We’ve all been there, staring at a blank document or sheet of paper, trying to get started writing a blog, essay or a report. It’s one of the most frustrating feelings, and when pressed up against deadlines, the anxiety to produce increases. Over the last few months, I’ve been writing, researching, blogging quite a bitRead… Read more »
On today’s program The Republican National Convention kicks off tonight — so what should feds be doing to stay out of the election crosshairs? Click here for the full recap. When we talk about open data we often talk about transparency. But the makers of OpenPlans says open government can also help you do yourRead… Read more »
On today’s program Meet the fed who is working to investigate traffic accidents — and make sure they don’t happen again. His work has made him a finalist for the Service to America Medals. Click here for the full story. Predicting wildfires — there’s an app for that. You’ll meet the Code for America FellowRead… Read more »
I’ve been quiet on the Digital Government Strategy because – well, OK, I’ll be honest…while I think there’s a whole lot of good in it, I also have some problems. First, it didn’t look anything like I expected it to look, after all the issues we discussed in the National Dialog on Improving Government Websites.Read… Read more »
Application programming interfaces (APIs) are quickly being used more often in government. API’s, to put it simply, are a set of rules how systems can interact with each other. API’s allow developers access to agencies data, which can be used to make engaging mobile content and innovative uses of data for improved citizen engagement. API’sRead… Read more »
We’ve all been watching the devastating fires rip through the west. So what can you do to prepare? In 2011, over 1300 homes were destroyed in Bastrop County, Texas due to wildfires. The fellows at Code for America developed an easy-to-use application that brings together a variety of checklists and fire tools, and gives themRead… Read more »
Fleep recently summarized the promise she saw in the Second Life community, the change that transpired there over the last few years, and her decision to focus her involvement in a different virtual community or platform. (You can read her article here: Why Anyone Who Cares. . ..) And based on the comments she receivedRead… Read more »
Cisco recently shared a report about the Kent Police Department in the United Kingdom. The case study shows the power and importance of improved communication for police departments, and highlights the benefits of improved communication initiatives. The case study was interesting to read through, and to consider some lessons learned that we could apply hereRead… Read more »
I’ve recently recommitted to working on a couple of book ideas; what follows is the preamble to a book I am working on on Open Government. =============== Last year I was sitting in a small coffee shop off the beaten path with a couple of friends – fellow bureaucrats – when one of them, aRead… Read more »
Social media have been changing the way companies and government agencies operate since the middle of last decade–upending long-held ways of doing business and reshaping the relationship between government and citizens. Though more than 100 million Americans are members of a social media site like Facebook or Twitter, few government agencies have explicit policies forRead… Read more »