Government Technology

The Web has become an everyday utility to so many Americans that government IT leaders may feel pressure to grow their network to accommodate employees who are accustomed to connecting securely to the Internet even if they’re remote.

The aim is to "create a different platform or approach for engagement and collaboration" that will also encourage tourism and economic development.

The open data movement has made a strong case for cities to make their municipal data freely available to the public.

Like most employees, California government employees would prefer working on self-created projects. Now the state’s 10,000-plus IT workers have a platform to share, collaborate on and refine those projects.

E-town hall meetings offer a cost-effective alternative that lets residents participate from the comfort of their own homes.

"How do you get people talking who would otherwise disagree?" he said. "That’s our biggest objective: We want people to listen to each other, and this site levels the playing field so you can explore the full range of conversation."

That’s why the current changes in service delivery are so exciting — this is just the tip of the iceberg.

The data sets include information on crime statistics, alternative schools, public toilets, public art and numerous other metrics on Seattle life.

The policy says the Vermont Department of Information and Innovation and other departments should look at open source solutions as part of the procurement process, and are directed to calculate the total cost of ownership for an open source system, including "fixed costs (direct purchases and licensing) and operational costs for support, testing, upgrades, maintenance and training," as part of the procurement process.

Missoula Finance Director Brent Ramharter said the city is asking employees to make increased use of webinars.

"It’s starting to take hold," Ramharter said. "It saves on travel and that’s the wave of the future."