Today I attended a meeting at the Moot Court at the Australian National University in Canberra from 12:30pm to 4pm. Fourteen people from academia, government and industry were discussing the creation of the “Australia Forum”, a project for enabling public policy discussion. I attended for the School of Computer Science at ANU which researches theRead… Read more »
Just because government is further behind the private sector when it comes to jumping on the Web 2.0 train doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of chatter about getting on board. I’ve heard things like “We need an app where citizens can take pictures of potholes or graffiti with their camera phone, geotag the location,Read… Read more »
As part of my Grumpy Old Man series, today I’m taking a look at the challenges that lie ahead of todays most widely hyped technology — cloud computing. Before government agencies can realize the benefits of cloud computing, a number of challenges must be overcome. Government information technology must conform to rules and regulations thatRead… Read more »
Getting face time with the boss when it comes to information security is a hard thing to do in government. Much like the electricity that keeps lights on in our homes, we only begin to think of cyber security when there is a breach or a high-volume displacement of data. CivSource recently sat down withRead… Read more »
My colleagues over at the Open Knowledge Foundation have been thinking about recruiting an Open Data Advocate, someone who can coordinate a number of the activities they are up to in the open data space. I offered to think about what the role should entail and how that person could be effective. Consequently, in theRead… Read more »
Earlier this week, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad named Bill Monroe, one of the state’s prominent newsmen, as his administration’s special advisor for government transparency. In that capacity, Mr. Monroe will help craft and implement Iowa’s transparency agenda, the governor said. “I have taken steps to assure that my administration will be transparent,” Gov. Branstad saidRead… Read more »
(Photo Credit http://transportgraphics.blogspot.com) Would love to have all communicators, technologists, planners or anyone else even marginally interested in government and it’s role in transportation come join #localgovchat tonight at 9 EST. We want to discuss how communications, visualizations and other data can help improve how residents get around from state to state, city to city,Read… Read more »
In an analysis of 2011 State of the State addresses, governors hit upon the subject of government redesigns – to address budgets, size of state governments and jobs. Among the key components of gubernatorial plans to redesign state government, “consolidation,” “streamlining,” and “pensions” rang the loudest and most persistent. The perennial list of topics, suchRead… Read more »
I will confess that I did not used to be a fan of sharing IT. But, that was a different time and it was before we had so many options and the experience of some pioneers to show us the way. Now, I believe it can be a key to governmental survival and, it mayRead… Read more »
That’s right! If you haven’t heard about the Gov Up that is taking place tomorrow at Public House in National Harbour, then you’re missing out! The “Rock Your Career” Gov Up, will be a Mash Up of young govies and experienced executives. Holding true to the “melting pot” American spirit, individuals from the private sector,Read… Read more »