Portals for Public Access
There is a concerted effort to provide the public with portals that cull together and provide easy access to government information. Here are a few.
Options for searching the web for government information
While a simple search in the major Internet search engines such as Google and Bing will provide results, you will likely have more relevant results with fewer false hits using specialized search engines, directories and custom searches. Here are a few options:
- search.usa.gov -This search box is also available from USA.gov. The simple search includes all federal, quasi federal, state, local and tribal websites. Using the advance search to limit more specif domains.
- Google Uncle SamIf you insist on using Google, consider the more targeted custom search engine, Google Uncle Sam.
- Government Departments and Agencies -- directoryWhen you know the specific agency you can easy locate official websites using the directory provided in the portal, USA.gov.
- United States Government Manual"As the official handbook of the Federal Government, the United States Government Manual provides comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. It also includes information on quasi-official agencies; international organizations in which the United States participates; and boards, commissions, and committees. The Manual begins with reprints of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution."
Website for Internal Use
Some government websites, while openly available, are intended for internal audiences. Here are examples:
- Open Source Center"The Open Source Center (OSC) is the US Government's premier provider of foreign open source intelligence." and contains the following note:
"You have reached a United States Government computer system. Unauthorized access is prohibited by U.S. Public Law 99-474 (the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986) and can result in administrative, disciplinary, and/or criminal proceedings. ..."
