Developers Using Government Data to Create Useful Apps

As mentioned previously, the data being provided to developers is completely raw, meaning no efforts have been made to highlight important information or discard what essentially amounts to useless junk. Basically, just because certain information is made available by the government, doesn't mean it's necessarily useful. Aside from having to sort through page after page of mundane facts, a developer who's researching data for their app will also have to understand the needs of their community, have an original idea, and be able to spot interesting and helpful information.

According to Saul Bloom, executive director of Arc Ecology, an environmental nonprofit group in San Francisco, it is the developer's ability to sort through all the data and handpick the useful information that will determine whether or not they create a successful and useful application. "In the most basic of forms, with regard to crime stats and unemployment numbers, these kinds of bulletin boards are very useful," Bloom said. "But on detailed data dealing with very complicated material, you really have to know what you're looking for in order to distinguish between good data and junk data."

Applications Making the Most of Government Data

One possible application a developer can create from sifting through all that raw data might provide users with the safest route home late at night. Indeed, that's an actual app that was created by Eric Gundersen; it's called Stumble Safely .

As a result of his app, Gunderson was able to create a company called Development Seed, which builds data and map applications for international development programs using recently released government data. Gunderson's Stumble Safely perfectly illustrates the kind of creativity cities are hoping to inspire when they turn over large portions of their data to developers and the public.

DC Bikes is another application that's recently experienced a great deal of success. This one shows users the best bike paths in the Washington area. Much like Stumble Safely, this application was created using nothing more than government data.

There's also CleanScores , a website that tracks restaurant inspection scores in cities across the country and explains any violations the restaurant may have had. Another app, called After School Special, will prove to be exceptionally helpful to parents in the San Francisco area. It compiles data from local schools, libraries, and restaurants so parents can not only only plan after-school activities for their children, but also see how their children's nutritional options stack up based on the neighborhood they're in.