Digital Government
First draft of a framework for building a Smart Grid unveiled
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke unveils the first draft of a framework identifying existing standards for Smart Grid interoperability, laying out steps needed to address the gaps in these standards. The framework is the first step of a three-phase plan by NIST to develop Smart Grid standards.
Digital Government
Congressman uses social media to collect health care reform feedback
Republican Rep. John Culberson of Texas is using technology from SharedBook to invite his constituents to participate in, comment on and debate a pending health care bill in the House of Representatives.
Digital Government
A Paging System In a Library?
Remember when libraries were cathedrals of quiet, a bygone era when even a whispered conversation resulted in a stern look from a no-nonsense librarian?
Digital Government
Panel Passes Cyber Workforce Reform
The House Science and Technology's Research and Science Education Subcommittee passed <a href="http://science.house.gov/publications/hearings_markups_details.aspx?newsid=2602">legislation</a> on Wednesday that would strengthen the federal cybersecurity research and development portfolio by improving training for the IT workforce and facilitating better partnerships between the private sector and government. The bill would require federal agencies to create a roadmap detailing its role and the level of funding required to fulfill research objectives, and would require the National Science Foundation to support research on the social and behavioral aspects of cybersecurity.
Digital Government
Tech Industry Jobs Drop 2 Percent
While the U.S. high-tech industry shed 115,000 jobs between January and June 2009, a 1.9 percent decline, it still faired better than the overall private sector, according to a <a href="http://www.techamerica.org/Docs/fileManager.cfm?f=techamerica_cs_midyear_employment2009.pdf">report</a> released on Wednesday by the TechAmerica Foundation.
Digital Government
Students and Digital Diplomacy
The State Department has launched a new program that leverages the Internet and social media to conduct diplomatic missions. The program, called Virtual Student Foreign Service, is part of State's efforts to use technology and a commitment to service among young people to facilitate new forms of diplomatic engagement, according to the agency's <a href="http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entries/virtual_student_foreign_service1/">Dipnote blog</a>.
Ideas
Crowdsourcing Contractor Misconduct
The Sunlight Foundation has a <a href="http://blog.sunlightfoundation.com/2009/09/22/crowdsourcing-a-legislative-oops/">post</a> today that combines several of our favorite topics: crowdsourcing, collaboration and contractor misconduct (try saying that five times fast):
Ideas
Hate Meetings? You'll Love This
For all of you who hate meetings - and that's probably most of you - here's a recommendation from a New York state assemblyman for fighting swine flu that you'll find a big time saver: Cancel meetings and use the phone.
Cybersecurity
DHS considers new structure for EAGLE II
The Homeland Security Department is considering getting rid of all functional categories and allowing broad competition for the possible EAGLE II-Unrestricted acquisition vehicle.
Modernization
DHS explores virtual world technologies
The Homeland Security Department wants to know how virtual world technologies and Web-based tools can help responders prepare for emergencies.
Modernization
White House to get ideas from federal employees
Federal employees can submit ideas to the White House on how to improve agencies' performance and reduce spending through a contest started today by OMB.
Digital Government
Where is Where.gov?
A basic tenet of good government is knowing where our 'stuff' is, writes columnist Christopher K. Tucker.
People
The case for pay for performance
A review of academic research finds tying compensation to metrics can pay off, writes columnist Steve Kelman.
People
Baseball and acquisition have a lot in common, for better or worse
Intensified oversight undermines support for procurement staff, writes columnist Bill Gormley.
Digital Government