About Change and Open Data

[Sergio Ontiveros]

For most people is easier to understand (and learn) something new by
example.

Having an example based approach is always a good idea and it may
facilitate entry of newcomers into a movement.

Looking at what other cities do, will spark creativity even further
(joining ideas or even efforts) and give reassurance something is good
or not.
At the same time there are unique aspects to be considered for Ottawa
and perhaps each one we find should be emphasized.

As a follower of the Open Data movement across cities, I came across
an article (below) as an example of the the benefits of Open Data for
a city, SF in this case.

One pattern that comes across movements is that cities and local
movements will start pulling 'low hanging fruit':
working with simple and small projects and with data that it exists
already or is relatively easy to access and therefore Open Data
endeavors sometimes might have a less dramatic impact (read Change).

The key is that subsequent iterations of these projects will have
greater impact by combining and evolving existing solutions (well
designed Open Source projects are key here) that will then have
further impact.
I suspect that by then, a minimum Open Data 'literacy' will be
required to keep creating Change and innovating.

About this literacy, one part that might go unnoticed is that this it
applies to all of us: not just technical-enabled citizen but
population in general, business, other movements and of particular
importance: governments and politicians.
*Ideally* citizens / politicians will have an easier job as their
support / decision making process when is backed with data that is
available to anyone.

Perhaps change and open data are two sides of the same coin... open
data will create change and change occurs with open data.

Here is the article
http://www.csedev.com/the-benefits-of-open-data-by-local-government/


Sergio Ontiveros