(Compiled by OhMyGov Staff Writer Alex Pinto and Executive Editor Mark Malseed)

Blogs have been around for more than a decade, but in government they are still a relatively new phenomenon. This is starting to change, as federal agencies realize that blogs provide a direct and inexpensive communications channel to the public. OhMyGov has been perusing the blogs published by the federal government, looking for the best and most interesting sites to follow.

Here are 9 great blogs from the federal government that stood out from the pack:

1. The TSA Blog, from the Transportation Security Administration

Under the guiding hand of “Blogger Bob,” the TSA blog (formerly called “Evolution of Security”) has been ahead of the gov blog curve for nearly two years now. Launched in January 2008, the blog claims to try to enable dialogue between travelers and the TSA, and actually does: feedback from readers has already incited small changes in security processes on a few occasions. The posts typically feature up-to-date changes in airport security policy, helpful travel tips that answer pressing questions — like whether pies are acceptable to fly with — and more in-depth posts outlining how to navigate disasters like a lost I.D.  High quality content as gov blogs go.

Big plusses: Need-to-know content, full posts display on the homepage, active discussions, thoughtful comment policy, high-quality Blogroll that includes non-gov sites.

Minuses: Infrequent posts — though no news is better than frivolous news

2. Dipnote, from the State Department

Newly revamped (sadly, it no longer has the black Mafioso motif), the main State Department blog continues to have consistently strong content. It is personally updated daily by an ever-changing cast of secretaries, policy directors, and other higher-ups, who give detailed accounts of their trips abroad and policies. The posts are often well-written and engaging, and sometimes have the flavor of actual journalism. Indeed, the About page says the blog “offers the public an alternative source to mainstream media for U.S. foreign policy information,” which may be overstating things just a tad… but we appreciate the ambition.

Big plusses: Clean design, plenty of photos, a Blogroll that mentions non-gov sites, and published comments from the public.

Minuses: Homepage just displays short excerpts, so visitors have to click every post to read in full.

3. The White House Blog, from the Executive Office of the President

Let’s face it: whatever President Obama is doing always makes for news, because, well, he’s the president. And whatever the White House decides to post on its official blog also makes for news, as it reveals what the White House is trying to communicate to the American public. But it’s not just the news content that puts the White House blog near the top of our list — the site also has a pleasant design with ample photos and video, and a variety of voices contributing.

Big plusses: Frequent updates, plenty of photos and video, easy navigation

Minuses: No public comments — though we understand the choice to exlude them

4. Eye Level, from the Smithsonian American Art Museum

The team behind the Smithsonian American Art Museum blog contends that the name Eye Level “imparts a sense of clarity to which the blog aspires.” From first glance, the blog does have an unpretentious, not-too-esoteric feel you would hope for from an open-arms gov institution like the Smithsonian. But far from handling its aesthetic material with kid gloves, the posts on Eye Level do contain enough detail and unique content to justify perusal by a discriminating art snob. It’s updated every few days by a variety of curators, writers, interns, and critics associated with the museum. And in government blog terms, it’s ancient, having first come online in September 2005.

Big plusses: Photos a-plenty, variety of interesting stories, full posts display on the homepage

Minuses: Navigation to older posts is cumbersome

5. Welcome to the Fast Lane, from the Department of Transportation

Unlike most gov blogs, the DOT blog almost doubles as a personal blog for the charismatic secretary of transportation Ray LaHood. Despite having, as Jon Stewart put it, the “least glamorous cabinet position,” LaHood has a frequently updated and fun-to-read blog. Though many posts are about things like distracted driving laws and train safety regulation, LaHood makes it interesting with a conversational tone and a good sense of humor. He’s also bold enough to put up a picture of a train crash or said Jon Stewart clip, or nakedly opine about any ol’ transportation policy that he doesn’t think is up to snuff. Good reading overall.

Big plusses: Engaging content, plenty of photos, easy navigation

Minuses: Homepage just displays excerpts, so visitors have to click every post to read in full.

6. Greenversations, from the Environmental Protection Agency

This EPA blog takes a magazine-style angle instead of featuring news updates about EPA minutia. The “Science Wednesday” feature looks into the science behind green technology, and other posts go in-depth (by blog standards) on a certain topic, written by a specialist in that field. Using open-ended questions, the blog seems to focus on interaction with its readers (regardless if that works out or not, they’re still trying). Plus some posts are re-posted in Spanish, a surprisingly uncommon practice among gov blogs.

Big plusses: Some Spanish-language content, easy navigation

Minuses: With few comments so far, the magazine style lacks energy

7. The Blog @ Homeland Security, from the Department of Homeland Security

On the opposite side of the spectrum, the DHS blog deserves credit for its dry but thorough compilation of news regarding DHS actions from around the country and world. Though the exact location of Janet Napolitano may bore most people, there are undoubtedly some who consider this comprehensive account of DHS enforcement, successes, and failures a big step in the direction of gov transparency — if not just a great resource for research or work. 

Big plusses: Full posts display on the homepage, some days feature a news roundup of DHS stories in the media, includes some cross-posts from other DHS blogs like TSA

Minuses: Navigation to older posts is cumbersome

8. Energy Savers Blog, from the Department of Energy

In order to find this Department of Energy blog interesting, you have to be really into saving energy. The tips they provide go far beyond “remember to turn off the lights”—think more like telling how you can personally measure the electric consumption of each of your appliances. If that level of dedication seems to match yours, it’s a great resource: pithy, frequently updated, and personal (and very not-gov-like).

Big plusses: Frequent posts, easy navigation, personal style

Minuses:  Very text heavy — even clip art would help spice up the design!

9. OMB Blog, from the Office of Management and Budget

Updated every few days, each post is authored by Peter R. Orszag, Director. They are very well written (if a little stiff) and the overall tone trends more toward “scholarly” than your average blog. But what the Director lacks in, well, blog-ish excitement, he makes up for by defending his and his department’s positions against their critics, sharing high-quality information from new studies and articles, as well as offering the expected updates about what the OMB is up to.  Recommended reading for anyone who follows general economics or health care reform politics.

Big plusses: Frequent updates, gives a window inside the White House

Minuses: Lacks any design personality and barely qualifies as a blog (in fact, we’re stretching the definition to include it)

Think we missed a better blog? Let us know in the comments or send feedback to editors [at] ohmygov.com.