 2.0 (Social Media,Blogs etc.) very effectively – maybe better than any gov entity in the region? They even organized some sort of contests with incentives, I like it when I see this kind of interaction between government and the public; I’m currently following them on Twitter, Facebook and You Tube.

I’m sure they are considering a change in the portal layout, but I guess it’s not as easy as changing the layout of a personal or small organization website. IMHO Sometimes when you have an offered online service with lots of frequent users it’s better to stick to the stupid old fashioned design that users are well used to, or make sure that this transaction is done smoothly and not AMBUSH the clients with a new layout with new structure and lots of changes in the content placements.

Example of failed UI enhancements, imdb.com and asiarooms.com for example, very popular websites with huge numbers of users who were sooooo used to their layouts and all of sudden a big change was there and most users didn’t really appreciate this change! look at imdb.com now you will want to puke !!! I really miss the DUMB interface that I was sooo familiar with and I knew where to find any piece of content that I require!

Last but not least, I’m very proud of the eGov initiative as a Bahraini, and I’ve been using their services lately and it’s really making my life easier, for example I just renewed my wife’s driving license and it was delivered within 4 days directly to my hand- they even use the same picture she took when she did the Smart Card!! (I LOVE this kind of integration/effectiveness/cost and time saving) no need to mention that in the past I was paying a “Mo5ale9″ 5 or 10 BD to do that or waste the whole day in the traffic department!!!! We all have been there.

yes they do still have some issues with some of the navigation elements like finding an application that you have installed, it can be done easier for the dump users to find it.

what im trying to say, white space is a basic essential and that just takes about few lines of CSS, and less remains more…

How to build a service structure, service navigation, “my site”, “my profile” etc. and still have the same look and feel as the public website? Where is the handbook?

I think that it is a huge step to take, from a Information driven design to a service driven design.

I think that you have a point and they should take action ..

Specially the URL thing ..

the website looks like a fish market..