Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity regulator for energy has its own vulnerabilities
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission did not identify sensitive information and how it should be protected, an inspector general found.
Digital Government
Craigslist founder to serve on Veterans Affairs panel
Craig Newmark has agreed to serve on a Veterans Affairs Department panel that will review ideas to improve disability claims processing times and provide greater transparency to vets, the agency announced on Wednesday.
Digital Government
Open government conference sponsor takes flak over its software
Transparency advocates say Adobe's popular document imaging software doesn't allow for manipulation or mashup of data, but company officials call it a 'false choice.'
Ideas
Promoting Plain Language
You can have the most gorgeous Web site with the most amazing interactive functionality, but if the words on the site don't work for the site's users, you don't have a good Web site. That's why GSA's Office of Citizen Services decided to focus on plain language for <a href="http://www.usa.gov/webcontent/usability/world_usability_day2009.shtml">World Usability Day 2009,</a> according to Nicole Burton, a usability specialist at GSA.
Digital Government
Berry on Pay Reform, Telework
Alyssa Rosenberg writes at Government Executive that Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry is considering some significant changes to the federal pay system as well as the federal government's definition of a work day. In a speech at Syracuse University's Maxwell School, Berry emphasized the importance of recognizing, rewarding and promoting merit within the federal workforce, noting that "the cracks are showing" in the General Schedule pay system.
Digital Government
A Virtual World for Amputees
Three virtual reality companies have started to develop an <a href=http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20091102005423&newsLang=en>online world for amputees</a> with funding from the Army's Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center.
Digital Government
Training and Social Media Mind Meld
My former beat partner, Alyssa Rosenberg, <a href="http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?filepath=/dailyfed/0909/091109ar1.htm&oref=search">highlighted</a> back in September a new effort by the Agriculture Department to incorporate social media tools into employee training. OhMyGov has an <a href="http://ohmygov.com/blogs/general_news/archive/2009/11/02/usda-to-incorporate-social-media-into-online-training.aspx">update</a> on where the program - called AgLearn - stands.
Acquisition
OMB urges performance-based management
Agencies should use performance-based management systems to improve acquisitions practices, according to an OMB memo.
Digital Government
Labor ISO five-year commitment
The Labor Department is soliciting proposals for a five-year support contract for a broad range of IT support services.
Cybersecurity
Seaports need more safeguards against bio/chem weapons
U.S. Customs and Border Protection should issue guidance for inspecting cargo arriving in U.S. seaports for biological and chemical threats, the department's inspector general said.
Modernization
VA data process needs improvement, IG says
The VA should improve its process to find some missing and bad data, according to a new report.
People
Don't retire until you read this!
If you are planning to retire at the end of the year, or if you could retire but the economy has made you unsure, there are things you need to know.
Digital Government
Windows 7 upgrade 'hacks' not legal, Microsoft suggests
Microsoft has been trying to clarify details on upgrading to Windows 7 for individual users, but it's been a bumpy ride at best.
Acquisition
Twenty must-follow contracts
A ranking of the largest and most important contracts set to be released in the coming year.
Digital Government
Ethics committee staffer leaks secrets on file-sharing network
Wired: Threat Level
Digital Government
Federal cost-reimbursement contract overview is a mess, GAO says
Federal Computer Week
Digital Government