The term Gov 2.0 may throw some technologically challenged people such as myself, off . But Gov 2.0 guru Tim O’Reilly encourages us to look at it as “government as a platform”. In fact,  in his “What does Government 2.0 mean to you?” he gives citizens the opportunity to literally define it in their terms and be comfortable with how they see it working for them. This is why the latest blogosphere excitement about upcoming Gov 2.0 activities in various states make me want to share it with you. If the enthusiasm with which this year’s conferences have been organized is anything to go by, then we can conclude by saying that the concept has succeeded in grabbing the attention it deserves, reaffirming O’Reilly’s words that government can become a platform of, for and by the people.

• Gov 2.0 advocates have come up with yet another exciting program to open their government. The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs and EFF-Austin will be organizing a Texas Government 2.0 Camp on January 28. The “Making Transparency Work” conference will also bring together professionals from different fields to discuss ways of making government more open. See how Jon Lebkowsky is offering opportunities for anyone interested in leading a session on topics ranging from open Internet to government use of technology on the EFF-Austin blog.

• In a Q&A Yoli Martinez presents to us the future of government workings as California Gov2.0 supporter Alan Silberberg sees it. Silberberg’s idea of fighting obscurity in the operations of government is by giving citizens political power through the use of social media and mobile technology. Outlining the Los Angeles Fire Department and Orange County Transportation Agency as the leading Gov2.0 practices in Southern California, Silberberg hopes that this year’s Gov.2.0 LA unconference will bring on more citizen participation and government support for digital governance. More on the Socal Focus.

• Several counties in New Mexico are struggling to make their governments more open. But Jesus Lopez blogs that at most, San Miguel is only scoring a “D” in transparency. Drawing on the Sunshine Review’s findings , Lopez praises the state’s open government ranking but urges residents to make more use of public records laws provided by FOI. Read more on the San Miguel Reeper

• Rhode Island govenor Lincoln Chafee will soon issue a ban that will prohibit state officials from appearing on talk radio.  Though criticized by Buddy Cianci, a former mayor of Providence turned radio talk show host, Governor Chafee believes that talk radio is a “ratings-driven, for-profit programming” and does not think it is an appropriate use of taxpayers’ money. Hart Kirch shares how this is a slight on transparency and open government on the Hart Kirch Talk News blog.