Data.gov.uk gets a design update

The Data.gov.uk team said one of the main changes is a "significant design update" to the homepage, which means new datasets are now clearly visible to the public. "This will ensure that newly released datasets of interest, eg COINS or public servant high earners, can be promoted on the homepage for easy access straight to the raw data you are looking for," the team said, in a blog posted on 19 August 2010. "It is now easier to find datasets quickly through browsing popular categories. With over 3,700 datasets now available and more being added all the time, these categories should help users access a wider range of data." The team also hopes that the updates to the site will help the public keep track of the drive to publish more local open data as they will now be able to "quickly see the latest community generated correspondence via the forum update". The team said a number of the changes were made based on citizen feedback. "The project team have been working on this new look and feel, and re-factoring our code for the last couple of months," they added. Other new features include an updated sitemap and an improved search functionality when looking for datasets. There will be ongoing work to certain areas of the site, the team added.