United States Launches One-Stop Web Portal

By Gail Repsher Emery, Staff Writer



SEPT. 25 ? The federal government Sept. 22 launched www.firstgov.gov, the first U.S. government Web site to provide access to all federal government online information and services.



"With 27 million Web pages of government information now online, and more added every day, finding the information or service you need can be frustrating," President Clinton said in announcing the site's launch. Firstgov.gov will help citizens find what they need by serving as a one-stop Web site for federal online information, he said.



The portal will connect Americans with information and resources from all federal agency Web pages. It allows users to find information or services, such as student loans or national park campsites, without knowing the name of the agency or program that provides it.



Clinton announced June 24 that the site would be built in 90 days. The site's search engine was developed and donated by Eric Brewer of Inktomi, who created the engine's technology with the help of federal grants.