LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Connecting state and local government leaders
In the column 'Federal job seekers often get a bad impression' [<a href="http://www.gcn.com/vol20_no19/editopinion/4592-1.html">GCN, July 16, Page 32</a>], Walt Houser hit the nail right on the head. As a retiring member of the military soon to enter the civilian job market, I have dealt with both private-sector and government employment procedures, and the contrast is striking.
In the column 'Federal job seekers often get a bad impression' [], Walt Houser hit the nail right on the head. As a retiring member of the military soon to enter the civilian job market, I have dealt with both private-sector and government employment procedures, and the contrast is striking.Government employment applications are, to say the least, daunting. To say the most, they can be downright frightening. The amount of documentation required up-front, such as college transcripts and training diplomas, is staggering, not to mention the infamous knowledge, skills and abilities statement. It seems to represent tremendous overkill.Private-sector employment practices are almost benign by comparison.With government agencies clamoring for information technology professionals, one would think that some way could be found to cut through the bureaucracy and streamline the hiring process. A shift to a resume-based process would allow employers to require further information only from a select few, qualified applicants. Surely this would cut down on a great deal of costly paperwork.Tech. SGT. Larry L. Weathers Jr.Altus Air Force Base, Okla. To follow up on the article 'Agencies leery of PKI storage without guidance' [], I wanted to let your readers know that the National Archives and Records Administration does have guidance on electronic signatures.In October, NARA issued Records Management Guidance for Agencies Implementing Electronic Signature Technologies. You can find it on the NARA Web site at .NARA is currently working on detailed electronic records management guidance within the framework of the Federal PKI SC Legal/Policy Working Group, which is arranging for contractor support. The target date for completion is October 2002.Lori LisowskiNARACollege Park, Md. I want to comment on the Buyers Guide, 'RAD tools extend their reach' []. Mainly, I believe the article is very misleading and totally ignored a very powerful rapid application development tool, Microsoft Visual FoxPro 6.0.The most misleading statement is that Microsoft Visual Studio.Net is a RAD tool when in truth .Net is going to be a precursor to a method of selling applications over the Internet, similar to the way people rent videos from Blockbuster.Data modeling and building reusable frameworks are important in good object-oriented analysis and design, and they are in use in the government today. Notably, many of the Military Health System's applications have been products of data modeling and OOAD.Stephen S. Wolfe6th Medical GroupMacDill Air Force Base, Fla.In the last issue, a consultant suggested that the government continues to by using overly for systems buys [].Most systems chiefs and contracting officers contend that they write , not requirements that demand a specific system or end result.What's the take at To share your thoughts and read those of your colleagues, go to and click on the button at the top, right side of the home page.We'll also print the most in the next issue of GCN in the Logging Off section.Readers whose appear in the publication will receive a GCN commuter mug and a coffee gift certificate.So come on, tell us what you think.GCN welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be typed double-spaced and must include name, address, telephone number and signature of the author. Send your letter by: Letters to the Editor, Government Computer News, 8601 Georgia Ave., Suite 300, Silver Spring, Md. 20910 301-650-2111
Federal job forms don't cut it
GCN, July 16, Page 32
LAN administrator
NARA offers PKI guidance
GCN, July 30, Page 12
www.nara.gov/records/policy/gpea.html
Director, Policy and Communications Staff
One RAD tool too few
GCN, July 30, Page 34
Data services manager, Medical Information Services
Editor's note: Microsoft describes Visual Basic 6.0, which we included, as a RAD tool, and it is arguably more comprehensive than Visual FoxPro 6.0. Microsoft does not describe FoxPro as a RAD tool although, as you note, it has the attributes of one. Yes, Visual Studio.Net will not be a RAD tool. Our story said that it would contain elements important to a RAD effort, such as modeling.
DON'T MISS
stifle innovationtight specificationsGCN, Aug. 20, Page 22
functional specs
your agency?
www.gcn.comReaders Speak
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Federal job forms don't cut it
GCN, July 16, Page 32
LAN administrator
NARA offers PKI guidance
GCN, July 30, Page 12
www.nara.gov/records/policy/gpea.html
Director, Policy and Communications Staff
One RAD tool too few
GCN, July 30, Page 34
Data services manager, Medical Information Services
Editor's note: Microsoft describes Visual Basic 6.0, which we included, as a RAD tool, and it is arguably more comprehensive than Visual FoxPro 6.0. Microsoft does not describe FoxPro as a RAD tool although, as you note, it has the attributes of one. Yes, Visual Studio.Net will not be a RAD tool. Our story said that it would contain elements important to a RAD effort, such as modeling.
DON'T MISS
stifle innovationtight specificationsGCN, Aug. 20, Page 22
functional specs
your agency?
www.gcn.comReaders Speak
intriguing responses
comments
Notice to our readers
Mail:
Fax:E-mail:editor@postnewsweektech.com
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