california.res domain 

A california based isp with "lifetime" resident e-mail address and identity based on emphisis in California.
A competitive fee could be charged for this service.

Multi state app development/cost sharing . . .  

Does each state write software to support DMV, Welfare, courts, etc.? I hear about software projects failing in CA. that have had millions invested at the same time other states apparently have working software to support their functions. I'm thinking Rhode Island or Nevada for instance have to do everything California does and obviously doesn't have near the budget. How are they doing it?

Why not buy and modify from other states, or do multi-state collaborations, or have common vendors, instead of re-inventing the wheel in each state?

After all each state isn't writing it's own spreadsheet and word processing software . . .

Develop an OpenCalifornia Social Strategy 

Disruptive Technologies: A Holistic, Pragmatic Approach

New technologies are emerging at a faster pace than State Governments can swallow. The rate of obsolescence outpaces the pace of change.

Despite the new technology flood, State Governments lack a strategy to on-board these disruptions. As a result, they often react, flounder, or simply ignore them.

We can solve these problems in four major areas of practice:

Leadership and Management: How must leaders change with new technologies? How will this transform Government from the inside out?

Customer Strategy: How is the public behaving differently online? How can I reach them where they are?

Enterprise Strategy: Internal systems are connecting with external - How will I keep up with the dizzying pace? Employees are adopting collaboration and social tools without my control - How should I manage?

Innovation and Design: Experimenting on the general public is a bad idea, so how can I learn in a safe place? What vendors and providers should I lean on?

Here is a great slideshare webinar to get you started:
http://www.slideshare.net/charleneli/developing-a-social-strategy-webinar

Cut costs and speed recovery of test data base "beds" 

Move test data base "beds" to local servers and off of mainframes. Typically, recovery is faster and there are no software usage fees for the database software stored on servers, as there is on mainframes. Use flash memory instead of disk drives to increase recovery speed. Initially more expensive, but pays for itself in lost time.

Electronic Election Reform 

Election reform. I fully support the election process in California, but it is too expensive. The sample ballot is a wonderful publication but frequently I find it does not have all of the information I am looking for.
In addition, voting machines are very expensive as well as having all of the polling places open and staffed.

I propose the State of California implement an optional electronic voting mechanism. This could be done via telephone or Internet. When sample ballots are mailed there is also a scratch off section with a randomely selected PIN. The registered voter would then call in or possibly via internet vote. The online ballot would then be tabulated electronically, again eliminating the need for County personnel and temporary hires to work overtime on election day.

I am a public employee and I have an interest in the savings the State of California and locale governments would realize in Postage costs by sending only the sample ballot with the PIN and minimizing personnel costs.

This could also be implemented on an opt in or opt out basis. I am very happy with the Dept. Of Motor Vehicles implementation of online processes and I believe most people would be happy to opt in as it would minimize the amount of mail they receive and the ability to vote electronically would result in increasesd voter participation. I have been an absentee voter for many, many years but I still have to return the ballot on time to the Elections Office.

Please take a few moments to think about the possibilities of this recommendation. Thank you.

Lori Woodle

Registered voter in San Benito County

FREE ELECTRICITY PRODUCT INVENTED 

The name of my Company is New Generation Power, LLC. We have invented a whole new source for providing free electricity with out using any types iof fluids and is very quiet, can be used everywhere. It is safe to use in doors and outdoors, it does not have any pollution and runs continuos. We are in a start up stage and have been woring with the SBTDC office. If any one has any info on where to get grants or investors, please let me know. Thanks, Catherine

Cut cost with encrypted email 

allow encrypted email to be initiated from any and all CA web sites by anyone in real time.

Finder 

Career finder in your personal mobile phone when you driven or walking around Los Angeles or other town.

ERROR FREE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT--HOME BASED BUSINESSES 

 Closed

I am a software engineer with over 40 years of experience. I was employed at Lockheed from 1961 to1975, Ocean Technology from 1975 to 1992, and a home-based software development business from 1992 to the present.

To be able to economically develop high quality error free software for my clients from my house, I engaged in a long-term independent research and development effort which is continuing today. This effort has been quite successful. Accomplishments include:

1) Learning that the software engineer is a special type of quality manager. A program is a Deming Plan to be done at the client's site by a computer, not by a human being.

2) Developing a practical “software part” and kit of software parts that become the enforceable standards required by ISO-9001.

3) Developing a Monte-Carlo test system specifically capable of evaluating the strength of software parts and modules in preventing erroneous use.

4) Developed strict portability in the design process between Windows and Linux development activities.

Current research and development activities include:

1) Developing strict portability between various computer languages such as C++ and C#.

2) Developing economical methods of certifying to the client that his standards (implemented by collections of software kits) has been exclusively used in the delivered product. I have a student of the College of the Canyons who is watching me perform this effort with goal of becoming my understudy.

Planned for the future is a menu-driven process which will eliminated the need for all programmers to know a computing language.

The associated open-source software development tools that I have developed can be downloaded free-of-charge from my web-site. www.whatifwe.com and from Microsoft's Codeplex under the Title “Programmable Software Development Environment”.

Kits of software parts have the same marketing potential as the Integrated Circuit many years ago. These kits can be developed by small and home-based businesses. To make this so, I need to secure the interest from the Federal Government, their suppliers, and other software development industries. If this can be accomplished, the San Fernando Valley might become “Software Valley”.

Cloud Computing 

Reduce cost of IT infrstructures and data center sprawl by use of cloud computing model.

Wasteful Spending 

I propose that we stop the wasteful spending on Paper/Mail systems by implementing paperless/Online programs. This would save the State millions just by using less paper.

Issue an RFP to small business for rapid response prototypes 

It is well known that the State of California is not friendly to small business initiatives, and the Office of Technology services almost never does business with smaller companies. At the same, this organization, over the years, has built an almost unbelievable track record of failure on big IT projects. I am not trying to be offensive in saying that - I think it is widely known. The big corporations they have worked with have produced some extremely costly disasters.

Why don't we take a stab at solving both of these problems with one initiative. Instead of writing a huge, complicated RFP that only a major corporation could possible respond to, why not issue a simple "Request for Prototype Proposals" targetted at California's small business community. In this RFP, the government could identify some of the areas where help is needed, but it would also be flexible enough to allow creative approaches to be proposed.

To maximize the effectiveness of this RFP it could be done in two stages. The first stage would request a simple one page proposal. These would be reviewed, possibly scored, and then the title and summary of the proposal would be published on a government website. For the second phase, small businesses would be allowed to form joint ventures with the other companies listed - if they wanted, or they could resubmit the same basic proposal. In this phase, the proposal would need to be a bit more fleshed out, but still brief - maybe no more than five or ten pages.

The awards would be small - $5000, $10,000, $25,000 - probably not much more than that, but there would be as many awards issued as possible. Here is the key. The government would have to know, understand and accept in advance that many of these attempts will fail. Like venture capitalists operate, however, the one or two successes could really pay off. The government would have the rights to the source code for any projects submitted, but the respondents would also have the right to use it for private sector projects if they so desired. Whether or not the prototype is developed further, all respondents would be required to write a "lessons learned" document that would become part of the State's knowledge base on IT prototype development.

I'm convinced that an approach like this would generate better results for the State of California IT, more quickly, while at the same time helping with economic development and small business in California.

Numeric Network of Market Monitoring for local businesses 

Having basic market information of a state, is one of the most important requirements to start a new business or policy making by governments.
Through this system, government, investors, and even business managers can get access to the latest situation of markets.
The system answers three main questions: 1) Witch market and industry's sector is better than others to invest? 2) What are the market standards? 3)What are government and society's expects and government?
The idea is developed version of the existing networks for market monitoring, which provides standard market information in a syndicate base.
In Numeric Network of Market Monitoring, information is provided through collaboration of research companies and institutes which are members of the network. Users can easily access information through simple and various web applications. The main users of Numeric Network of Market Monitoring are the investors and local government. The system makes their decisions economical.
Numeric Network of Market Monitoring evolves super decision support system which enables the users to make decision in just a few minutes.
The market research providers, which are members of network, participate in new data supplying or share their old data. There is no difference that which data collection channels they use (used), because the system standardize several forms of data. Data entry, cleaning, translation, validation and data storing are done by web based processing sub systems.
The users can access to simple, interactive and a web based software in order to answer their questions. Also they can drill and down to acquisition more information on a particular subject. The users’ relevant views and judgments about a particular subject are shown beside the reported information. The users can rate them and add new opinion.
They can search in the market knowledge warehouse and develop it by rating the views of others, adding their views and judgments or linking new information from other sources (report, article, new, …).

Reimagining the California Business Portal 

A while ago, I started a review of all State of California websites related to economic development as a "private sector initiative". While several state agencies were helpful with this effort, I temporarily dropped the project when I wasn't able to get any response from the office of the Chief Technology Officer. Several State Government Agencies, however, were helpful and provided useful information. I learned, for example, that there are about a half dozen different "business directories" (energy, agriculture, solar, etc) but that none have good system for keeping the information up to date. I also learned that at least three State Agencies have uncoordinated projects for websites called "The California Business Portal". In one of these, the California Secretary of State maintains a database of 960,000 domestic and foreign corporations that operate in California in what seems to be an old technology that is difficult to search and has only limited information. The Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, and the California Labor Department also have a "California Business Portal" - but it seems to be poorly thought out and is mostly just an aggregation of different web pages without much helpful information. What is needed, in my opinion is an "opt out" database of all corporate and business information, including that from small companies that have not incorporated, and even from California professionals. This database would make public information readily available but would also allow companies to add and maintain more information about their business including descriptive information, "tags" and keywords, as well as current communication information - phone numbers, email addresses, website urls. Such a structure could even have elements of business/social networking. A true "California Business Portal" could be a fantastic resource for everybody and could be a driving force in economic development. This is California - we can do better.

California Small Business Community 

Lets use modern business and social networking technology to harness the energy and innovation of the California Small Business Community. According to the last census, California has 1.2 million "zero employee companies" - the most of any State, but now I believe the number is much higher. These are companies run by their founders and are the true source of all job creation, but they are completely off the radar screen of the government, big business and the media. If we could build a system to let them collaborate more effectively I believe we could generate more business for everybody. Such a system could also facilitate "recombinant companies" - encouraging new partnerships and joint venture to make even more business happen. We have already developed a business network for California international business professionals you can see at: http//www.caltrade.com/community, and even have a very early stage prototype of our concept for a California Small Business Community that you can see at http://www.calstartup.com. Our many efforts to work with the California government have so far not been successful, so we appreciate this opportunity to present this idea. We are actively seeking partners for this venture.

Enterprise Business Process Managment and Content Solutions 

streamline business processes by implementing business process automation i.e. digital workflow. improve the process of unemployment claims processing with the potential of elimination of claims offices, with faster turnaround times. combine redundent systems into more enterprise wide applications and/or middleware products. implement content management systems for management of document solutions and retention of required documentation

English Second language in School and Work 

I see that many School districts are cutting teachers. My sons school district is talking about laying off the ESL teachers and I am sure many other districts have similar issues.
So my idea would be for the State to create a learning channel(s) - a type of Public Service channel. The channel would be able to give a broad range of programming that could benefit all levels of Spanish speaking people and give them the ability to learn English in their Home and take the burden off of the School districts. These programs could be setup on a continuous loop so that every person at every level could catch the programs and learn the skills. It would be easy to have simple quiz type tests to ensure that individuals are ready to move on to the next level class or channel. This would also allow every member of the home to view the programs to promote English to be spoken at home. I think this could also be added to Employers qualifications so that CA does not have to lower our standards to employ Non-English speakers. This could save the State several million dollars since the programs would only need to be created once and tweeked on occasion. Nearly every house has access to Cable TV. If the state needed to subsidize the program so that some houses could get the cable channels some type of coupon could be issued with the understanding that they will have to have periodic tests completed to continue to recieve the coupons.
I think the issues would have to be worked out but in general we have a problem that can be fixed much cheaper than the way it is currently being done. I would love to go into more detail with someone who thinks this idea might work.

Publish Open CA Gov Plans Using Public Data Standards 

All CA. Agency strategic plans and performance reports should be published using open public data standards. The Strategy Markup Language (StratML) standard (ANSI/AIIM 21:2009) is one such open data standard.

CA needs to improve transparency and openness to taxpayers. All agencies need to streamline the efforts and complexities to produce reports and queries. Plans without at least one Stakeholder of the lead Performer type are just wishes.

All metadata related to such plans should be created using a syntax neutral repository such as ANSI X12's CICA Framework or ISO 15000-5. This would allow both public and private entities to have a common definition and description of all strategic planning and performance data independent of the output format desired.

Tail Wags Dog 

In Enterprise IT planning at the State of California, invariably the tail wags the dog. That is, the horizon of solutions is hobbled straight out of the box from the beginning as the only viable choices fall withing a very limited realm that fits the current "system"; a system where the hardware, the software, and the management or brain trust are tragically outdated and outmoded. Further, the business processes that these collectively support remain undefined and unresolved. Much of the time the computer system is allowed to take the blame and be offered as a convenient excuse for either poorly defined business processes or reluctance of management to tackle real business issues.

Time to actually think outside of the box. In fact, it is time to "blow up the boxes" to rekindle a phrase. Right now the citizenry of California are being held hostage by IT managers who cannot conceive of a world beyond Microsoft or Novell or COBOL or Natural or whatever. And they are propped up by the business managers they serve, because a real change means they lose control; they lose their juice.

At this point we need to clearly define what customers want and not begin by defining them within the scope of our own limitations. Unfortunately, the only way you can really accomplish this is to Golden Handshake practically all of the Tier I and Tier II managers of IT statewide, regardless of their years of service. It would be expensive, yes, but it would be money well spent...even in the short-term.

General 

Go open-source all the way. This will not require no licensing subscriptions and avoid any proprietary hardwares like Dell and Macs. Apply all applications to be web-based and use MySQL for its database. Solaris 10 is open-source and well known as a solid platform. You can install Solaris on x86 platform and laptop too.

Include Macs & Linux, Not Just PCs/Windows 

Don't settle for JUST Windows operating system and PC. State agencies currently can ONLY buy PCs running Windows. Have to jump through hurdles to use Macs or open-source software. Mac OS and Linux are powerful UNIX-based, less susceptible to viruses and attacks, and cheaper complete cost of ownership. PC-only and Windows is so 20th Century. Move into the future!

bandwith swap 

If the state worked with a public isp to share bandwith of nework while not in use - if you could find a way to lease your bandwith at night while not in use, to another company at a lower than market rate or to have the isp down throttle the internet to 3 mbps at the hours of 1am to 5am and credit the state for bandwidth not used.

A cost saving idea 

If you had an IT vendor management organization you could negotiate better prices and terms for the IT purchases that do have to be made.

Collaborative tool 

Add collaborative tools that could provide interaction between CA Gov and Californians. Tools like Facebook and others

Secure and Resilient Systems Development Foundation 

Before you get too far down the road with new technology or new ways in using older technology, you should initiate a Secure Development initiative for any developer who touches code for the State. Start with training and give them the tools and skills to make sure that whatever develops is done with the highest quality possible for the price. Since the state's systems are ripe for malicious activity, it's essential that their foundation is solid, secure, and resilient.