From VOA Learning English,this is the Technology Report.The government in Burmacarries out much of its businessthe same way it has for years.It uses large books to record marriages,business taxes and even official documentsbetween government agencies.But this paper-based system is going away,as ministries make the move to computers.Myint Kyaw is head of the information departmentin Burma's Ministry of the Information.He is responsible for the programthat aims to bring all 36 ministries online by 2015.Under the plan,each ministry will have its own web-portaland administrative software programs.Myint Kyaw says social networks like Facebookwill make it easier for government officialsto connect with the public."So many people from our country use Facebook,very easy way to get information.To put the more information, they can distribute,they can contribute personal informationand organizational information." he said.Facebook is the most widely used toolfor communicating online in Burma.Only about one percent of Burma's populationhas an internet connection,but most of those users are believed to have Facebook accounts.This year, only an American-based group Freedom Housedescribed the Internet in Burma as "not free".It noted barriers to availability and poor infrastructureas major problems.However, restrictions have been eased on many websitesthat formerly will blocked,and the most severe sentencefor a violation of the electronic transactions acthas been reduced from 15 to 7 years.Yet observers say Burmese officials still have a long wayto go to create a free Internet environment.Nay Phone Latt is a blogger and former political prisoner.He once was charged with crimesunder the electronic transactions act.Now that he is free,he is advising the government on its communication policies.He says the government is now using the Internetto ask the public for comments,a big change from even a few years ago."In the earlier days, the government think they are in the higher ranks and they can decide everything;they don't need people's advice...actually in a democratic societythe key player is not only the government," he said.Internet service first came to Burma in 2000,at first it was offered only to the military.Service expanded slowlyand remained much too costly for most Burmese.But now people are using smartphones to go online,that helps to explain the recent jumpin the number of Internet users.And that is the Technology Report from VOA Special English.更多听力请访问51voa.com