The next version of Microsoft Office, codenamed "Office 15" announced it will start a preview program to a select group of customers. The Microsoft sales team nominated the participants, and they represent a broad range of industries. 

Office 15 will provide new versions of the core programs--Word, Excel and Powerpoint- as well as Office 365, Exchange, SharePoint, Lync, Project, and Visio.

This new version will also be integrated with Microsoft's cloud services and mobile apps. 

Microsoft says the software will enter public beta this summer. 

Click here to see a sneak peak at screeshots of the new "Office 15."

Ohio Governor John Kasich and his administration intends to renew its push to streamline municipal income tax filing for businesses across Ohio by bringing the collection of municipal taxes under state control. Centralizing municipal income tax collection would bring Ohio inline with the rest of the country. Supporters say centralizing collections will save expense. The implications for local governments will vary, according to experts. 

Read entire article here.

It sounds like something out of a sci-fi futuristic movie. Your credit card information stolen right through your clothing or wallet, without it ever leaving your body. 

That's exactly what security researcher, Kristin Paget demonstrated in Washington D.C at the Schmoocon hacker conference. 

Let's here your feedback. Does this technology scare you, or surprise you? Do you believe it?  

Read the story here

Last month, the Federal Communications Commission approved the first device that can operate in "white space" frequencies in between television channels. The FCC voted to allow white spaces to remain "unlicensed" like Wi-Fi so anyone can use them to innovate and compete. 

In this article by Business Insider, they tout "white space" as the "Next Billion Dollar Industry." What do you think?

Although many communities rank energy conservation and the environment has high priorities, only a small percentage have actually taken specific steps to tackle sustainability issues. Why is that? This article by Nancy Jackson at American City and County answers this question and delves into what some communities are doing and what you can do in your own community to pursue your sustainability goals. 

Read full article here

Add Bryan, Ohio to the list of municipalities that are harnessing the energy of the sun to supplement their power supplies.

The city will deploy a 24,000-panel solar array in Feb. 2012, which will generate roughly 260 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year - enough to light-up approximately 260 average homes in Bryan. The amount represents 1 percent of the city's total annual power need. 

Click here to read entire article on GovTech.com

American City & County and the Public Technology Institute surveyed a broad base of subscribers to determine the state of IT among local governments across the nation. The response rate was healthy, with 68.2 percent coming from municipalities and 25.1 percent from counties. Given the ever-changing IT environment, we asked a series of questions about new trends, including cloud computing, app development, and mobile device ownership and use.

One welcome surprise were the results to the question regarding IT spending, especially considering the negative effects that lower revenues have had on local governments. More than 78 percent of the respondents said that their IT spending for the coming year would be either the same or up from the current year. In addition to being encouraging news to other local governments, the response indicates that most communities' spending may have already hit bottom. Of those who said that IT spending would be the same or higher, 3.5 percent said that their spending would be significantly higher, and 27.2 percent said that spending would be up. The fact that 18.8 percent claimed that their budgets would be down from the current year is evidence that not everyone has reached bottom.

Click here to read full article

Wednesday, Dec. 7, marks the deadline to submit nominations for the 2012 U.S. Water Prize awarded by the Clean Water America Alliance. The prize is awarded to individuals, institutions and governments that promote or implement innovative and sustainable water management.

Applications should be submitted at the U.S. Water Prize website. Up to five winners will be honored in a ceremony held in Washington in April 2012.

Individuals, institutions and organizations whose project or initiative advances holistic, wastershed-based approaches to water quality and quantity challenges may apply. Initiatives may be in education, public awareness, research, technology, water resource management or policy development as long as they address issues surrounding water as a finite, reusable and sustainable resource.

Click here for more information on the Clean Water America Alliance.