What can we do with open access to Federal Governement data?

[Pat Coyle]

Can one guy really open up the Federal Government data vaults?
Wired - The Obama administration's most radical idea may also be its geekiest: (Data.gov) Make nearly every hidden government spreadsheet and buried statistic available online, all in one place. For anyone to see. (Read entire story at Wired.com)

The man in charge is the US government's first-ever chief information officer, Vivek Kundra. The goal of Kundra's new Web site, Data.gov, is to create a place where all the information is easy to find, sort, download, and manipulate. He wants to put as much data out there as possible, then sit back and let the private sector come up with great ways to use it. (more)

What can we do with open access to Federal Government data? Share your ideas here

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[Pat Coyle]

I'm pretty sure my friend, Doug Karr, created an app to help people map the whereabouts of sex offenders by zip code. I may be crazy...but even if he didn't, others have...http://www.mapsexoffenders.com/getreport.aspx. I believe this is one example of how a private company can take Gov data and make something useful out of it....what else have you guys seen? Or what else to you envision?

[Douglas Karr]

I actually didn't, but a friend Glenn did. He likes to keep a low profile since he's gotten many threats from the offenders.

[Pat Coyle]

oops. sorry.

[Mike Lombard]

Of course private industry will leverage the public data . This has already begun. NIC Inc. built a site for government transparency of the stimulus money. http://www.transparent-gov.com . Check it out!

[Patrick Sullivan]

The access levels may be new, but the use of public data by private sector companies to create information-based products and services isn't (Lexis-Nexis, Acxiom, Choicepoint, etc). Before jumping right in, though, I'd look over the Data Policy. While most of it applies to agencies making the data available, the feds are kind of serious about having private sector companies that use their data follow comparable privacy and security practices.

[Tim Piazza]

Doubtless, there is untapped wisdom in all of this data. By applying a far greater body of collective intelligence to the data sets, we can derive better solutions to myriad quality of life issues. For example, we ship produce across continents, only to have a percentage of it go to waste. A better understanding of produce consumption economics could have a dramatic impact on land, water, and air pollution. In another example, data overlays could show trends and patterns that even grandma could understand, such as how a higher investment in urban green spaces leads to an improved quality of life much more often than not.

I think the biggest change is that many people, when shown the data and results, they tend to believe the conclusions drawn with more conviction than if you simply tell them that data is out there and what it indicated. Transparency through open data leads to more trust in our leadership.

[Carol Lukemeyer]

I think it's a great idea. There is quite alot of information out there but it isn't easy to find. If you get a chance, check out Docuticker http://www.docuticker.com/ "compendium of 'grey literature' (reports published by government agencies, think tanks, research institutes and other public interest groups) available for free on the web." It is part of Resource Shelf http://www.resourceshelf.com/ which is put together by a couple of really talented librarians. The stuff is pretty amazing.

[Patrick Sullivan]

Here's an interesting use of public data- using voter registration data (supplied by secretaries of state) for targeted web ads. Keep in mind that there are state-state differences in how much individual data from voter registration databases can be released (and that the Help America Vote Act requires states to develop VR databases as a means to help ensure the accuracy of the rolls), and many states of limits on marketing use of VR data.

The linked article is a nice introduction to the issues.

http://www.clickz.com/3634196

[Steve Stuck]

From a government standpoint, I don't see why the Executive branch is devising this program and will have final say on some of the information. While I understand the concept of gathering up all the information so taxpayers can find it, the executive branch doing this is not wise.

As someone who studies the workings of government, many reports showing stats go untouched by all levels of government if they do not fit their policies. Take for instance a report called "The Federal Governments Financial Health" report that has to be released every December. This report never gets mentioned by the President's who serve because of the dire outlook that keeps getting worse every year. The Treasurery Sec. and Comptroller submit their economic forecast for government spending and programs. Sustainability of most of our social programs are bleak, yet Congress/Senate/President barely talk about this yearly report. This is just one example of to show how facts are not talked about in our current state of government.

[Thomas Ho]

If you're really into government "transparency" here are a couple of people to follow on Twitter:

Craig Newmark (founder of Craigslist)
Ellen Miller (Co-Founder and Executive Director of Sunlight Foundation)

[Pat Coyle]

Personal Democracy Forum is discussing this topic here