diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'app/views/help')
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/_sidebar.rhtml | 9 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/about.es.rhtml | 10 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/about.rhtml | 96 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/alaveteli.rhtml | 30 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/api.rhtml | 155 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/contact.rhtml | 8 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/credits.rhtml | 161 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/officers.rhtml | 476 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/privacy.rhtml | 100 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/requesting.rhtml | 548 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/unhappy.rhtml | 2 |
11 files changed, 810 insertions, 785 deletions
diff --git a/app/views/help/_sidebar.rhtml b/app/views/help/_sidebar.rhtml index 99298e9c6..21038e8df 100644 --- a/app/views/help/_sidebar.rhtml +++ b/app/views/help/_sidebar.rhtml @@ -1,16 +1,17 @@ -<div id="about_sidebar"> - <h1>Help pages</h1> - <ul> +<div id="right_column_flip"> + <h2>Help pages</h2> + <ul class="no_bullets"> <li><%= link_to_unless_current "Introduction", "/help/about" %></li> <li><%= link_to_unless_current "Making requests", "/help/requesting" %></li> <li><%= link_to_unless_current "Your privacy", "/help/privacy" %></li> <li><%= link_to_unless_current "FOI officers", "/help/officers" %></li> + <li><%= link_to_unless_current "About the software", "/help/alaveteli" %></li> <li><%= link_to_unless_current "Credits", "/help/credits" %></li> <li><%= link_to_unless_current "Programmers API", "/help/api" %></li> <li><%= link_to_unless_current "Advanced search", "/search" %></li> </ul> - <h1 id="contact">Contact us</h1> + <h2 id="contact">Contact us</h2> <p>If your question isn't answered here, or you just wanted to let us know something about the site, <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a>. </p> diff --git a/app/views/help/about.es.rhtml b/app/views/help/about.es.rhtml deleted file mode 100644 index 721a582aa..000000000 --- a/app/views/help/about.es.rhtml +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10 +0,0 @@ -<% @title = "Sobre" %> - -<%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> - -<h1>¡Bonjiorno amis!</h1> - -<p>Esta sito tu aidare a faire los requesti a la governmenti Seblano</p> - -<div id="hash_link_padding"></div> - diff --git a/app/views/help/about.rhtml b/app/views/help/about.rhtml index d22cc5b30..668a1df7f 100644 --- a/app/views/help/about.rhtml +++ b/app/views/help/about.rhtml @@ -2,50 +2,52 @@ <%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> -<h1 id="introduction">Introduction to <%= site_name %><a href="#introduction">#</a> </h1> -<dl> - -<dt id="purpose">What is <%= site_name %> for? <a href="#purpose">#</a> </dt> -<dd>To help you find out inside information about what the UK government -is doing. -</dd> - -<dt id="premise">How does the site work? <a href="#premise">#</a> </dt> -<dd>You choose the public authority that you would like information from, then -write a brief note describing what you want to know. We then send your request -to the public authority. Any response they make is automatically published on the -website for you and anyone else to find and read. -</dd> - -<dt id="whybother_me">Why would I bother to do this? <a href="#whybother_me">#</a> </dt> -<dd>You pay taxes, and then government does things with the money. All sorts of -things that affect your life, from healthcare through to national defence. Some -it does badly, some it does well. The more we find out about how government -works, the better able we are to make suggestions to improve the things that -are done badly, and to celebrate the things that are done well. -</dd> - -<dt id="whybother_them">Why would the public authority bother to reply? <a href="#whybother_them">#</a> </dt> -<dd>Under Freedom of Information (FOI) law, they have to respond. The response -will either contain the information you want, or give a valid legal reason why -it must be kept confidential. -</dd> - -<dt id="who">Who makes <%= site_name %>? <a href="#who">#</a> </dt> -<dd><%= site_name %> is created and run by <a href="http://www.mysociety.org">mySociety</a>, -and was initially <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/2006/12/06/funding-for-freedom-of-information/">funded by the JRSST Charitable Trust</a>. mySociety is a project of the -registered charity <a href="http://www.ukcod.org.uk/UK_Citizens_Online_Democracy">UK Citizens Online Democracy</a>. -If you like what we're doing, then you can -<a href="https://secure.mysociety.org/donate/">make a donation</a>. -</dd> - -<dt id="updates">How can I keep up with news about <%= site_name %>?<a href="#updates">#</a> </dt> -<dd>We have a <a href="/blog">blog</a> and a <a href="http://www.twitter.com/whatdotheyknow">twitter feed</a>. -</dd> - - -</dl> - -<p><strong>Next</strong>, read about <a href="/help/requesting">making requests</a> --> - -<div id="hash_link_padding"></div> +<div id="left_column_flip"> + <h1 id="introduction">Introduction</h1> + <dl> + + <dt id="purpose">What is WhatDoTheyKnow for? <a href="#purpose">#</a> </dt> + <dd>To help you find out inside information about what the UK government + is doing. + </dd> + + <dt id="premise">How does the site work? <a href="#premise">#</a> </dt> + <dd>You choose the public authority that you would like information from, then + write a brief note describing what you want to know. We then send your request + to the public authority. Any response they make is automatically published on the + website for you and anyone else to find and read. + </dd> + + <dt id="whybother_me">Why would I bother to do this? <a href="#whybother_me">#</a> </dt> + <dd>You pay taxes, and then government does things with the money. All sorts of + things that affect your life, from healthcare through to national defence. Some + it does badly, some it does well. The more we find out about how government + works, the better able we are to make suggestions to improve the things that + are done badly, and to celebrate the things that are done well. + </dd> + + <dt id="whybother_them">Why would the public authority bother to reply? <a href="#whybother_them">#</a> </dt> + <dd>Under Freedom of Information (FOI) law, they have to respond. The response + will either contain the information you want, or give a valid legal reason why + it must be kept confidential. + </dd> + + <dt id="who">Who makes WhatDoTheyKnow? <a href="#who">#</a> </dt> + <dd>WhatDoTheyKnow is created and run by <a href="http://www.mysociety.org">mySociety</a>, + and was initially <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/2006/12/06/funding-for-freedom-of-information/">funded by the JRSST Charitable Trust</a>. mySociety is a project of the + registered charity <a href="http://www.ukcod.org.uk/UK_Citizens_Online_Democracy">UK Citizens Online Democracy</a>. + If you like what we're doing, then you can + <a href="https://secure.mysociety.org/donate/">make a donation</a>. + </dd> + + <dt id="updates">How can I keep up with news about WhatDoTheyKnow?<a href="#updates">#</a> </dt> + <dd>We have a <a href="/blog">blog</a> and a <a href="http://www.twitter.com/whatdotheyknow">twitter feed</a>. + </dd> + + + </dl> + + <p><strong>Next</strong>, read about <a href="/help/requesting">making requests</a> --> + + <div id="hash_link_padding"></div> +</div> diff --git a/app/views/help/alaveteli.rhtml b/app/views/help/alaveteli.rhtml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..6210f9f24 --- /dev/null +++ b/app/views/help/alaveteli.rhtml @@ -0,0 +1,30 @@ +<% @title = "Making requests" %> + +<%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> +<div id="left_column_flip"> + <% if params[:country_name] %> + <h1><%= _("Would you like to see a website like this in your country?") %></h1> + <% else %> + <h1>Powered by Alaveteli</h1> + <% end %> + <p>This website is powered by Alaveteli. Alaveteli is free software + for making Freedom of Information requests. It can easily be + translated into any language, and customised for variations of FOI + law.</p> + + <p>The development of Alaveteli is sponsored and supported by a + number of foundations and charities who are interested in + transparency across the world.</p> + + <p>If you would like to set up an Alaveteli website in your own + country, we can help. You will need a few days to get the site + configured and ready to use, and will then have to spend at least an + hour a week moderating and managing the site (more for busy + websites).</p> + + <p>Read more on the <a href="http://alaveteli.org">Alaveteli + website</a>, or <a href="mailto:hello@alaveteli.org">drop us an + email</a>.</p> + + <div id="hash_link_padding"></div> +</div> diff --git a/app/views/help/api.rhtml b/app/views/help/api.rhtml index 3cafbb665..76d2992fb 100644 --- a/app/views/help/api.rhtml +++ b/app/views/help/api.rhtml @@ -1,82 +1,81 @@ -<% @title = "Application Programming Interface - API" %> +<% @title = "About our API" %> <%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> -<h1><%=@title %></h1> - -<h2> Introduction </h2> - -<p>This page explains how programmers can make other websites and software -interact with <%= site_name %> via an "API". -</p> - -<p><%= site_name %> does not have a full API yet, but we are gradually adding -lots of things that are similar in use to an API as they are requested. -</p> - -<hr> - -<h2> 1. Linking to new requests </h2> - -<p>To encourage your users to make links to a particular public authority, use URLs of the form -<%= link_to new_request_to_body_url(:url_name => "liverpool_city_council") , new_request_to_body_url(:url_name => "liverpool_city_council") %>. -These are the parameters you can add to those URLs, either in the URL or from a form. - -<ul> - <li> <strong>title</strong> - default summary of the new request.</li> - <li> <strong>default_letter</strong> - default text of the body of the letter. The salutation (Dear...) and signoff (Yours...) are wrapped round this. </li> - <li> <strong>body</strong> - as an alternative to default_letter, this sets the default entire text of the request, so you can customise the salutation and signoff. </li> - <li> <strong>tags</strong> - space separated list of tags, so you can find and link up any requests made later, e.g. <em>openlylocal spending_id:12345</em>. The : indicates it is a machine tag. The values of machine tags may also include colons, useful for URIs. -</ul> - -<hr> - -<h2> 2. RSS (actually, Atom) feeds </h2> - -<p>There are Atom feeds on most pages which list FOI requests, which you can -use to get updates and links in XML format. Find the URL of the Atom feed in -one of these ways: -<ul> - <li>Look for the <img src="/images/feed-16.png" alt=""> RSS feed links.</li> - <li>Examine the <tt><link rel="alternate" type="application/atom+xml"></tt> tag in the head of the HTML. </li> - <li>Add <tt>/feed</tt> to the start of another URL. -</ul> - -<p>In particular, even complicated search queries have Atom feeds. -You can do all sorts of things with them, such as query by authority, by file -type, by date range, or by status. See the <a href="/search">advanced search -tips</a> for details. - -<hr> - -<h2> 3. JSON structured data </h2> - -<p>Quite a few pages have JSON versions, which let you download information about -objects in a structured form. Find them by: -<ul> - <li>Adding <tt>.json</tt> to the end of the URL. </li> - <li>Look for the <tt><link rel="alternate" type="application/json"></tt> tag in the head of the HTML. </li> -</ul> -</p> - -<p>Requests, users and authorities all have JSON versions containing basic -information about them. Every Atom feed has a JSON equivalent, containing -information about the list of events in the feed. -</p> - -<hr> -<h2> 4. Spreadsheet of all authorities </h2> - -<p> -A spreadsheet file listing every body in <%= site_name %> is available: -<%= link_to "all-authorities.csv", all_public_bodies_csv_url() %> -</p> - -<hr> - -<p>Please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> if you need an API feature that isn't there yet. It's -very much a work in progress, and we do add things when people ask us to.</p> - -<div id="hash_link_padding"></div> - +<div id="left_column_flip"> + <h1><%=@title %></h1> + <dl> + <dt>Introduction</dt> + <dd> + <p>This page explains how programmers can make other websites and software + interact with WhatDoTheyKnow via an "API". + </p> + + <p>WhatDoTheyKnow does not have a full API yet, but we are gradually adding + lots of things that are similar in use to an API as they are requested. + </p> + </dd> + + <dt>Linking to new requests</dt> + <dd> + <p>To encourage your users to make links to a particular public authority, use URLs of the form + <%= link_to new_request_to_body_url(:url_name => "liverpool_city_council") , new_request_to_body_url(:url_name => "liverpool_city_council") %>. + These are the parameters you can add to those URLs, either in the URL or from a form. + + <ul> + <li> <strong>title</strong> - default summary of the new request.</li> + <li> <strong>default_letter</strong> - default text of the body of the letter. The salutation (Dear...) and signoff (Yours...) are wrapped round this. </li> + <li> <strong>body</strong> - as an alternative to default_letter, this sets the default entire text of the request, so you can customise the salutation and signoff. </li> + <li> <strong>tags</strong> - space separated list of tags, so you can find and link up any requests made later, e.g. <em>openlylocal spending_id:12345</em>. The : indicates it is a machine tag. The values of machine tags may also include colons, useful for URIs. + </ul> + </dd> + + <dt>RSS (actually, Atom) feeds</h2> + <dd> + <p>There are Atom feeds on most pages which list FOI requests, which you can + use to get updates and links in XML format. Find the URL of the Atom feed in + one of these ways: + <ul> + <li>Look for the <img src="/images/feed-16.png" alt=""> RSS feed links.</li> + <li>Examine the <tt><link rel="alternate" type="application/atom+xml"></tt> tag in the head of the HTML. </li> + <li>Add <tt>/feed</tt> to the start of another URL. + </ul> + + <p>In particular, even complicated search queries have Atom feeds. + You can do all sorts of things with them, such as query by authority, by file + type, by date range, or by status. See the <a href="/search">advanced search + tips</a> for details. + </dd> + + <dt>JSON structured data</dt> + <dd> + <p>Quite a few pages have JSON versions, which let you download information about + objects in a structured form. Find them by: + <ul> + <li>Adding <tt>.json</tt> to the end of the URL. </li> + <li>Look for the <tt><link rel="alternate" type="application/json"></tt> tag in the head of the HTML. </li> + </ul> + </p> + + <p>Requests, users and authorities all have JSON versions containing basic + information about them. Every Atom feed has a JSON equivalent, containing + information about the list of events in the feed. + </p> + </dd> + + <dt>Spreadsheet of all authorities</dt> + <dd> + <p> + A spreadsheet file listing every body in WhatDoTheyKnow is available: + <%= link_to "all-authorities.csv", all_public_bodies_csv_url() %> + </p> + + </dd> + </dl> + + <p>Please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> if you need an API feature that isn't there yet. It's + very much a work in progress, and we do add things when people ask us to.</p> + + <div id="hash_link_padding"></div> +</div> diff --git a/app/views/help/contact.rhtml b/app/views/help/contact.rhtml index 6c65fb1c9..dd49f7951 100644 --- a/app/views/help/contact.rhtml +++ b/app/views/help/contact.rhtml @@ -2,10 +2,12 @@ <%= foi_error_messages_for :contact %> +<h1><%= @title %></h1> + <div id="contact_preamble"> <% if !flash[:notice] %> - <h1>Contact an authority to get official information</h1> + <h2>Contact an authority to get official information</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/new">Go here</a> to make a request, in public, for information from UK public authorities.</li> @@ -17,7 +19,7 @@ </li> </ul> - <h1>Take up an issue with Government</h1> + <h2>Take up an issue with Government</h2> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.writetothem.com">Write to your MP, @@ -28,7 +30,7 @@ <% end %> - <h1>Contact the <%= site_name %> team</h1> + <h2>Contact the WhatDoTheyKnow team</h2> <% if !flash[:notice] %> <ul> <li> diff --git a/app/views/help/credits.rhtml b/app/views/help/credits.rhtml index 02cd55c90..02f1e40e8 100644 --- a/app/views/help/credits.rhtml +++ b/app/views/help/credits.rhtml @@ -1,90 +1,91 @@ -<% @title = "Credit where credit is due" %> +<% @title = "Credit where credit's due" %> <%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> -<h1 id="credits"><%= @title%> <a href="#credits">#</a> </h1> +<div id="left_column_flip"> + <h1 id="credits"><%= @title%></h1> -<dl> - -<dt id="thanks">Which people made <%= site_name %>? <a href="#thanks">#</a> </dt> -<dd>Oh, nearly everyone (and <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/helpus">maybe you too</a>)! -<ul> -<li> - <a href="http://www.yrtk.org">Heather Brooke</a> - (<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/mar/29/houseofcommons.michaelmartin?gusrc=rss&feed=worldnews">vampy!</a>) has - been pushing the idea of a UK FOI archive for years now. -</li> -<li> - Both Phil Rodgers and <a href="http://www.flourish.org/blog/">Francis Irving</a> - entered it in a mySociety competition for ideas for public interest websites to build. -</li> -<li> - <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/2006/09/27/the-mysociety-call-for-proposals-the-winner-and-runners-up/">It won</a>, - and then Chris Lightfoot (<a href="http://mk.ucant.org/archives/000129.html">RIP :(</a>) - thought up the wheeze of intercepting email responses to requests and - automatically publishing them. -</li> -<li> - Tom Steinberg got the cash to pay for the site from - <a href="http://www.jrrt.org.uk/">a dead chocolate mogul</a> (<em>thank you!</em>) ... -</li> -<li> - ... so that Francis Irving, Angie Ahl, Tommy Martin, Louise Crow, Matthew Somerville - and Tom Steinberg could do the complex mixture of design and coding to build - what you see today. -</li> -<li> - Thanks particularly to Julian Todd (<a href="http://www.freesteel.co.uk/wpblog/">great blog!</a>), - Francis Davey, and Etienne Pollard for using the site early on and giving - feedback (and/or legal advice!), and also to all our other users and - testers. -</li> -<li> - The amazing team of volunteers who run the site, answer your support - emails, maintain the database of public authorities and - <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/2009/10/13/behind-whatdotheyknow/">so much more</a>. - Thanks to John Cross, Ben Harris, Adam McGreggor, Alex Skene, - Richard Taylor. -</li> -<li> - Volunteers who have provided patches to the code - thanks Peter Collingbourne - and Tony Bowden. -</li> -<li> - Everyone who has helped look up FOI email addresses. -</li> -<li> - We couldn't do any of this without those - <a href="http://www.ukcod.org.uk/UKCOD_Trustees">crazy people</a> who volunteer, - amongst many other things, to do the accounts and fill in our VAT return. -</li> -<li> - Finally, all the officers and servants who have answered the many requests - made through the site. Their diligence, patience and professionalism is - what has actually made the information that you see here. Thank them for - helping make Government more transparent. -</li> -</ul> -You're all stars. -</dd> - -<dt id="helpus">Can I help out? <a href="#helpus">#</a> </dt> -<dd> - <p>Yes please! We're built out of our supporters and volunteers.</p> + <dl> + <dt id="thanks">Who made WhatDoTheyKnow? <a href="#thanks">#</a> </dt> + <dd>Oh, nearly everyone (and <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/helpus">maybe you too</a>)! <ul> - <li>You can <a href="https://secure.mysociety.org/donate/">make a donation</a>. We're a registered charity.</li> - <li>Help people find successful requests, and monitor performance of authorities, by - <a href="/categorise/play">playing the categorisation game</a>. </li> - <li>Find out FOI email addresses of <a href="/help/requesting#missing_body">authorities that we're missing</a>.</li> - <li>Write a blog post about either <%= site_name %> or an interesting request that you've - found. Post about it on a forum that you frequent. Tell friends about it.</li> <li>If you're - a programmer, get the source code for our parent project, <a href="http://alaveteli.org">Alaveteli</a> - and tell us about patches we can pull. It's made in Ruby on Rails. - <li>Read more about <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/helpus/">volunteering with mySociety</a>. + <li> + <a href="http://www.yrtk.org">Heather Brooke</a> + (<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/mar/29/houseofcommons.michaelmartin?gusrc=rss&feed=worldnews">vampy!</a>) has + been pushing the idea of a UK FOI archive for years now. + </li> + <li> + Both Phil Rodgers and <a href="http://www.flourish.org/blog/">Francis Irving</a> + entered it in a mySociety competition for ideas for public interest websites to build. + </li> + <li> + <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/2006/09/27/the-mysociety-call-for-proposals-the-winner-and-runners-up/">It won</a>, + and then Chris Lightfoot (<a href="http://mk.ucant.org/archives/000129.html">RIP :(</a>) + thought up the wheeze of intercepting email responses to requests and + automatically publishing them. + </li> + <li> + Tom Steinberg got the cash to pay for the site from + <a href="http://www.jrrt.org.uk/">a dead chocolate mogul</a> (<em>thank you!</em>) ... + </li> + <li> + ... so that Francis Irving, Angie Ahl, Tommy Martin, Louise Crow, Matthew Somerville + and Tom Steinberg could do the complex mixture of design and coding to build + what you see today. + </li> + <li> + Thanks particularly to Julian Todd (<a href="http://www.freesteel.co.uk/wpblog/">great blog!</a>), + Francis Davey, and Etienne Pollard for using the site early on and giving + feedback (and/or legal advice!), and also to all our other users and + testers. + </li> + <li> + The amazing team of volunteers who run the site, answer your support + emails, maintain the database of public authorities and + <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/2009/10/13/behind-whatdotheyknow/">so much more</a>. + Thanks to John Cross, Ben Harris, Adam McGreggor, Alex Skene, + Richard Taylor. + </li> + <li> + Volunteers who have provided patches to the code - thanks Peter Collingbourne + and Tony Bowden. + </li> + <li> + Everyone who has helped look up FOI email addresses. + </li> + <li> + We couldn't do any of this without those + <a href="http://www.ukcod.org.uk/UKCOD_Trustees">crazy people</a> who volunteer, + amongst many other things, to do the accounts and fill in our VAT return. + </li> + <li> + Finally, all the officers and servants who have answered the many requests + made through the site. Their diligence, patience and professionalism is + what has actually made the information that you see here. Thank them for + helping make Government more transparent. + </li> </ul> -</dd> + You're all stars. + </dd> + <dt id="helpus">Can I help out? <a href="#helpus">#</a> </dt> + <dd> + <p>Yes please! We're built out of our supporters and volunteers.</p> + <ul> + <li>You can <a href="https://secure.mysociety.org/donate/">make a donation</a>. We're a registered charity.</li> + <li>Help people find successful requests, and monitor performance of authorities, by + <a href="/categorise/play">playing the categorisation game</a>. </li> + <li>Find out FOI email addresses of <a href="/help/requesting#missing_body">authorities that we're missing</a>.</li> + <li>Write a blog post about either WhatDoTheyKnow or an interesting request that you've + found. Post about it on a forum that you frequent. Tell friends about it.</li> <li>If you're + a programmer, get the source code for our parent project, <a href="http://alaveteli.org">Alaveteli</a> + and tell us about patches we can pull. It's made in Ruby on Rails. + <li>Read more about <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/helpus/">volunteering with mySociety</a>. + </ul> + </dd> + </dl> -<div id="hash_link_padding"></div> + <div id="hash_link_padding"></div> +</div> diff --git a/app/views/help/officers.rhtml b/app/views/help/officers.rhtml index d9656186a..3defec62f 100644 --- a/app/views/help/officers.rhtml +++ b/app/views/help/officers.rhtml @@ -2,246 +2,246 @@ <%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> -<h1 id="officers"><%= @title %> <a href="#officers">#</a> </h1> - -<dl> - -<dt id="top">I just got here from bottom of an FOI request, what is going on? <a href="#top">#</a> </dt> - -<dd><p><%= site_name %> is a service run by a charity. It helps ordinary members -of the public make FOI requests, and easily track and share the responses.</p> - -<p>The FOI request you received was made by someone using <%= site_name %>. You can -simply reply to the request as you would any other request from an individual. -The only difference is that your response will be automatically published on -the Internet. -</p> -<p>If you have privacy or other concerns, please read the answers below. -You might also like to read the <a -href="/help/about">introduction to <%= site_name %></a> to find out more about what -the site does from the point of view of a user. You can also search the -site to find the authority that you work for, and view the status of -any requests made using the site. - -<p>Finally, we welcome comments and -thoughts from FOI officers, please <a href="/help/contact">get in touch</a>. -</p> -</dd> - -<dt id="responses">Why are you publishing responses to FOI requests? <a href="#responses">#</a> </dt> - -<dd>We think there are lots of benefits. Most importantly it will encourage the -public to be more interested and involved in the work of government. We -also hope that it will reduce the number of duplicate requests on any -subject that a public body will receive. Given that Freedom of Information -responses contain public information, which anybody could easily request -again from the public authority, we think there should be no reason not to -publish it widely. -</dd> - -<dt id="realpeople">Are the people making requests real people? <a href="#realpeople">#</a> </dt> - -<dd>Yes. For the purposes of keeping track of responses we use -computer-generated email addresses for each request. However, before -they can send a request, each user must register on the site with a -unique email address that we then verify. You can search this site and -find a page listing all requests that each person has made. -</dd> - -<dt id="email_only">An email isn't a sufficient address for an FOI request! <a href="#email_only">#</a> </dt> - -<dd>Yes it is. This -<a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/1142/response/2894/attach/5/20080806100741260.pdf">letter from the ICO to Rother District Council</a> gives guidance on the matter, specifically -in the context of requests made via <%= site_name %>. -</dd> - -<dt id="vexatious">Aren't you making lots of vexatious requests? <a href="#vexatious">#</a> </dt> - -<dd><p><%= site_name %> is not making any requests. We are sending requests on -behalf of our users, who are real people making the requests. </p> -<p>Look at it like this - if lots of different people made requests from -different Hotmail email addresses, then you would not think that Microsoft were -making vexatious requests. It is exactly the same if lots of requests are made -via <%= site_name %>. Moreover, since all requests are public it is much easier -for you to see if one of our users is making vexatious requests. </p> -<p>If that isn't enough for you, the -<a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/1142/response/2894/attach/5/20080806100741260.pdf">letter from the ICO to Rother District Council</a> gives some guidance on the matter.</p> -</dd> - -<dt id="spam_problems">I can see a request on <%= site_name %>, but we never got it by email!<a href="#spam_problems">#</a> </dt> - -<dd><p>If a request appears on the site, then we have attempted to send it to -the authority by email. Any delivery failure messages will automatically -appear on the site. You can check the address we're using with the "View FOI -email address" link which appears on the page for the authority. <a -href="/help/contact">Contact us</a> if there is a better address we can -use.</p> -<p>Requests are sometimes not delivered because they are quietly removed by -"spam filters" in the IT department of the authority. Authorities can make -sure this doesn't happen by asking their IT departments to "whitelist" -any email from <strong>@whatdotheyknow.com</strong>. -If you <a href="/help/contact">ask us</a> we will resend any request, -and/or give technical details of delivery so an IT department can chase -up what happened to the message. -</p> -<p>Finally, you can respond to any request from your web browser, without -needing any email, using the "respond to request" link at the bottom of -each request page. -</dd> - -<dt id="days">How do you calculate the deadline shown on request pages?<a href="#days">#</a> </dt> - -<dd> -<p>The Freedom of Information Act says:</p> - -<blockquote><p>A public authority must comply with section 1(1) <strong>promptly</strong> and -in any event not later than the twentieth working day following the date of -receipt.</p></blockquote> - -<p>The nerdy detail of exactly how weekends are counted, and what happens if -the request arrives out of office hours, is just that - detail. What matters -here is that the law says authorities must respond <strong>promptly</strong>.</p> - -<p>If you've got a good reason why the request is going to take a while to -process, requesters find it really helpful if you can send a quick email with a -sentence or two saying what is happening. </p> - -<p>FOI officers often have to do a lot of <strong>hard work</strong> to answer -requests, and this is hidden from the public. We think it would help everyone -to have more of that complexity visible.</p> - -</dd> - -<dt id="days2">But really, how do you calculate the deadline?<a href="#days2">#</a> </dt> - -<dd> - -<p>Please read the answer to the previous question first. Legally, authorities -must respond <strong>promptly</strong> to FOI requests. If they fail to do that, -it is best if they show the hard work they are doing by explaining what is -taking the extra time to do. -</p> - -<p>That said, <%= site_name %> does show the maximum legal deadline -for response on each request. Here's how we calculate it.</p> - -<ul> - -<li>If the day we deliver the request by email is a working day, we count that -as "day zero", even if it was delivered late in the evening. Days end at -midnight. We then count the next working day as "day one", and so on up to -<strong>20 working days</strong>.</li> - -<li>If the day the request email was delivered was a non-working day, we count -the next working day as "day one". Delivery is delivery, even if it happened on -the weekend. Some authorities -<a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/policy_regarding_body_scans#incoming-1100">disagree with this</a>, -our lawyer disagrees with them. </li> - -<li>Requesters are encouraged to mark when they have <strong>clarified</strong> -their request so the clock resets, but sometimes they get this wrong. If you -see a problem with a particular request, let us know and we'll fix it.</li> -</ul> - -<p>The date thus calculated is shown on requests with the text "By law, -Liverpool City Council should normally have responded by...". There is only -one case which is not normal, see the next question about -<a href="#public_interest_test">public interest test time extensions</a>. -</p> - -<p>Schools are also a special case, which <%= site_name %> displays differently. -</p> - -<ul> -<li>Since June 2009, <strong>schools</strong> have "20 working days -disregarding any working day which is not a school day, or 60 working days, -whichever is first" (<a href="http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2009/draft/ukdsi_9780111477632_en_1">FOI (Time for Compliance with Request) Regulations 2009</a>). <%= site_name %> indicates on requests to schools that the 20 day deadline is only -during term time, and shows them as definitely overdue after 60 working days -</li> -</ul> - -<p>If you're getting really nerdy about all this, read the <a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/timeforcompliance.pdf">detailed ICO guidance</a>. -Meanwhile, remember that the law says authorities must respond -<strong>promptly</strong>. That's really what matters.</p> - -</dd> - -<dt id="public_interest_test">How do you reflect time extensions for public interest tests?<a href="#public_interest_test">#</a> </dt> - -<dd> - -<p>The Freedom of Information Act lets authorities claim an indefinite time -extension when applying a <strong>public interest test</strong>. Information -Commissioner guidance says that it should only be used in "exceptionally -complex" cases -(<a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/foi_good_practice_guidance_4.pdf">FOI Good Practice Guidance No. 4</a>). -<%= site_name %> doesn't specifically handle this case, which is why we use the -phrase "should normally have responded by" when the 20 working day time is -exceeded. -</p> - -<p>The same guidance says that, even in exceptionally complex cases, no -Freedom of Information request should take more than <strong>40 working days</strong> -to answer. <%= site_name %> displays requests which are overdue by that much -with stronger wording to indicate they are definitely late. -</p> +<div id="left_column_flip"> + <h1 id="officers"><%= @title %> <a href="#officers">#</a> </h1> + + <dl> + + <dt id="top">I just got here from bottom of an FOI request, what is going on? <a href="#top">#</a> </dt> + + <dd><p>WhatDoTheyKnow is a service run by a charity. It helps ordinary members + of the public make FOI requests, and easily track and share the responses.</p> + + <p>The FOI request you received was made by someone using WhatDoTheyKnow. You can + simply reply to the request as you would any other request from an individual. + The only difference is that your response will be automatically published on + the Internet. + </p> + <p>If you have privacy or other concerns, please read the answers below. + You might also like to read the <a + href="/help/about">introduction to WhatDoTheyKnow</a> to find out more about what + the site does from the point of view of a user. You can also search the + site to find the authority that you work for, and view the status of + any requests made using the site. + + <p>Finally, we welcome comments and + thoughts from FOI officers, please <a href="/help/contact">get in touch</a>. + </p> + </dd> + + <dt id="responses">Why are you publishing responses to FOI requests? <a href="#responses">#</a> </dt> + + <dd>We think there are lots of benefits. Most importantly it will encourage the + public to be more interested and involved in the work of government. We + also hope that it will reduce the number of duplicate requests on any + subject that a public body will receive. Given that Freedom of Information + responses contain public information, which anybody could easily request + again from the public authority, we think there should be no reason not to + publish it widely. + </dd> + + <dt id="realpeople">Are the people making requests real people? <a href="#realpeople">#</a> </dt> + + <dd>Yes. For the purposes of keeping track of responses we use + computer-generated email addresses for each request. However, before + they can send a request, each user must register on the site with a + unique email address that we then verify. You can search this site and + find a page listing all requests that each person has made. + </dd> + + <dt id="email_only">An email isn't a sufficient address for an FOI request! <a href="#email_only">#</a> </dt> + + <dd>Yes it is. This + <a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/1142/response/2894/attach/5/20080806100741260.pdf">letter from the ICO to Rother District Council</a> gives guidance on the matter, specifically + in the context of requests made via WhatDoTheyKnow. + </dd> + + <dt id="vexatious">Aren't you making lots of vexatious requests? <a href="#vexatious">#</a> </dt> + + <dd><p>WhatDoTheyKnow is not making any requests. We are sending requests on + behalf of our users, who are real people making the requests. </p> + <p>Look at it like this - if lots of different people made requests from + different Hotmail email addresses, then you would not think that Microsoft were + making vexatious requests. It is exactly the same if lots of requests are made + via WhatDoTheyKnow. Moreover, since all requests are public it is much easier + for you to see if one of our users is making vexatious requests. </p> + <p>If that isn't enough for you, the + <a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/1142/response/2894/attach/5/20080806100741260.pdf">letter from the ICO to Rother District Council</a> gives some guidance on the matter.</p> + </dd> + + <dt id="spam_problems">I can see a request on WhatDoTheyKnow, but we never got it by email!<a href="#spam_problems">#</a> </dt> + + <dd><p>If a request appears on the site, then we have attempted to send it to + the authority by email. Any delivery failure messages will automatically + appear on the site. You can check the address we're using with the "View FOI + email address" link which appears on the page for the authority. <a + href="/help/contact">Contact us</a> if there is a better address we can + use.</p> + <p>Requests are sometimes not delivered because they are quietly removed by + "spam filters" in the IT department of the authority. Authorities can make + sure this doesn't happen by asking their IT departments to "whitelist" + any email from <strong>@whatdotheyknow.com</strong>. + If you <a href="/help/contact">ask us</a> we will resend any request, + and/or give technical details of delivery so an IT department can chase + up what happened to the message. + </p> + <p>Finally, you can respond to any request from your web browser, without + needing any email, using the "respond to request" link at the bottom of + each request page. + </dd> + + <dt id="days">How do you calculate the deadline shown on request pages?<a href="#days">#</a> </dt> + + <dd> + <p>The Freedom of Information Act says:</p> + + <blockquote><p>A public authority must comply with section 1(1) <strong>promptly</strong> and + in any event not later than the twentieth working day following the date of + receipt.</p></blockquote> + + <p>The nerdy detail of exactly how weekends are counted, and what happens if + the request arrives out of office hours, is just that - detail. What matters + here is that the law says authorities must respond <strong>promptly</strong>.</p> + + <p>If you've got a good reason why the request is going to take a while to + process, requesters find it really helpful if you can send a quick email with a + sentence or two saying what is happening. </p> + + <p>FOI officers often have to do a lot of <strong>hard work</strong> to answer + requests, and this is hidden from the public. We think it would help everyone + to have more of that complexity visible.</p> + + </dd> + + <dt id="days2">But really, how do you calculate the deadline?<a href="#days2">#</a> </dt> + + <dd> + + <p>Please read the answer to the previous question first. Legally, authorities + must respond <strong>promptly</strong> to FOI requests. If they fail to do that, + it is best if they show the hard work they are doing by explaining what is + taking the extra time to do. + </p> + + <p>That said, WhatDoTheyKnow does show the maximum legal deadline + for response on each request. Here's how we calculate it.</p> + + <ul> + + <li>If the day we deliver the request by email is a working day, we count that + as "day zero", even if it was delivered late in the evening. Days end at + midnight. We then count the next working day as "day one", and so on up to + <strong>20 working days</strong>.</li> + + <li>If the day the request email was delivered was a non-working day, we count + the next working day as "day one". Delivery is delivery, even if it happened on + the weekend. Some authorities <a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/policy_regarding_body_scans#incoming-1100">disagree with this</a>, our lawyer disagrees with them. </li> + + <li>Requesters are encouraged to mark when they have <strong>clarified</strong> + their request so the clock resets, but sometimes they get this wrong. If you + see a problem with a particular request, let us know and we'll fix it.</li> + </ul> + + <p>The date thus calculated is shown on requests with the text "By law, + Liverpool City Council should normally have responded by...". There is only + one case which is not normal, see the next question about + <a href="#public_interest_test">public interest test time extensions</a>. + </p> + + <p>Schools are also a special case, which WhatDoTheyKnow displays differently. + </p> + + <ul> + <li>Since June 2009, <strong>schools</strong> have "20 working days + disregarding any working day which is not a school day, or 60 working days, + whichever is first" (<a href="http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2009/draft/ukdsi_9780111477632_en_1">FOI (Time for Compliance with Request) Regulations 2009</a>). WhatDoTheyKnow indicates on requests to schools that the 20 day deadline is only + during term time, and shows them as definitely overdue after 60 working days + </li> + </ul> + + <p>If you're getting really nerdy about all this, read the <a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/timeforcompliance.pdf">detailed ICO guidance</a>. + Meanwhile, remember that the law says authorities must respond + <strong>promptly</strong>. That's really what matters.</p> + + </dd> + + <dt id="public_interest_test">How do you reflect time extensions for public interest tests?<a href="#public_interest_test">#</a> </dt> + + <dd> + + <p>The Freedom of Information Act lets authorities claim an indefinite time + extension when applying a <strong>public interest test</strong>. Information + Commissioner guidance says that it should only be used in "exceptionally + complex" cases + (<a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/foi_good_practice_guidance_4.pdf">FOI Good Practice Guidance No. 4</a>). + WhatDoTheyKnow doesn't specifically handle this case, which is why we use the + phrase "should normally have responded by" when the 20 working day time is + exceeded. + </p> + + <p>The same guidance says that, even in exceptionally complex cases, no + Freedom of Information request should take more than <strong>40 working days</strong> + to answer. WhatDoTheyKnow displays requests which are overdue by that much + with stronger wording to indicate they are definitely late. + </p> -<p>The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act does not allow such a public -interest extension. <%= site_name %> would like to see the law changed to either -remove the extension from the UK Act, or to reintroduce an absolute time limit -of 40 working days even with the extension (the House of Lords <a -href="http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2000-10-17&number=1&house=lords">voted -to remove</a> provision for such a time limit during the initial passage -of the UK Act through Parliament). -</p> -</dd> - -<dt id="large_file">How can I send a large file, which won't go by email?<a href="#large_file">#</a> </dt> + <p>The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act does not allow such a public + interest extension. WhatDoTheyKnow would like to see the law changed to either + remove the extension from the UK Act, or to reintroduce an absolute time limit + of 40 working days even with the extension (the House of Lords <a + href="http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2000-10-17&number=1&house=lords">voted + to remove</a> provision for such a time limit during the initial passage + of the UK Act through Parliament). + </p> + </dd> -<dd>Instead of email, you can respond to a request directly from your web -browser, including uploading a file. To do this, choose "respond to request" at -the bottom of the request's page. <a href="/help/contact">Contact us</a> if it -is too big for even that (more than, say, 50Mb). -</dd> - -<dt id="names">Why do you publish the names of civil servants and the text of emails? <a href="#names">#</a> </dt> + <dt id="large_file">How can I send a large file, which won't go by email?<a href="#large_file">#</a> </dt> -<dd>We consider what officers or servants do in the course of their employment -to be public information. We will only remove content in exceptional -circumstances, see our <a href="/help/privacy#takedown">take down policy</a>. -</dd> - -<dt id="mobiles">Do you publish email addresses or mobile phone numbers? <a href="#mobiles">#</a> </dt> - -<dd><p>To prevent spam, we automatically remove most emails and some mobile numbers from -responses to requests. Please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> if we've -missed one. -For technical reasons we don't always remove them from attachments, such as certain PDFs.</p> -<p>If you need to know what an address was that we've removed, please <a - href="/help/contact">get in touch with us</a>. Occasionally, an email address -forms an important part of a response and we will post it up in an obscured -form in an annotation. -</dd> - -<dt id="copyright"><a name="commercial"></a>What is your policy on copyright of documents?<a href="#copyright">#</a> </dt> - -<dd>Our Freedom of Information law is "applicant blind", so anyone in the -world can request the same document and get a copy of it. - -If you think our making a document available on the internet infringes your -copyright, you may <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> and ask us -to take it down. However, to save tax payers' money by preventing duplicate -requests, and for good public relations, we'd advise you not to do that. -</dd> - -</dl> - - -</dl> - -<p><strong>If you haven't already</strong>, read <a href="/help/about">the introduction</a> --> -<br><strong>Otherwise</strong>, the <a href="/help/credits">credits</a> or the <a href="/help/api">programmers API</a> --> - -<div id="hash_link_padding"></div> + <dd>Instead of email, you can respond to a request directly from your web + browser, including uploading a file. To do this, choose "respond to request" at + the bottom of the request's page. <a href="/help/contact">Contact us</a> if it + is too big for even that (more than, say, 50Mb). + </dd> + + <dt id="names">Why do you publish the names of civil servants and the text of emails? <a href="#names">#</a> </dt> + + <dd>We consider what officers or servants do in the course of their employment + to be public information. We will only remove content in exceptional + circumstances, see our <a href="/help/privacy#takedown">take down policy</a>. + </dd> + + <dt id="mobiles">Do you publish email addresses or mobile phone numbers? <a href="#mobiles">#</a> </dt> + + <dd><p>To prevent spam, we automatically remove most emails and some mobile numbers from + responses to requests. Please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> if we've + missed one. + For technical reasons we don't always remove them from attachments, such as certain PDFs.</p> + <p>If you need to know what an address was that we've removed, please <a + href="/help/contact">get in touch with us</a>. Occasionally, an email address + forms an important part of a response and we will post it up in an obscured + form in an annotation. + </dd> + + <dt id="copyright"><a name="commercial"></a>What is your policy on copyright of documents?<a href="#copyright">#</a> </dt> + + <dd>Our Freedom of Information law is "applicant blind", so anyone in the + world can request the same document and get a copy of it. + + If you think our making a document available on the internet infringes your + copyright, you may <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> and ask us + to take it down. However, to save tax payers' money by preventing duplicate + requests, and for good public relations, we'd advise you not to do that. + </dd> + + </dl> + + + </dl> + + <p><strong>If you haven't already</strong>, read <a href="/help/about">the introduction</a> --> + <br><strong>Otherwise</strong>, the <a href="/help/credits">credits</a> or the <a href="/help/api">programmers API</a> --> + + <div id="hash_link_padding"></div> +</div> diff --git a/app/views/help/privacy.rhtml b/app/views/help/privacy.rhtml index fc8c54885..bec0c8c23 100644 --- a/app/views/help/privacy.rhtml +++ b/app/views/help/privacy.rhtml @@ -2,54 +2,54 @@ <%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> -<h1 id="privacy"><%= @title %> <a href="#privacy">#</a> </h1> - -<dl> - -<dt id="email_address">Who gets to see my email address? <a href="#email_address">#</a> </dt> - -<dd><p>We will not disclose your email address to anyone unless we are obliged to by law, -or you ask us to. This includes the public authority that you are sending a -request to. They only get to see an email address -@whatdotheyknow.com which is specific to that request. </p> -<p>If you send a message to another user on the site, then it will reveal your -email address to them. You will be told that this is going to happen.</p> -</dd> - -<dt id="nasty_spam">Will you send nasty, brutish spam to my email address? <a href="#nasty_spam">#</a> </dt> -<dd>Nope. After you sign up to <%= site_name %> we will only send you emails -relating to a request you made, an email alert that you have signed up for, -or for other reasons that you specifically authorise. We will never give or -sell your email addresses to anyone else, unless we are obliged to by law, or -you ask us to. -</dd> - -<dt id="public_request">Why will my name and my request appear publicly on the site? <a href="#public_request">#</a> </dt> - -<dd> -<p>We publish your request on the Internet so that anybody can read it and -make use of the information that you have found. We do not normally delete -requests (<a href="#delete_requests">more details</a>). -</p> -<p> -Your name is tangled up with your request, so has to be published as well. -It is only fair, as we're going to publish the name of the civil servant who -writes the response to your request. Using your real name also helps people -get in touch with you to assist you with your research or to campaign with you. -</p> -<p>By law, you must use your real name for the request to be a valid Freedom of -Information request. See the next question for alternatives if you do not want -to publish your full name. -</p> -</dd> - -<dt id="real_name">Can I make an FOI request using a pseudonym? <a href="#real_name">#</a> </dt> - - -<dd> -<p>Technically, you must use your real name for your request to be a valid Freedom of Information request in law. See this -<a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/name_of_applicant_fop083_v1.pdf">guidance from the Information Commissioner</a> (January 2009). -</p> +<div id="left_column_flip"> + <h1 id="privacy"><%= @title %></h1> + <dl> + + <dt id="email_address">Who gets to see my email address? <a href="#email_address">#</a> </dt> + + <dd><p>We will not disclose your email address to anyone unless we are obliged to by law, + or you ask us to. This includes the public authority that you are sending a + request to. They only get to see an email address + @whatdotheyknow.com which is specific to that request. </p> + <p>If you send a message to another user on the site, then it will reveal your + email address to them. You will be told that this is going to happen.</p> + </dd> + + <dt id="nasty_spam">Will you send nasty, brutish spam to my email address? <a href="#nasty_spam">#</a> </dt> + <dd>Nope. After you sign up to WhatDoTheyKnow we will only send you emails + relating to a request you made, an email alert that you have signed up for, + or for other reasons that you specifically authorise. We will never give or + sell your email addresses to anyone else, unless we are obliged to by law, or + you ask us to. + </dd> + + <dt id="public_request">Why will my name and my request appear publicly on the site? <a href="#public_request">#</a> </dt> + + <dd> + <p>We publish your request on the Internet so that anybody can read it and + make use of the information that you have found. We do not normally delete + requests (<a href="#delete_requests">more details</a>). + </p> + <p> + Your name is tangled up with your request, so has to be published as well. + It is only fair, as we're going to publish the name of the civil servant who + writes the response to your request. Using your real name also helps people + get in touch with you to assist you with your research or to campaign with you. + </p> + <p>By law, you must use your real name for the request to be a valid Freedom of + Information request. See the next question for alternatives if you do not want + to publish your full name. + </p> + </dd> + + <dt id="real_name">Can I make an FOI request using a pseudonym? <a href="#real_name">#</a> </dt> + + + <dd> + <p>Technically, you must use your real name for your request to be a valid Freedom of Information request in law. See this + <a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/name_of_applicant_fop083_v1.pdf">guidance from the Information Commissioner</a> (January 2009). + </p> <p>However, the same guidance also says it is good practice for the public authority to still consider a request made using an obvious pseudonym. @@ -179,6 +179,6 @@ that authorities resend these with the personal information removed.</p> <p><strong>Learn more</strong> from the help for <a href="/help/officers">FOI officers</a> --> -<div id="hash_link_padding"></div> - + <div id="hash_link_padding"></div> +</div> diff --git a/app/views/help/requesting.rhtml b/app/views/help/requesting.rhtml index eec887950..af8f2e45d 100644 --- a/app/views/help/requesting.rhtml +++ b/app/views/help/requesting.rhtml @@ -1,293 +1,293 @@ <% @title = "Making requests" %> <%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> - -<h1 id="making_requests"><%= @title %> <a href="#making_requests">#</a> </h1> -<dl> - -<dt id="which_authority">I'm not sure which authority to make my request to, how can I find out? <a href="#which_authority">#</a> </dt> - -<dd> -<p>It can be hard to untangle government's complicated structured, and work out -who knows the information that you want. Here are a few tips: -<ul> -<li>Browse or search <%= site_name %> looking for similar requests to yours.</li> -<li>When you've found an authority you think might have the information, use -the "home page" link on the right hand side of their page to check what they do -on their website.</li> -<li>Contact the authority by phone or email to ask if they hold the kind of -information you're after.</li> -<li>Don't worry excessively about getting the right authority. If you get it -wrong, they ought to advise you who to make the request to instead. -</li> -<li>If you've got a thorny case, please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> for help.</li> -</ul> - -</dd> - - - -<dt id="missing_body">You're missing the public authority that I want to request from! <a href="#missing_body">#</a> </dt> - -<dd> -<p>Please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> with the name of the public authority and, -if you can find it, their contact email address for Freedom of Information requests. -</p> -<p>If you'd like to help add a whole category of public authority to the site, we'd love -to hear from you too. -</p> - -</dd> - -<dt id="authorities">Why do you include some authorities that aren't formally subject to FOI?<a href="#authorities">#</a> </dt> - -<dd> -<p><%= site_name %> lets you make requests for information to a range of -organisations:</p> - -<ul> - <li> Those formally subject to the FOI Act</li> - <li> Those formally subject to the Environmental Regulations (a less well - defined group)</li> - <li> Those which voluntarily comply with the FOI Act</li> - <li> Those which aren't subject to the Act but we think should be, on grounds - such as them having significant public responsibilities. +<div id="left_column_flip"> + <h1 id="making_requests"><%= @title %></h1> + <dl> + + <dt id="which_authority">I'm not sure which authority to make my request to, how can I find out? <a href="#which_authority">#</a> </dt> + + <dd> + <p>It can be hard to untangle government's complicated structured, and work out + who knows the information that you want. Here are a few tips: + <ul> + <li>Browse or search WhatDoTheyKnow looking for similar requests to yours.</li> + <li>When you've found an authority you think might have the information, use + the "home page" link on the right hand side of their page to check what they do + on their website.</li> + <li>Contact the authority by phone or email to ask if they hold the kind of + information you're after.</li> + <li>Don't worry excessively about getting the right authority. If you get it + wrong, they ought to advise you who to make the request to instead. </li> -</ul> - -<p>In the last case, we're using the site to lobby for expansion of the -scope of the FOI Act. Even if an organisation is not legally obliged to respond -to an FOI request, they can still do so voluntarily. -</p> - -</dd> - -<dt id="focused">Why must I keep my request focused?<a href="#focused">#</a> </dt> - -<dd> + <li>If you've got a thorny case, please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> for help.</li> + </ul> -<p> -Please put in your request only what is needed so that someone can -easily identify what information you are asking for. Please do -<i>not</i> include any of the following: -</p> + </dd> -<ul> -<li>arguments about your cause</li> -<li>statements that could defame or insult others</li> -</ul> -<p> -If you do, we may have to remove your request to avoid problems with -libel law, which is a pain for both you and us. Short, succinct messages -make it easier for authorities to be clear what information you are -requesting, which means you will get a reply more quickly. -</p> -<p> -If you want information to support an argument or campaign, Freedom of -Information is a powerful tool. Although you may not use this site to -run your campaign, we encourage you to use it to get the information you -need. We also encourage to run your campaign elsewhere - one effective -and very easy way is to <%= link_to 'start your own blog', -"http://wordpress.com/"%>. You are welcome to link to your campaign -from this site in an annotation to your request (you can make -annotations after submitting the request). -</p> + <dt id="missing_body">You're missing the public authority that I want to request from! <a href="#missing_body">#</a> </dt> -</dd> + <dd> + <p>Please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> with the name of the public authority and, + if you can find it, their contact email address for Freedom of Information requests. + </p> + <p>If you'd like to help add a whole category of public authority to the site, we'd love + to hear from you too. + </p> -<dt id="fees">Does it cost me anything to make a request?<a href="#fees">#</a> </dt> + </dd> -<dd> + <dt id="authorities">Why do you include some authorities that aren't formally subject to FOI?<a href="#authorities">#</a> </dt> -<p>Making an FOI request is nearly always free.</p> + <dd> + <p>WhatDoTheyKnow lets you make requests for information to a range of + organisations:</p> -<p>Authorities often include unnecessary, scary, boilerplate in -acknowledgement messages saying they "may" charge a fee. Ignore such notices. -They hardly ever will actually charge a fee. If they do, they can only charge you if -you have specifically agreed in advance to pay. <a - href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/practical_application/chargingafee.pdf">More - details</a> from the Information Commissioner. -</p> - -<p>Sometimes an authority will refuse your request, saying that the cost -of handling it exceeds £600 (for central government) or £450 (for all other -public authorities). At this point you can refine your -request. e.g. it would be much cheaper for an authority to tell you the amount -spent on marshmallows in the past year than in the past ten years. -</p> - -</dd> - - - -<dt id="quickly_response">How quickly will I get a response? <a href="#quickly_response">#</a> </dt> - -<dd> -<p>By law, public authorities must respond <strong>promptly</strong> to -requests. -</p> - -<p>Even if they are not prompt, in nearly all cases they must respond within -20 working days. If you had to clarify your request, or they are a school, -or one or two other cases, then they may have more time -(<a href="/help/officers#days">full details</a>). - -<p><%= site_name %> will email you if you don't get a timely response. You can -then send the public authority a message to remind them, and tell them if they -are breaking the law.</p> - -</dd> - -<dt id="deadline_extended">Deadline extended <a href="#deadline_extended">#</a> </dt> - -<dd> -<p>By law, public authorities must needs <strong>more time</strong> for request ... (TO DO) -</p> - - -</dd> -<dt id="no_response">What if I never get a response?<a href="#no_response">#</a> </dt> - -<dd> -<p>There are several things you can do if you never get a response.</p> -<ul> - <li>Sometimes there has been a genuine problem and the authority never - received the request. It is worth telephoning the authority and politely - checking that they received the request. It was sent to them by email. - </li> - <li>If they have not received it, the problem is most likely due to - "spam filters". Refer the authority to the measures in the answer - '<a href="/help/officers#spam_problems">I can see a request on <%= site_name %>, but we never got it by email!</a>' - in the FOI officers section of this help. + <ul> + <li> Those formally subject to the FOI Act</li> + <li> Those formally subject to the Environmental Regulations (a less well + defined group)</li> + <li> Those which voluntarily comply with the FOI Act</li> + <li> Those which aren't subject to the Act but we think should be, on grounds + such as them having significant public responsibilities. </li> - <li>If you're still having no luck, then you can ask for an internal review, - and then complain to the Information Commissioner about the authority. - Read our page '<a href="/help/unhappy">Unhappy about the response you got?</a>'. -</ul> -</dd> - -<dt id="not_satifised">What if I'm not satisfied with the response? <a href="#not_satifised">#</a> </dt> -<dd>If you didn't get the information you asked for, or you didn't get it in time, -then read our page '<a href="/help/unhappy">Unhappy about the response you got?</a>'. -</dd> - -<dt id="reuse">It says I can't re-use the information I got!<a href="#reuse">#</a> </dt> -<dd> -<p>Authorities often add legal boilerplate about the -"<a href="http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051515">Re-Use of Public Sector -Information Regulations 2005</a>", which at first glance implies you may not -be able do anything with the information. -</p> - -<p>You can, of course, write articles about the information or summarise it, or -quote parts of it. We also think you should feel free to republish the -information in full, just as we do, even though in theory you might not be -allowed to do so. See <a href="/help/officers#copyright">our policy on copyright</a>.</p> - -</dd> - -<dt id="ico_help">Can you tell me more of the nitty gritty about the process of making requests? <a href="#ico_help">#</a> </dt> - -<dd> -<p>Have a look at the -<a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_the_public/access_to_official_information.aspx">access to official information</a> -pages on the Information Commissioner's website.</p> - -<p>If you're requesting information from a Scottish public authority, -the process is very similar. There are differences around time -limits for compliance. -See the <a href="http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.asp?lID=1858&sID=321">Scottish -Information Commissioner's guidance</a> for details.</p> -</dd> - -<dt id="data_protection">Can I request information about myself? <a href="#data_protection">#</a> </dt> - -<dd> -<p>No. Requests made using <%= site_name %> are public, made under the Freedom of -Information Act, and cannot help you find information about a private -individual.</p> - -<p>If you would like to know what information a public -authority holds about yourself, you should make a "Subject Access Request" in -private using Data Protection law. The leaflet "<a -href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/introductory/subject_access_rights.pdf">How to access your information</a>" (on the Information Commissioner's -website) explains how to do this.</p> - -<p>If you see that somebody has included personal information, perhaps -unwittingly, in a request, please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> -immediately so we can remove it.</p> -</dd> - - -<dt id="private_requests">I'd like to keep my request secret! (At least until I publish my story) <a href="#private_requests">#</a> </dt> - -<dd><p><%= site_name %> is currently only designed for public requests. All -responses that we receive are automatically published on the website for anyone -to read. </p> -<p>You should contact the public authority directly if you would like to -make a request in private. If you're interested in buying a system which helps -you manage FOI requests in secret, then <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a>. -</p> -</dd> - -<dt id="eir">Why can I only request information about the environment from some authorities? <a href="#eir">#</a> </dt> - -<dd> -<p>Some public authorities, such as <a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/body/south_east_water">South East Water</a>, -don't come under the Freedom of Information Act, but do come under another law called -the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR). -</p> - -<p>It's a very similar law, so you make a request -to them using <%= site_name %> in just the same way as an FOI request. The only -difference is that on the page where your write you request, it reminds you -that you can only request "environmental information" and tells you what that -means. It is quite broad. -</p> - -<p>You can, of course, request environmental information from other -authorities. Just make a Freedom of Information (FOI) request as normal. The -authority has a duty to work out if the Environmental Information Regulations -(EIR) is the more appropriate legislation to reply under. -</p> -</dd> - -<dt id="multiple">Can I make the same to request to lots of authorities, e.g. all councils? <a href="#multiple">#</a> </dt> - -<dd>We ask you to first send a test version of your request to a few -authorities. Their responses will help you improve the wording of your request, -so that you get the best information when you send the request to all of -the authorities. There is currently no automated system for sending the request -to the other authorities, you must copy and paste it by hand. - -</dd> - -<dt id="offsite">I made a request off the site, how do I upload it to the archive?<a href="#offsite">#</a> </dt> - -<dd><%= site_name %> is an archive of requests made through the site, -and does not try to be an archive of all FOI requests. We'll never support uploading -other requests. For one thing, we wouldn't be able to verify that other -responses actually came from the authority. If this really matters to you, -you can always make the same request again via <%= site_name %>. -</dd> - -<dt id="moderation">How do you moderate request annotations? <a href="#moderation">#</a> </dt> - -<dd> -<p>Annotations on <%= site_name %> are to help -people get the information they want, or to give them pointers to places they -can go to help them act on it. We reserve the right to remove anything else. -</p> -<p>Endless, political discussions are not allowed. -Post a link to a suitable forum or campaign site elsewhere.</p> -<dd> + </ul> -</dl> + <p>In the last case, we're using the site to lobby for expansion of the + scope of the FOI Act. Even if an organisation is not legally obliged to respond + to an FOI request, they can still do so voluntarily. + </p> -<p><strong>Next</strong>, read about <a href="/help/privacy">your privacy</a> --> + </dd> -<div id="hash_link_padding"></div> + <dt id="focused">Why must I keep my request focused?<a href="#focused">#</a> </dt> + <dd> + + <p> + Please put in your request only what is needed so that someone can + easily identify what information you are asking for. Please do + <i>not</i> include any of the following: + </p> + + <ul> + <li>arguments about your cause</li> + <li>statements that could defame or insult others</li> + </ul> + + <p> + If you do, we may have to remove your request to avoid problems with + libel law, which is a pain for both you and us. Short, succinct messages + make it easier for authorities to be clear what information you are + requesting, which means you will get a reply more quickly. + </p> + + <p> + If you want information to support an argument or campaign, Freedom of + Information is a powerful tool. Although you may not use this site to + run your campaign, we encourage you to use it to get the information you + need. We also encourage to run your campaign elsewhere - one effective + and very easy way is to <%= link_to 'start your own blog', + "http://wordpress.com/"%>. You are welcome to link to your campaign + from this site in an annotation to your request (you can make + annotations after submitting the request). + </p> + + </dd> + + <dt id="fees">Does it cost me anything to make a request?<a href="#fees">#</a> </dt> + + <dd> + + <p>Making an FOI request is nearly always free.</p> + + <p>Authorities often include unnecessary, scary, boilerplate in + acknowledgement messages saying they "may" charge a fee. Ignore such notices. + They hardly ever will actually charge a fee. If they do, they can only charge you if + you have specifically agreed in advance to pay. <a + href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/practical_application/chargingafee.pdf">More + details</a> from the Information Commissioner. + </p> + + <p>Sometimes an authority will refuse your request, saying that the cost + of handling it exceeds £600 (for central government) or £450 (for all other + public authorities). At this point you can refine your + request. e.g. it would be much cheaper for an authority to tell you the amount + spent on marshmallows in the past year than in the past ten years. + </p> + + </dd> + + + + <dt id="quickly_response">How quickly will I get a response? <a href="#quickly_response">#</a> </dt> + + <dd> + <p>By law, public authorities must respond <strong>promptly</strong> to + requests. + </p> + + <p>Even if they are not prompt, in nearly all cases they must respond within + 20 working days. If you had to clarify your request, or they are a school, + or one or two other cases, then they may have more time + (<a href="/help/officers#days">full details</a>). + + <p>WhatDoTheyKnow will email you if you don't get a timely response. You can + then send the public authority a message to remind them, and tell them if they + are breaking the law.</p> + + </dd> + + <dt id="deadline_extended">Deadline extended <a href="#deadline_extended">#</a> </dt> + + <dd> + <p>By law, public authorities must needs <strong>more time</strong> for request ... (TO DO) + </p> + + + </dd> + <dt id="no_response">What if I never get a response?<a href="#no_response">#</a> </dt> + + <dd> + <p>There are several things you can do if you never get a response.</p> + <ul> + <li>Sometimes there has been a genuine problem and the authority never + received the request. It is worth telephoning the authority and politely + checking that they received the request. It was sent to them by email. + </li> + <li>If they have not received it, the problem is most likely due to + "spam filters". Refer the authority to the measures in the answer + '<a href="/help/officers#spam_problems">I can see a request on WhatDoTheyKnow, but we never got it by email!</a>' + in the FOI officers section of this help. + </li> + <li>If you're still having no luck, then you can ask for an internal review, + and then complain to the Information Commissioner about the authority. + Read our page '<a href="/help/unhappy">Unhappy about the response you got?</a>'. + </ul> + </dd> + + <dt id="not_satifised">What if I'm not satisfied with the response? <a href="#not_satifised">#</a> </dt> + <dd>If you didn't get the information you asked for, or you didn't get it in time, + then read our page '<a href="/help/unhappy">Unhappy about the response you got?</a>'. + </dd> + + <dt id="reuse">It says I can't re-use the information I got!<a href="#reuse">#</a> </dt> + <dd> + <p>Authorities often add legal boilerplate about the + "<a href="http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051515">Re-Use of Public Sector + Information Regulations 2005</a>", which at first glance implies you may not + be able do anything with the information. + </p> + + <p>You can, of course, write articles about the information or summarise it, or + quote parts of it. We also think you should feel free to republish the + information in full, just as we do, even though in theory you might not be + allowed to do so. See <a href="/help/officers#copyright">our policy on copyright</a>.</p> + + </dd> + + <dt id="ico_help">Can you tell me more of the nitty gritty about the process of making requests? <a href="#ico_help">#</a> </dt> + + <dd> + <p>Have a look at the + <a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_the_public/access_to_official_information.aspx">access to official information</a> + pages on the Information Commissioner's website.</p> + + <p>If you're requesting information from a Scottish public authority, + the process is very similar. There are differences around time + limits for compliance. + See the <a href="http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.asp?lID=1858&sID=321">Scottish + Information Commissioner's guidance</a> for details.</p> + </dd> + + <dt id="data_protection">Can I request information about myself? <a href="#data_protection">#</a> </dt> + + <dd> + <p>No. Requests made using WhatDoTheyKnow are public, made under the Freedom of + Information Act, and cannot help you find information about a private + individual.</p> + + <p>If you would like to know what information a public + authority holds about yourself, you should make a "Subject Access Request" in + private using Data Protection law. The leaflet "<a + href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/introductory/subject_access_rights.pdf">How to access your information</a>" (on the Information Commissioner's + website) explains how to do this.</p> + + <p>If you see that somebody has included personal information, perhaps + unwittingly, in a request, please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> + immediately so we can remove it.</p> + </dd> + + + <dt id="private_requests">I'd like to keep my request secret! (At least until I publish my story) <a href="#private_requests">#</a> </dt> + + <dd><p>WhatDoTheyKnow is currently only designed for public requests. All + responses that we receive are automatically published on the website for anyone + to read. </p> + <p>You should contact the public authority directly if you would like to + make a request in private. If you're interested in buying a system which helps + you manage FOI requests in secret, then <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a>. + </p> + </dd> + + <dt id="eir">Why can I only request information about the environment from some authorities? <a href="#eir">#</a> </dt> + + <dd> + <p>Some public authorities, such as <a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/body/south_east_water">South East Water</a>, + don't come under the Freedom of Information Act, but do come under another law called + the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR). + </p> + + <p>It's a very similar law, so you make a request + to them using WhatDoTheyKnow in just the same way as an FOI request. The only + difference is that on the page where your write you request, it reminds you + that you can only request "environmental information" and tells you what that + means. It is quite broad. + </p> + + <p>You can, of course, request environmental information from other + authorities. Just make a Freedom of Information (FOI) request as normal. The + authority has a duty to work out if the Environmental Information Regulations + (EIR) is the more appropriate legislation to reply under. + </p> + </dd> + + <dt id="multiple">Can I make the same to request to lots of authorities, e.g. all councils? <a href="#multiple">#</a> </dt> + + <dd>We ask you to first send a test version of your request to a few + authorities. Their responses will help you improve the wording of your request, + so that you get the best information when you send the request to all of + the authorities. There is currently no automated system for sending the request + to the other authorities, you must copy and paste it by hand. + + </dd> + + <dt id="offsite">I made a request off the site, how do I upload it to the archive?<a href="#offsite">#</a> </dt> + + <dd>WhatDoTheyKnow is an archive of requests made through the site, + and does not try to be an archive of all FOI requests. We'll never support uploading + other requests. For one thing, we wouldn't be able to verify that other + responses actually came from the authority. If this really matters to you, + you can always make the same request again via WhatDoTheyKnow. + </dd> + + <dt id="moderation">How do you moderate request annotations? <a href="#moderation">#</a> </dt> + + <dd> + <p>Annotations on WhatDoTheyKnow are to help + people get the information they want, or to give them pointers to places they + can go to help them act on it. We reserve the right to remove anything else. + </p> + <p>Endless, political discussions are not allowed. + Post a link to a suitable forum or campaign site elsewhere.</p> + <dd> + + </dl> + + <p><strong>Next</strong>, read about <a href="/help/privacy">your privacy</a> --> + + <div id="hash_link_padding"></div> +</div> diff --git a/app/views/help/unhappy.rhtml b/app/views/help/unhappy.rhtml index 86ded2e59..4f3c67b9e 100644 --- a/app/views/help/unhappy.rhtml +++ b/app/views/help/unhappy.rhtml @@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ to your request '<%=request_link(@info_request) %>'? <p> <% if !@info_request.nil? %> - Choose <%= link_to "request an internal review", show_response_no_followup_url(:id => @info_request.id, :incoming_message_id => nil) + "?internal_review=1#followup" %> and then write a message asking the authority to review your request. + <%= link_to "Request an internal review", show_response_no_followup_url(:id => @info_request.id, :incoming_message_id => nil) + "?internal_review=1#followup", :class => 'link_button_green' %> and then write a message asking the authority to review your request. <% else %> At the bottom of the relevant request page on <%= site_name %> choose "request an internal review". Then write a message asking for an internal |