Posted by
Heather Morrison-2 on
Feb 26, 2013; 7:10pm
URL: http://civicaccess.416.s1.nabble.com/The-case-for-context-in-defining-Open-Data-tp5474p5479.html
Thanks for sharing this, Ted!
Many interesting points. One that I would like to highlight as it relates to my work mapping open access and Creative Commons licensing (or to be more precise articulating how it is that these things don't actually quite map):
from Strength in Numbers:
The label ‘open’ becomes more complicated when we realize that even with a permissive license, data isn’t even remotely useful -and thus not truly open- unless it is properly organized, annotated, and saved to a format that is reasonably interoperable across software.
Comment: a very good point. At the BC Open Data Summit Stephane Guidoin explained the key role of the development of the GTFS standard in making it possible to rapidly open access transit data for creating applications across a multitude of jurisdictions. If we want open, reusable data, then things like formatting and metadata to facilitate reuse are arguably more critical than open licensing (I'm not sure if GTFS is openly licensed - does anyone know?).
This is similar to arguments that I make with respect to open access and creative commons. Some think that CC-BY is essential to facilitate data and text mining, but I argue that it is not necessary (search engines don't need it), sufficient (picture a CC-BY license on a locked-down PDF), or even desirable (because attribution is a problem when combining a number of datasets).
The case of the Weenusk First Nations' objections to release of geodata about their land is one that merits serious discussion in open circles. "Open" can mean "open for exploitation". Many of us would argue that this is a social harm! To move to a more open society, I argue that it is necessary to consider both the positive and the negative potential unleashed with opening up of data. I believe we can steer towards the public good and away from the dangers - but only with eyes wide open.
best,
Heather Morrison
The Imaginary Journal of Poetic Economics
http://poeticeconomics.blogspot.comOn 2013-02-26, at 10:58 AM, Ted Strauss wrote:
> For those who couldn't access the link, the post is up at:
>
http://blog.trudat.co/the-case-for-context/>
>
> On Tue, Feb 26, 2013 at 12:39 PM, Ted Strauss <
[hidden email]> wrote:
> Hello all,
> In honor of Open Data Day, I wrote this blog post:
> The case for context in defining Open Data
>
> Hope to hear your comments.
>
> It's the first post on Strength in Numbers, the official
> blog of Trudat, with posts by Naomi Kincler and myself.
> Trudat is a web application for collaborative data discovery.
> It will be launching later this year.
>
> --
> Ted Strauss
> Co-founder of Trudat.co
>
> I'm organizing Open Data Exchange in Montreal, April 6, 2013
>
>
>
>
> --
> Ted Strauss
> Co-founder of Trudat.co
>
> I'm organizing Open Data Exchange in Montreal, April 6, 2013
>
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