Dtech
- Science
The Census's Tech Woes
While the private sector is making strides toward a paperless office environment, the government appears to be stumbling backward. Last week, the Department of Commerce canceled plans to use handheld devices for door-to-door canvassing during the 2010 census. The devices failed on a surprising number of counts. They could not properly transmit large data files; they did not meet over 400 technical requirements; and they proved too complex for temporary workers to figure out.
4.10.2008 at 09:31am - Comment by DtechNot sure where you are getting your information from because every report I have seen states that it's a Census Bureau mismanagement issue that has caused the problems with the 2010 Census. Both the GAO and congressional committee members have stated it just wasn't handled properly within the Census Bureau. "This was a failure of government management not contract performance," said ranking committee member Tom Davis, R-Va., in his opening statement. The link below is to an article that summarizes some of the issues raised: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0408/040908n1.htm
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December 2009: Best of What's New
In our December issue, Popular Science names the 100 best innovations of the year: bombproof wallpaper, self-parking cars, the fastest helicopter, and 97 more. Plus inventor profiles and videos.
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