http://politicalbs.com/ politicalbs.com » Steven Clift's Notes - Democracies Online Gregarius 0.5.4 en http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/2FgMFgmOdXAT6X9RgIaaEK Thu, 09 Sep 2010 23:19:00 -0500 http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/2FgMFgmOdXAT6X9RgIaaEK Full speech: [www.j-lab.org] From: Bill Densmore > Date: Thu, Sep 9, 2010 at 3:16 PM Subject: {JTM} PJNet - Blog – J-Lab’s Lessons Learned from 55 Citizen News Projects To: Bill Densmore >, Norman Sims >, [pjnet.org] ]]> http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/2ug9QXXvLELJPU1wcC6ij4 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 08:04:00 -0500 http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/2ug9QXXvLELJPU1wcC6ij4 This is a really big deal - for years I've talked about how it is impossible for one local government to justify subsidizing the technology needs of other governments. Bundling up, sharing, and supporting code just can't be paid solely by one jurisdiction's taxpayers. The Civic Commons has the potential to grease the wheel and allow some real sharing. Key is to find resources and partners to bolster the support for sharing and to recognize that "civic code" used by a government in one place, might be used by a non-profit in another, etc. I think "e-democracy/e-participation" tools for example could benefit strongly from these efforts. One thing we are contributing to this "space," working with OpenPlans on (a lead Civic Commons partner) is a simple online group for locally minded technologists - those in government, citizen geeks, etc. - if you code, design, etc. join up: [e-democracy.org] Steven Clift E-Democracy.org P.S. In Europe they have - [www.osor.eu] - "The Open Source Observatory and Repository for European public administrations (OSOR) is a platform for exchanging information, experiences and FLOSS-based code for use in public administrations." Hey, time to meet. See: [civiccommons.com] About In the face of budget crises, government entities at every level must cut costs and find efficiencies. An enormous opportunity lies in their IT infrastructure — the technology they require to provide their citizens essential services. For the most part, each city, county, state, agency and office builds or buys their technology solutions independently, creating huge redundancies in civic software and wasting millions of tax-payer dollars. They should be able to work together. An independent non-profit organization, Civic Commons will help these institutions share code and best practices, reform procurement practices, and learn to function not only as a provider of services but as a platform to which an ecosystem of industry can add value for government and its citizens. Civic Commons is a collaboration between many organizations, including: Code for America, OpenPlans [E-Democracy.org is signing on as a supporter as well - Steve] What We Do Civic Commons is just starting as an organization, however, we are committed to the following: * Facilitating the sharing of code among government entities, with an eye towards developing an “Open Civic Stack” * Connecting governments throughout all phases of technology procurement, and building systems for more transparent & informed technology choices * Developing and supporting Open Data and Open Standards as foundations of an “Open Civic API” * Spreading government technology best practices * Building a community of “civic hackers” and give them clear opportunities to assist in the development of government technology Values & Principles The following principles guide the development of Civic Commons’ activities: * Be Agile. While being inclusive and open, retain the ability to move quickly and prove ideas through actions * Be a Connector * Never get in the way. For efforts that are already successfully under way, Civic Commons’ role is to be an information exchange, to provide discoverability, and to provide advice where needed; not to set up barriers or process requirements More: [codeforamerica.org] Sep 8th, 2010 Announcing Civic Commons by Jennifer Pahlka Jennifer Pahlka Today we are here at the Gov 2.0 Summit in Washington DC for the exciting announcement of the Code for America project for DC. The project is called Civic Commons, and it’s a way to help governments share software they have developed, and thereby reduce IT costs, foster collaboration, and spur innovation. ... Finally Bryan got a gleam in his eye and said, “You know, DC doesn’t need another cool software project. What we need is a way to share what we have with other cities, and for them to be able to share what they build with us.” When Tim suggested that the Code for America Fellows assigned to DC could focus on solving this bigger problem, Bryan jumped at the chance. .... Steven Clift - [stevenclift.com]   Executive Director - [E-Democracy.Org]   Follow me - [twitter.com]   New Tel: +1.612.234.7072 ]]> http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/3zihgiSOShHFT96cIefpHN Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:34:00 -0500 http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/3zihgiSOShHFT96cIefpHN See: [Clearspending.com] From: Gabriela Schneider > Date: Wed, Sep 8, 2010 at 11:37 AM Subject: [sunlightlabs] Sunlight ID's $1.3T in "broken" federal spending data Today, Sunlight announced Clearspending.com, a new website and "scorecard" that analyzes how well U.S. government agencies are reporting their spending data on USASpending.gov. Sunlight's analysis reveals that more than $1.3 trillion in federal reporting data from 2009 is broken. These data inaccuracies account for half of the total $2.6 trillion in government spending data reported last year. Clearspending offers a critique on the reliability of data from USASpending.gov, across three metrics--consistency, completeness and timeliness--and covers spending from 2007, 2008 and 2009. You can read all about it over at Clearspending.com, and I hope you will -- in addition to our analysis that looked at millions of rows of data, we spent a lot of time talking to officials at all levels of the reporting chain. There's also a larger point about this analysis: it's not news -- not really (especially to all of you).  Yet, instead of fixing those problems, those responsible for USASpending.gov decided to build new websites on top of the same lousy data, collecting superficial plaudits from advocates who were excited about the apparent potential of the site, but didn't have sufficiently direct access to the data to see its flaws. Sunlight's analysis isn't just about one website -- it's about the way we keep tabs on our society's use of its resources. We shouldn't let these systems become afterthoughts. Read more from Sunlight's Executive Director Ellen Miller on our blog at: [blog.sunlightfoundation.com] and from Sunlight Labs Director Tom Lee: [sunlightlabs.com] I encourage you to give us your feedback in the comments section of our blog(s). ]]> http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/FKkVG9wT17y0uQhksc4na Wed, 08 Sep 2010 07:58:00 -0500 http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/FKkVG9wT17y0uQhksc4na I ask Tim to share this announcement for DoWire.org. Note how he allows comments paragraph by paragraph in his report. Very cool. - Steve From: Tim Davies > Date: Wed, Sep 8, 2010 at 2:35 AM Subject: Re: Could you draft a note for DoWire about your dissertation? 'Open data, democracy and public sector reform' is a report based on a recent MSc dissertation taking a look at the policy and practice of using open government data from data.gov.uk. It's now up as an online document at [practicalparticipation.co.uk] In looking at how open government data is being used in practice it draws out a number of themes, including: **Data is not just for developers** - there is a tendency to focus on machine-readable data for large scale visualisations and mash-ups; but data can be useful to individual citizens or local citizen activists, finding facts within spreadsheets and campaigning for change locally. **Open government data changes the gatekeepers, and the role of civic actors** - now mainstream media, independent citizens, companies and different levels of government are all afforded the possibility of advancing their own interpretations of data. Government, however, retains some (significant?) gate-keeping power by setting the categories and structure in which data is recorded and released. Debates over the meaning of data become more important - and the capacity of local democratic actors to be part of those debates again needs to be developed. **Open government data can support innovation in public services** - predominantly through improving the 'markets' for public service innovation - allowing social and commercial entrepreneurs to work with government data, and preventing exclusive access to data being an anti-competitive advantage for certain firms. However, the research didn't find cases where open government data was successfully facilitating 'citizen led' forms of public service innovation involving local communities discussing and debating how services operated. **A focus on digitizing government underlies much open government data supply and use, and can lead to concerns of politics, power and justice being under-valued in the development of open government data infrastructure** - and we need more articulation and focus on real-live civic use-cases of open government data to inform the development of open data infrastructures. All comments and feedback on the report welcome - particularly to help shape thinking about what to do with the research next. [www.timdavies.org.uk] 07834 856 303. @timdavies Co-director of Practical Participation: [www.practicalparticipation.co.uk] ]]> http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/2ldAgPH6rWV0xQPIN72UiG Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:58:00 -0500 http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/2ldAgPH6rWV0xQPIN72UiG Also note: [www.casefoundation.org] [www.casefoundation.org] From: Kammerer, Chelsea Date: Tue, Sep 7, 2010 at 3:37 PM Subject: Challenge.gov Today marks the launch of [www.challenge.gov,] a site that empowers the U.S. Government and the public to bring the best ideas and top talent to bear on our nation’s most pressing challenges. Below is a blog post from Tom Kalil, Deputy Director for Policy in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, that just went up explaining the site.  The official press release and fact sheet can be found below the post as well. Thanks for taking a look! Prize Platform Invites Citizens to Solve Nation’s Challenges [www.whitehouse.gov] Posted by Tom Kalil on September 07, 2010 at 03:26 PM EDT In search of novel solutions to the tricky problem of how to keep astronauts fit during prolonged periods of weightlessness, NASA found an unlikely ally in Alex Altshuler.  Altshuler works for a mechanical engineering firm in Foxboro, MA. He had never before responded to a formal government Request for Proposal (RFP), let alone worked with NASA.  Yet, the exercise device he designed in response to a NASA challenge constituted a major breakthrough in mitigating the loss of bone and muscle density in astronauts.  NASA dubbed the results “outstanding.” Citizen solvers like Altshuler are at the heart of the Obama Administration’s commitment (pdf) to increase the use of prizes and challenges to solve tough problems.  Prizes allow the government to articulate bold goals – such as building a super-fuel-efficient car, developing a low-cost launch technology for small satellites, or solving the risks to human health that come with space flight – without having to predict which team or approach is most likely to succeed.  With a strict focus on results, prizes empower new, untapped talent – like Altshuler – to deliver novel solutions that accelerate innovation. As of today, it is easier than ever for Federal agencies to mobilize American ingenuity to solve our Nation’s most pressing problems.  In a joint keynote presentation at the Gov 2.0 Summit in Washington, U.S. Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra and U.S. Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra unveiled (pdf) Challenge.gov, a one-stop-shop where entrepreneurs, innovators, and citizen solvers can compete for prestige and prizes by providing novel solutions to tough problems, large and small. Challenge.gov features (pdf) over 35 challenges posed by more than 15 government agencies.  They range from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Game Day Challenge for the university that best reduces and recycles waste at college football games to a $15 million Department of Energy prize for the lighting manufacturer that meets stringent requirements for the next generation of high-quality, high-efficiency light bulbs. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack used the platform today to announce a new challenge: USDA’s Recipes for Healthy Kids Challenge—part of the First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Initiative—which invites school nutrition professionals, chefs, students, and parents to develop nutritious, kid-approved foods for school menus. “The Recipes for Healthy Kids Challenge is an important contribution to our overall efforts to combat childhood obesity,” the First Lady said in a statement.  “It’s vital that we provide our children with healthy and nutritious food in school and help them learn healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.” These challenges are just a handful of those featured on Challenge.gov and just a taste of what’s to come.  By making it simple and free to post challenges, Challenge.gov will accelerate agency adoption of prizes as a means of spurring innovation. To share your novel solutions, compete for prizes and prestige, and advance our national priorities, visit www.challenge.gov. Official Press Release: [www.whitehouse.gov] Official Fact Sheet: [www.whitehouse.gov] ]]> http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/2TkBDYD1rpmX3o6w3W1kA5 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:29:00 -0500 http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/2TkBDYD1rpmX3o6w3W1kA5 Join us: [pages.e-democracy.org] On Thursday, September 16, join E-Democracy Executive Director Steven Clift for a dynamic and informal discussion among those interested in online participation, transparency, and all things "2.0" with local neighborhoods, communities, and government. We will talk about the spread of CityCamp unconferences as well (we host the online group). Steve will be speaking Friday on a panel at the California League of Cities conference hosted by the Institute on Local Government. * Who: You, please list yourself below. * Where: Odysea, San Diego Hilton Bayfront * When: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 16 * RSVP not required, but please list yourself below. Ask for "E-Democracy" if you have trouble finding us. We will use #citycamp and #edem on Twitter for last minute updates. Yes, I am interested in participating - RSVP -not- required ... Add your name, org, link, etc. below by pressing ... [pages.e-democracy.org] Steven Clift - [stevenclift.com]   Executive Director - [E-Democracy.Org]   Follow me - [twitter.com]   New Tel: +1.612.234.7072 ]]> http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/42SOoRAgUmUuTDAepbfOlh Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:16:00 -0500 http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/42SOoRAgUmUuTDAepbfOlh On a related theme, note "Open Data: Empowering the Empowered or Effective Data Use for Everyone?" : [bit.ly] And: [www.danah.org] danah boyd (Forthcoming). "White Flight in Networked Publics? How Race and Class Shaped American Teen Engagement with MySpace and Facebook." In Digital Race Anthology (Eds. Lisa Nakamura and Peter Chow-White). Routledge. From: [www.economist.com] E-communication and society A cyber-house divided Online as much as in the real world, people bunch together in mutually suspicious groups—and in both realms, peacemaking is an uphill struggle Sep 2nd 2010 | washington, dc IN 2007 Danah Boyd heard a white American teenager describe MySpace, the social network, as “like ghetto or whatever”. At the time, Facebook was stealing members from MySpace, but most people thought it was just a fad: teenagers tired of networks, the theory went, just as they tired of shoes. But after hearing that youngster, Ms Boyd, a social-media researcher at Microsoft Research New England, felt that something more than whimsy might be at work. “Ghetto” in American speech suggests poor, unsophisticated and black. That led to her sad conclusion: in their online life, American teenagers were recreating what they knew from the physical world—separation by class and race. A generation of digital activists had hoped that the web would connect groups separated in the real world. The internet was supposed to transcend colour, social identity and national borders. But research suggests that the internet is not so radical. People are online what they are offline: divided, and slow to build bridges. More: [www.economist.com] ... How do we successfully build bridges online? This is something I'd like to discuss on the international Digital Inclusion Network: [e-democracy.org] Steven Clift - [stevenclift.com]   Executive Director - [E-Democracy.Org]   Follow me - [twitter.com]   New Tel: +1.612.234.7072 ]]> http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/DukA6W1JTB2794FoK6XDi Mon, 06 Sep 2010 09:57:00 -0500 http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/DukA6W1JTB2794FoK6XDi Note the base exploring use in "governance": [www.govsm.com] [www.govsm.com] Steven Clift - [stevenclift.com]   Executive Director - [E-Democracy.Org]   Follow me - [twitter.com]   New Tel: +1.612.234.7072 From: josh.s > Date: Mon, Sep 6, 2010 at 8:24 AM Subject: [COG] Help with government and social media wiki To: Citizens For OpenGov > Hi everyone, this is my first post on COG so bear with me. My name is Josh Shpayher and I recently launched a wiki that tracks governmental use of social media - [www.govsm.com] . It's gotten a decent amount of press early on and there have been many requests for new pages to be added, especially in the short term. I am looking for some volunteers to help me collect data - specifically links to congressional campaign facebook pages, twitter pages etc. I have started work on the House page, but it's over 800 entries long. [www.govsm.com] Of course, campaign information is time sensitive - the sooner it's online, the more time it has to be a value before the election. If you have some time to spare over the next week or two, please let me know, I'd really like to get this up as soon as possible after the House comes back into session. Thanks so much! Josh ]]> http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/4CpAKRBGf6UdlhHt6ztzn8 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 08:59:00 -0500 http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/4CpAKRBGf6UdlhHt6ztzn8 Note, if you attend to be sure to say hello to Julia Opoti and Boa Lee our Community Outreach Leaders: [e-democracy.org] Early bird pricing through Sept. 7 - Note the special seminar on "Online Media and Your Neighbor" hosted by Nancy White - [www.communitymatters.org] - and a number of "2.0" themed sessions. - SLC See: [www.communitymatters.org] October 5-8, 2010, Denver, CO A four-day conference of novel tools and solutions, instructive discussions and hands-on experiences for citizens and community builders ... About CommunityMatters '10 It’s 2010. Your community has never faced more pressing issues, and it has never had a better opportunity to solve them. Whether you’re struggling with empty storefronts, changing demographics, or the loss of local character, your challenges matter. Whether you have years of experience or you’re just starting out, your ideas matter. And whether you’re working in a mountain town in the Rockies, a booming suburb in the heartland, or a rural village in the Northeast, your community matters. Why Come to CommunityMatters'10®? CommunityMatters ’10 is a unique innovation-action experience—a coalition of leaders, thinkers and doers committed to building strong, vibrant communities from the ground up. Mind-expanding speakers, a multidisciplinary approach and the opportunity to build lasting connections make CommunityMatters’10 invaluable to your life and work. Come prepared for four days of fresh perspectives, instructive discussions, hands-on experiences, and novel solutions to the challenges facing small cities and towns across America. At the end, you’ll leave with dozens of new ideas and tools, a better sense of where the world (and your town) is headed, a new network of relationships and lasting inspiration to help you create a stronger community and a better world. What to Expect at CM10 MEET people from communities across the country who are working to improve their towns; EXPLORE new and time-tested techniques for citizen engagement, visualization, decision-making, communications and more; ENGAGE with others to tackle the most important ideas, challenges and solutions facing small towns and communities today and into the future; and ACT on what you learn by going home with a suite of tools, ideas, connections and inspiring examples to make your community stronger. What people had to say about CommunityMatters'07: "It was great to connect with other practioners who are asking the same questions and working on creative options. As with last year's Conference, I left feeling energized and inspired." "Smart folks taking on big, important challenges." "I've been to a lot of very good conferences and this was right up there with the best of them." "CommunityMatters is helping to build a network that matters, because it's based around people and places." Steven Clift - [stevenclift.com]   Executive Director - [E-Democracy.Org]   Follow me - [twitter.com]   New Tel: +1.612.234.7072 ]]> http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/3JKRXVPhLywpqKIkwycJo Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:02:00 -0500 http://groups.dowire.org/r/post/3JKRXVPhLywpqKIkwycJo Only 107 of them! [www.slideshare.net] Steven Clift - [stevenclift.com]   Executive Director - [E-Democracy.Org]   Follow me - [twitter.com]   New Tel: +1.612.234.7072 ]]>