Ideas
Flight Sims Prep Fighter Pilots
DefenseNews has an interesting article today on how gaming technology is <a href="http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4396100&c=FEA&s=SPE">playing a larger role</a> in military pilot training. As the technology has improved, so has the level of realism in the simulations. This is crucial because it helps pilots prepare for the range of events they may encounter when flying during a mission.
Digital Government
VA Watchdog Hacked
One of the best resources for veterans who have problems with the Veterans Affairs Department is the <a href=http://www.vawatchdog.org/>VA Watchdog Web site</a> founded and edited by Larry Scott.
Digital Government
What's Next for NSPS
Alyssa Rosenberg <a href="http://www.govexec.com/features/1209-01/1209-01s2.htm">writes</a> in the December issue of <em>Government Executive</em> about how the Defense Department may move forward on dismantling its controversial personnel overhaul - the National Security Personnel System. The system was fully repealed in the fiscal 2010 Defense Authorization Act, meaning the thousands of employees who are currently hired, evaluated and paid based on the system must convert back to the decades-old General Schedule by Jan. 1, 2012. But that introduces a number of challenges, Alyssa writes, including how to shift employees back into the GS without a decrease in pay, and implement a performance management system to cover the entire department.
Ideas
Movement On Net Neutrality
Today's Federal Register includes an <a href="http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28062.pdf">official notice</a> from the FCC that it is proposing a rule that would "preserve the open Internet." Net Neutrality has been a hot topic in recent days; last week a White House official <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/24/AR2009112404175.html">spoke out in favor</a> of the concept and took a shot at the broadband industry.
Modernization
FBI picks new technology chief
The FBI has named Jeffrey Johnson as the bureau's chief technology officer and assistant director for its Office of Information Technology Systems Development.
People
OMB on hunt for programs with payment problems
Executive Order aims to reduce improper payments by making financial management a priority.
Digital Government
NASA inches towards multi-billion dollar IT contracts
NASA plans to soon open competition for the first of five information technology services contracts that have been estimated to be worth more than $4 billion total.
Digital Government
White House friends GSA, comments on social media
GSA's Bev Godwin, recently returned from a six-month detail to the White House, talks about the advantages of using social media to connect with the public and balancing the ease of using Web 2.0 tools with the challenges of meeting government regulations.
Digital Government