Posts By Jeff Smith

ArcGIS goes behind the firewall

Every day, users from all over the world log on to ArcGIS Online and contribute mapping data to the worldwide base map. This base map serves as one of the largest authoritative base maps available. However, for users with sensitive data, building on and contributing to a public map may not be possible. Recently, atRead… Read more »

Automatic app looks to improve Boston streets

Last week, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino announced a prototype mobile application that can detect potholes automatically, without having to manually report it to the city or pullover to take a picture of the roadside crater. Dubbed, Street Bump, the app is part of a crowdsourcing effort that will launch later this spring to an internationalRead… Read more »

Report: SLG market for justice, public safety IT set for modest gains

According to a new report, the state and local market for justice, public safety and homeland security technology will see an influx of $800 million in new spending over the next five years. Law enforcement officials looking to adopt both cutting-edge and back-office solutions ranging from predictive analytics to court case automation will push theRead… Read more »

States respond to President’s nationwide wireless broadband initiative

Last week, President Obama traveled to Marquette County, Michigan to unveil a nationwide, high-speed wireless plan. The initiative received applause from a handful of governors who said the expansion would benefit their local economies and benefit efforts to build out the National Public Safety Broadband Network for first responders. The $18 billion initiative would provideRead… Read more »

Alexandria, VA merges online and offline citizen engagement with ACTion

This week, Alexandria, Virginia launched a new twist on challenge based citizen engagement with ACTion Alexandria. ACTion Alexandria is an online citizen engagement initiative, that on the surface looks similar to other online idea platforms such as UserVoice or IdeaScale. However, unlike these off-the-shelf solutions, ACTion Alexandria leveraged its history as an offline organizing groupRead… Read more »

Iowa gov appoints transparency chief

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 »

State governors target ‘redesigns’ in speeches, analysis finds

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 »

Colorado awards eGovernment grants to improve online services

The Colorado Statewide Internet Portal Authority awarded 24 local governments with grants totaling nearly $100,000 to increase the availability of online services, products and information in the state. The eGovernment Services Grants are designed to help local government offices migrate their services online and improve service delivery to their constituents. The Statewide Internet Portal AuthorityRead… Read more »