Things which caught my eye elsewhere on the web Software Inventory – Joel on Software Every product attracts new feature ideas, and you can’t implement ideas as fast as you can think them up, so you write them down, and this list is called the feature backlog. A lot of the ideas on the backlogRead… Read more »
Cleversafe provides dispersed storage solutions that give infinite scale and cost-effective data storage/protection/access. Apache Hadoop and the CDH4 distribution provides all the required software for implementing MapReduce and the other chores associated with analysis over massive quantities of data. What if these two capabilities could be combined in a smart, well engineered way? The potentialRead… Read more »
(pictured above: newsroom in action) For some Government employees — especially those not schooled in the art of public affairs and media relations — speaking to reporters may cause more anxiety than giving a big speech. PR-types often call upon SMEs, subject matter experts (a.k.a. “policy wonks”) to respond to technical and legal media inquiriesRead… Read more »
In another example of governments around the world realizing they need to focus on better project management, the Cayman Islands’ Auditor General issued a report to this effect. Like the UK example last week, this is a call for better project management in government. Again we see recommendations for the establishment of a “Centre forRead… Read more »
I’m headed to Tassie in early August and whilst there will be presenting at an IPAA forum on the topic of Transforming public engagement through social media. If you’re in a Tassie state agency or local government and interested in Gov 2.0, social media or community engagement, I’d like to invite you to consider comingRead… Read more »
In 2006 the Erie County Legislature (Buffalo, NY) adopted legislation which amended the County Charter by creating a Citizens Budget Review Commission. The push for such a commission came about due to the fiscal meltdown of the County several years ago. I support the idea of a Citizens Budget Review Commission as an opportunity forRead… Read more »
One of the most powerful things about open government data is all of the options it enables. Open data is the single most important ingredient in civic apps, and it can also power visualizations, mashups, and countless other civic uses. The very best open data typically lends itself to several different kinds of uses. WhenRead… Read more »
What would it take for a city to be able to call itself “one of the most livable” in America? Some qualifications that come to mind include: quality transportation infrastructure, affordable housing and utility options, schools that prepare children for bright futures, clean open spaces for enjoying the natural world, zero crime, friendly neighbors… theRead… Read more »
September is FEMA’s National Preparedness Month and part of this event is the announcement of the 2012 Individual and Community Preparedness Awards recipients. These awards recognize outstanding individuals, organizations, Citizen Corps Councils, and programs that work to create safer, stronger, and well-prepared communities that can withstand emergency events and disaster. The application period is openRead… Read more »
This year’s NAGC Communications School provided great opportunities to learn, network and hear great speakers. The breakout sessions touched on numerous topics relevant to government communicators and the challenges we face each day. One of the most engaging and interesting breakout sessions was the session about journalists’ perceptions of public information officers. Anyone who heardRead… Read more »