Massachusetts is leading the Open Data effort
The Massachusetts Information Technology Division (ITD) is now publishing open datasets online across most Secretariats:
Link to Massachusetts Open Data for RIA Developers
While this effort is just underway, Massachusetts has been recognized by the federal government as one of the few states to be publishing information online:
(http://www.data.gov/statedatasites).
Kickoff
Please join us on Thursday December 17th from 10:00 to 12:00 at One Ashburton Place, Boston, 21st floor conference rooms for the Massachusetts Open Data Initiative kick-off meeting. At the meeting, we'll be showing you some of the exciting things that have already been done with open data, will discuss next steps, and what you can do to help. Please join us.
MassDOT
Chris Dempsey (Asst. Secretary) and Josh Robin (Manager for Performance Reporting) engaged the developer community a few months ago, working with them to understand the optimum formats for open data and encouraging them to use that data to develop helpful applications for citizens.
So far, iPhone applications have been developed for people who use public transportation that didn't cost the state money to develop and maintain.
Other applications have been developed for other types of phones/devices and for the web. DOT also announced a pilot program where live GPS tracking data is now available on four major bus lines--some RIA developers are currently developing applications that will allow someone to go online and determine the real bus location in the warmth of their homes. Developers and citizens alike are abuzz about the possibilities.
Other examples
In San Francisco, many websites and applications have been created from government data including:
[list]
In Washington DC, the city made more than 200 real-time datasets available to the public as part of their Apps for Democracy contest, a city-sponsored competition that asked local web developers to build web applications that DC residents would find beneficial. The Apps for Democracy contest yielded an estimated 4000% return on investment for the city (http://www.istrategylabs.com/apps-for-democracy-yeilds-4000-roi-in-30-days-for-dcgov/), with over 45 applications being developed in 30 days.
[list]
We look forward to seeing you on the 17th.
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