Toronto Innovation Showcase November 2 & 3, 2009

NOTE: This is content from the web re:Brand posts going back to November 2010. We have kept the re:Brand posts as a legacy archive but, on a go forward basis as of October, 2011, the new DATA eh? content takes over this space.


The showcase event is but a week away.

The event combines a follow up to last year's Web 2.0 Summit with City of Toronto staff professional development and innovation awards.  On day 1 there is an Open Data Lab - a key event for the Toronto Open Community. Check out the facilitator blog of Mark Kuznicki to register for the Open Data Lab.

We'll be webcasting all the activities taking place inside the Council Chambers - doesn't include the break out sessions in other areas.

Everyone is welcome to come to this event or view from the webcast.

Take note of these twitter hash tags: #TOshowcase and #opendataTO

Other blogs on this:

http://webrebrand.blogspot.com/2009/11/geeks.html

http://webrebrand.blogspot.com/2009/11/too-many-cooks-and-not-enough-kitchens.html


http://webrebrand.blogspot.com/2009/11/let-open-unfold.html

#13/2009

tree-1-1 part 2

NOTE: This is content from the web re:Brand posts going back to November 2010. We have kept the re:Brand posts as a legacy archive but, on a go forward basis as of October, 2011, the new DATA eh? content takes over this space.

So I mentioned quickly in the last post about attending a Social Web Workshop hosted by Chris Messina (open web advocate).  I could get into details about what open web is all about but suffice it to say it comes down to open and non-proprietary web for us users. That's a good thing if you like access and being able to function well in more than one place.
 

You can get more on open web here and about Chris here View the video segment at end of this blog

By extension he also talked about identities - yours, mine and friends and how important they are as capital.  We should be able to bring our identities with us in webworld. Think using a Google password to get into facebook or viceversa.

Anyway, lots and lots of information to process. Chris presented so much I'm still processing. Just a few of the quotables worth noting:

tree-1-1 part 1

NOTE: This is content from the web re:Brand posts going back to November 2010. We have kept the re:Brand posts as a legacy archive but, on a go forward basis as of October, 2011, the new DATA eh? content takes over this space.


This isn't going to make much sense until I can write more but ...

Attended a workshop yesterday hosted by Mr. Chris Messina (open web advocate).  A wonderful day of discovery.  One of the best outcomes for me was the discussion our COT group had around trees. We came up with a very plausible concept where City trees become a part of our soical media efforts.  Yes, you read that right "trees".  A bit inside but for anyone following the launch of Toronto's 311 we thought we could call it "tree-1-1"!

I'll blog more on the enitre day when I can fully get my thoughts around it all.  Meantime, you can follow Chirs @chrismessina and more.

#11/2009

1 week x 1 staff = 200 mails

NOTE: This is content from the web re:Brand posts going back to November 2010. We have kept the re:Brand posts as a legacy archive but, on a go forward basis as of October, 2011, the new DATA eh? content takes over this space.

The "hyper-engaged social media intelligentsia" (read: social media geeks) are saying e-mail is dying.  That may be true for some people but I suspect it's not true in the workplace yet. I'm just back after a week off over Thanksgiving. I had just under 200 e-mails waiting for me on my return and I figure that's lower than some people get.

Trend?
It's pretty clear some people are using Twitter and texting in place of mail. It's one way to crash through the e-mail clutter. (I did respond to tweets over the week away as a matter of fact).  But, the funny thing is, every time a new type of communication vehicle is introduced you have some who are slow to adopt/adapt and others who are on it right away.

the Write stuff

NOTE: This is content from the web re:Brand posts going back to November 2010. We have kept the re:Brand posts as a legacy archive but, on a go forward basis as of October, 2011, the new DATA eh? content takes over this space.

I'm conducting a web writing course today - blogging as the class writes.

I'm curious if you find our writing at toronto.ca too complicated?  In the course, we talk about the basics - short, good headlines, context clues for the reader to find more, etc. but is the writing getting better or worse?

Keeping short in mind, I'll end here. But, please, let me know here what you find good and bad about our writing at toronto.ca.

Thanks,

#9/2009

Vote early ... vote often

NOTE: This is content from the web re:Brand posts going back to November 2010. We have kept the re:Brand posts as a legacy archive but, on a go forward basis as of October, 2011, the new DATA eh? content takes over this space.

This isn't about the election next fall but rather I want to take a tongue in cheek quick track of something.

We had an anonymous comment on hating the colour blue on our website.

"I HATE that blue! it is very corporate and boring looking and looks like every website prototype in the universe. I don't see Toronto as blue, anyway."

Fare Media vs. Fair Language

A while back the TTC brought out a sticker on the Metro Pass - along with other security measures making it harder to fake a pass. What caught my eye was the writing on the sticker:

Search, Search, Where for art thou Search?

NOTE: This is content from the web re:Brand posts going back to November 2010. We have kept the re:Brand posts as a legacy archive but, on a go forward basis as of October, 2011, the new DATA eh? content takes over this space.


We just discovered a blog that highlights the challenges we face in improving our website. Landscape Designer talks about his experiences in trying to get a simple question answered. Where would you find the bylaws that regulate pool construction online?