Wanted: Developers for Open Data Day

Software developers of all ages who have a passion for open government will gather in several dozen cities around the world Saturday Feb. 23 for the fourth annual International Open Data Day.

There are some 70 events scheduled so far, from hackathons to lectures, in 25 cities including Victoria, B.C.; Vancouver, Calgary, Hamilton, Ont.; Toronto, the Niagara Falls area and Montreal.

Some locations haven’t been firmed up yet. But Montreal has an extensive agenda with an expected 100 people participating.

David Eaves, a Vancouver-based open data expert and one of the originators of the idea, says the day is aimed at encouraging local politicians and bureaucrats to open government datasets to the public, and encouraging citizens to create new applications using the data.

“It’s a little like a festival,” he said in an interview Thursday. “In some places it’s strict hackathon, where only developers show up and try to create cool projects they think are civically-minded. In other places there are workshops teaching citizens how to understand data using open data. In other places its more teaching public servants about open data and why it should matter.”

The open data movement – pushed by activists and embraced by an increasing number of governments – takes the principle that data amassed by jurisdictions belongs to the taxpayers who paid for it.

Citizens, and sometimes bureaucrats, are reconfiguring datasets to help people learn about what government is doing or to help them in their lives – for example, by creating easy to understand graphics on where taxes go, or a database of rental property infractions to help tenants.

Ideally, some information will help entrepreneurs create new businesses from knowing, for example, where every municipal lamp post is (ideal if you want to set up a WiFi mesh network).

Initially several Canadian municipalities led the way here, but the Harper government has recently been active.

It’s not too late to sign up for an event, or to start organizing one in your community.

For general information on Open Data Day, click here

Register here for Vancouver’s event.   

Here are links to events around the world, including Canadian cities.

Would you recommend this article?

Share

Thanks for taking the time to let us know what you think of this article!
We'd love to hear your opinion about this or any other story you read in our publication.


Jim Love, Chief Content Officer, IT World Canada

Featured Download

Howard Solomon
Howard Solomon
Currently a freelance writer, I'm the former editor of ITWorldCanada.com and Computing Canada. An IT journalist since 1997, I've written for several of ITWC's sister publications including ITBusiness.ca and Computer Dealer News. Before that I was a staff reporter at the Calgary Herald and the Brampton (Ont.) Daily Times. I can be reached at hsolomon [@] soloreporter.com

Featured Articles

Empowering the hybrid workforce: how technology can build a better employee experience

Across the country, employees from organizations of all sizes expect flexibility...

What’s behind the best customer experience: How to make it real for your business

The best customer experience – the kind that builds businesses and...

Overcoming the obstacles to optimized operations

Network-driven optimization is a top priority for many Canadian business leaders...

Thriving amid Canada’s tech talent shortage

With today’s tight labour market, rising customer demands, fast-evolving cyber threats...

Staying protected and compliant in an evolving IT landscape

Canadian businesses have changed remarkably and quickly over the last few...

Related Tech News

Tech Jobs

Our experienced team of journalists and bloggers bring you engaging in-depth interviews, videos and content targeted to IT professionals and line-of-business executives.

Tech Companies Hiring Right Now