Digital Government
Google, Microsoft executives criticize Obama's e-health records plan
Officials want White House to give patients access to their medical records and to focus on managing health data, not on the specifics of the electronic health record.
Modernization
GSA lays groundwork for online cloud computing store
Notice outlines the first set of requirements for vendors interested in offering software as a service.
Digital Government
Defense hands over commercial satellite procurement to GSA
Consolidating purchases worth $5 billion during 10 years could save up to 15 percent in satellite communications costs, according to government officials.
Digital Government
Another Stolen Laptop
Laptops containing personnel information from departments like <a href=http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20080301_1011.php>Veterans Affairs</a> and <a href=http://www.govexec.com/mailbagDetails.cfm?aid=34906>Education</a> keep going on unauthorized walks. Now it's the National Guard Bureau's turn, which alerted soldiers on Wednesday of a stolen laptop.
Ideas
More Find EHRs a Hot Investment
The market for electronic health records is heating up, according to the <em>Wall Street Journal</em> blog Digits. Salesforce.com has bought a stake in a small EHR company. The company joins Google, Microsoft and even Wal Mart -- which this year "said it had partnered with Dell and . . . eClinicalWorks to sell an EMR from its Sam's Club stores," Digits <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2009/08/05/salesforcecom-dips-its-toe-into-electronic-medical-records/">reported</a> -- in the market, which has been fueled by President Obama's stimulus package.
Digital Government
Moving Up
The Merit Systems Protection Board recently <a href="http://www.mspb.gov/netsearch/viewdocs.aspx?docnumber=431808&version=432870&application=ACROBAT">conducted a survey</a> of career federal employees asking them what they believe are the top 10 career accelerators. In its July 2009 Issues of Merit newsletter, MSPB highlighted the results from its 2007 career advancement survey, which indicated that federal employees believe it's both "who you know" and "what you know" that moves you up the federal career ladder.
Ideas
IT Dashboard Updates Reviews
The government's IT shop on Wednesday announced it has updated a recently-launched White House Web site with reviews of all major federal IT investments.
People
OMB wants employee, contractor balance
Agencies should find the best balance between contractors and employees in their workforces, the Office of Management and Budget says.
People
Why a DOD ban on social media makes sense (and why it doesn’t)
FCW readers are evenly split — and passionately so — about the prospects of a Defense Department ban on social media.
People
The sound of social networking jackboots marching
Social-networking research really warrants a Manhattan Project-level of government interest? Readers opine!
Modernization
Recovery Act board publishes data dictionary
The board that oversees spending under the economic stimulus law has released a list of data elements to be used to standardize reporting.
People
DARPA names Gabriel deputy director
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has selected Kaigham “Ken” Gabriel to serve as its new deputy director, the agency announced.
Digital Government
Why Social Media Matters
Young Government Leaders has a great <a href="http://www.fedmanager.com/current_e-report.php#1280">article</a> in this week's Fedmanager newsletter recapping a July 22 luncheon on why social media and innovation matter to the next generation of government leaders. The bottom line, YGL writes, is that while young federal workers may come across as a bit too casual, their authenticity enables them to establish trust quickly and work effectively in teams.
Modernization
An open letter to Obama, in support of social participation
On the 70th anniversary of Albert Einstein’s letter to President Franklin Roosevelt encouraging attention to atomic technology and science, Ben Shneiderman, a computer science professor at the University of Maryland, and several colleagues write to President Barack Obama encouraging exploration of technology-mediated social participation.
Modernization
GSA issues cloud storefront RFQ
Storage, Web hosting and virtualization requested on an on-demand basis.
Cybersecurity