Modernization

SSA needs better plan for online customer service, IG says

The Social Security Administration needs to get ready to deliver most of its customer service online, a report says.

Modernization

FBI releases new iPhone app for identifying missing children

Is there something missing from the FBI's new Child ID mobile app for missing children? Some parents and users think so.

People

NARA invites public to tag historic documents

The National Archives and Records Administration wants amateur historians to get involved in putting electronic tags on its historic documents online.

People

SSA suggestion box: Better online tools, watch for biased judges

The Social Security Administration has published a list of the most popular ideas and suggestions it has received from the public to improve transparency.

People

New federal CIO gets praise, advice from community

Steven VanRoekel has accomplished a lot, but the new role he's taking will bring a new set of pitfalls, observers warn.

Digital Government

Mobile apps feature per diems

Federal employees traveling on official business can now check their per-diem allowances on new mobile applications.

Digital Government

Steve VanRoekel named new federal CIO

White House officials say former FCC and Microsoft executive Steven VanRoekel will be the new Federal CIO, succeeding Vivek Kundra.

People

Agencies put fishing and tidal apps on mobile devices

Agencies have been releasing fishing, boating, travel and picnicking applications for smart phones.

Digital Government

Transparency rules proposed for budget-cutting 'super committee'

Sen. David Vitter is the first senator to propose increasing transparency of the super committee" charged with identifying $1.5 trillion in spending cuts.

Digital Government

Defense takes big cuts in debt deal

With the debt ceiling deal signed into law, outcry over defense cuts and lack of transparency is already loud.

People

Government declassifies historical docs faster than ever

The National Declassification Center was established in January 2010 to tackle a nearly 400 million-page backlog of historic documents, and it is just starting to hit its stride by picking up the pace of initial evaluations.

Acquisition

VA continues to pay ineligible contractors, audit finds

Serious deficiencies in contracting at the Veterans Affairs Department are allowing ineligible contractors to work and get paid, audits find.

People

Feds, contractors brace for debt-ceiling compromise

Pending deal to avert a default spares federal paychecks for now, but future remains cloudy.

People

Making mobile work; success strategies revealed

Presenting information on a smart phone screen is a challenge under any circumstances, but imagine trying to put detailed information about science and art into a mobile format. The Smithsonian Institution's mobile strategy director shares some tips you can use.

Digital Government

Lessons learned from NIH online app

The National Institutes of Health's Pillbox program has shown that a project manager may have to move outside the comfort zone.

Digital Government

NGA falls short on archiving hard copy maps, inspectors say

Federal inspectors took a look at records management activities for hard copy maps at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

Modernization

VA to allow clinicians to access cloud applications

The VA is preparing to allow clinicians at VA medical facilities to access some commercial cloud applications.

Digital Government

White House schedules public Twitter chats with senior staffers

The White House is using Twitter again to hold dialogues with the public.

People

NARA issues guidance on storing mixed media records

The National Archives and Records Administration has advised federal records managers about managing files with a mix of digital, paper and other records.

Cybersecurity

Federal information sharing environment needs work, GAO says

The federal Information-Sharing Environment needs work to bring in more foreign affairs data and intelligence, according to a new GAO report.