[CivicAccess-discuss] [OTT-GOSLING] Why Open Data Is More Important than Open Source

[Russell McOrmond]

   Sorry for replying late, but you know how things go..

On Tue, 10 Mar 2009, Tracey P. Lauriault wrote:

> I thought this was a provocative thought!
> Why Open Data Is More Important than Open
> Source<http://iandavis.com/blog/2009/03/open-data-open-source>

  Of course, Lessig's "Code: and other laws of cyberspace" is my 
counter-submission ;-)

   All government "data" could be released, but without the rules which 
automate government processes being open then the government cannot truly 
be transparent and accountable.  We currently live in a society which is 
trivially corruptible by introducing "errors" in the translation from 
legal code (Lessig's West Coast Code) to computer code (Lessig's East 
Coast Code).

   That said, I agree with what the blog says as far as the narrow areas 
that he appeared to be considering.  I don't think he was focused on 
government authored code or the automation of government policy, but "Off 
the Shelf" generic software which isn't all that critical.

-- 
  Russell McOrmond, Internet Consultant: <http://www.flora.ca/>
  Please help us tell the Canadian Parliament to protect our property
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