Posts By Corey McCarren

So long and thanks for all the fish!

Today is my last day as a GovLoop fellow; it’s been awesome, and I’m hoping to stay active in the GovLoop community. I’ve learned much about marketing analytics during my time here and have significantly improved my writing skills. The opportunity to help write the social media section of the Communications Guide and writing theRead… Read more »

Do TV Sitcoms give Public Servants a Bad Rap?

Lately I’ve become obsessed with the show Parks and Recreation. I think it’s hysterical — and maybe part of that is because I work around government, and can relate the characters to people I’ve met. But it does make me wonder, is the show reinforcing negative stereotypes about government? For example: 1) Leslie Knope isRead… Read more »

GovBytes: Social Media a Major Campaign Tool for Political Candidates

Social media has become a major influencer in the way candidates campaign. Newark’s Cory Booker has over one million followers, and is one of the best examples of a politician successfully utilizing social media. On New Years Eve in 2010, Mayor Booker even responded to a grandson tweeting about his grandfather who needed his drivewayRead… Read more »

SINET helps address cybersecurity by increasing collaboration

Cybersecurity is a big deal, especially after the revelations of the role of the United States behind Stuxnet and the Flame virus. We’ve learned that cyber-infrastructure isn’t particularly well protected, and the Security Innovation Network (SINET) is looking to change that through collaboration. Robert Rodriguez of SINET spoke with Chris Dorobek of the DorobekINSIDER aboutRead… Read more »

Cloud Storage: Are you a believer?

Flavor Flav once said “don’t believe the hype,” but should we when it comes to cloud computing? In administrative circles it seems to be the talk of the town, and certainly has benefits, though it’s still developing as a way to store data. Christopher Dorobek of the DorobekINSIDER recently sat down with Jim Sweeney, ChiefRead… Read more »

GovBytes: Facebook releases location check-in infographic

Checking into locations can be entertaining; trust me, I’m the trainspotter champion on Foursquare. But it can also be dangerous, as children have access to geolocation apps which can attract predators and adults aren’t always much wiser when checking in. However, it can be difficult to not check in to landmark locations such as TimesRead… Read more »

Physicist and Sammies Finalist Explains Hi-Tech Advances in Medicical Imaging and Data-Transfer

Physics, according to Jacob Taylor, is studying how nature works at a fundamental level, and using that knowledge to apply it in different ways. Jacob has been working hard at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, thinking through new technologies as a theoretical physicist (yes, the same title as Dr. Sheldon Cooper from theRead… Read more »

GovBytes: Mayors Seek to Promote Entrepreneurship through Open Government

At the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) annual meeting in Orlando, Fla. last week, the organization backed an action plan to promote technology, entrepreneurship, open government, and innovation. The Technology and Innovation Task Force, which was created in the beginning of this year, passed a resolution which aims to promote open data at all levelsRead… Read more »

Daily Dose: Should Airport Screening Continue to be Privatized?

Orlando Sanford International Airport has received preliminary approval to use private security screeners to screen passengers and personal property. It may now be one of the airports operating under the Screening Partnership Program, of which there are currently 16. TSA Tentatively Okay’s Private Screeners in Orlando Many Republicans are in support of the privatization ofRead… Read more »

Tracking digital government initiatives: Is your agency green, yellow, or red?

With the release of the White House’s Digital Government Strategy, agencies are being asked to take certain steps towards growing digital government in the United States. Already, Jay Huie, who consults as a senior information engineer and an information architect, has built a website to track how well agencies are doing in their digital governmentRead… Read more »