It's been a few months since we last updated you about the Information Transparency Initiative (ITI). Behind the scenes, the team has been hard at work delivering on the project's primary goal of improving the findability of our content.
Registry Agreement Search Improvements
Today, we're releasing the proposed new search experience for Registry Agreement content for your input via our feedback site. We are committed to working with you to deliver a result that meets your needs. To do that, we need your input.
The improved searchability includes these features:
- Filters to narrow your search results by gTLD or string, agreement type, operator, or agreement status.
- A date range filter.
- Type ahead and search by the internationalized domain name.
- Ability to download search results to a csv file with links to the individual agreement pages.
- Keyword(s) search within registry agreement content with the results available by relevance (number of instances of the keyword(s)) or newest (search results ordered by publish date).
We implemented these changes with helpful feedback from registry operators and staff.
Because this release is in active development, some files and archive sections may be missing. Rest assured, all files and content currently on https://icann.org will be migrated and available when the new site is officially launched.
This particular content type was complicated to implement. It involved taking 48,000 pieces of unstructured files and pages and transforming the content into structured content and applying relevant metadata. Although this process took a lot of work, it gives you the ability to find your content more quickly. It also futureproofs our content for an easier migration process years from now, as new platform technologies emerge.
Take the time to compare the current Registry Agreement findability with our new release and let us know what you think via the feedback site.
The feedback period will be open until 11 November 2019.
Upcoming Content and Features Available for Feedback
The team has also completed development on many other content types that are not yet available for feedback. Content migration into a new content model takes time and our goal is to provide you with previews of these content types with real data. This will give you a truer user experience to test the improved functionality.
We plan to release Board Meeting Materials for your feedback in late October 2019, before ICANN66.
In addition, the team is developing an improved Public Comment feature based on invaluable input from several members of ICANN's Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees. This new feature will be available for testing in late January 2020.
As you know, this is a complex project. It involves auditing and migrating thousands of pieces of content, integrating two platforms from the ground up, and developing features to improve search and customize authoring. We remain laser-focused on sticking to our core goal - making it easier for you to find and access content.
Soft Launch Plans
We're aiming for a soft launch of the new site in April 2020. What do we mean by soft launch?
We will release the new version of the site for your feedback in April 2020. This version will include:
- Improved search and features for some content types like Board Materials, Public Comment, Announcements, Blogs, and Reviews.
- 75% of all https://icann.org files and pages migrated and searchable.
The existing https://icann.org will remain the definitive site during this period and run in parallel to the new site.
This soft launch period gives us the opportunity to gather your feedback about many aspects of the improved site and make subsequent updates before we officially retire the current site.
We appreciate all the positive feedback and constructive input we've received from the community, and we count on your patience and continued input during this time as we approach the soft launch date.
Remember, we can't do this without you. Register your input! The feedback period will be open until 11 November 2019.
