By Bob Brewin
SAN DIEGO -- As the conflict between Russia and Georgia escalated into a short war in August, the Pentagon set up wikis to monitor the situation and to coordinate a possible response, a principal adviser to the Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Wednesday.
During the conflict, the Joint Chiefs used wikis, Web pages containing content on a specific topic that users can add to or edit, on its classified networks to coordinate its response. They found that the tools streamlined their coordination efforts and cut e-mail traffic in half during the crisis, said Vice Adm. Nancy Brown, director of command, control, communications and computers. She spoke at the annual Armed Forces Electronics and Communications MILCOM conference here.
Commanders who used wikis during the crisis included Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and since then their use "has spread like wildfire," Brown said.
Full story: http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20081120_2919.php?zone=NGpopular
Friday, November 21, 2008
Obama administration faces hard choices in managing ground troops
By Katherine McIntyre Peters
The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments on Monday released three new reports aimed at informing the next administration as it makes difficult decisions in shaping a new military strategy.
Comment on this article in The Forum.The nonpartisan center's analysts laid out detailed accounts of the recruiting, equipping and organizational challenges confronting the ground services and recommended the Obama administration cut some weapons programs, reorganize special operations forces and reconsider plans to substantially increase the size of the Army.
The reports were the latest installments in the center's "Strategy for the Long Haul," a comprehensive look at how the services are poised to face the most likely strategic challenges in the coming years. The 15-volume collection of monographs seeks to inform the Pentagon's upcoming Quadrennial Defense Review, which will get under way in early 2009, as well as guide the Obama administration.
Full story: http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20081117_3643.php?zone=NGpopular
The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments on Monday released three new reports aimed at informing the next administration as it makes difficult decisions in shaping a new military strategy.
Comment on this article in The Forum.The nonpartisan center's analysts laid out detailed accounts of the recruiting, equipping and organizational challenges confronting the ground services and recommended the Obama administration cut some weapons programs, reorganize special operations forces and reconsider plans to substantially increase the size of the Army.
The reports were the latest installments in the center's "Strategy for the Long Haul," a comprehensive look at how the services are poised to face the most likely strategic challenges in the coming years. The 15-volume collection of monographs seeks to inform the Pentagon's upcoming Quadrennial Defense Review, which will get under way in early 2009, as well as guide the Obama administration.
Full story: http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20081117_3643.php?zone=NGpopular
OPM: Veterans' ranks in federal workforce grow
By Alyssa Rosenberg
The number of veterans working for the federal government rose slightly in fiscal 2007, according to a new report from the Office of Personnel Management.
Between fiscal 2006 and 2007, the number of veterans in the civilian workforce increased by 4,779, or 0.1 percent. In fiscal 2007, there were 462,744 veterans working for Uncle Sam, accounting for 25.5 percent of the total government workforce. Those figures represent a 0.5 percent gain from fiscal 2003.
Disabled veterans also boosted their ranks in government between fiscal 2003 and 2007, growing 1.3 percent during that time to 103,180. In fiscal 2007, the number of disabled federal employees fell to 0.92 percent, down from 1.2 percent in fiscal 1996, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Full story: http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=41392&dcn=e_wfw
The number of veterans working for the federal government rose slightly in fiscal 2007, according to a new report from the Office of Personnel Management.
Between fiscal 2006 and 2007, the number of veterans in the civilian workforce increased by 4,779, or 0.1 percent. In fiscal 2007, there were 462,744 veterans working for Uncle Sam, accounting for 25.5 percent of the total government workforce. Those figures represent a 0.5 percent gain from fiscal 2003.
Disabled veterans also boosted their ranks in government between fiscal 2003 and 2007, growing 1.3 percent during that time to 103,180. In fiscal 2007, the number of disabled federal employees fell to 0.92 percent, down from 1.2 percent in fiscal 1996, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Full story: http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=41392&dcn=e_wfw
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Directory of 'plum' federal jobs debuts
By Kellie Lunney klunney@govexec.com
November 11, 2008
The presidential campaign might be over, but the competition for jobs in the new Obama administration has only just begun.
The 2008 Plum Book, the eagerly anticipated guide to more than 8,000 leadership positions in the executive and legislative branches, will be ready Nov. 12. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is publishing this year's tome officially titled "United States Policy and Supporting Positions." Aspiring political appointees and ambitious career executives can purchase the guide for $38 at the Government Printing Office's bookstore. For the more frugal and environmentally conscious, the book also is available for free at GPO's Web site.
http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=41395&dcn=todaysnews
November 11, 2008
The presidential campaign might be over, but the competition for jobs in the new Obama administration has only just begun.
The 2008 Plum Book, the eagerly anticipated guide to more than 8,000 leadership positions in the executive and legislative branches, will be ready Nov. 12. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is publishing this year's tome officially titled "United States Policy and Supporting Positions." Aspiring political appointees and ambitious career executives can purchase the guide for $38 at the Government Printing Office's bookstore. For the more frugal and environmentally conscious, the book also is available for free at GPO's Web site.
http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=41395&dcn=todaysnews
GSA Presidential Transition Website
The Presidential Transition Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-293) authorizes the General Services Administration (GSA) to develop a transition directory in consultation with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The Act provides that the transition directory "shall be a compilation of Federal publications and materials with supplementary materials developed by the Administrator that provides information on the officers, organization, and statutory and administrative authorities, functions, duties, responsibilities, and mission of each department and agency." Senate Report 106-348 clarifies that the directory is intended to "assist in navigating the many responsibilities that fall on a new administration" that is "confronted by an overwhelming amount of material."
More at http://directory.presidentialtransition.gov/
DON info at http://snipurl.com/5cv2l [frwebgate_access_gpo_gov]
See also GovExec.com special report at
http://www.govexec.com/specialreports/transition.htm
More at http://directory.presidentialtransition.gov/
DON info at http://snipurl.com/5cv2l [frwebgate_access_gpo_gov]
See also GovExec.com special report at
http://www.govexec.com/specialreports/transition.htm
Study: Engage employees for better productivity
By STEPHEN LOSEY November 11, 2008
An engaged work force is a productive work force, according to an upcoming study from the Merit Systems Protection Board.
MSPB measured employee engagement by surveying 37,000 employees at 24 agencies in 2005 about how much pride they take in their jobs and agencies, how much they trust their leadership, whether they have opportunities to improve their skills and do their jobs well, and whether they believe they are respected and their achievements recognized.
http://www.federaltimes.com/index.php?S=3810333
An engaged work force is a productive work force, according to an upcoming study from the Merit Systems Protection Board.
MSPB measured employee engagement by surveying 37,000 employees at 24 agencies in 2005 about how much pride they take in their jobs and agencies, how much they trust their leadership, whether they have opportunities to improve their skills and do their jobs well, and whether they believe they are respected and their achievements recognized.
http://www.federaltimes.com/index.php?S=3810333
Blogging from LCS USS FREEDOM
Military Times reporters blog from the front lines all around the world. Currently Navy Times reporter Phil Ewing and photographer Rob Curtis are aboard the littoral combat ship Freedom.
See blog at http://www.militarytimes.com/blogs/notebook/
See blog at http://www.militarytimes.com/blogs/notebook/
Union hardens its stance on Pentagon personnel system
By Brittany R. Ballenstedt
The American Federation of Government Employees said on Wednesday that it plans to seek arbitration or file a lawsuit against the Pentagon's pay-for-performance system.
In a conference call with reporters, AFGE President John Gage said the union was weighing its options for challenging some of the final regulations issued in September by the Defense Department that modified portions of its National Security Personnel System. In particular, the union charged that the new rules limit the scope of collective bargaining.
"Our position has hardened on NSPS," Gage said. "DoD over the past six or seven months has put through regulations that we feel Congress has taken away from them."
Full story: http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=41366&dcn=e_wfw
The American Federation of Government Employees said on Wednesday that it plans to seek arbitration or file a lawsuit against the Pentagon's pay-for-performance system.
In a conference call with reporters, AFGE President John Gage said the union was weighing its options for challenging some of the final regulations issued in September by the Defense Department that modified portions of its National Security Personnel System. In particular, the union charged that the new rules limit the scope of collective bargaining.
"Our position has hardened on NSPS," Gage said. "DoD over the past six or seven months has put through regulations that we feel Congress has taken away from them."
Full story: http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=41366&dcn=e_wfw
Analysis: Congratulations, President-Elect Obama. Now Reach Out to Senior Executives
By Carol Bonosaro
That the incoming Obama administration will face huge challenges is indisputable. Many good government groups in Washington are anxious to help, and each seems to have produced a hefty document outlining how he and his new team can accomplish a seamless transition and govern effectively. That advice probably isn't at the top of the president-elect's must-read list just yet.
But in that gusher of transition advice, one message is critical: The new president and his appointees must embrace the career executive corps and effectively engage it if they are to meet those challenges. The almost 7,000 career federal executives, with an average of 26 years of experience, competed for their jobs and were selected on merit. They are an absolutely essential link between any administration's policies and agency implementation at every stage. Perhaps most important, they are the key to mobilizing the 1.8 million federal civilian employees (and millions more contractor staff) to carry out both initiatives and reforms of existing programs.
No administration would think of entering office without already having established a firm and positive "handshake" with the nation's top military brass; to do less, at the least, would open it to severe criticism, and, at the worst, undermine its ability to defend the nation. Exactly the same approach is needed with career civilian executives, but with respect to a much broader set of missions.
Full story: http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=41350&dcn=e_wfw
That the incoming Obama administration will face huge challenges is indisputable. Many good government groups in Washington are anxious to help, and each seems to have produced a hefty document outlining how he and his new team can accomplish a seamless transition and govern effectively. That advice probably isn't at the top of the president-elect's must-read list just yet.
But in that gusher of transition advice, one message is critical: The new president and his appointees must embrace the career executive corps and effectively engage it if they are to meet those challenges. The almost 7,000 career federal executives, with an average of 26 years of experience, competed for their jobs and were selected on merit. They are an absolutely essential link between any administration's policies and agency implementation at every stage. Perhaps most important, they are the key to mobilizing the 1.8 million federal civilian employees (and millions more contractor staff) to carry out both initiatives and reforms of existing programs.
No administration would think of entering office without already having established a firm and positive "handshake" with the nation's top military brass; to do less, at the least, would open it to severe criticism, and, at the worst, undermine its ability to defend the nation. Exactly the same approach is needed with career civilian executives, but with respect to a much broader set of missions.
Full story: http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=41350&dcn=e_wfw
Goals for Giving:Combined Federal Campaign
Excerpt:
The national campaign also has been ramping up online contribution options. "We are reaching out to younger donors with electronic giving options because they are not going to sit down with a 128-page catalog and a pledge card," De Cristofaro says, adding that online alternatives are essential in the 21st century workplace. "As people move to flex time and telecommuting, we have to adjust our systems."
The CFC in Suncoast, Fla., the organization's most successful campaign, is using online donation options to reach out to retired workers as well, says executive director Tony McKenna. Suncoast is piloting two electronic payment systems simultaneously for two years to determine which is better. "If you can get a federal employee before they retire to go to the pledge site, it's going to be really easy for them to donate in the future," he says. "We think this is particularly fruitful because of the huge retiree population."
Some federal agencies, including the CIA, NASA and Navy Federal Credit Union, have established electronic pledge systems, De Cristofaro says. And five years ago, OPM rolled out a pilot project in which employees can log in to Employee Express, an online tool for changing payroll and personnel information, to make donations.
Full column: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1108/110608pb.htm
The national campaign also has been ramping up online contribution options. "We are reaching out to younger donors with electronic giving options because they are not going to sit down with a 128-page catalog and a pledge card," De Cristofaro says, adding that online alternatives are essential in the 21st century workplace. "As people move to flex time and telecommuting, we have to adjust our systems."
The CFC in Suncoast, Fla., the organization's most successful campaign, is using online donation options to reach out to retired workers as well, says executive director Tony McKenna. Suncoast is piloting two electronic payment systems simultaneously for two years to determine which is better. "If you can get a federal employee before they retire to go to the pledge site, it's going to be really easy for them to donate in the future," he says. "We think this is particularly fruitful because of the huge retiree population."
Some federal agencies, including the CIA, NASA and Navy Federal Credit Union, have established electronic pledge systems, De Cristofaro says. And five years ago, OPM rolled out a pilot project in which employees can log in to Employee Express, an online tool for changing payroll and personnel information, to make donations.
Full column: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1108/110608pb.htm
Next up to deploy: Civilians
By STEPHEN LOSEY
November 02, 2008
Few civilian job postings require applicants to carry an M4 carbine and M9 pistol while at work.
But that unusual job description is popping up more and more these days. The Defense Department aims to deploy more civilian employees to combat zones to assume jobs done by military personnel stretched thin by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
To do this, the Pentagon is building a new database of civilian employee volunteers who possess critical skills. It is expected to be done by April.
Defense will need medical workers, engineers, contracting officials, budget analysts and information technology specialists, to name a few, said Patricia Bradshaw, deputy undersecretary of Defense for civilian personnel policy.
http://www.federaltimes.com/index.php?S=3798588
November 02, 2008
Few civilian job postings require applicants to carry an M4 carbine and M9 pistol while at work.
But that unusual job description is popping up more and more these days. The Defense Department aims to deploy more civilian employees to combat zones to assume jobs done by military personnel stretched thin by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
To do this, the Pentagon is building a new database of civilian employee volunteers who possess critical skills. It is expected to be done by April.
Defense will need medical workers, engineers, contracting officials, budget analysts and information technology specialists, to name a few, said Patricia Bradshaw, deputy undersecretary of Defense for civilian personnel policy.
http://www.federaltimes.com/index.php?S=3798588
Monday, November 3, 2008
John W. Ripley
Marine colonel, member of Ranger Hall of Fame, was known for the destruction of a bridge during the Vietnam War
By Nick Madigan
November 3, 2008
November 3, 2008
John W. Ripley, a retired Marine Corps colonel and a renowned hero of the Vietnam War, was found dead at his home in Annapolis over the weekend, family members said. A cause of death for Ripley, who had undergone two liver transplants, had not been determined yesterday. He was 69.
A Virginia native, Colonel Ripley was best known for a daring feat during the Easter Offensive of 1972, when he dangled for three hours under a bridge near the South Vietnamese city of Dong Ha to attach 500 pounds of explosives to the span, ultimately destroying it. His action, under fire while going back and forth for materials, is thought to have thwarted an onslaught by 20,000 enemy troops and was the subject of a book, The Bridge at Dong Ha, by John Grider Miller.
12 Coasties being considered for SEAL training
Of the 12 remaining candidates Coast Guard and Navy officials hope to select as many qualified candidates as possible to go through Navy SEAL training by the end of next week, said a Deployable Operations Group spokesman. The move would be a first for the Coast Guard.
Representatives from DOG and Naval Special Warfare Command will screen the remaining 12 applicants Nov. 2-7 at the Naval Diving Salvage Training Center in Panama City, Fla., said Lt. James McLay, spokesman for DOG commander Rear Adm. Thomas Atkin.
<http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe2a157574630179761679&ls=fde3117870600c75731c7677&m=ff011577756600&l=fe861578716d037872&s=fde91577736d027877137977&jb=ffcf14&t=>
Representatives from DOG and Naval Special Warfare Command will screen the remaining 12 applicants Nov. 2-7 at the Naval Diving Salvage Training Center in Panama City, Fla., said Lt. James McLay, spokesman for DOG commander Rear Adm. Thomas Atkin.
<http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe2a157574630179761679&ls=fde3117870600c75731c7677&m=ff011577756600&l=fe861578716d037872&s=fde91577736d027877137977&jb=ffcf14&t=>
Medical officer tapped for third star
Staff report
Posted : Thursday Oct 30, 2008 6:52:17 EDT
President Bush has tapped Rear Adm. John Mateczun for a third star while serving as commander, Joint Task Force National Capitol Region Medical, Washington D.C. Mateczun also is a member of the congressionally directed task force on the future of the military health system and has served as the medical adviser to the Joint Chiefs.
Prior to his long Navy career, Mateczun was an enlisted soldier. He was honorably discharged after receiving the Bronze Star Medal in Vietnam. His other awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit with two Gold Stars, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/10/navy_flagofficer_102908w/
Posted : Thursday Oct 30, 2008 6:52:17 EDT
President Bush has tapped Rear Adm. John Mateczun for a third star while serving as commander, Joint Task Force National Capitol Region Medical, Washington D.C. Mateczun also is a member of the congressionally directed task force on the future of the military health system and has served as the medical adviser to the Joint Chiefs.
Prior to his long Navy career, Mateczun was an enlisted soldier. He was honorably discharged after receiving the Bronze Star Medal in Vietnam. His other awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit with two Gold Stars, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/10/navy_flagofficer_102908w/
Fallon to continue Navy focus at Think Tank
Staff report
Posted : Wednesday Oct 29, 2008 6:19:47 EDT
Adm. William Fallon, the former U.S. Central Command commander, will serve as a distinguished fellow at the Center for Naval Analyses and as the Robert E. Wilhelm Fellow at MIT’s Center for International Studies.
"We are so delighted that Adm. Fallon has agreed to join CNA. His experiences at the highest levels of the U.S. military and his expertise on strategic issues will be an essential addition to our research program," said Christine Fox, CNA president, in a recent statement.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/10/navy_fallon_102808w/
Posted : Wednesday Oct 29, 2008 6:19:47 EDT
Adm. William Fallon, the former U.S. Central Command commander, will serve as a distinguished fellow at the Center for Naval Analyses and as the Robert E. Wilhelm Fellow at MIT’s Center for International Studies.
"We are so delighted that Adm. Fallon has agreed to join CNA. His experiences at the highest levels of the U.S. military and his expertise on strategic issues will be an essential addition to our research program," said Christine Fox, CNA president, in a recent statement.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/10/navy_fallon_102808w/
Navy encourages use of Web 2.0 tools
Federal Computer Week
Robert Carey, chief information officer for the Navy and the first government CIO to publish a public blog, thinks wikis, blogs and Web feeds will give warfighters seamless access to important information. In a memo issued Oct. 20, Carey said Navy officials endorse the use of Web 2.0 tools to improve communication and collaboration.
http://www.fcw.com/online/news/154217-1.html
Robert Carey, chief information officer for the Navy and the first government CIO to publish a public blog, thinks wikis, blogs and Web feeds will give warfighters seamless access to important information. In a memo issued Oct. 20, Carey said Navy officials endorse the use of Web 2.0 tools to improve communication and collaboration.
http://www.fcw.com/online/news/154217-1.html
VA hires Navy to build claims processing system
BY BOB BREWIN, BBREWIN@GOVEXEC.COM
The Veterans Affairs Department has asked the Navy to develop a computer system to process the complex claims for educational benefits that veterans will file under the new GI bill President Bush signed into law in June.
Comment on this article in The Forum.In an Oct. 17 letter sent to the House and Senate VA committees, and obtained by Nextgov, VA Secretary James Peake wrote that the agency has hired the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in Charleston, S.C., to build a system to process educational benefits for veteran as outlined in the 2008 GI bill. The bill, called the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, was part of the 2008 Supplemental Appropriations Act that provided veterans with expanded educational benefits. For example, the bill hikes payments for tuition from $1,300 a month to a payment that is pegged at the highest tuition at a public university in a veteran's state of residence, which for Massachusetts would be $10,232. The bill includes monthly living expenses of $1,100 to $1,200.
In July, VA planned to develop a procurement for the new system through the Office of Personnel Management's Training and Management Assistance contract, said Keith Pedigo, assistant deputy undersecretary at the Office of Policy and Program Management at the Veterans Benefits Administration. He testified at a hearing of the House VA committee on Sept. 24.
Full story: http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20081029_2928.php?zone=NGpopular <http://gove-media.com/portal/wts/ccmcfOaQe8aqo8-L7EnkbQ6Mivd>
The Veterans Affairs Department has asked the Navy to develop a computer system to process the complex claims for educational benefits that veterans will file under the new GI bill President Bush signed into law in June.
Comment on this article in The Forum.In an Oct. 17 letter sent to the House and Senate VA committees, and obtained by Nextgov, VA Secretary James Peake wrote that the agency has hired the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in Charleston, S.C., to build a system to process educational benefits for veteran as outlined in the 2008 GI bill. The bill, called the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, was part of the 2008 Supplemental Appropriations Act that provided veterans with expanded educational benefits. For example, the bill hikes payments for tuition from $1,300 a month to a payment that is pegged at the highest tuition at a public university in a veteran's state of residence, which for Massachusetts would be $10,232. The bill includes monthly living expenses of $1,100 to $1,200.
In July, VA planned to develop a procurement for the new system through the Office of Personnel Management's Training and Management Assistance contract, said Keith Pedigo, assistant deputy undersecretary at the Office of Policy and Program Management at the Veterans Benefits Administration. He testified at a hearing of the House VA committee on Sept. 24.
Full story: http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20081029_2928.php?zone=NGpopular <http://gove-media.com/portal/wts/ccmcfOaQe8aqo8-L7EnkbQ6Mivd>
DOD jumps on wiki bandwagon
By Doug Beizer
Published on October 27, 2008
Defense Department officials have launched a wiki as a way to improve collaboration among agency scientists, engineers, acquisition workers and military service members.DOD Techipedia is similar to online encyclopedia Wikipedia and the intelligence community’s Intellipedia, said John Young, undersecretary of Defense for acquisition, technology and logistics.
http://www.fcw.com/online/news/154203-1.html?type=pf
Published on October 27, 2008
Defense Department officials have launched a wiki as a way to improve collaboration among agency scientists, engineers, acquisition workers and military service members.DOD Techipedia is similar to online encyclopedia Wikipedia and the intelligence community’s Intellipedia, said John Young, undersecretary of Defense for acquisition, technology and logistics.
http://www.fcw.com/online/news/154203-1.html?type=pf
Army intranet tops 1 billion log-ins
BY GAUTHAM NAGESH, GNAGESH@GOVEXEC.COM
Army Knowledge Online tallied its 1 billionth log-in this week, more than any other Web portal in the federal government, officials announced on Wednesday. Launched in 2001, the Army's intranet is being expanded across the entire Defense Department.
Comment on this article in The Forum.Army Knowledge Online is a collection of applications and social networking tools on the service's secure network, such as e-mail, file storage, discussion forums and video messaging. Its more than 2 million users include active-duty soldiers, as well as National Guard and Reserve members, civilian employees, and the Army's contractor workforce.
"AKO is basically the mode of communication for the Army," said Lt. Col. Ken Fritzsche, chief of operations for the portal. "I like to say we were Web 2.0 before Web 2.0 was defined. Users have been able to post original content and make their own Web pages since before the term was coined."
Full story: http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20081024_5245.php?zone=ngtoday <http://gove-media.com/portal/wts/ccmcfOaPz9aqowEq7vfDbPvQ8fk>
Army Knowledge Online tallied its 1 billionth log-in this week, more than any other Web portal in the federal government, officials announced on Wednesday. Launched in 2001, the Army's intranet is being expanded across the entire Defense Department.
Comment on this article in The Forum.Army Knowledge Online is a collection of applications and social networking tools on the service's secure network, such as e-mail, file storage, discussion forums and video messaging. Its more than 2 million users include active-duty soldiers, as well as National Guard and Reserve members, civilian employees, and the Army's contractor workforce.
"AKO is basically the mode of communication for the Army," said Lt. Col. Ken Fritzsche, chief of operations for the portal. "I like to say we were Web 2.0 before Web 2.0 was defined. Users have been able to post original content and make their own Web pages since before the term was coined."
Full story: http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20081024_5245.php?zone=ngtoday <http://gove-media.com/portal/wts/ccmcfOaPz9aqowEq7vfDbPvQ8fk>
Social Networks Will Change Government, Says Gartner
Oct 23, 2008, News Report
By 2011, 70 percent of social computing deployments in government that achieve business benefits will do so in unplanned or unexpected ways, according to Gartner Inc. Government organizations around the world are showing great interest in social computing, yet deployment so far is relatively limited.
"The current global financial turmoil bolsters the case for government adoption of social networks as technology-budget cuts make tapping into societal resources, such as voluntary groups, philanthropists, associations and social network groups essential to complement weaker government action in some critical areas," said Andrea Di Maio, vice president and distinguished analyst at Gartner
http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/424043
By 2011, 70 percent of social computing deployments in government that achieve business benefits will do so in unplanned or unexpected ways, according to Gartner Inc. Government organizations around the world are showing great interest in social computing, yet deployment so far is relatively limited.
"The current global financial turmoil bolsters the case for government adoption of social networks as technology-budget cuts make tapping into societal resources, such as voluntary groups, philanthropists, associations and social network groups essential to complement weaker government action in some critical areas," said Andrea Di Maio, vice president and distinguished analyst at Gartner
http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/424043
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)