Digital Government

What makes a Web site -- form or function?

A list of the 12 worst government Web sites criticized those sites mostly for their design. Readers say content and functionality are better criteria.

Digital Government

Correction: Federal judiciary funds IT war chest 8 cents at a time

This article was corrected July 8 to clarify the sponsorship of Law.gov

Digital Government

Cyber shield for private sector sparks Big Brother fears

The National Security Agency's new program to shield the networks of privately owned utilities and other critical infrastructure companies has some people worried that it's a step toward a surveillance state or a government power grab.

Digital Government

Batman and Robin's new secret hideout: DARPA's labs

The boffins at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency may be planning to study the science in the proposed new programs, but the wonks who devise acronyms -- we think it's a super-secret bureau nestled in the deep recesses of a secret agency -- must have worked overtime on the names.

Digital Government

Finding Choices at Healthcare.gov

<em>This post was written by Aliya Sternstein.</em> The administration this week posted information intended to help patients choose the safest hospitals on a new website aimed at granting consumers more control over their health care - and curbing federal spending.

Digital Government

Soundbytes: Rotten Smells and Feeding Wolves

A weekly roundup of comments from Nextgov.com. All comments are presented in their original, unedited form.

Digital Government

HHS proposes rules to enhance health information privacy

The Health and Human Services Department proposed rules on Thursday to enhance the privacy of health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

Digital Government

Public safety group disputes FCC's claim on spectrum

A coalition of public safety officials disputed the Federal Communications Commission's claims that its proposal in the national broadband plan for building an interoperable public safety network will adequately serve the needs of emergency first responders.

Digital Government

Republicans want Skype on the Hill

Government Computer News

Digital Government

Sensing Traumatic Brain Injuries

The Defense Department continues to put money toward trying to understand head injuries better and information technology is a big part of that. In its latest effort, the department awarded a $17 million to BAE Systems to place sensors in soldiers' helmets to record the effects of an n explosion, like a roadside bomb.

Digital Government

Another Take on Pay for Performance

A new study by the Heritage Foundation aims to point out that federal workers are paid 30 to 40 percent higher than their private sector counterparts. And this discrepancy is not justified because the federal government employs a more educated and skilled workforce, as many in government have claimed, the report states.

Digital Government

Customs directorate automates its acquisition cycle

This article was correct to read that the "directorate handles about $3.5 billion a year in discretionary contract obligations."

Digital Government

The dirty dozen: 12 bad government Web sites

The link in this article to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Services was corrected.

Digital Government

Senators seek Obama's advice, consent on cybersecurity legislation

The leaders of several Senate committees want President Barack Obama to weigh in on details of proposed cybersecurity legislation as they push to reconcile various measures.

Digital Government

Do Not Pass Go Without Consent

<em>This post was written by Aliya Sternstein.</em> An advisory board to the California Health and Human Services Agency is out with a paper that suggests the electronic exchange of patient records should not proceed unless a patient opts into the network.

Digital Government

Agencies' big security weakness: Lack of money and people

The problem with government IT security is not so much a lack of adequate regulations but a lack of resources to ensure that agencies practice good security, says former Interior CIO Hord Tipton.