Miscellaneous

New Year’s Resolution: Put Your Geek Powers to Work For Good

Does your New Year’s resolution involve inspiring young people to be science and technology leaders, engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, and fostering well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership? If so, is this a vision statement you can get behind? “To transform our culture by creatingRead… Read more »

White House Calls Federal Agencies’ BLUF: Says Use Plain Language

The Plain Writing Act of 2010 called on federal agencies to simplify the language used in issuing rules and regulations. As a part of the Open Government movement, federal agencies were to use plain, common English in official correspondence rather than writing in government-speak – a language commonly known for using a dozen words whereRead… Read more »

Don’t Wait – Early Bird Conference Registration for the Gov Web & New Media Conference ENDS 1/13/12

Early-bird pricing for Web Manager University’s premier event of the year, the annual Government Web and New Media Conference, ends on Friday, January 13, 2012. Last year we were SOLD OUT – don’t miss out, register today. The conference, co-sponsored by GSA and the Federal Web Managers Council, is the premier networking and educational eventRead… Read more »

Blue Lion Training Seeks Intern!

We are looking for an intern! It is an unpaid internship in Massachusetts and is a best fit for one looking for increased exposure to environmental field skills, communications and policy/regulation. A basic environmental background is a plus. If interested or know someone that is, please email me at [email protected] to start the conversation. FeelRead… Read more »

Hadoop Quickstart: Build a Cluster In The Cloud In 20 Minutes Or Less

Editor’s note: The tips Bryan Halfpap provides below really work. I stood up a working Hadoop Cluster in under 20 minutes, from cold iron to production ready, using just his guidance and a Rackspace account. bg I’ve been working with Apache Hadoop in my lab, spending much of that with CDH3 (the Cloudera Distribution includingRead… Read more »

Election law news, McCain on super PACs, no Bluman foreign money, and political law links

NO BLUMAN FOREIGN MONEY. Politico. “The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday upheld a federal law that bars foreign nationals from spending to influence U.S. elections.” WILEY REIN NEWS. The January 2012 edition of Wiley Rein’s Election Law News is online here. MCCAIN ON SUPER PACS. The Hill. “McCain blamed the Supreme Court for the campaignRead… Read more »

Mil to Fed: Where’s Star? Not with Waldo!

On Wednesday January 18th the Department of Veterans Affairs will host an all-day outreach event at the Washington, DC Convention Center. If you’re a Veteran living in Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware or West Virginia, I hope to see you at this informative FREE event. Please contact your local Department of Veterans Affairs forRead… Read more »

A reflection on Hackathons in 2011

While I am reflecting, I thought it a good time to consider hackathons. In 2011 the term “hackathon” became common and many cities all over the world opened datasets for developers to build applications around. Below are some lesson’s learned to better position a hackathon to a government context: Lesson learned #1: A hackathon isRead… Read more »