New Open-Source Alternative to Google Docs and Notion Backed by France, Germany

How to Geek: “Docs is a new open-source collaborative text editor, intended as an alternative to Notion, Google Docs, Outline, and other similar web-based services. Interestingly, the project is being led by the governments of France and Germany. Docs is a web-based collaborative writing tool, with the ability for multiple people to view and edit …

Subjects: E-Records, Internet, Knowledge Management

CISA Probationary Reinstatements Process Is a Farce

From the homepage of CISA: The Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order in Maryland, et al v. United States Dep’t of Agriculture, et al, No. 25-cv-00748, Docket No. 43 (D. Md.) (March 13, 2025). CISA is making every effort to individually contact all impacted individuals. However, to the extent that you have been terminated by CISA …

Subjects: Cybercrime, Cybersecurity, E-Government, Legal Research

Punishing AI doesn’t stop it from lying and cheating it just makes it hide better, study shows

Live Science: “Punishing artificial intelligence for deceptive or harmful actions doesn’t stop it from misbehaving; it just makes it hide its deviousness, a new study by ChatGPT creator OpenAI has revealed. Since arriving in public in late 2022, artificial intelligence (AI) large language models (LLMs) have repeatedly revealed their deceptive and outright sinister capabilities. These …

Subjects: AI, Education, Internet, Knowledge Management, Legal Research, Search Engines

Wired is dropping paywalls for FOIA-based reporting

Freedom of the Press Foundation: “The news business isn’t just any business — it serves a vital role in our democracy, recognized by the First Amendment. But media outlets can’t serve that role if they’re bankrupt. And as a result, news readers often find themselves blocked by paywalls from reading important stories about government business. …

Subjects: E-Records, Free Speech, Freedom of Information, Legal Research

JFK Assassination Records – 2025 Documents Release

No smoking gun found in JFK assassination docs – National Archives March 18, 2025 Release – In accordance with President Donald Trump’s directive of March 17, 2025, all records previously withheld for classification that are part of the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection are released. The National Archives has partnered with agencies across the …

Subjects: E-Government, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research

DEI related firings and threats spread to universities and law firms

Via LLRX – updated guide – Climate and DEI Deleted From Government Websites, Federal Workers Fired, Colleges Erase Programs, Law Firms Blackballed March 16, 2025 – March 17, 2025 – Empty Wheel [excerpted] Trump’s Legal Blackballing Effort Against Law Firms Now Includes 20 firms threatened by EEOC demanding information on DEI practices. Above the Law …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Education, Government Documents, Legal Research

DOGE order leads to journal cancellations by US agricultural library

Science: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Friday told staff members it has canceled subscriptions carried by its National Agricultural Library as part of a drive by President Donald Trump’s administration to cut federal spending. The move appears to drop nearly 400 of the library’s roughly 2000 journals, including many prominent in various agricultural …

Subjects: Censorship, Food and Nutrition, Government Documents, Knowledge Management, Libraries

Additional resources for recently laid-off federal employees

Via SLA-DMV Community: CareerOneStop ClearanceJobs Society of American Archivists: Free Membership FedFam – FedFam is a member organization that supports federal workers. They have a free newsletter that provides news items and helpful links for this tumultuous time. They also have a Facebook group. Partnership for Public Service – Scroll down to “Federal employees, we …

Subjects: Economy, Legal Research, Libraries