The benefits of openness can be found around the globe. In these past few years working with local transparency activists, I have been collecting examples on how opening up data (especially government data) can help improve our lives. What I’ve …

Arguments for data transparency — a list for advocates Read more »

The first fruits of Google’s inaugural Government Innovation Lab are nearly ripe. In California’s Central Valley, Kern County has announced two prototypes envisioned as remedies for a number of civic challenges. The first prototype is what officials call a Virtual …

Google Government Innovation Lab Reveals First Prototypes Read more »

Saturday morning marked the official launch of the #openaus hashtag, a place for ongoing discussion of financial and political transparency as it relates to open data. The chat was an opportunity to share a proposed change to the Corporations Act …

Overview of initial #openaus Twitter chat Read more »

In order to provide health services to citizens the public health sector is required to collect rich and varied data pertaining to all aspects of the sector – everything from location of pharmacies, to what is in our prescriptions drugs, …

Saludos – health and open data in Uruguay and Argentina Read more »

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Efforts to bring open data into, well, the open have touched off widespread discussion as to just where the use of the information is headed, and whether there is a need for expanded oversight and state legislation. …

California Plans Next Moves for Open Data Read more »

Yelp exists to empower and protect consumers, and we’re continually focused on how we can enhance our service while enhancing the ability for consumers to make smart transactional decisions along the way. A few years ago, we partnered with local …

Yelp’s Consumer Protection Initiative: ProPublica Partnership Brings Medical Info to Yelp Read more »

America is well acquainted with his culinary expletives. From “f—ing rancid potatoes!” to “f—ing cucumbers!” to “I’ve got [cockroaches] in my f—ing hair!,” his reality TV rage has become a hallmark. But beyond the antics — most erupting from his …

Food Inspection App, API Put Restaurants Under the Microscope Read more »

California is at a crossroads. Sacramento continues to get failing grades for transparency. Our state government is not taking advantage of tech tools developed locally that are changing the world. But, there’s a bill with strong bipartisan support in front …

Open Data for California? Read more »

Gathering at its San Francisco headquarters June 10, the civic innovation group Code for America (CfA) showcased a lineup of latest apps and efforts for eight localities in 2015. Tagged as its BETA event, the meeting provided a status update …

The Future of Civic Tech: 8 Localities Showcase Their Initiatives Read more »

Gordon Hutchinson was resuscitated with a defibrillator by staff at Trafford Leisure

According to the British Heart Foundation: a cardiac arrest happens when your heart stops pumping blood around your body. If someone has suddenly collapsed, is not breathing normally and is unresponsive, they are in cardiac arrest. The most common cause …

Saving lives with Defibrillators in Trafford Read more »