Posts By David Reinbold

Top 5 GovLaunches of 2011

Top 5 GovLaunches of 2011 1.) GovLaunch – Furloughed Feds Facebook Page Back in April, with the fear of a government shutdown, a few passionate government workers took to Facebook to create a page for those fearful of government furloughs. The group’s description states: “If you are like the founders of this group, you areRead… Read more »

GovBytes: Could nationwide ban on texting/phone calls while driving be coming?

Most of us are guilty. I’ve done, you’ve probably done it. Yesterday, The National Transportation Safety Board made recommendations for a nationwide ban on the use of any electronic devices while driving, The recommendations came after a tragic highway accident last year in Gray Summit, Mo., in which two people were killed and 38 wereRead… Read more »

GovBytes: Palo Alto, Calif., utilizes its utility companies to test new technology

The Silicon Valley and its citizens could soon become a testbed for emerging energy-efficient technologies, according to an article in GovTech. Palo Alto recently announced its plans to introduce a program, aptly named the Emerging Technology Demonstration Program, that would allow utility companies to evaluate new tech proposals submitted by private companies. If the proposalsRead… Read more »

Daily Dose: USPS set to announce closures today

Today is the day the USPS is expected to announce cuts across its entire scope of operations, according to a story over at the Washington Post. Postal officials are slated to introduce formal plans that would shut down 250 of the Postal Service’s 460 mail processing facilities. In addition to closing the processing facilities, USPSRead… Read more »

GovBytes: First Responders Using Wi-Fi to Save Seconds and Lives

According to an article over at GovTech, an Emergency Medical Services Division in Rowan, N.C., has equipped all of its ambulances with Wi-Fi platforms that transmit valuable information to doctors before arriving at the hospital.The information sends vital signs, heart rhythms (to detect for potential heart attack), and brings up patient medical history. “Also insideRead… Read more »

Daily Dose: Extending Federal benefits to partners of same-sex employees

According to an article over at The Washington Post, a bill that seeks to extend benefits to the same-sex partners of Federal employees was reintroduced last week. The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act was reintroduced by Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine). If passed, the act would make same-sex partners ofRead… Read more »

“Menial” jobs

On a coffee run with a co-worker this morning, the subject of past jobs came up. We were going back and forth about jobs we had as teenagers and undergrads. She used to work as a barista at a coffee shop on the West Coast, and I had just about every serving job there wasRead… Read more »

Daily Dose: The USPS asks for its stuff back

Ever taken a pen from the post office? Well, how about tape guns, letter trays or large pallets? According to the Fed page over at The Washington Post, the United States Postal Service is asking customers to return any stolen USPS property in an effort to minimize losses for the fiscal year. The program providesRead… Read more »

GovBytes: Do you use your personal tech devices for work purposes?

An article and video in GovTech asked state CIOs at the NASCIO conference what their policies were on allowing employees to use personal devices for work. “Instituting so-called ‘bring your own device’ policies may make economic sense for cash-strapped public agencies, and they’ll certainly make users happy.” But in terms of security, some CIOs statedRead… Read more »