Civic Innovation
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Toward Better Tools For Context in Civic Data Using Private Data Sources
Now that civic data is a normal part of the atmosphere in Chicago, it’s time to start mining private data sources to make automated context a natural part of our Web infolives. By that, I mean the addition of information about a subject that is generated without human intervention. My experience as the person responsible…
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Needed in the Civic Apps World: Less Data, More Love
Last week I helped announce the finalists for the Community Round of the Apps For Metro Chicago contest. Before reading the list of the 10 worthy apps that have moved on to the finals, I shared some thoughts (video here) about the current state of the movement around civic apps. Here they are, written down:…
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Incomplete Take on the History of Open Data in Chicago
In light of today’s official open data launch by Cook County, I wanted to do a top-of-the-head post about what I know– and what I’ve heard from people who know more– about the history of open data in Chicago. Data journalism has long been a main driver of the open data movement. The current (and…
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Leaving EveryBlock to Lead the Smart Chicago Collaborative
I’m excited to announce that this week I have started as the first Executive Director of the Smart Chicago Collaborative. Here’s more: Smart Chicago Collaborative is a new entity that will spearhead information technology-based neighborhood development projects by investing in infrastructure, programs and applications that will make the resources of high-speed Internet more accessible, useful…
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Open Data Product Idea: Severe Weather Community Center
Monday’s short but devastating storm in Chicago reminded me again of a product based on open data that I wish someone would make: a Severe Weather Community Center. I think there would be two parts to this: historical knowledge/ learnings/ upshots and a ready-to-go infrastructure when things go south. I picture the historical info to…