Ideas
O-Gov May Muck Up Agency Sites
Americans' satisfaction with online government services is slipping, according to the latest report from the quarterly e-government American Customer Satisfaction Index. Agencies during the second quarter received an aggregate score of 74.7 on a 100-point scale, down slightly from the first quarter's score of 75.1.
Digital Government
Reining in runaway IT projects is key to controlling costs, forum participants say
Public and private sector tech officials gather to tackle wasteful spending and growing distrust in government.
Ideas
Hacking Into The FOIA Process
An annual gathering of hackers in New York City last week featured a presentation on how to successfully break into government files using Freedom of Information Act requests.
Digital Government
Redesign spruces up policy, rule-making site
Volunteer developers help build a more user-friendly version of the often dense and difficult to navigate Federal Register.
Modernization
Google unveils apps suite for government
Company says it is the first set of cloud computing tools to be certified as meeting federal security standards.
Digital Government
NASA braces for solar storms that could bring critical systems to a halt
House panel calls for administration to refine space weather forecasts and develop a plan to issue public warnings.
Digital Government
White House cites use of health data as example of its innovation initiative
Government information stored in file cabinets inhibits entrepreneurial energy, so the Obama administration is releasing it, says federal chief technology officer.
Ideas
Reformatting $$$ To Fight Counterfeiters
A reformatted $100 bill that is expected to start circulating in February 2011 will include a ribbon containing images of bells that morph into 100s to thwart counterfeiters, a federal official told lawmakers this week.
Digital Government
Union, GSA at odds over personal use of social networking sites
The National Federation of Federal Employees union says agency managers have ended talks over new rules, which they say violate their right to free speech, for how workers can use sites such as YouTube and Facebook.
Ideas
GSA Ponders Prize Contract Vehicle
The General Services Administration may add a contract program that would allow agencies to buy from a menu of technology products, marketing services and technical assistance for running contests. An April <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/memoranda_2010/m10-11.pdf">White House memo</a> required that GSA "as expeditiously as possible" craft a contract vehicle for purchasing such goods.
Digital Government
HHS seeks help with catalog of health treatments
Database will enable patients, doctors, policymakers and others to determine which courses of action work best and are most cost effective.
Ideas
Reform Forces Bailout Lending Online
The financial regulatory overhaul that Congress passed this week is missing a major data transparency measure the <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100701_1718.php">House wanted</a>, but the legislation still offers some Web-based windows into the financial system that previously were lacking.
Digital Government
Minerals Management Service's replacement still has no website
Open government advocates worry the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement's lack of an online presence is an indication of a persistence of poor management.
Digital Government
Obama pushes to expand NASA's public contests
Winners will receive millions of dollars in prize money for developing innovations in satellite launch technology, energy storage and robotics.
Digital Government
Health IT Checkup
Defense and Veterans Affairs lead the way in making a nationwide health information network a reality.
Ideas
Industry Seeks IT Acquisitions Reform
A major tech industry group is fighting back against the administration's threats to cancel information technology projects by forming a task force to suggest other options.
Digital Government
Health and Human Services' IT rules open up market to newcomers
Older products long ago opted to comply with stricter standards, giving later entrants that can focus on simpler requirements the advantage, consultants say.
Digital Government
Labor launches online career path for mapping tech jobs
Department develops the model for geospatial technology competency to promote government jobs.
Digital Government
Navy awards contract to transition to expanded network
HP Enterprise Services will provide work to move IT services from NMCI to the Next Generation Enterprise Network, which will serve 700,000 sailors, Marines and civilians.
Digital Government