Agencies try to exploit 'free' data model

Blogger Brian Robinson was wondering how the business models would emerge to justify Data.gov and similar government Web sites. Here's one out of Massachusetts: Get the free market to do government's job for it.

When iPods are killers

iPods, smart phones and other personal devices are raising new questions about safety on the battlefield, on the beat and in other hazardous areas, writes blogger Brian Robinson.

Cloud computing: 20 percent savings in five years?

The U.K. has high hopes for cloud computing (and open-source software and voice over IP, for that matter).

'The Guardian' of government data

On the heels of the United Kingdom's launch of its own version of Data.gov comes a new site developed by The Guardian newspaper that provides access to online government data sites from around the world.

DARPA satellite program seeks ‘billions and billions’ of inputs

The agency envisions enabling people around the world to take part in an experimental satellite program.

U.S. first responder communications still a mess

If a major earthquake were to strike in the U.S., we would be in a real fix, says the chief of the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.

Green tech: NASA brings space tech down to earth

NASA is getting into the green tech business, it seems, by using software designed for such things as the International Space Station and Mars Rover missions to control indoor energy systems.

The FBI, a Spanish lawmaker and bin Laden

Blogger Brian Robinson can't help but wonder why the FBI incorporated a picture of a Spanish minister of parliament into a wanted poster of the world's most infamous international terrorist. The Spanish PM is wondering too.

DOE assembles team to tackle cybersecurity threats to power grid

The Energy Department assembles the National Energy Sector Cyber Organizationam to work on reducing cybersecurity risks faced by the U.S. power grid.

Social networking for democracy (and earthquake relief)

Sen. Richard Lugar says the Obama administration and U.S. diplomats should be "nimble, flexible and innovative" in the ways they use social media.

Army to call up small robots for combat duty

It appears that automated warfighting is being accelerated into the ranks.

Obama gets good marks on first cybersecurity report card

The government needs to take an energetic lead on protecting the IT infrastructure, says a local government security guru.

Federal future cloudy for Microsoft Word

Agencies are wondering how a court's ruling banning Microsoft from selling Word will affect their procurement plans.

Changes afoot for NetCents 2

Gregory Garcia, director of the 754th Electronic Systems Group, which oversees the Air Force’s Network Centric Solutions contract, talks about the strategy behind NetCents-2 and his expectations for the new contract.

FCS to be replaced by smaller modernization efforts

The Future Combat System did not reflect the anti-insurgency lessons learned in Iraq and Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in an acquisition decision memorandum released June 23.

GAO: Costs, delays seen in weapons programs

A recent Government Accountability Office report reveals continuing high development costs and delays in many of the DOD’s major programs.

Transition Watch: Obama will cut outsourcing

President-elect Obama will reduce the number of contracts that outsource government work to private firms.

USAF wants to build Cyber Control System

The Air Force wants input on how to construct a command and control system that would support defensive and offensive operations in the event of an all-out attack on the U.S. IT infrastructure.