Ideas
Xbox to Aid E-Health?
The Xbox, Microsoft's powerful video game console, may soon be good for more than just virtual basketball games and war simulations. Company researchers currently are looking to adapt the device to various healthcare needs, including the transfer and display of electronic medical records.
Ideas
OSTP Launches New Web Site
The Office of Science and Technology Policy on Wednesday announced the launch of its redesigned <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ostp" target="blank">Web portal</a>, which updates the old site's features and incorporates a few new ones.
Ideas
Get Ready for Cyber ShockWave
A Washington think tank will host a simulated cyberattack on the United States on Tuesday to demonstrate how the government would respond to a large-scale attack on the nation's computer systems and networks.
Ideas
Taking Twitter Too Far?
Sun Microsystems Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Schwartz late last week announced his resignation on Twitter. His <a href="http://twitter.com/OpenJonathan/status/8620937722">tweet</a> incorporated a bit of haiku -- Financial crisis/Stalled too many customers/CEO no more -- and fell just below the platform's 140-character maximum. When major private sector players start using social media to break news, will others follow suit?
Ideas
Operating Status: Down
With record-breaking snow pounding the Washington area over the weekend (and more expected tonight and tomorrow), much has been made of the Office of Personnel Management's decision to close the federal government two days in a row. Feds in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area have been so anxious for news that OPM's operating status page has been down for brief periods on both Sunday and Monday nights.
Ideas
Use E-mail or Pay $15,000 Penalty?
Small businesses that don't have email may find themselves in trouble with the Labor Department, according to The Pension Department, a New York-based consultancy.
Ideas
OGOV Compliance Site Launches
Over the weekend, the White House quietly launched a new Web site aimed at tracking agency compliance with an open government directive released in December.
Ideas
Crowdsourcing Contests Continue
When it comes to brainstorming solutions for just about anything, federal agencies under the Obama administration like to turn first to their employee suggestion boxes -- which often are attached to major rewards.
Ideas
DHS Launches Its Open Gov Site
The Homeland Security Department launched an online tool for citizens and those involved in security to suggest ideas for enhancing transparency at the agency.
Ideas
Open Government Deadline Eve
Tomorrow (February 6) marks the next deadline in the Obama administration's Open Government Directive, the date by which agencies must have a new Web page up and running.
Ideas
NASA's Version of R2
NASA and General Motors Corp. unveiled on Thursday a robot the two organizations have developed for use in space exploration and car manufacturing. What's striking about Robonaut 2 is the dexterity of its fingers, although its thumb is rather elongated. The YouTube video below shows R2, as it is referred to, gently moving back a piece of cloth to pick up a manila envelope.
Ideas
DHS Wants Public Dialogue
The Homeland Security Department completed the first step of a three-step process to better link operations to agency missions by submitting a review of long-term strategic goals to Congress. Technology played a crucial role, said a DHS official, by providing representatives from all segments of the homeland security community with the opportunity to contribute.
Ideas
Announcing: The Nextgov Awards
Nextgov has launched the <a href=http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov_awards/>Nextgov Awards</a>, an inaugural program to recognize federal managers who have shepherded a program, policy or management practice that is not only innovative, but bold and brave.
Ideas
Senate Confirms Johnson as GSA Chief
The Senate today confirmed Martha Johnson as General Services Administration administrator, nearly ten months after her nomination to the post.
Ideas
You Ask, YouTube Answers
President Obama on Monday addressed the nation, but not from the Oval Office or the House floor. Instead, he got on YouTube and answered questions from videos uploaded by users around the world.
Ideas
House Passes Cybersecurity Bill
The House passed the 2009 Cybersecurity Enhancement Act on Thursday 422 - 5, after <a href=http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100203_2907.php?oref=topstory>lengthy deliberations and amendment votes yesterday</a>. There is no companion bill n the Senate, yet.
Ideas
Johnson to GSA by Friday?
Martha Johnson, whose confirmation to head the General Services Administration has been held up for months by Senate Republicans, may be at work as early as Friday, say sources knowledgeable about the process. The Senate is expected to vote to close debate and move on her confirmation via unanimous consent.
Ideas
GAO: NASA IT Security Needs Attention
NASA, already in the spotlight for a budget that scraps plans to return to the moon, received more negative publicity from federal auditors on Wednesday about ongoing information security problems.
Ideas