Open Gov convoluted at ABS

The 2011 Census for free on the web sounded great until, as reported by ITNews, a programmer tried to access it and found it so incredibly difficult that the DVD for $250 was looking more attractive. Leading to speculation maybe this is what the ABS intended all along. Bear with us, says the Bureau. We're on the continuous improvement journey.

According to the spokesperson, the ABS has worked hard to reduce the costs since 2006, when similar datapacks cost $805. As for the convoluted download site layout with registration and obfuscated file paths, the spokesperson said there was room for improvement. "The ABS is constantly looking at ways it can simplify the website and enhance the user experience," iTnews was told via email.