[open-government] How to open up local government data

[Tim Davies]

(apologies, I hit send on the last message too soon... extra 'strategies'
bit in this version)

On Thu, Jul 8, 2010 at 2:03 PM, Tim Davies <tim at timdavies.org.uk> wrote:

> Paul, Simon
>
> Paul: I very much agree on the need for thought on strategies and tactics
> to overcome some of the structural/cultural barriers to local open data.
>
> *Principles:*
> On Simon's principles, I wonder if they are strengthened by focussing on
> '#2 as Make is Readable for Humans and Computers' rather than narrowing the
> focus to 'machine readable'.
>
> I'm not sure the claim "If developers can't build applications
> and campaigners can't analyse it, what use is it?" holds up entirely. I'm
> finding many use-cases of open data where data can't be easily turned into
> applications or subjected to very clever analysis - but people are empowered
> simply by being able to browse a Spreadsheet and find the specific fact
> they've been asking a local authority for years.
>
> In terms of principles for data release, emphasising the process of at
> least the first three of the five-stars here is perhaps best:
> http://inkdroid.org/journal/2010/06/04/the-5-stars-of-open-linked-data/
>
> I.e.
>
> ★ make your stuff available on the web (whatever format)
> ★★ make it available as structured data (e.g. excel instead of image scan
> of a table)
> ★★★ non-proprietary format (e.g. csv instead of excel)
>
>
> *Strategies: *
>
 In terms of strategies I wonder if there is also a useful 0.5 star point to
encourage local authorities to look at:

*/2 - publish and keep updated a list of the data you know you have - even
if you've not made it open yet - and provide an easy way for people to
contact you to ask for it to be open.

That would provide a way of better allowing the release of data to be driven
by local demand...

Tim
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