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Algorithms help the Navy with Collaboration

A ton of work to do with limited resources -- it's a common challenge facing many government agencies, including the Navy.

The Navy's Program Executive Office for Littoral and Mine Warfare (PEO-LMW) is using a collaboration and project management system to prioritize projects, allocate resources and evaluate contracts.

Paul Hullinger, the office's chief financial officer, tells Government Computer News the tool is a problem-solver.

"How do you make the hard call, and do it with some rigor, other than some gut warrior instincts?" he asked.

The software, which can be installed on desktops or operate via an intranet, uses sophisticated algorithms to run the application. But Hullinger says the complexity lives behind the scenes.

"Once you learn the rudimentary things you need to operate the system, it all seems very easy. The burden is all upon you to figure out what the priority is."

The software was developed by Decision Lens.

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Congress drives the point home on telework

Having more people work from home -- more often -- has been a goal for the federal workforce for quite some time. But the numbers don't support the ambition, as telework has slipped in recent years.

Congress is trying to do something about that.

The House approved a bill that would create government-wide regulations for teleworking and instruct each federal agency to come up with policies to promote the practice.

A big proponent of the bill, Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., says teleworking helps recruit and retain a better work force, improves worker morale, reduces traffic congestion and the government's carbon footprint and ensures continuity of operations.

Another sponsor of the bill, Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., agrees.

"There's nothing magical about strapping yourself into a metal box and driving 25 and 35 miles a day to a place that's sitting before a laptop when you can do it at home."

The Office of Personnel Management said there were about 103,000 employees teleworking at least once a month in 2008, up slightly from the previous year but down from 140,000 in 2004.

The Senate has passed similar legislation.

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Extreme makeover coming to the Federal Register

The official daily newspaper of the federal government is making some drastic improvements to its Web site -- just in time for a big anniversary.

The Federal Register, much-maligned for its poor online transition, will launch a more user-friendly Web experience in late July.

According to the National Archives, FR 2.0 will be similar to a daily online newspaper that guides users to sections of interest such as money, environment, world and science and technology.

"Not only will our content be more clearly organized and better presented," David Ferriero, Archivist of the United States, tells Federal News Radio. "But the new Web site will make it easier to find what they need, comment on proposed rules, and share materials relevant to their interests."

Social media will also be integrated to make it easier for users to submit comments and offer feedback.

FR 2.0 will go live in beta form on July 26, the register's 75th anniversary. The final version is expected to be live in 2011.

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Congress 'stuck in the mud' over teleconferencing

The GOP is leaning on the Federal Communications Commission to permit the use of Skype for calls on congressional computers, according to Politico.

A recent FCC post on Twitter -- which urged consumers to try the free video service to save money and minutes each month, has rallied House Republicans. The GOP argues if this mentality was applied to the House, lawmakers could utilize a cheaper way to teleconference with constituents via Web video.

"While Americans are communicating in more direct and innovative ways every day, this Congress, as usual, is stuck in the mud," Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), a member of the House Administration Committee tells Politico.

"Unless [speaker Nancy Pelosi] has some reason to contradict the Administration on this issue, she should let Americans speak with those who represent them through this secure and increasingly popular medium."

Skype was originally designated as an "unauthorized" website by House Democrats out of fears it could pose a cybersecurity risk to computers. But those fears may be waning as Democratic leaders have intimated they would explore lifting the ban.

It would take a vote from the Administration Committee to lift the ban -- and it's unclear on whether or when it might do so.

(Copyright 2010 by Federal News Radio. All Rights Reserved.)

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