The grant project helped us develop a safe, off-site storage
facility for electronic documents for each Digital Towpath member. The File
Archives portion of each member’s website database is designed for the storage
of electronic files not intended for posting on the public view of the website.
The many libraries available from the administrative interface already manage
those files intended for public distribution. The File Archives functions
within a comprehensive business continuity plan to assure critical files are preserved
in the case of disaster affecting a member’s local facilities.
The File Archives also functions as a tool for
collaboration. This is especially helpful in small municipalities where
officials often work from locations other than the municipal offices. Files can
be uploaded to the File Archives where they are available to authorized
individuals from any location with an internet connection. Even large files,
too large to attach to email, can be shared in this way.
The grant project also provided a major upgrade for the
administrative access permissions capability of the Digital Towpath software.
Where previously permissions were assigned at the subject area or module level,
they now can be assigned at the record or folder level. When used in concert with
the File Archives functions, this means that someone can be given access to a
specific folder within the File Archives for collaboration without affecting
the security of other files in the File Archives or any other part of the
website database. In fact, someone with access permission limited to the File
Archives will not even see the full administrative interface when they log onto
the website server. They will see only the File Archives and only the folders
to which they have access.
Another useful feature possible now because of this change
in the permissions system is that each department, program, board or committee
can be given access to the pages related to their specific functions without
having access to any other portion of the website database. This precise
assignment of access permissions coupled with Digital Towpath’s advanced draft
management system allows each segment of a member organization to securely
control the public view of their section of the website.
Digital Towpath websites have had a superior search utility
available for searching the public view. This cutting edge tool is now
available to administrative users so that they can search the non-public
portions of their website database, too. Search can be universally throughout
the entire webspace or limited to a particular module or library. Now that many
Digital Towpath websites contain thousands of pages, this tool is extremely
helpful in the management of website data.
Digital Towpath websites have been assisting in the delivery
of government services and opening new lines of communication between
governments and the people they serve for nearly eight years. As a result of
projects like the 2006 – 2007 LGRMIF grant, they now have even more capability
to promote open government and improve customer service.
The Digital Towpath Cooperative and its member governments
are thankful to the NYS Archives for their support for this vital project.
