It’s been a while since my last post, so i thought I would provide an update at where we are with some of our projects.
Fixit Ottawa
After FixitOttawa was open-sourced under the Affero GPL last fall , VisibleGovernment.ca ran with the project and ported things from PHP to Django which is now running on the official FixMyStreet.ca site.
New Cities on Board
In the past several months, we’ve seen prince Edward Island, Montreal come on board at FixMyStreet.ca. Hamilton is in the works and I have heard some rumblings of a Halifax-specific release. If you’re interested in getting your municipality involved, get in touch and we can share what has worked for others getting their own cities on board. See here for more details.
iPhone App
I’ve been doing some work on an iPhone App that should be ready to go this fall. The app will allow you to take a geo-tagged photo, select a category, subject, and description, and send your report directly to the appropriate supported city via FixMyStreet.ca. If you’re a seasoned iPhone developer, we could always do with some help. Get in touch if you’re interested.
Calls for Open Data in Ottawa
We’ve seen some exciting progress in Canadian cities this year with Toronto, Vancouver, Nanaimo, among others, either start providing raw data to their citizens, or having committed to doing so by the end of the year. If anyone is aware of anyone working on a draft a motion for the City of Ottawa in the regard, I’d love to get in touch and help get the motion the attention it deserves, and if not, I’d be happy to help lead the charge. Also, please help us compile a ranked list of datasets you’d like to see the City provide by posting and voting up your suggestions here.
*As a side note, some interesting data is now available via the Interactive Traffic map site, including NCC bike trail polygons, parking lots, traffic cameras and signs, and incident data.
I recently received the following update from my city councillor on the subject:
With respect to your inquiry regarding the City’s Open Data Policy. Staff have been reviewing the City’s Data Dissemination policy with a view to reporting to City Council in Q1 / 2010. The report will examine the City’s current policy in the context of national and international efforts to increase the accessibility of data produced and obtained by government organisations. City staff have been engaged with our Canadian municipal counterparts on these types of initiatives.
In addition to the policy review, we are working towards the launch of a municipal Open Data website; the target date for the launch of the site is Q1 / 2010. The Open Data website activity is being lead by Communications and Information Technology Services.
Phase One of the activity focuses on a soft launch that will see approximately 10-20 data sets made available via the site in machine-readable format. The site will contain information including: a data catalogue, terms of use, data set specific information (currency, accuracy, source, ownership etc.) data formats, and a feedback mechanism to capture public input. Phase Two will seek to expand the number of data sets, refine internal processes, improve analytics, and increase public and internal participation.
Sorry, should have clarified..the city in question is Ottawa. The message was from the office of Christine Leadman, Kitchissippi Ward Councillor.