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Poor Economy, CIO Transitions, Improving Social Services: 2008 -- The Year in Review

Technology legislation, cloud computing and other trends and predictions.

In the waning weeks of 2008, with holiday parties, New Year's resolutions and visions of sugarplums dancing in our heads, it's easy to forget what a momentous year it's been. A historic election and the hair-pulling insanity on Wall Street will surely define much of how we remember 2008. For the moment, however, it's probably fair to conclude that most of us share both guarded optimism and much concern about what 2008 hath wrought.

Putting past troubles and future worries aside, 'tis the season of merriment and tradition. One tradition at Government Technology is our annual year in review. In this issue, we've tried to break down 2008 into bite-sized chunks that are of interest to those who work in and with public-sector IT. This year's feature is designed to be readable in pieces or all at once.

You can rediscover who made significant career moves or look back at the projects that defined the government IT themes of 2008 (hint: One rhymes with fonsolidation). We've featured lots of other great content, including everyone's favorite - top 10 lists.

2008, like every year, was filled with stories of dedicated people who work hard behind the scenes to make sure the public forgets they're there. Unfortunately that means public-sector IT professionals rarely get the recognition they deserve. While the following pages offer a brief look back at the people and technology that helped shape government IT in 2008, it certainly can't do justice to all the men and women who keep the nation's technology infrastructure up and the cost to taxpayers down.

Our job is to tell your story and help share solutions for state and local government in the Information Age. We've been at it for more than 20 years. So for a few minutes, forget your troubles, look back on the year that was, and have a little fun along the way. And from all of us here at Government Technology, may your holidays be merry and bright.

 

Click on each link below to read our Year in Review features.

Read Bad Economy, Green IT and Web 2.0 Shape 2008 IT Trends

Read Teri Takai, Ken Theis, Brenda Orth and Elliot Schlanger Lead List of 2008 CIO Transitions

Read Improving Social Services, Privacy and Project Management Top 2008 Watch List

Read Technology Legislation: 2008 Bills and their Potential IT Impact

Read Cloud Computing, Virtualization and Software as a Service Could Dominate 2009

Chad Vander Veen is a former contributing editor for Emergency Management magazine, and previously served as the editor of FutureStructure, and the associate editor of Government Technology and Public CIO magazines.