Open Data Exchange 2013 in Montreal

[Ted Strauss]

The Open Data Exchange 2013 (odx13.com) is a mini-conference bringing together Open Data experts and enthusiasts to discuss achievements and challenges of using data for citizen engagement, international aid, scientific research, and more. It is happening April 6 in Montreal, at Jeanne Sauvé House. Registration is free. ODX is being organized by Ted Strauss (me) and Naomi Kincler, who are the co-founders of the startup Trudat, launching later this year.

I'm writing to civicaction today to kickstart some of the discussions that will take place at ODX. This is especially relevant since a few people on this list have been invited as panelists for the event.

One of the first topics we will address are the achievements and challenges of the Open Data movement since it began roughly five years ago. 

Leaving aside that 'Open data' will mean different things to different people, I'll suggest a few trends I consider notable. Please jump in and suggest your own. Be as specific/general/controversial/technical as you like. 

#1. Infographics in newspapers, online news, social media, and apps have raised the basic understanding by mainstream media consumers of data-oriented displays. When used well, infographics help people understand the world better so they can make better decisions. This also has tangible benefits for justice, public health, resource efficiency, etc. The challenge is that infographics can be -and often are- poorly executed, overly simplistic, or intentionally misleading. Like any other media.

#2. Hundreds of cities, regions, and countries have launched open data portals with permissive licensing, allowing people to do great things with their data. The challenges with some of these portals however is that there are still technical and economic barriers to accessing many of these datasets, as well as a lack of tools to access and use them in meaningful ways.

#3. Scientific consortiums have launched repositories and tools for sharing data, code, and publications. This accelerates scientific discovery and knowledge dissemination. The challenge however is that exponential growth of scientific data is not being met by solutions that overcome the challenges of usability, interoperability, and open dissemination.

Ted Strauss

Trudat

[Michael Lenczner-2]

My two "favorite" problems would be:

1) the disconnect between the data published and the data that people
want (I'm still waiting for open 311 data, police blotter data, and
municipal voting, contracts and real estate / zoning)

and

2) the lack of use of the open data that has been published (which is
connected to problem 3) lack of funding for open data projects that
don't have viable business models.



On Fri, Jan 11, 2013 at 8:34 AM, Ted Strauss <[hidden email]> wrote:

> The Open Data Exchange 2013 (odx13.com) is a mini-conference bringing
> together Open Data experts and enthusiasts to discuss achievements and
> challenges of using data for citizen engagement, international aid,
> scientific research, and more. It is happening April 6 in Montreal, at
> Jeanne Sauvé House. Registration is free. ODX is being organized by Ted
> Strauss (me) and Naomi Kincler, who are the co-founders of the startup
> Trudat, launching later this year.
>
> I'm writing to civicaction today to kickstart some of the discussions that
> will take place at ODX. This is especially relevant since a few people on
> this list have been invited as panelists for the event.
>
> One of the first topics we will address are the achievements and challenges
> of the Open Data movement since it began roughly five years ago.
>
> Leaving aside that 'Open data' will mean different things to different
> people, I'll suggest a few trends I consider notable. Please jump in and
> suggest your own. Be as specific/general/controversial/technical as you
> like.
>
> #1. Infographics in newspapers, online news, social media, and apps have
> raised the basic understanding by mainstream media consumers of
> data-oriented displays. When used well, infographics help people understand
> the world better so they can make better decisions. This also has tangible
> benefits for justice, public health, resource efficiency, etc. The challenge
> is that infographics can be -and often are- poorly executed, overly
> simplistic, or intentionally misleading. Like any other media.
>
> #2. Hundreds of cities, regions, and countries have launched open data
> portals with permissive licensing, allowing people to do great things with
> their data. The challenges with some of these portals however is that there
> are still technical and economic barriers to accessing many of these
> datasets, as well as a lack of tools to access and use them in meaningful
> ways.
>
> #3. Scientific consortiums have launched repositories and tools for sharing
> data, code, and publications. This accelerates scientific discovery and
> knowledge dissemination. The challenge however is that exponential growth of
> scientific data is not being met by solutions that overcome the challenges
> of usability, interoperability, and open dissemination.
>
> Ted Strauss
> Trudat
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> CivicAccess-discuss mailing list
> [hidden email]
> http://lists.pwd.ca/mailman/listinfo/civicaccess-discuss

[Gerry Tychon-2]

I think I would like to say that the "disconnect" is not between the
"data published" and the people but rather it is a disconnect between
the "data publishers" and the data consumers. Not only am I waiting for
data I asked for but I am still waiting for an acknowledgment that I
even asked for the data.

On 11/01/2013 9:48 AM, Michael Lenczner wrote:

> My two "favorite" problems would be:
>
> 1) the disconnect between the data published and the data that people
> want (I'm still waiting for open 311 data, police blotter data, and
> municipal voting, contracts and real estate / zoning)
>
> and
>
> 2) the lack of use of the open data that has been published (which is
> connected to problem 3) lack of funding for open data projects that
> don't have viable business models.
>
>
>
> On Fri, Jan 11, 2013 at 8:34 AM, Ted Strauss <[hidden email]> wrote:
>> The Open Data Exchange 2013 (odx13.com) is a mini-conference bringing
>> together Open Data experts and enthusiasts to discuss achievements and
>> challenges of using data for citizen engagement, international aid,
>> scientific research, and more. It is happening April 6 in Montreal, at
>> Jeanne Sauvé House. Registration is free. ODX is being organized by Ted
>> Strauss (me) and Naomi Kincler, who are the co-founders of the startup
>> Trudat, launching later this year.
>>
>> I'm writing to civicaction today to kickstart some of the discussions that
>> will take place at ODX. This is especially relevant since a few people on
>> this list have been invited as panelists for the event.
>>
>> One of the first topics we will address are the achievements and challenges
>> of the Open Data movement since it began roughly five years ago.
>>
>> Leaving aside that 'Open data' will mean different things to different
>> people, I'll suggest a few trends I consider notable. Please jump in and
>> suggest your own. Be as specific/general/controversial/technical as you
>> like.
>>
>> #1. Infographics in newspapers, online news, social media, and apps have
>> raised the basic understanding by mainstream media consumers of
>> data-oriented displays. When used well, infographics help people understand
>> the world better so they can make better decisions. This also has tangible
>> benefits for justice, public health, resource efficiency, etc. The challenge
>> is that infographics can be -and often are- poorly executed, overly
>> simplistic, or intentionally misleading. Like any other media.
>>
>> #2. Hundreds of cities, regions, and countries have launched open data
>> portals with permissive licensing, allowing people to do great things with
>> their data. The challenges with some of these portals however is that there
>> are still technical and economic barriers to accessing many of these
>> datasets, as well as a lack of tools to access and use them in meaningful
>> ways.
>>
>> #3. Scientific consortiums have launched repositories and tools for sharing
>> data, code, and publications. This accelerates scientific discovery and
>> knowledge dissemination. The challenge however is that exponential growth of
>> scientific data is not being met by solutions that overcome the challenges
>> of usability, interoperability, and open dissemination.
>>
>> Ted Strauss
>> Trudat
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> CivicAccess-discuss mailing list
>> [hidden email]
>> http://lists.pwd.ca/mailman/listinfo/civicaccess-discuss
> _______________________________________________
> CivicAccess-discuss mailing list
> [hidden email]
> http://lists.pwd.ca/mailman/listinfo/civicaccess-discuss
>

[Michael Roberts]

Hi Gerry, all,

I think in Canada what Michael Lenczer says may be true re: 3).  In the UK, I see an incredible amount of both interest and funding for open data initiatives.  Why isn't that the case in Canada?     What's positive about what you say is that you are demanding this data at all.  It wasn't always that way.  

I think there are two other issues;  data engagement and finding data easily.   To publish data as a public good is important.   Second, how can tools like social media play a role in the engagement of this data, and third, how can search change to help us find and use this data.    

Cheers,
Michael

On 2013-01-11, at 12:11 PM, Gerry Tychon <[hidden email]> wrote:

I think I would like to say that the "disconnect" is not between the "data published" and the people but rather it is a disconnect between the "data publishers" and the data consumers. Not only am I waiting for data I asked for but I am still waiting for an acknowledgment that I even asked for the data.

On 11/01/2013 9:48 AM, Michael Lenczner wrote:

> My two "favorite" problems would be:
>
> 1) the disconnect between the data published and the data that people
> want (I'm still waiting for open 311 data, police blotter data, and
> municipal voting, contracts and real estate / zoning)
>
> and
>
> 2) the lack of use of the open data that has been published (which is
> connected to problem 3) lack of funding for open data projects that
> don't have viable business models.
>
>
>
> On Fri, Jan 11, 2013 at 8:34 AM, Ted Strauss <[hidden email]> wrote:
>> The Open Data Exchange 2013 (odx13.com) is a mini-conference bringing
>> together Open Data experts and enthusiasts to discuss achievements and
>> challenges of using data for citizen engagement, international aid,
>> scientific research, and more. It is happening April 6 in Montreal, at
>> Jeanne Sauvé House. Registration is free. ODX is being organized by Ted
>> Strauss (me) and Naomi Kincler, who are the co-founders of the startup
>> Trudat, launching later this year.
>>
>> I'm writing to civicaction today to kickstart some of the discussions that
>> will take place at ODX. This is especially relevant since a few people on
>> this list have been invited as panelists for the event.
>>
>> One of the first topics we will address are the achievements and challenges
>> of the Open Data movement since it began roughly five years ago.
>>
>> Leaving aside that 'Open data' will mean different things to different
>> people, I'll suggest a few trends I consider notable. Please jump in and
>> suggest your own. Be as specific/general/controversial/technical as you
>> like.
>>
>> #1. Infographics in newspapers, online news, social media, and apps have
>> raised the basic understanding by mainstream media consumers of
>> data-oriented displays. When used well, infographics help people understand
>> the world better so they can make better decisions. This also has tangible
>> benefits for justice, public health, resource efficiency, etc. The challenge
>> is that infographics can be -and often are- poorly executed, overly
>> simplistic, or intentionally misleading. Like any other media.
>>
>> #2. Hundreds of cities, regions, and countries have launched open data
>> portals with permissive licensing, allowing people to do great things with
>> their data. The challenges with some of these portals however is that there
>> are still technical and economic barriers to accessing many of these
>> datasets, as well as a lack of tools to access and use them in meaningful
>> ways.
>>
>> #3. Scientific consortiums have launched repositories and tools for sharing
>> data, code, and publications. This accelerates scientific discovery and
>> knowledge dissemination. The challenge however is that exponential growth of
>> scientific data is not being met by solutions that overcome the challenges
>> of usability, interoperability, and open dissemination.
>>
>> Ted Strauss
>> Trudat
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> CivicAccess-discuss mailing list
>> [hidden email]
>> http://lists.pwd.ca/mailman/listinfo/civicaccess-discuss
> _______________________________________________
> CivicAccess-discuss mailing list
> [hidden email]
> http://lists.pwd.ca/mailman/listinfo/civicaccess-discuss
>

_______________________________________________
CivicAccess-discuss mailing list
[hidden email]
http://lists.pwd.ca/mailman/listinfo/civicaccess-discuss

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Roberts -- Acclar Open Aid Data
web: www.acclar.org
email: [hidden email]

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/acclar.open
twitter: @acclar
skype: mroberts_112

[Michael Lenczner-2]

On Fri, Jan 11, 2013 at 2:03 PM, Michael Roberts
<[hidden email]> wrote:
> Hi Gerry, all,
>
> I think in Canada what Michael Lenczer says may be true re: 3).  In the UK, I see an incredible amount of both interest and funding for open data initiatives.  Why isn't that the case in Canada?

I can explain the difference between Can and US. 1) We fund civil
society differently. The foundations are smaller and see themselves as
supporters, not leaders. And 2) there is not the same level of
animosity in Canada (from the left and the right) towards the
government as there is in the US - although the left is getting pretty
pissed off at the current Conservative government. That means that
there is less funding for government transparency projects because the
need is seen as less urgent.

Why is the UK so well funded? Who are the players?

>     What's positive about what you say is that you are demanding this data at all.  It wasn't always that way.
>
> I think there are two other issues;  data engagement and finding data easily.   To publish data as a public good is important.   Second, how can tools like social media play a role in the engagement of this data, and third, how can search change to help us find and use this data.
>
> Cheers,
> Michael
>
> On 2013-01-11, at 12:11 PM, Gerry Tychon <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I think I would like to say that the "disconnect" is not between the "data published" and the people but rather it is a disconnect between the "data publishers" and the data consumers. Not only am I waiting for data I asked for but I am still waiting for an acknowledgment that I even asked for the data.
>
> On 11/01/2013 9:48 AM, Michael Lenczner wrote:
>> My two "favorite" problems would be:
>>
>> 1) the disconnect between the data published and the data that people
>> want (I'm still waiting for open 311 data, police blotter data, and
>> municipal voting, contracts and real estate / zoning)
>>
>> and
>>
>> 2) the lack of use of the open data that has been published (which is
>> connected to problem 3) lack of funding for open data projects that
>> don't have viable business models.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Jan 11, 2013 at 8:34 AM, Ted Strauss <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>> The Open Data Exchange 2013 (odx13.com) is a mini-conference bringing
>>> together Open Data experts and enthusiasts to discuss achievements and
>>> challenges of using data for citizen engagement, international aid,
>>> scientific research, and more. It is happening April 6 in Montreal, at
>>> Jeanne Sauvé House. Registration is free. ODX is being organized by Ted
>>> Strauss (me) and Naomi Kincler, who are the co-founders of the startup
>>> Trudat, launching later this year.
>>>
>>> I'm writing to civicaction today to kickstart some of the discussions that
>>> will take place at ODX. This is especially relevant since a few people on
>>> this list have been invited as panelists for the event.
>>>
>>> One of the first topics we will address are the achievements and challenges
>>> of the Open Data movement since it began roughly five years ago.
>>>
>>> Leaving aside that 'Open data' will mean different things to different
>>> people, I'll suggest a few trends I consider notable. Please jump in and
>>> suggest your own. Be as specific/general/controversial/technical as you
>>> like.
>>>
>>> #1. Infographics in newspapers, online news, social media, and apps have
>>> raised the basic understanding by mainstream media consumers of
>>> data-oriented displays. When used well, infographics help people understand
>>> the world better so they can make better decisions. This also has tangible
>>> benefits for justice, public health, resource efficiency, etc. The challenge
>>> is that infographics can be -and often are- poorly executed, overly
>>> simplistic, or intentionally misleading. Like any other media.
>>>
>>> #2. Hundreds of cities, regions, and countries have launched open data
>>> portals with permissive licensing, allowing people to do great things with
>>> their data. The challenges with some of these portals however is that there
>>> are still technical and economic barriers to accessing many of these
>>> datasets, as well as a lack of tools to access and use them in meaningful
>>> ways.
>>>
>>> #3. Scientific consortiums have launched repositories and tools for sharing
>>> data, code, and publications. This accelerates scientific discovery and
>>> knowledge dissemination. The challenge however is that exponential growth of
>>> scientific data is not being met by solutions that overcome the challenges
>>> of usability, interoperability, and open dissemination.
>>>
>>> Ted Strauss
>>> Trudat
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> CivicAccess-discuss mailing list
>>> [hidden email]
>>> http://lists.pwd.ca/mailman/listinfo/civicaccess-discuss
>> _______________________________________________
>> CivicAccess-discuss mailing list
>> [hidden email]
>> http://lists.pwd.ca/mailman/listinfo/civicaccess-discuss
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> CivicAccess-discuss mailing list
> [hidden email]
> http://lists.pwd.ca/mailman/listinfo/civicaccess-discuss
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Michael Roberts -- Acclar Open Aid Data
> web: www.acclar.org
> email: [hidden email]
>
> facebook: http://www.facebook.com/acclar.open
> twitter: @acclar
> skype: mroberts_112
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> CivicAccess-discuss mailing list
> [hidden email]
> http://lists.pwd.ca/mailman/listinfo/civicaccess-discuss