Digital Government
State lawmakers oppose open source for VA health records
Five Wisconsin lawmakers are urging the VA and Defense Department to consider the benefits of a single vendor for an electronic health record system, according to a Nextgov report.
Modernization
Lawmakers need 'somebody to educate us' on wireless technologies, senator says
Senator Michael Jungbauer (R-Minn.) says that states need "somebody to educate us" on wireless innovation to help make policy and infrastructure decisions.
Digital Government
App of the week: The Qik way to share video from iPhones
Skype is cooking up new solutions for video calls between iOS and Android devices by leveraging Qik, a live video streaming company it acquired in January.
Cybersecurity
DHS buying SBInet-like system for border despite uncertainties, GAO says
The Homeland Security Department canceled the SBInet border surveillance system two months ago, but SBInet-like capabilities will live on in the new system proposed for some parts of the border, a GAO official says.
Cybersecurity
The best of the federal blogosphere
No DNA tests at airport checkpoints; Broadband plan and recent failure; A full tank of hydrogen.
Digital Government
App of the week: Accela Analytics for iPad
Enterprise functionality for government is starting to come to tablets, and Accela Analytics is on the forefront of the coming wave.
People
Budget battles put government unions on the spot
GovLoop members ponder the attacks on government employee unions in cash-strapped states.
Digital Government
Fighting Bob is rolling in his grave
Have you been watching Wisconsin? The state has a century-long association with the labor movement. It’s the birthplace of Progressive icon (and former Republican) Robert “Fighting Bob” La Follette, U.S. senator, trust-buster and champion of labor.
Modernization
Cloud isn't playing out like we thought
Everyone expects cloud computing to transform government technology practices, but the question is how.
People
States face IT worker shortage; cost-cutting measures partly to blame
States are facing critical shortages of IT workers, made worse by furloughs, hiring freezes and stagnant salaries -- similar to measures that are in effect or proposed for feds.
Digital Government
White House deputy CTO leaves, will target state and local collaboration
Andrew McLaughlin is resigning from his job as deputy White House chief technology officer to start two companies, one of them to develop collaboration tools for state and local governments.
Digital Government
Energy-efficient tech aids agency cost savings, report says
Many public- and private-sector IT managers are getting the message: Energy-efficient IT programs are good for business, according to a new report by CDW Government.
Modernization
Does Google's lawsuit mean that cloud computing has hit the bigtime?
Cloud vendors are starting to fight each other in the legal arena for contract advantages. Is the technology still cutting-edge?
Digital Government
HHS sweetens the pot for states building health exchanges
The Health and Human Services Department announced a grant program that will fund up to five states or consortiums to build exchanges that HHS hopes will serve as models for other states.
Digital Government
Vampire killers under federal contract?
The U.S. Vampire Service stalks and exterminates fewer than 10 vampires a year, according to its site.
Digital Government
Emergency access granted in test of interoperable ID system
An emergency preparedness event involving federal, state and private-sector officials demonstrated ID verification technology to scan and clear first responders from federal, state, local and commercial organizations.
Digital Government
What's on state CIOs' minds? Consolidation, cost control, health care.
Consolidation, virtualization, budget and health care are among the most critical policy or technology issues to be faced by state government in 2011, according to a recent NASCIO survey.
Digital Government
Government call centers ring true to customers
Overall satisfaction rates with government call centers has risen in the past year and are slowly closing in on private-sector rates.
Modernization