Modernization
White House mulls making NASA a center for federal cloud computing
A network that shares images and statistics with international partners and academics also could provide IT services to agencies as part of Obama's push to consolidate the government's tech infrastructure.
Digital Government
Two federal groups follow different paths to transparency
Divergent methods used to gather public opinion about classification policies underscore how the definition of transparency might not be so universal.
Ideas
Archives Strategizes for Gov 2.0
The National Archives and Records Administration is out with a <a href="http://www.archives.gov/about/plans-reports/strategic-plan/2009/nara-strategic-plan-2006-2016-update.pdf">draft 2009 strategic plan</a> that lays down a marker for some ambitious changes, including expanded responsibility for e-records management -- and departmentwide telework. The strategy states:
Digital Government
Army morale chief to use Web tools to connect with soldiers, their families
Social media increasingly influences how federal employees network, panelists say.
Digital Government
Transparency advocate: Fed Web sites have moral obligation
Vital links can feed discussion, debate and politics, Internet expert tells government and industry leaders.
Ideas
Nixon Tape Transcripts 'Interpretations'
It likely is impossible to produce a perfect transcript of the infamous Nixon tapes because audio fidelity was not taken into consideration in designing the White House tape-recording system, reports Steven Aftergood, author of an e-newsletter and blog on government secrecy published by the nonprofit Federation of American Scientists.
Ideas
Recovery Board Won't Fix Ham Goof
The independent board overseeing stimulus spending will not correct information on Recovery.gov that indicates the government is paying more than a million dollars for two pounds of frozen ham, a spokesman for the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board said on Monday.
Digital Government
OMB's dashboard site plays role in suspending 45 tech projects at VA
VA secretary and chief information officer found delays and cost overruns in with initiatives worth $200 million while preparing data for the recently launched Web site.
Modernization
40 years after moon landing, public unaware of NASA's tech contributions
Many think the Apollo program and GPS navigation are the biggest accomplishments, but other agencies have benefited from the space agency's IT systems.
Ideas
Recovery.gov Maps Go Deeper
Recovery.gov on Thursday retooled the maps on its Web site, as the official stimulus-monitoring portal prepares for a more thorough refresh later this summer.
Ideas
Data.gov Copycats
Government transparency enthusiasts have launched a public-service Web site that pulls and repackages federal data - fulfilling the aim of the White House's "democratizing data" campaign.
Digital Government
GSA will retain oversight of contract to build Recovery.gov
The Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board opted to allow the agency to manage the contract to shorten the project's time frame and rely on its contracting skills.
Digital Government
State medical records laws complicate White House plans
Healthcare providers spend billions of dollars to maintain and store paper records.
Ideas
Recovery.gov Contract Details Coming
The General Services Administration will release by early next week a redacted version of the potential $18 million contract to upgrade Recovery.gov, GSA officials said on Monday. Government transparency advocates had been calling on GSA and the board overseeing stimulus spending <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090710_7638.php">to publish the agreement</a> that will cost taxpayers $9.5 million through January 2010 and up to $18 million if all options are exercised.
Ideas
Recovery.gov Details Contract
After a public outpouring of questions, concerns and bewilderment about the $18 million pricetag of a contract for a Recovery.gov Web site, the board overseeing the site's overhaul late Friday revealed some details.
Digital Government
Details of Recovery.gov redesign contract revealed
Transparency groups and project management specialists were concerned by the lack of information on the deal, which could be worth up to $18 million.
Digital Government
Government withholds details on contract to redesign Recovery.gov
Observers say the government should be more forthcoming about the award process and how taxpayers' money will be spent.
Ideas
Pixel by Pixel Budget Cuts
President Obama goes "line by line" through the federal information technology budget on <a href="http://it.usaspending.gov/">IT.USASpending.gov</a> to ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely.
Digital Government
Social media could frustrate diplomatic efforts, online researchers say
Specialists struggle to offer effective ways for State to leverage new media networks to engage citizens and officials abroad.
Digital Government