People

House panel probes White House staff's storing of mobile device messages

A senior White House official testified on systems in place for automatically capturing all e-mail messages at the office, but a lawmaker suggested some staffers may be bypassing that system by using personal mobile devices.

People

SSA: The check is not in the mail

The Treasury Department and Social Security Administration have begun requiring new applicants for retirement benefits to sign up for electronic payments or debit cards only.

Digital Government

VA's Baker says VA, DOD digital record systems will morph into joint system

Roger Baker, the Veterans Affairs Department's assistant secretary for information and technology, offered some details about how the VA and Defense Department are going to meld their digital medical record systems.

Digital Government

White House official to testify about preserving Facebook, Twitter records

Rep. Darrell Issa intends to probe the transparency of the White House's social media records at a hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Modernization

Remote video increases flexibility for SSA

The Social Security Administration began using remote video conferencing technology to manage its disability hearing workload in 1999 and it seems to be paying off, according to a new report.

People

Obama orders agencies to improve customer service

President Barack Obama tells agencies to develop customer service plans with at least one major technology initiative for each agency.

Modernization

Treasury, EPA, FDA sites among low scorers in customer satisfaction

ForeSee Results has released its latest survey ranking federal websites on customer satisfaction.

Digital Government

Social media policies: strict, loose or in-between?

Some agencies block all social media, others block none. Some curtail streaming sites, others just ask employees to be responsible. Is there any chance of these policies coming into harmony?

Acquisition

GSA's Mary Davie urges 'doing things differently' in acquisition

Mary Davie, assistant commissioner for the General Services Administration, addressed a conference room full of federal procurement employees at the Federal IT Acquisition Summit.

People

Acquisition officials share tips on communication, transparency

Federal acquisition professionals shared tips for improving communications between program managers and contracting officials at the Federal IT Acquisition Summit.

Digital Government

Agencies get access to Xtranormal cartoon video-maker app

The General Services Administration has added the Xtranormal video-maker to Apps.gov list as the latest available application to federal Web managers.

People

SSA trust fund reimbursement may be at risk due to outdated systems, audit says

Grant Thornton LLP recently completed an audit of the Social Security Administration's system to determine the administrative expenses to be reimbursed from the four trust funds it oversees.

Digital Government

State to start social network for employees only

The State Department's e-Diplomacy office is testing its new Corridor social network for department employees, according to several online reports.

People

Senator worried about cutting transparency programs

Sen. Tom Carper is worried that Congress' budget reduction to open-government programs such as Data.gov and the Federal IT Dashboard may hurt efforts to curb improper payments and wasteful spending.

Modernization

VA, DOD create mobile app for PTSD treatment, support

The Veterans Affairs and Defense departments have released a new mobile application designed to help veterans and service members suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Modernization

Winning ways to visualize federal data include bubbles, blocks and clocks

Google and Eyebeam.org have announced the winners of a contest to make federal spending data more visually appealing.

Digital Government

Obama to appear in live video feed from Facebook headquarters

President Barack Obama goes to the headquarters of Facebook in Palo Alto, Calif., today to appear in a live video session about the budget deficit.

Cybersecurity

Report: FEMA IT systems not effective for disaster response

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's legacy IT systems have gaps, a new report states.

Modernization

Law library's plan emphasizes digital, social media

The Law Library of Congress' strategic plan highlights using digital media, the Web and social media.

People

Agencies update progress on transparency plans

Federal agencies are publishing charts, graphics and progress reports on their open government efforts.