Modernization
Readers offer stuffing for IT turkey
Readers suggest a few projects that could have made our Thanksgiving list of failed, or deeply troubled, government IT projects and debate the causes of such large-scale failures.
Cybersecurity
Certifications are not a panacea for cybersecurity woes
A national certification program for cybersecurity professionals won't solve our security problems, writes Daniel Castro.
People
AFCEA branches into federal energy initiatives
Newly focused chapter to facilitate collaboration between industry and government leaders in science, technology and policy.
Digital Government
Military and overseas voters to get online options
The 2010 Defense Authorization Act includes requirements to ease voting for Americans overseas.
Digital Government
Space agency inches toward multi-billion dollar IT contracts
Government Computer News
Digital Government
Survey shows cyberattacks are getting more disruptive
Increasing number of incidents involve invading computer networks and defacing Web sites.
Digital Government
Postal Service mail tracking system doesn't deliver
Watchdog agency finds the project was finished 10 months late and failed to significantly streamline the types of bar codes used to trace deliveries.
Digital Government
VA, Kaiser testing the exchange of electronic health records
Veterans in the San Diego area who receive medical care will be invited to participate in pilot to test the fledging Nationwide Health Information Network.
Digital Government
Nuclear security agency earns kudos for green supercomputers
NNSA's machines rank not only among the world's fastest but also the most energy efficient.
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