The Unity Movement 

By: By Lynn Peisner

Computers may not be picking up trash or repairing roads, but policymakers are starting to believe that if machines do not work, neither do governments....

Future darkens for cities' Wi-Fi systems 

By: By Ed Brock

On Sept. 4, Atlanta-based Earthlink, a provider of wireless Internet service, or Wi-Fi, for several cities, announced a major restructuring of the company. Part of the restructuring plan calls for a new approach to the company's Wi-Fi services and an end to covering most of the upfront costs of installing the networks. As a result, Chicago scrapped its plans for citywide Wi-Fi coverage, San Francisco is reconsidering its Wi-Fi project, and other cities may have to take a new approach to providing broadband access to their residents....

Know the audience 

By: By Chad Snow

IT managers often struggle to effectively communicate complex details about projects to elected officials and executive managers. The top city and county...

Fueling a growth industry 

In 2000, the Northern Tier Solid Waste Authority (NTSWA) installed a system at its Bradford County, Pa., landfill to convert methane gas generated by...

Rise of the machines 

By: By Alex Brisbourne

Machines that to other machines might sound like science fiction, but in fact, private industries and public agencies across the country use millions...

Controlling swift growth 

By: Kevin Kish, Marana, Ariz., Planning Director

Project: Building permit review automation Jurisdiction: Marana, Ariz. Agency: Planning Department Vendors: Tucson, Ariz.-based The Planning Center Date:...

HELP! 

By: By Annie Gentile

A city water line bursts, shooting liquid 20 feet into the air. A startled resident dashes to the phone and dials 911. Although the situation is urgent,...

High-tech storage for old paper records 

By: Ed Brock

Local government agencies prolifically generate records and documents that must be retained and publicly accessible. In an effort to reduce storage space...

Proof of delivery 

By: By Frank Maguire

Local government officials and employees now are generally comfortable using e-mail to send important information and contracts. However, many people...

A different perspective 

Project: Geographic information system oblique imagery Jurisdiction: Monroe County, N.Y Agency: GIS Department Vendor: Rochester, N.Y.-based Pictometry...

Google-friendly tips 

By: By Eric Enge

Local government Web sites are growing more sophisticated, employing new technologies to better present content and public information. However, many...

Keeping options open 

By: By John Punzak

Historically, open source software has had a reputation for being unstable and insecure. Misconceptions and misunderstandings about licensing models and...

Protecting and serving 

When domestic violence victims request protection orders against their abusers in Kane County, Ill., they can expect police protection almost immediately....

IT safeguards need their own security 

By: Ed Brock

Maintaining computer security can eat up work hours for information technology (IT) staff. While safeguards can be knocked out by hackers or disabled...

Pulling it together 

By: By Marty Osborn

Local governments have spent millions implementing geographic information system (GIS) technology and dedicating resources to program data into their...

Special Report: The 2007 PTI Technology Leadership Conference 

May 6-8, 2007 Adam's Mark Hotel Denver, Colorado Presented by the Washington-based Public Technology Institute (PTI), the 2007 Technology Leadership Conference...

FCC issues new rules for cable franchising 

By: Ed Brock

In March, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officially released an order that will reduce local governments' authority to regulate cable franchises....

San Francisco keeps track of its trees 

Last month, San Francisco branched out its tree inventory efforts by launching an online map to track tree growth in the city. The Urban Forest Mapping...

Solving true crimes 

By: By Doug Mamroth

Television dramas have contributed to the public's perception that high-speed chases and shoot-outs thwart lawbreakers. However, in reality, most crimes...

Well served 

By: By Betsy Harter

Streaming video is coming of age, a fact best demonstrated by YouTube, a Web site where 100 million videos are downloaded daily. Local government Web...

Pinpointing public assets 

For many years, Covington, Ga., contracted with private consultants to survey and map the community. Two years ago, city officials decided to bring those...

Can you dig it? 

By: By Kevin Corbley

When a pipe breaks and the wastewater utility is unable to quickly locate its underground assets, then time becomes the enemy. Many communities, though,...

Can they count on IP? 

By: By Paul May

Technology developments are changing the world of public safety communications from simple analog radio networks to Internet Protocol (IP) packet-switched...

Program offers guidance on biofuel feasibility 

A computer program is now available to help electricity providers judge the feasibility of using biofuels — such as wood, animal waste and landfill gas — to generate power...

What will the FCC ruling on cable franchise regulation mean locally? 

In December, the Federal Communications Commission adopted new rules that limit local governments' authority to regulate cable franchises. Local government organizations...