By the DATA eh? team
TG: Yes, very much so.
We learned early in that waiting for the perfect data set or perfect
presentation wasn't a good thing. We heard very loudly from the developer
community to just keep on keeping on in getting data out early and often. We
also learned that we shouldn't expect to be the only people involved in
figuring it all out. We think the DATA eh? space can solidify organically. We
created the space but didn't want to spend endless hours meeting around every
possible aspect of what it is or could become. Let's push it out and see.
DATA eh? # 2
DATA eh?: Hi Trish, you are
listed on the blog as an author but, today, we want to speak to you in your
role as an Open Data champion and strategist for the City of Toronto. Rather
than interview yourself, we thought we'd pose some questions for you.
TG: OK
DATA eh?: Tell us why DATA eh?
is important to you?
TG: Our Open Data
initiative has been around going on two years. We've been hearing from
communities beyond the developers and users of Open Data, that we need to
provide bridges between the technical and the casual. Kind of like allowing
more room for discussion by the users vs. the creators of applications – hence
a spot to have conversations and provide links to interesting outcomes around
City of Toronto data.
DATA eh?: Aren't they two very
different audiences?
TG: Yes, very much so
and I'd even add a third: people who understand what Open Data is all about but
aren't interested in using it directly but agree it's good.
DATA eh?: And all of these
people are going to engage?
TG: Probably not but we
realize we have to start somewhere in extending dialogue. To date, we've seen
great pick up from our @Open_TO twitter account but, again, that's from the
developer community mostly. We think, if you have any curiosity about data, or Open Government even, you will get something out of a City of Toronto space allowing
for conversations and information sharing. A large part of the success or
failure will be around readers diving in and helping to set a direction.
DATA eh?: We've often heard
you say that Open Data is messy. Is this a part of that sentiment?
DATA eh?: And if no one comes?
TG: Now, don't be
negative! Seriously, we've always taken from the get go around Open Data that we want
to be positive and see things half full. We take any interaction as valuable be
it one or a thousand and one. We'll never know what forum or space is going to
have take-up unless we try. To anyone reading this right now, join in and
comment and let us know what you think this "sandbox" can be.
DATA eh?: We are calling DATA
eh? a sandbox to meet, play, chat and crunch data. So, here is the spot to
chat?
TG: Exactly, on the main
DATA eh? page, we are pushing links to City of Toronto content that leverages
data. We'll also be adding news items to things of interest – not only ours.
And, we really hope to have spots of content where anyone interested can play
around with data to see what comes up. We want them to use the same data we use
and help frame conclusions. All in all, we see the entire DATA eh? presence as
a spot for people to meet up (at least virtually) and see where it goes from
there. We know many readers are just passive participants – they may not
comment or overtly engage but we still want them to get value out of this Open
Data revolution!
DATA eh?: We've learned to
keep things shorter rather than longer, so we'll continue our conversation in a
future post. You good with that?
TG: Indeed, in fact I'd
like to come back soon with some information on the G4 initiative between us at
the City of Toronto and Ottawa, Edmonton and Vancouver. We're not alone in Open
Data.
DATA eh?: Sweet. Thanks Trish.
DATA eh? # 2
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