Tech Insider

OGOV Compliance Site Launches

webmaster@nextgov.com (Aliya Sternstein) — Mon,08 Feb 2010 21:11:05 GMT

Over the weekend, the White House quietly launched a new Web site aimed at tracking agency compliance with an open government directive released in December.

Crowdsourcing Contests Continue

webmaster@nextgov.com (Emily Long) — Mon,08 Feb 2010 17:00:01 GMT

When it comes to brainstorming solutions for just about anything, federal agencies under the Obama administration like to turn first to their employee suggestion boxes -- which often are attached to major rewards.

DHS Launches Its Open Gov Site

webmaster@nextgov.com (Jill R. Aitoro) — Mon,08 Feb 2010 16:35:41 GMT

The Homeland Security Department launched an online tool for citizens and those involved in security to suggest ideas for enhancing transparency at the agency.

Open Government Deadline Eve

webmaster@nextgov.com (Emily Long) — Fri,05 Feb 2010 17:42:32 GMT

Tomorrow (February 6) marks the next deadline in the Obama administration's Open Government Directive, the date by which agencies must have a new Web page up and running.

NASA's Version of R2

webmaster@nextgov.com (Allan Holmes) — Fri,05 Feb 2010 17:41:18 GMT

NASA and General Motors Corp. unveiled on Thursday a robot the two organizations have developed for use in space exploration and car manufacturing. What's striking about Robonaut 2 is the dexterity of its fingers, although its thumb is rather elongated. The YouTube video below shows R2, as it is referred to, gently moving back a piece of cloth to pick up a manila envelope.

DHS Wants Public Dialogue

webmaster@nextgov.com (Jill R. Aitoro) — Fri,05 Feb 2010 16:21:37 GMT

The Homeland Security Department completed the first step of a three-step process to better link operations to agency missions by submitting a review of long-term strategic goals to Congress. Technology played a crucial role, said a DHS official, by providing representatives from all segments of the homeland security community with the opportunity to contribute.

Announcing: The Nextgov Awards

webmaster@nextgov.com (Allan Holmes) — Thu,04 Feb 2010 23:19:30 GMT

Nextgov has launched the Nextgov Awards, an inaugural program to recognize federal managers who have shepherded a program, policy or management practice that is not only innovative, but bold and brave.

Announcing: The Nextgov Awards

webmaster@nextgov.com (Allan Holmes) — Thu,04 Feb 2010 23:19:30 GMT

Senate Confirms Johnson as GSA Chief

webmaster@nextgov.com (Emily Long) — Thu,04 Feb 2010 21:36:01 GMT

The Senate today confirmed Martha Johnson as General Services Administration administrator, nearly ten months after her nomination to the post.

You Ask, YouTube Answers

webmaster@nextgov.com (Emily Long) — Thu,04 Feb 2010 17:10:30 GMT

President Obama on Monday addressed the nation, but not from the Oval Office or the House floor. Instead, he got on YouTube and answered questions from videos uploaded by users around the world.

House Passes Cybersecurity Bill

webmaster@nextgov.com (Jill R. Aitoro) — Thu,04 Feb 2010 16:59:36 GMT

The House passed the 2009 Cybersecurity Enhancement Act on Thursday 422 - 5, after lengthy deliberations and amendment votes yesterday. There is no companion bill n the Senate, yet.

Sight of the Day

webmaster@nextgov.com (Allan Holmes) — Thu,04 Feb 2010 14:51:21 GMT

During rush hour in Washington, a D.C. police officer texting while driving.

Johnson to GSA by Friday?

webmaster@nextgov.com (Allan Holmes) — Wed,03 Feb 2010 21:54:22 GMT

Martha Johnson, whose confirmation to head the General Services Administration has been held up for months by Senate Republicans, may be at work as early as Friday, say sources knowledgeable about the process. The Senate is expected to vote to close debate and move on her confirmation via unanimous consent.

GAO: NASA IT Security Needs Attention

webmaster@nextgov.com (Aliya Sternstein) — Wed,03 Feb 2010 21:22:46 GMT

NASA, already in the spotlight for a budget that scraps plans to return to the moon, received more negative publicity from federal auditors on Wednesday about ongoing information security problems.

Google Goes to Washington -- Again

webmaster@nextgov.com (Emily Long) — Wed,03 Feb 2010 16:24:23 GMT

If ever there were doubts about Google ruling the world (or at least parts of it), a recent addition to President Obama's technology focused staff might settle some uncertainty.