Harlan Weber
@whereshj.bsky.social
Design, product, org building for the public interest. Principal Designer, Nava PBC. Founder, Code for Boston. Former MA state gov @ MA Digital and MBTA. #twindad. Likes pushing boulders uphill.
Reposted by Harlan Weber
Spending some time this Labor Day to read @monteiro.bsky.social’s excellent “Ruined By Design” because ethics should be at the core of all our work
September 1, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Spending some time this Labor Day to read @monteiro.bsky.social’s excellent “Ruined By Design” because ethics should be at the core of all our work
Really wish I could be there with the rest of the #civictech community, should be a great conference!
Today’s the day!
Welcome to #CivicSpark 2025.
First stop by to say hi to our registration team Noami, John, and Ben. Then help yourself to breakfast. ☕️
Welcome to #CivicSpark 2025.
First stop by to say hi to our registration team Noami, John, and Ben. Then help yourself to breakfast. ☕️
August 16, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Really wish I could be there with the rest of the #civictech community, should be a great conference!
Reposted by Harlan Weber
open data for the win!
When your city has an open data portal with the location of every tree, you can do this:
Between two trees: Vancouver man maps more than 2,600 places to hang a hammock
He had the idea while hanging in a hammock.
www.vancouverisawesome.com
July 20, 2025 at 12:03 PM
open data for the win!
Reposted by Harlan Weber
one of the most earnest traditions of Code for America, during my time there, was a group read-aloud of the Declaration of Independence right before the 4th of July holiday - I just read it to myself & I recommend it today
it's not perfect but it's damn good
www.archives.gov/founding-doc...
it's not perfect but it's damn good
www.archives.gov/founding-doc...
Declaration of Independence: A Transcription
Note: The following text is a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.) The spelling a...
www.archives.gov
July 4, 2025 at 5:13 PM
one of the most earnest traditions of Code for America, during my time there, was a group read-aloud of the Declaration of Independence right before the 4th of July holiday - I just read it to myself & I recommend it today
it's not perfect but it's damn good
www.archives.gov/founding-doc...
it's not perfect but it's damn good
www.archives.gov/founding-doc...
Reposted by Harlan Weber
If you’re heading back from #cfasummit and wondering what the next big #civictech event is next - its this
We’re finally hosting our first national event - it’s free, virtual, and participant led!
We’re finally hosting our first national event - it’s free, virtual, and participant led!
📢 Big news! #ACTCongress is happening June 28! 🎉
Our first-ever virtual #unconference, shaped by YOU. We'll hold our first board election, vote on the budget, & dive into participant-led sessions on our #civictech community's future.
RSVP on Eventbrite!
www.eventbrite.com/e/alliance-o...
Our first-ever virtual #unconference, shaped by YOU. We'll hold our first board election, vote on the budget, & dive into participant-led sessions on our #civictech community's future.
RSVP on Eventbrite!
www.eventbrite.com/e/alliance-o...
Alliance of Civic Technologists Congress
Mark your calendars for the first-ever Alliance of Civic Technologists’s ACT Congress on Saturday, June 28, 2025!
www.eventbrite.com
June 1, 2025 at 3:51 PM
If you’re heading back from #cfasummit and wondering what the next big #civictech event is next - its this
We’re finally hosting our first national event - it’s free, virtual, and participant led!
We’re finally hosting our first national event - it’s free, virtual, and participant led!
Reposted by Harlan Weber
We've arrived on Bluesky! 💙 And we have an exciting proposal!
Charlestown property owners!
Have you ever looked at your yard, patio, or parking area and wondered, “what is under that?” Or, “I bet a really precisely dug rectangular hole would look amazing right there?” Well, you’re in luck! (🧵1/4)
Charlestown property owners!
Have you ever looked at your yard, patio, or parking area and wondered, “what is under that?” Or, “I bet a really precisely dug rectangular hole would look amazing right there?” Well, you’re in luck! (🧵1/4)
March 13, 2025 at 5:49 PM
We've arrived on Bluesky! 💙 And we have an exciting proposal!
Charlestown property owners!
Have you ever looked at your yard, patio, or parking area and wondered, “what is under that?” Or, “I bet a really precisely dug rectangular hole would look amazing right there?” Well, you’re in luck! (🧵1/4)
Charlestown property owners!
Have you ever looked at your yard, patio, or parking area and wondered, “what is under that?” Or, “I bet a really precisely dug rectangular hole would look amazing right there?” Well, you’re in luck! (🧵1/4)
Reposted by Harlan Weber
In addition to dice, attendees will also get breakfast ☕️ 🥐, a hot lunch 🍗 🥗, and a late-afternoon reception with hors d'oeuvres and drinks 🍻 🍷 🧀. Join us in Boston on April 7, 2025 for our annual Legal Innovation & Technology conference: #LITCon2025. Register here: suffolklitlab.org/events/lit-c...
March 12, 2025 at 1:55 PM
In addition to dice, attendees will also get breakfast ☕️ 🥐, a hot lunch 🍗 🥗, and a late-afternoon reception with hors d'oeuvres and drinks 🍻 🍷 🧀. Join us in Boston on April 7, 2025 for our annual Legal Innovation & Technology conference: #LITCon2025. Register here: suffolklitlab.org/events/lit-c...
Reposted by Harlan Weber
It's official, the Mass. Municipal Association is on Bluesky! We're excited to bring you news & info about all things local government. Stay tuned!
March 11, 2025 at 7:43 PM
It's official, the Mass. Municipal Association is on Bluesky! We're excited to bring you news & info about all things local government. Stay tuned!
Reposted by Harlan Weber
Boston is a home for everyone.
We’re inviting all of Boston to watch this year’s State of the City Address live at boston.gov/sotc on the evening of Wednesday, March 19.
Join us online as we celebrate the future and families of the City of Boston. #BostonSOTC
We’re inviting all of Boston to watch this year’s State of the City Address live at boston.gov/sotc on the evening of Wednesday, March 19.
Join us online as we celebrate the future and families of the City of Boston. #BostonSOTC
March 6, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Boston is a home for everyone.
We’re inviting all of Boston to watch this year’s State of the City Address live at boston.gov/sotc on the evening of Wednesday, March 19.
Join us online as we celebrate the future and families of the City of Boston. #BostonSOTC
We’re inviting all of Boston to watch this year’s State of the City Address live at boston.gov/sotc on the evening of Wednesday, March 19.
Join us online as we celebrate the future and families of the City of Boston. #BostonSOTC
Reposted by Harlan Weber
I got laid off today, with the rest of 18F.
18F was an elite federal software shop. We made gov't websites work better, more efficiently for the American people. We saved taxpayers from getting screwed over by contractors. And were fired for it.
We made this website to tell our story:
18f.org
18F was an elite federal software shop. We made gov't websites work better, more efficiently for the American people. We saved taxpayers from getting screwed over by contractors. And were fired for it.
We made this website to tell our story:
18f.org
We're not done yet | 18F
18f.org
March 1, 2025 at 10:38 PM
I got laid off today, with the rest of 18F.
18F was an elite federal software shop. We made gov't websites work better, more efficiently for the American people. We saved taxpayers from getting screwed over by contractors. And were fired for it.
We made this website to tell our story:
18f.org
18F was an elite federal software shop. We made gov't websites work better, more efficiently for the American people. We saved taxpayers from getting screwed over by contractors. And were fired for it.
We made this website to tell our story:
18f.org
Reposted by Harlan Weber
18F was doing exactly the type of work that DOGE claims to want – yet we were eliminated shortly after midnight. Read our letter to the American people:
18f.org
18f.org
We're not done yet | 18F
18f.org
March 1, 2025 at 11:38 PM
18F was doing exactly the type of work that DOGE claims to want – yet we were eliminated shortly after midnight. Read our letter to the American people:
18f.org
18f.org
Reposted by Harlan Weber
Reminds me of something I heard again and again reporting in Feb on TTS/18F. A big part of their work was tire-kicking or fixing after the fact contracts gov agencies wld sign with private sector vendors. Many of these contracts are huge and involves vast sums of money. You don't do these very ...
I once saved an agency around $2 million on a modernization project because of a bad contract they had, it took me several phone calls and less than a week.
You need alignment and air cover to pull stuff like this off, but the game changing is stuff we weren't even allowed to promote or talk about
You need alignment and air cover to pull stuff like this off, but the game changing is stuff we weren't even allowed to promote or talk about
18F, the federal government’s technology shop, was just demolished by Musk’s team. It was a cost-recoverable org, charging agencies for their expertise, using a consulting model. Its cost to government was negligible, its benefits huge. My team there once saved DoD $500 million.
A thread about 18F:
A thread about 18F:
March 1, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Reminds me of something I heard again and again reporting in Feb on TTS/18F. A big part of their work was tire-kicking or fixing after the fact contracts gov agencies wld sign with private sector vendors. Many of these contracts are huge and involves vast sums of money. You don't do these very ...
Reposted by Harlan Weber
Want to tell the public what US government workers actually do, vs. the propaganda spewed by DOGE? This incredible website, "We the Builders," is asking for first-person testimonials from government workers about their actual jobs, and how they make the government work. www.wethebuilders.org
We are the builders
We find the truth and tell the truth
www.wethebuilders.org
February 21, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Want to tell the public what US government workers actually do, vs. the propaganda spewed by DOGE? This incredible website, "We the Builders," is asking for first-person testimonials from government workers about their actual jobs, and how they make the government work. www.wethebuilders.org
Reposted by Harlan Weber
We're launching our voting system this week. Fully open-source. Designed to the latest federal standard. Particularly easy to use by voters and election administrators.
A voting machine every American can trust.
Learn more at voting.works/machines
A voting machine every American can trust.
Learn more at voting.works/machines
January 28, 2025 at 6:30 PM
We're launching our voting system this week. Fully open-source. Designed to the latest federal standard. Particularly easy to use by voters and election administrators.
A voting machine every American can trust.
Learn more at voting.works/machines
A voting machine every American can trust.
Learn more at voting.works/machines
Reposted by Harlan Weber
Welcoming our senior Senator @senwarren.bsky.social to my #mapoli starter pack, along with the inimitable @leungboston.bsky.social.
go.bsky.app/P6UyLJ3
go.bsky.app/P6UyLJ3
December 4, 2024 at 9:12 PM
Welcoming our senior Senator @senwarren.bsky.social to my #mapoli starter pack, along with the inimitable @leungboston.bsky.social.
go.bsky.app/P6UyLJ3
go.bsky.app/P6UyLJ3
Reposted by Harlan Weber
I've updated the Boston News and Journalists Starter Pack again; we're close to maxing this pack out! And if you would rather follow a list, I've made on of those too!
Starter park: go.bsky.app/DcD4DaT
Boston Journos list: bsky.app/profile/bert...
Starter park: go.bsky.app/DcD4DaT
Boston Journos list: bsky.app/profile/bert...
December 5, 2024 at 12:49 AM
I've updated the Boston News and Journalists Starter Pack again; we're close to maxing this pack out! And if you would rather follow a list, I've made on of those too!
Starter park: go.bsky.app/DcD4DaT
Boston Journos list: bsky.app/profile/bert...
Starter park: go.bsky.app/DcD4DaT
Boston Journos list: bsky.app/profile/bert...
Reposted by Harlan Weber
In the spirit of togetherness, if you live outside the US please share your country's most dangerous cooking method.
Text this to your cousin who is planning to fry their Turkey this year - www.youtube.com/shorts/4IbIV...
Cook the #turkey not your home 2024
YouTube video by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2024 at 2:10 PM
In the spirit of togetherness, if you live outside the US please share your country's most dangerous cooking method.
Reposted by Harlan Weber
Just sent my annual Snack Cart Thanksgiving special. It's three videos designed to help you kill specific amounts of time throughout the day.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Snack Cart Thanksgiving special
Three videos to help you take a break from the day
www.snackcart.email
November 28, 2024 at 1:42 PM
Just sent my annual Snack Cart Thanksgiving special. It's three videos designed to help you kill specific amounts of time throughout the day.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Reposted by Harlan Weber
hi, I'm hiring a new right-hand person at work! are you great at administration, a web & data advocate with practical experience, a strong mentor & manager & all around wonderful teammate with a desire to make SF's digital ~things~ better for people? come work with me! careers.sf.gov/role?id=3743...
Deputy Chief Digital Services Officer - Digital and Data Services (0932)
The San Francisco Digital and Data Services team is transforming how residents interact with the City by building services designed around the people that use them. San Franciscans need services from ...
careers.sf.gov
November 26, 2024 at 12:52 AM
hi, I'm hiring a new right-hand person at work! are you great at administration, a web & data advocate with practical experience, a strong mentor & manager & all around wonderful teammate with a desire to make SF's digital ~things~ better for people? come work with me! careers.sf.gov/role?id=3743...
Really incredible work from OMB to refine the guidance on the Paperwork Reduction Act to enable better user research. Removes a ton of blockers to delivery great public service experiences in #civictech #govtech. Huge kudos to the OIRA team for making this go!
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing...
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing...
Ensuring Effective and Timely Usability Research | OMB | The White House
By OIRA Administrator Richard L. Revesz Cumbersome and poorly designed forms can be frustrating for people interacting with the Federal government. Beyond frustration, a poorly designed form may keep ...
www.whitehouse.gov
November 22, 2024 at 8:34 PM
Really incredible work from OMB to refine the guidance on the Paperwork Reduction Act to enable better user research. Removes a ton of blockers to delivery great public service experiences in #civictech #govtech. Huge kudos to the OIRA team for making this go!
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing...
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing...
Reposted by Harlan Weber
first draft of a lil civic tech starter pack! focused on practitioners, might do another one on other parts of the ecosystem later.
go.bsky.app/Dw5gEA1
go.bsky.app/Dw5gEA1
November 16, 2024 at 2:24 AM
first draft of a lil civic tech starter pack! focused on practitioners, might do another one on other parts of the ecosystem later.
go.bsky.app/Dw5gEA1
go.bsky.app/Dw5gEA1
Reposted by Harlan Weber
Given the new obsession with government efficiency, it’s time to lay down a new rule: Be Specific!
When we talk about efficiency we have to be specific about what we want to government to be efficient at doing and calling out what problem you’re trying to solve.
When we talk about efficiency we have to be specific about what we want to government to be efficient at doing and calling out what problem you’re trying to solve.
November 16, 2024 at 2:55 PM
Given the new obsession with government efficiency, it’s time to lay down a new rule: Be Specific!
When we talk about efficiency we have to be specific about what we want to government to be efficient at doing and calling out what problem you’re trying to solve.
When we talk about efficiency we have to be specific about what we want to government to be efficient at doing and calling out what problem you’re trying to solve.
It looks like.... all the friends are actually here? 👀
November 16, 2024 at 3:30 AM
It looks like.... all the friends are actually here? 👀