Tech Insider

Tech-Tied

webmaster@nextgov.com (Emily Long) — Mon,15 Mar 2010 21:16:51 GMT

You've seen those BlackBerry-crazed workaholics that take their jobs with them everywhere -- out to dinner, to their kids' soccer games, even on their honeymoons -- but only in the movies, right?

Upcoming: House Transparency Caucus

webmaster@nextgov.com (Aliya Sternstein) — Fri,12 Mar 2010 22:26:41 GMT

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.

Tax Free Smart Grid Grants

webmaster@nextgov.com (Dawn Lim) — Fri,12 Mar 2010 21:35:03 GMT

Federal grants under the Smart Grid Investment Grant program will not be taxed, the Treasury and Energy Department announced Wednesday. This means that the IRS will provide a safe harbor for corporations receiving grants under the $3.4 billion federal stimulus program, which funds projects that aid the modernization of the energy grid.

Web Site Woes: USAspending.gov

webmaster@nextgov.com (Emily Long) — Fri,12 Mar 2010 21:16:04 GMT

Inconsistencies will continue to plague USAspending.gov unless the Office of Management and Budget issues better reporting guidance to agencies, according to the Government Accountability Office.

Tweet Trends

webmaster@nextgov.com (Emily Long) — Fri,12 Mar 2010 17:25:26 GMT

Social networking offers lots of opportunities to share information, join a conversation, reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. Perhaps too many. With Facebook, LinkedIn, GovLoop, Twitter and more, who has time to actively participate in everything?

Friday is Deadline for Nextgov Awards

webmaster@nextgov.com (Allan Holmes) — Fri,12 Mar 2010 14:41:49 GMT

Friday is the last day to submit a nomination for the Nextgov Awards. Do you know a colleague who took on personal risks to push through an idea, policy or management change that used technology? If so, please tell us their story.

Win Cash and IP Rights

webmaster@nextgov.com (Aliya Sternstein) — Thu,11 Mar 2010 21:06:49 GMT

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 legal framework for giving away money and other incentives during competitions aimed at improving open government, spurring research and development and addressing national priorities.

Want Workers? Get Tech

webmaster@nextgov.com (Allan Holmes) — Wed,10 Mar 2010 22:39:18 GMT

Wired Workplace blogger Brittany Ballenstedt posted on Wednesday findings from a study conducted by Accenture on Millennials' use of social networking tools at work. (Millennials are the youngest workers among us, those younger than 28.)

Census Sticking Point

webmaster@nextgov.com (Emily Long) — Wed,10 Mar 2010 22:22:53 GMT

The Census Bureau this week started its daunting task--counting the nation's 300-plus million people--by mailing out advance letters to 120 million households. These letters politely remind citizens that the 2010 census documents will be arriving March 15 to 17 and to please fill out and mail back the quick-and-easy 10-question form.

FBI's Most Wanted in Your Pocket

webmaster@nextgov.com (Emily Long) — Tue,09 Mar 2010 22:18:20 GMT

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is one of many agencies to embrace social networking, but its use of technology has a greater practical purpose than simple information dissemination.

Orszag Hints at Flat Budgets

webmaster@nextgov.com (Allan Holmes) — Tue,09 Mar 2010 22:01:42 GMT

Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag spoke at a Government Executive leadership breakfast on Tuesday and talked about the Obama administration's effort to close the federal government's "IT gap," a situation in which many agencies work on computer systems -- or on no systems at all -- that are woefully behind what the private sector has.

Real vs. Robotic Mules

webmaster@nextgov.com (Dawn Lim) — Tue,09 Mar 2010 20:45:35 GMT

On Afghanistan's mountainous terrain, there are places where Humvees, the military's four-wheeled and diesel-powered beast, can't go. But mules can. Armed with a knack for survival and "entirely nonpartisan about the contents of its load," writes Susan Orlean in a New Yorker article, the mule has proved a valued trooper in the military.

Tweeting for Startup Visa

webmaster@nextgov.com (Dawn Lim) — Mon,08 Mar 2010 19:57:46 GMT

Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and venture capitalists flew in to Capitol Hill last week to promote the Startup Visa Act, a bill to amend immigration law and make it easier for foreign entrepreneurs to stay in the U.S. -- and create jobs here -- if they demonstrate funding from U.S.-based investors. This wasn't just a stakeholders' party. So far, more than 780 voters have sent over 2800 messages to their elected representatives - through 2gov, a nifty tool that channels Tweets to Congress. And 95 percent are supporting the bill.

More Airport Body Scans

webmaster@nextgov.com (Emily Long) — Mon,08 Mar 2010 15:00:20 GMT

The Homeland Security Department on Friday announced that it will expand the use of advanced imaging technology--the controversial body scans--to 11 U.S. aiports by summer, thanks to $1 billion in Recovery Act funds.

Play Nice

webmaster@nextgov.com (Allan Holmes) — Fri,05 Mar 2010 23:06:58 GMT

Researchers have worked to find a link between violence in video games and aggressive behavior. The findings can be conflicting and confusing.