Rock Creek Roundup (November 20 Edition)

Posted by: Meagen Ryan, Director of Strategy Nov 20, 2009 1 Comments

This week’s Rock Creek Roundup covers topics ranging from data accessibility and availability to “unfriending,” with an enlightening interview with Bev Godwin thrown in for good measure. Let’s take a look:

• When it comes to government transparency, the name of the game is data accessibility, not data display, according to a data mapping expert who spoke at the Web 2.0 expo in New York earlier this week. The reason, asserts Eric Gundersen of Development Seed, is that open source software and less expensive hardware have made it much easier for private individuals, nonprofit groups, and others to innovate and develop applications on their own. Gundersen’s point is certainly one worth consideration, especially within those government agencies that are mapping out their path to transparency via data availability and data display roadmaps. Perhaps the “accessibility first, display next” mantra is one we will see adopted more often.
• Speaking of data availability and the benefits of public involvement: Earlier this week, Massachusetts made available a 9 subject data catalog containing raw data focusing on areas like public safety, economics, health, transportation, and more. Folks at the White House are excited that state governments are getting involved in data transparency and public collaboration. According to the White House blog, “What makes this exciting is not merely having transportation information available in machine-readable formats, but that professional and amateur enthusiasts can then get together…to create new software applications and data visualizations to better enable public transit riders to track arrival times for the next subway, bus, or ferry. Publishing government information online facilitates this kind of useful collaboration between government and the public that transforms dry data into the tools that improve people’s lives.”
• “Meeting people where they are,” and having a “way for people to talk to you” are both benefits of government agencies using Facebook and other social networks, according to Gov 2.0 thought leader Bev Godwin. In an interview with Government Computer News, Godwin talks about social networking successes and challenges (including records management), handling feedback, and the importance of bringing together a multifaceted team around open source products that can enhance the value of your online presence. As with all Godwin interviews, this one is definitely worth a read.
• And just for fun: In a nod to the impact that social media and social networking are having on modern culture, the 2009 Oxford University Press recently announced its Word of the Year. “Unfriend”, a verb defined as “To remove someone as a ‘friend’ on a social networking site such as Facebook”, beat out “netbook”, “paywall,” and “sexting” to receive the top honor. Can’t wait to see if social networking terms will reign supreme when OUP announces its 2010 winner next year.

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Meagen Ryan

Director of Strategy

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