[od-discuss] Open Format definition in new Open Data Handbook conflicts with proposed Open Format in Open Definition 2.1

Thu May 14 12:19:00 UTC 2015

Hi

The new Open Data Handbook has a definition for an Open Format http://opendatahandbook.org/glossary/en/terms/open-format/ <http://opendatahandbook.org/glossary/en/terms/open-format/> 

A file format <http://opendatahandbook.org/glossary/en/terms/file-format/> whose structure is set out in agreed standards <http://opendatahandbook.org/glossary/en/terms/standard>, overseen and published by a non-commercial expert body. A file in an open format enjoys the guarantee that it can be correctly read by a range of different software programs or used to pass information between them. Compare proprietary <http://opendatahandbook.org/glossary/en/terms/proprietary/>.

This is different to the Open Format in the proposed Open Definition 2.1 https://github.com/okfn/opendefinition/blob/master/source/open-definition-2.1-dev.markdown <https://github.com/okfn/opendefinition/blob/master/source/open-definition-2.1-dev.markdown> 

The work must be provided in an open format. An open format is one which places no restrictions, monetary or otherwise, upon its use and can be fully processed with at least one free/libre/open-source software tool. Data must be machine-readable and should be provided in bulk.

Should these definitions be more closely aligned?

Stephen Gates

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