Should Mayor Ballard initiative contests for best software applications

[Pat Coyle]

Fast Company - Want to know if there's construction in the Midtown Tunnel, or to track the spending of federal stimulus dollars on projects in the Five Boroughs? Check your iPhone. At least that's what Mayor Michael Bloomberg hopes you'll do. Bloomberg, making good on a promise of increased civic transparency for New Yorkers, initiated an annual contest this morning awarding cash prizes to Web developers that create innovative Internet and mobile applications using city data. More

"What we're trying to do here is create the connectedness that will benefit the city economically, civically and socially," Bloomberg told attendees of the Personal Democracy Forum, a conference on the intersection between technology and politics.

Should Mayor Ballard initiative contests for best software applications? Share your views here

[Bjorn Carlson]

I think this is an awesome idea! I currently work for a Web development firm, BitWise Solutions, and this is definitely an idea that I think would flourish among developers in a city like Indianapolis. There are many developers in the area that would love an opportunity to compete on something like this!

I actually had an idea last summer that would take the application concept and make it useful in traffic congestion. The application would pull data from many sources like the department of transportation, police and emergency, weather, GPS, etc. and give you an alternate route before you reach the congestion to avoid traffic jams and slow downs. Think of how much PAIN could be assuaged....that is until everyone starts using the app and taking the alternate route!

Nonetheless, competition typically breads innovation and creativity...so I say let the games begin!