Recent articles by Steve Towns from governing.com http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=87484047 Steve Towns is GOVERNING's executive editor and the editor of Government Technology. Boston's New App Rewards Citizens for Reporting Problems http://www.governing.com/columns/tech-talk/col-boston-app-reward-citizens.html For cities searching for ways to use mobile technology effectively, Boston's latest app offers a case study on how to do it right. It’s transforming the citizen/government relationship. What CIOs Need to Achieve Their Top 3 Priorities http://www.governing.com/columns/tech-talk/col-what-cios-need.html CIOs won’t get anywhere without close cooperation with political leaders and agency managers. When IT Projects Fail, Technology Often Isn’t to Blame http://www.governing.com/columns/tech-talk/col-technology-often-not-reason-for-project-failure.html From the moment an IT project is launched, there’s political pressure from agencies to back off business changes that would deliver results. Speeding Up IT Procurement http://www.governing.com/columns/tech-talk/col-speeding-up-it-procurement.html One of the surest ways to crush innovation is to run it through the typical government procurement process. Government purchasers have to act faster. Orange County’s ‘Textgate’ Scandal Shows Need for Texting Policies http://www.governing.com/columns/tech-talk/col-orange-county-textgate-scandal-shows-policy-need.html Mobile technology is creating new ways for officials to violate public records laws. Orange County, Fla., learned that the hard way. How New Jersey Weathered Superstorm Sandy http://www.governing.com/columns/tech-talk/col-how-jersey-weathered-sandy.html Thanks to a little bit of luck and a lot of preparation, the state’s important computer systems and network withstood the storm. The Age of the Tech-Savvy Legislator http://www.governing.com/columns/tech-talk/col-age-of-tech-savvy-legislator.html An influx of young lawmakers could lead to better technology investments. Online Registration Helped Increase California’s Youth Vote http://www.governing.com/columns/tech-talk/col-online-registration-increased-california-youth-vote.html If there was any doubt about citizen desire to register online, California’s one-month experience with it running up to the November general election erased it. Government Technology Ideas Worth Importing http://www.governing.com/columns/tech-talk/col-government-technology-ideas-worth-importing.html These best e-government practices aren't from this side of the pond. How Acting Like a Tech Entrepreneur Can Improve Government Services http://www.governing.com/columns/col-how-acting-like-entrepreneur-can-improve-services.html Letting the public test unfinished products saves agencies money and time. Innovation In-Demand as Economy Makes a Comeback http://www.governing.com/columns/col-innovation-in-demand.html After years of belt-tightening, CIOs are being petitioned to innovate. Smarter Traffic Signals Could Make Commuting Easier http://www.governing.com/columns/tech-talk/col-taming-tough-commute.html Washington, D.C., one of the most congested cities in the country, is testing technology that could ease traffic gridlock. What Makes the Best Government Website? http://www.governing.com/columns/tech-talk/col-best-government-website-features.html The ‘Best of the Web’ winners showcase must-have features for effective public-sector sites. Cyber Security Act’s Failure Leaves Infrastructure Vulnerable http://www.governing.com/columns/tech-talk/col-cybersecurity-act-failure-leaves-infrastructure-vulnerable.html Some worry terrorists could shut down the economy with the click of a mouse. IT Lessons from Roseville’s “Footloose” Moment http://www.governing.com/columns/tech-talk/col-lessons-from-roseville-californias-footloose-moment.html A rapidly spreading rumor about the California city last year offers a cautionary tale for public officials who think social media has little to do with the business of governing.