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Nancy Kranich on Libraries as Universal Service Providers
This new 22 page report by Nancy Kranich, KS Consultants, Past President of the American Library Association, formerly associate dean of libraries at New York University, discusses the Universal Service provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the role of libraries in providing internet access to the public.
- Libraries as Universal Service Providers, by Nancy Kranich, Universal Service Project, Benton Foundation, December 1, 2006 [abstract]. Full text at http://www.benton.org/benton_files/kranich.doc
She says that libraries are now the number one point of access for the public outside the home, school, and work, leveling the playing field for those left behind in the digital age. But universal service programs need increased funding, better coordination, policy changes, and service improvements if every American is to have the opportunity to participate in the 21st century information society.
Continue readingA Peek behind the scenes of e-government
FCW reports that "Sixteen agencies complied with the Office of Management and Budget's request to post their information technology business cases online."
- Agencies post business cases online by Jason Miller FCW (Feb. 23, 2007)
Unfortunately, there will, according to the OMB, be no central Web portal where the public can find links to the business cases. The articles says that "OMB and agencies have been reluctant to share business cases in the past and would issue them only when someone filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request." And an executive vice president at a market research firm is quoted as saying that this was a problem because "...every agency interprets FOIA laws differently."
Fortunately, Sabrina Pacifici has provided links to the buisiness plans for each agency!
- Redacted Versions of Agency Business Cases Posted Online by Sabrina I. Pacifici, beSpacific (February 23, 2007)
There is fascinating information in these plans on how agencies view their own e-government initiatives.
Continue readingConstitution Superseded and Web Sites Scrubbed of Public Documents to Hide It
An article about the Navy's brig in Hanahan, South Carolina reveals details about "one of the most secretive installations in the government's anti-terrorism effort." Among other revelations is that the brig believes that "higher guidance" and "accepted prison practice" can supersede the Constitution:
"In detaining American citizens, full constitutional rights are afforded except where curtailed by higher guidance or accepted prison practice," the report said. [emphasis added]
- Navy' s secret brig by Tony Bartelme, Charleston Post and Courier (February 23, 2007)
The Navy developed elaborate plans to dodge public scrutiny of its operations to detain enemy combatants, plans that include destroying "critical info," and scrubbing public Web sites.
Continue readingFederal Spending Databases from OMBWatch and the government
The Office of Management and Budget continues to work toward putting all federal contract and grant spending in a database and online and this week announced a 10 month timeline.
- OMB sets timeline to launch federal spending database, By Jason Miller, GCN (02/19/07)
With about 10 months until the congressionally mandated deadline to put all federal contract and grant spending in a database and online, the Office of Management and Budget is asking for public comment on how best to implement the law." ...OMB launched a Web site, www.federalspending.gov, to collect these comments and set out an implementation timeline and the first set of frequently asked questions.
The new database will eventually include data from the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and the Federal Assistance Awards Data System (FAADS).
Meanwhile, the nonprofit organization OMBWatch has upgraded its own database of government spending, FedSpending.org, based on these same data.
- OMB Watch Launches Upgraded FedSpending.org Website, OMBWatch Press Release (February 22, 2007)
The updated version of OMBWatch's FedSpending.org has updated data and new summary views designed to provide a better overview of contractors, recipients, congressional districts, states, and agencies, as well as other data categories. In addition, it is more searchable and more easily discoverable through Google and Yahoo and MSN. Finally, it now has an Application Programming Interface (API) allowing programmers direct access to the data in XML format. This means more mashups and remixes.
Earlier coverage of this topic on FGI here: OMBWatch releases database of govt spending 2006-10-23 Continue reading
New video explains net-neutrality
Humanity Lobotomy Net Neutrality Open Source Documentary
Excellent video features Sir Tim Berners-Lee, Bill Moyers, Lawrence Lessig, Congressman Ed Markey, and more. It explains why net-neutrality is important for democracy.
Save the Internet | Rock the Vote
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