Ideas
New Cookie Rules, April 7
The White House early next month plans to change a federal Web site policy that bans tracking devices called cookies, which many commercial sites use to customize their pages for users, administration officials said on Tuesday.
Ideas
Google Stops Censoring, Stays In China
Google on Monday announced it has stopped filtering search results for Chinese citizens - a move that flies in the face of Chinese law - but plans to continue operating in China.
Digital Government
IRS systems remain 'unnecessarily' open to employee abuse, GAO reports
Among issues highlighted were the use of weak passwords and granting too many employees access to sensitive files and directories.
Digital Government
Agencies must be the engines behind sustained transparency push
Individual plans for open government due April 7 should act as a contract to embed the initiative's practices into daily operations.
Ideas
Supreme Court Sorta Spiffs Up Web Site
The heavily-trafficked <a href="http://www.supremecourt.gov/">Web site</a> of the U.S. Supreme Court -- long criticized for its confusing navigation and lack of information -- has finally been upgraded, somewhat.
Digital Government
Congress moves to make transparency initiatives permanent
Requirements include posting online all public information and in formats easily accessed with common applications.
Ideas
Broadband Plan: Test Fed Sites
The national broadband plan released by the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday presents federal Web managers with a somewhat impossible mission.
Ideas
Stimulus Watchdogs Go CSI
Analysts working for the independent federal board that monitors stimulus spending are using CSI-style tools to fight fraudsters, according to a report about oversight operations that the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board released to the president and Congress on Monday.
Digital Government
The Point of No Return
As agencies seek newer technologies, the question is how much IT spending is too much.
Digital Government
Bill would require agencies to post public documents online
OMB would set publication rules, with federal officials asked to create a searchable catalog of materials they make publicly available, including where records can be found and brief descriptions.
Digital Government
More agencies use cookies to track Web activity
As demand for personal online services increases, privacy groups and Web advocates call for rethinking a ban on persistent files that track how individuals use federal sites.
Ideas
Upcoming: House Transparency Caucus
Some members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee are expected next week to announce the formation of a bipartisan congressional transparency caucus, co-chaired by Reps. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., the panel's ranking member, and Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill.
Digital Government
GAO finds more glitches in stimulus spending reporting process
Some congressional districts and their ZIP codes do not match, and federal officials said they hope to have the problem fixed before the April 10 deadline to file spending data.
Ideas
Win Cash and IP Rights
Citizens who enter innovation contests that the government plans to launch this year could rake in cash on top of the prize money that agencies are allowed to award. The White House on Monday released a <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100309_4641.php">legal framework</a> for giving away money and other incentives during competitions aimed at improving open government, spurring research and development and addressing national priorities.
Emerging Tech
Industry sees promise in open government contests
Offering prize money could spark innovative ideas, but administration must be careful that judging is perceived as fair, private sector officials say.
Digital Government
FDA to regulate online drug promotions
Pharmaceutical industry suggests letting companies Twitter about scientific news, creating an FDA seal of approval and linking to risk information.
Digital Government
White House details how agencies should legally organize contests
Guidance includes following federal acquisition rules, contracting with a third party and using department-specific mandates.
Digital Government
Regulations could bog down financial system modernization
Analyst says agencies could have difficulty finding technology that can be implemented quickly, given thicket of rules.
Digital Government
NIH's ID system could be start of single sign on for government services
Government officials say new technology will let citizens log on once to access a variety of Web sites for public services and information.
Modernization