[kictanet] Fwd: Open Data - Where does it sit?

[aki]

Dear Paul, Thank you for the response.

Kindly find some comments inline for some further discussion. :-)

On Wed, Jul 13, 2011 at 8:12 PM, Paul Kukubo <pkukubo at ict.go.ke> wrote:

> I would like to shift the discussion if I may to what people can do
> with the data? What data is missing? how citizens are using it. What
> possible value additions we can have?
>

I hope you've added my request for the debt datasets.





>
> Socrata.com is an online hosted service that enables data to be
> visualized to enable graphs and charts and data comparisons with ease.
> This visualization is what gives meaning to the data in a way that the
> common citizens can view it. The benefits of doing this quickly for
> launch and citizen access far outweigh the cost of waiting for the
> time it would have taken for us to develop a similar online
> application locally. One the same website we have published the same
> lists of data in their original formats.
>


>
> Indeed we have spoken to many software developers who have suggested
> that they can replicate this The data is there for anyone to replicate
> it on any website. What we have indicated to software developers is to
> take the plunge into imagining solutions that are based on have access
> to that data.  This is where the greatest value is.
>
> The issue of local hosting has our attention and we will resolve it,
> not just with a local data centre, that is not the limitation, but the
> replication of a similar online tool to visualize the data.
>
> This campaign has to be about the benefits of open data. Knowledge,
> empowerment, commerce entrepreneurship, citizen participation. By
> crusading for, lobbying and obtaining data that was previously only in
> thick books, PS Dr Ndemo has broken ground for us. By launching this
> HE President Kibaki has demonstrated Kenya's commitment to citizen
> access.
>



>
> Once the entrepreneurs developers have a system that can replicate or
> even improve or add value to Socrata, or even improve on Socrata and
> Google's public data tools, the hosting decisions will be easy. As an
> implementing agency, we are committed to working with all to make this
> happen. There is much to be done.
>

This is the whole problem right here with a wrong approach by developing
countries governments. Please stop burying your heads in the sand.. How can
Kenyan developers or companies compare developments level to match that of
Socrata ( Most likely VC funded, development investments probably running
into millions of dollars  )  or Google ( a multi-million dollar
global industry leader on its own ). How are you expecting kenyan
developers/companies to put literally millions of shillings into a system
over night that there is no base foundation to build upon? The VC system
works in developed countries, it will not work here in the technology
sector, that is why there is not much happening in the software development
sectors.  It is imperative for the Govt to be the critical catalyst in early
stages of such projects and also provide the financial rewards for
creativity. When is the Govt going to announce a developer challenge for the
creation and hosting of the replacement of the Socrata system with our own
definitions of requirements and rollout for local companies to participate
in the creation of the ultimate core system?

Let this be a beginning of what the future of Kenya holds for local
development, which will compliment the Open Data Initiative.
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