Modernization

Obama orders environmental measures for agencies

Federal data centers must be run in energy-efficient ways under a new executive order.

Modernization

Federal Register goes XML -- at last

Readers can now browse, reorganize, and electronically customize the Federal Register's contents.

People

White House announces Gordon nomination for OFPP job

Gordon has a reputation for candor and evenhandedness, according to procurement observers and his public record.

Modernization

Recovery.gov gets a facelift

The retooled Recovery.gov Web site for tracking economic stimulus law funding is getting mostly a thumbs-up from visitors, but another test for transparency will come later this month when the site begins adding hundreds of thousands more data points from state and local recipients of the funding.

People

Stimulus map quest: It’s a long road

Data without context is meaningless to anyone but a specialist. But context without data is not so good either. Such was the dilemma presented by the Obama administration’s revamp of the Recovery.gov Web site, which was unveiled last week.

Digital Government

Feds offer White House plenty of ideas on budget-cutting

The Save.Gov Web site launched by the White House soliciting ideas on how to cut spending in the 2011 budget has drawn more than 10,000 suggestions in its first week.

People

Retooled Recovery.gov site praised, panned

The upgraded version of the Recovery.gov Web site for tracking spending under the economic stimulus law impresses some visitors, but doesn't others.

Modernization

When custom software was king

Custom technology used to be the only option for government agencies, but now commercial products address most needs, experts say.

Modernization

Apps.gov: The new look in government procurement*

The recent surprise launch of Apps.gov stirred up a lot of buzz in government and industry but also a lot of criticism.

Cybersecurity

USCIS redesigns Web site to improve usability, access

Obama administration sees redesigned site as a model for others.

Modernization

Stimulus spenders race to the finish line

States and feds rush to meet a reporting deadline — and there is no shortage of obstacles to providing data to the public.

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.

Cybersecurity

Authentication said key to cybersecurity

Bruce McConnell, a top cybersecurity official, said authentication of users and devices is key to cybersecurity.

Modernization

Got an App for that? Not quite yet

The White House has launched a storefront for cloud-computing services. Vendors who want to sell through it must undergo a certification process.

Modernization

Do contractor ID numbers taint transparency?

Advocacy groups are reviving long-standing questions about the suitability of corporate ownership of a critical government database.

Modernization

Kundra's great experiment: Government apps 'store front' opens for business

An online storefront where federal agencies can purchase cloud computing technology was launched today.

Cybersecurity

Pressure builds on Obama to appoint cybersecurity coordinator

The co-chairmen of the House Cybersecurity Caucus say the continued absence of a White House cybersecurity coordinator impedes agencies' abilities to update their cyber policies.

People

Senate confirms head of White House regulatory office

The Senate has confirmed Cass Sunstein to head the powerful Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs that reviews agencies' final and proposed rules before they are published.

Cybersecurity

NARA digs out of digital avalanche

The National Archives is under mounting pressure to help the federal government manage its rapidly growing store of electronic records.

Digital Government

Aides defend presidential powers in cybersecurity bill

Senate aides familiar with proposed comprehensive cybersecurity legislation say the bill would clarify the president’s authority for dealing with a cyberattack, not give the government sweeping new powers.