Yearly Archives: 2011

MBTA launches customer service app

From broken escalators to missing bus stop signs, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority customers now have an easy way to document inconveniences large and small. Tell the T, a new iPhone/iPad application, lets customers snap a picture of the offending item and send the information straight to customer support. “I’m looking for customers to let usRead… Read more »

Calling All Federal Cybersecurity Practitioners: Contribute ideas and actions to enhance the community

On 28 September 2011, FedCyber.com will facilitate a one-day Government-Industry Cyber Security Summit to be held at the Newseum in Washington DC. This event is free for government cybersecurity practitioners. The FedCyber.com Government-Industry Summit will bring together thought leaders who know the cyber mission in a venue designed to enhance our collective understanding of theRead… Read more »

TransLink to provide real-time info, seeks testers

TransLink (BC) is upgrading its mobile website and is looking for riders to help test its latest feature — real-time next-bus information. In a blog post, the agency asked potential testers to tell TransLink in 200 words or fewer why they want to test the app. Five selected testers will receive access to the betaRead… Read more »

Solar trees spring up in Santa Clara parking lots

A new kind of tree is growing in Santa Clara County (CA) parking lots. The 12-foot tall silver saplings are topped with photovoltaic cells that produce electricity for county facilities and reduce emissions. The so-called solar trees also create shady parking spaces, which is a popular side benefit. “Most people think it’s covered parking, andRead… Read more »

Avoid Underrepresenting your Organization

I recently sat through a meeting with a vendor who represented a Fortune 500 company. During this meeting I witnessed behavior which spurred me to compose this article. The vendor I met with had a bad habit of deflecting questions, providing vague details, and speaking with a general lack of confidence. The vendor greatly underrepresentedRead… Read more »

Design Matters: Looking at a Re-themed Bugzilla

I’ll be honest. There was a time when I thought design didn’t matter. To my credit, it was a long time ago… but I used to think, if the tool was good enough, the design won’t matter, people will use it cause it is helpful. (This may or may not have influenced some fashion choicesRead… Read more »

You Can Do It!

IMPORTANT: This information should not be downloaded using government equipment, read during duty time or sent to others using government equipment, because it suggests action to be taken in support of and/or against legislation. Do not list your government email or government address in filling out this message, and do not use a government providedRead… Read more »

What I’ve been reading

I find this stuff so that you don’t have to. Clay Shirky Says Good Collaboration is Structured Fighting – “Large collaborative projects aren’t, in fact, large collaborative projects according to Shirky. They’re small collaborative projects with tight groups, that integrate very large amounts of small participatory effort.” Clay Shirky Says Good Collaboration is Structured FightingRead… Read more »

Hamburg’s hydrogen buses log 2 million kilometers

Since 2003, the number of hydrogen fuel-cell buses in the German city of Hamburg has grown from a single prototype to three dozen. The Mercedes-Benz Citaro fuel-cell buses have logged more than 2 million kilometers over the past eight years and data from the buses has allowed the manufacturer to improve the fuel-efficiency of theRead… Read more »