Yearly Archives: 2012

What Open Data REALLY Means for Cities

The call for cities to embrace open data is getting louder and louder. The recent White House Digital Strategy Initiative is proof of one such example in which they call for all Federal Agencies to be accessible via mobile and have information readily available to the public anytime from any device. Philosophically, we love talkingRead… Read more »

DARPA Awards Contract for Humanoid Robots, How to Hack the Curiosity Mars Rover, and More

Here is today’s federal cybersecurity and information technology news: A U.S. federal appeals court found that authorities do not need a probable-cause warrant to track suspects through their mobile phone GPS. More here. A new bill, the Wireless Surveillance Act of 2012, has been proposed, however, that would apply home search standards to cell phoneRead… Read more »

Is Your Office Being Sabotaged?

Do you ever feel like your workplace is being sabotaged? Well, it just might if any of your colleagues are adhering to a formerly classified Office of Strategic Services document, the “Simple Sabotage Field Manual.” America’s enemies will always innovate and the intelligence apparatus has always sought to evolve to counter changing threats. The sabotageRead… Read more »

Alexander Tran: Why I’m Coding for America

While in high school, my grandfather suffered from a stroke. A social, fast-talking, and brilliant civil engineer, my grandfather recovered slowly and continued to feel isolated by his new circumstances. In moments of reflection, he discovered the willingness to try on new skills, including using the web. Although bright in many capacities, my grandfather, likeRead… Read more »

Tips for Creating Better Work Relationships

Good work relationships are critical for success in management. I don’t think I could have accomplished anything of substance if I didn’t have that going for me. My strategy for that is pretty simple, so I thought I’d share: Go at their pace. If your co-worker wants coffee, have coffee. If they prefer happy hour,Read… Read more »

GSA says no raise in per diem travel rates – 7 DorobekINSIDER stories you need to know

SEVEN stories that impact your life for Wednesday the 15th of August, 2012 The General Services Administration has frozen per diem travel rates. For fiscal year 2014, the standard rate will stand at $77 a day for lodging and $46 a day for meals and incidental expenses. Federal Times says the higher rates will stillRead… Read more »

When the dam breaks…

It is amazing to watch how quickly things can change once a key leadership change – of mind or person – occurs in a government department. In the last four weeks Australia has gone from having no digital diplomats, lagging the world, to having four (@AusAmbUSA, @AusHCIndia@AusAmbJP and @DubesAustralia) – hopefully with many more toRead… Read more »