NSA used persistent web-cookies
It is essential in a democracy that readers are free to read without fear that the government will monitor what they are reading. When government information is available only from government-controlled web sites, it will be easy for the government to track who is reading what and even track web surfing. Although a 2003 Office of Management and Budget memo prohibits federal agencies from using persistent cookies, news this week is that the National Security Agency site created cookies files that do not expire until 2035, "likely beyond the life of any computer in use today."
Documents Librarianship: Love at First Sight
If you are wondering what government information is, what Federal Depository Libraries do, and why you should care, please look over Grace York's 2002 presentation Documents Librarianship: Love at First Sight. This is a nice overview of different areas of government information that have direct impact on the nation's citizens and how that information has been disseminated. Thanks Grace! Continue reading
Controversy over OMB Policy
OMB policy on posting information sparks debate By Jason Miller, Government Computer News, 12/23/05.
The Office of Management and Budget's new policy asking agencies to improve how they disseminate public information is at the heart of a larger battle over how much categorization is needed to make government information publicly accessible.Patrice McDermott, deputy director for government relations for the American Library Association, said:
"Essentially, what OMB appears to be saying is, for information you want to make publicly accessible, if you put it on your Web site or post it electronically, you have fulfilled all requirements of law....That is not true. That is not the spirit or intent of the law."Continue reading
New Future Digital System document released–adopts OAIS, contains detailed mgt structure
The Future Digital System site had this new item posted in the last week:
Master Integrator acquisition update: The draft RFP for Master Integrator (MI) services is now available through FedBizOpps. Questions and Comments related to the draft should be submitted to Herb Jackson at hjackson@gpo.gov no later than January 20, 2006.This 16 page document may be worth a close reading, as it outlines the goals of the FDSys system, provides background on GPO's new technology management office, and provides background on FDSys. The background on FDSys is interesting enough to post here and now:
2.3 FDsys Background FDsys will ingest, preserve, provide access to, and deliver content of all three branches of the U.S. Government. The proposed future system is envisioned as a comprehensive, systematic, and dynamic means for preserving electronic content free from dependence on specific hardware and/or software. The system should automate many of the electronic content lifecycle processes and make it easier to deliver content in formats suited to customers’ needs. Continue reading
HOAX – FBI watching interlibrary loan requests?
The Dartmouth Student who claimed to have been visited by Homeland Security over an Interlibrary Loan request has confessed to making up the entire story. No motive was offered for this bizzare tale, and sadly, in my personal view there is no way the student can be prosecuted for this lie that will be used to discredit legitimate concerns about domestic spying. Unless he told his story to law enforcement personnel, there are no statutes that have been violated. But hopefully his university will take some action. Whether its mandatory counselling, explusion or a defamation suit, I don't know. But truth should count for something. While the comments above are strictly my own, I think I speak for all FGI volunteers when I say we don't apologize for posting the original story. Both James R. and I (in comments) indicated that this story might not be true but would be worrisome if it was. Without the international media attention, this story might never have been exposed as a lie. Continue reading