A major worldwide development in information dissemination during the past five years has been the increased use of the Internet and email.  It has been evident across all sectors and has certainly been reflected in the Australian community.   Since this wasn't envisaged when developing the 1996 output systems the ABS followed a fairly low key approach.  Internet dissemination for the 1996 Census Output Program was limited to summary data extracts accessible via drill-down bitmaps, main findings from the standard publication series and reference material including the Census Dictionary and Directory of products and services.

Impediments identified during the 1996 cycle included the infancy of appropriate architecture and software, limited available bandwidth and the lack of a stable cost recovery mechanism.  There were concerns regarding "pure" e-commerce and available security for on-line transactions and overall accessibility to the Internet was also an issue at this time.  The combination of all of these factors resulted in a conservative approach to Internet dissemination for the 1996 Census Output Program.

This environment has changed dramatically over the last 5 years and developing strategies to address the increased demand for dissemination via the Internet and email is a major thrust of the 2001 Census Output Program.  The following strategies proposed to meet this demand have all been endorsed by census data users through responses to questionnaires and a series of consultative meetings.  Work on developing appropriate mechanisms for their delivery is now well underway.

Some interesting facts relevant to current Internet activity for the Census components on the ABS web site include:

• the ABS web site ranks at no.10 of Australian Government domain sites
• the ABS web site averages over 2 million hits per month
• the Census Home Page is ranked the 5th highest hit page on the site
• Census Basic Community Profile data comprise the most downloaded of all files on the ABS web site

Before considering the specific strategies it is important to bear in mind that many users will require services through means other than web-based.  In some cases this may reflect the location of user (a reliable Internet service not available), in others cost may be an issue (compared to repeated use of CD-Rom) while volume will always be an issue (all Basic Profiles for lowest level of Geography in Excel spreadsheet format is 3Gb).  Thus the new approach needs to ensure that the Internet complements, rather than replaces, more traditional means of dissemination for maximum accessibility and usage.

The key Internet strategies for the 2001 Census Output Program are:

Facilitating access to a greater volume of 2001 Census data via an application on the ABS web site that enables users to obtain basic data for a single geographic area (down to Statistical Local Area level), in either tabular or narrative form, free of charge as a community service.  A key issue resulting is the revenue impact of disseminating a significantly greater volume of Census data for free.  Data released via this method, however, are mostly aggregate levels of classificatory detail and no plans are made to release this information for free down to Collection District level geography.

Providing the library network with an Internet-based product containing more detailed data for a single geographic area (down to Collection District level) allowing users to view and print information free of charge as a community service.  This product is specially developed for libraries to promote the use of census statistics by all members of society and is consistent with ABS directions for dissemination activities in maximising the use of intermediaries.  Full search facilities and intuitive topic and area selection interfaces are included in this product as it is often accessed by casual users of Census data.  This product in particular will also be available via CD-Rom.

Developing a mechanism allowing users to select, cost and order customised data from the web site by way of manipulating 2001 Census metadata in a table shell interface.  Preferred methods of data delivery and payment will be determined in consultation with users after validation.that sensible specifications have been defined in the request.  This validation process will include cell count parameters, table population restrictions and advice of any data issues that users need to be aware of for informed use of results.

The major benefit resulting is that users are presented with a visual impression of their defined table and an idea of the key parameters.  This initiative is being introduced to reduce the number of iterations required by users to describe customised needs with information consultants.  This strategy is expected to reduce turnaround times and costs of customised requests and is consistent with general ABS directions for dissemination activities in promoting self-help facilities.

Increasing use of the ABS web site to disseminate key census reference material, information on the use of data and product and service references including:

Census Dictionary,
Directory of products and services,
Data quality reports,
Data concept fact sheets,
Information and evaluation papers,
Census Update magazine and
Australian Standard Geographical Classification.

The majority of this content has been posted to the ABS web site from the 1996 cycle, however, this was actioned well into the program rather than being available at the earliest possible time.  Again, full search facilities and an intuitive structure are necessary to maximise the use of this important content.

Introducing on-line client support facilities that will include:

What's New updates for web site content,
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs),
Product user documentation,
Product hints and tips features,
Product user group forums and
Product software updates.

These facilities will reduce the amount of time and effort required by information consultants and Census staff in supporting the use of products and the servicing of client requests.