Digital Government

Obama and the 9/11 GI Bill

Yesterday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Phoenix, Ariz., President Obama <a href=http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-the-veterans-of-foreign-wars-convention/>called</a> for a new reform effort in the Veterans Affairs Department. He said VA should harness the best computer system to cut red tape, reduce the backlog of claims, slash wait times and deliver benefits sooner.

Modernization

A SWAT team for enterprise app woes

The Coast Guard Operation Systems Center employs a dedicated task force to troubleshoot complex problems with its own applications.

Acquisition

Agencies push small-biz outreach efforts

Commerce Department and Small Business Administration officials plan more than 200 events before mid-October.

Cybersecurity

USDA unit bans browsers other than Internet Explorer

Decision to enforce policy takes employees who work on public Web sites by surprise.

Digital Government

Online tool sheds sunlight on court records

Academics create Web application that provides free public access to court documents nationwide.

People

Klossner: “We’ve suffered an employee separation of the lower cubicle”

FCW cartoonist John Klossner suggests new phrases for employers and employees alike to use when talking about their parting of ways.

Modernization

Microsoft gets little sympathy from federal (non)fan base

A recent court ruling against Microsoft evokes mixed feelings from federal customers.

Modernization

USDA uses social media to study rural life

A new Web site from the Agriculture Department uses several social media tools to track a program that collects information on life in rural communities.

Ideas

McClure to Lead Office of Citizen Services

GSA just confirmed that they will be naming David McClure will be named an associate administrator, heading up the Office of Citizen Services and Communications. OCS manages all of GSA's public outreach efforts, including the federal web portal <a href=http://www.usa.gov>USA.gov</a> and the Federal Web Manager's Council.

Digital Government

TSP to Unveil New Web Site

Alyssa Rosenberg <a href="http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=43420&dcn=todaysnews">writes</a> at <em>Government Executive</em> that officials overseeing the Thrift Savings Plan will launch a redesigned Web site during the first quarter of 2010.

Digital Government

HHS could create health IT incentives for specialists

HHS may need to develop special health information technology incentives for medical specialists under the economic stimulus law, an advisory group says.

People

Dave McClure to lead GSA's Office of Citizen Services and Communications

McClure said he wants to foster "a more citizen-centered government that is transparent, participatory, and collaborative."