Cheap e-mail archiving software eliminates technical barriers to access
Sometimes public agencies deny public records requests for e-mail by saying they don't have a way to archive it or that it would be too expensive to manage it. They can't use that excuse anymore. Today Waterford Technologies in California posted a press release announcing that it is selling e-mail archiving software to school districts for $99, covering unlimited number of accounts within a district.
While I don't know how well the software works and I have no connection or interest in the company, they say the software can be used to comply with public records requests and for discovery in court cases without sifting through clunky backup tapes. So if you would like to request e-mail of public officials from your local school districts, and the districts use technology as a reason for denial, suggest they buy this software, or other software out there like this, or have your organization volunteer to buy it for them! With any luck, similar deals will be made available for cities, counties, state, and federal agencies.