pompeyjohn
March 12th, 2006, 04:25 AM
Hi there,
I am putting together an article which I have interest in from a major UK newspaper. The newspaper in question has recently started a campaign to make government collected information freely available. At present in the UK once a local council has collated information about postal codes in its region, it will then have to pay a license fee to a commercial organisation to display this information. In the US there is no such system. Government collected information is (or rather should) be freely available.
Well, I am coming to this from a slightly different angle. I would like to highlight the importance of open communication between citizen and Government free from commercial obligation.
To those that are unaware, the Norwegian Government have recently announced that "Proprietary formats will no longer be acceptable in communication between citizens and government" ... and are in the process of massively restructuring the workings of the Public sector in Norway.
There is a lovely piece about it here (http://www.andwest.com/weblog/tatle/agenda/2005/06/27/Norwegian_Minister_Proprietary_Standards_No_Longer _Acceptable_in_Communication_with_Government.html)
Which contains the comment:
“Without support for open standard formats, Microsoft will rapidly make itself irrelevant as supplier to both public sector, businesses and private persons, as they all have the need to communicate electronically with the government in the future.”
So, I am looking for some help. If you have read this far, I expect it is because you are interested in the subject. If this is the case and you know of any links that might be of use, or have any comments or suggestions then I would dearly like to read them. Or perhaps you have a friend that you could suggest this to?
All comments/suggests/links/hints/tips/whatever very much appreciated.
thanks
john
I am putting together an article which I have interest in from a major UK newspaper. The newspaper in question has recently started a campaign to make government collected information freely available. At present in the UK once a local council has collated information about postal codes in its region, it will then have to pay a license fee to a commercial organisation to display this information. In the US there is no such system. Government collected information is (or rather should) be freely available.
Well, I am coming to this from a slightly different angle. I would like to highlight the importance of open communication between citizen and Government free from commercial obligation.
To those that are unaware, the Norwegian Government have recently announced that "Proprietary formats will no longer be acceptable in communication between citizens and government" ... and are in the process of massively restructuring the workings of the Public sector in Norway.
There is a lovely piece about it here (http://www.andwest.com/weblog/tatle/agenda/2005/06/27/Norwegian_Minister_Proprietary_Standards_No_Longer _Acceptable_in_Communication_with_Government.html)
Which contains the comment:
“Without support for open standard formats, Microsoft will rapidly make itself irrelevant as supplier to both public sector, businesses and private persons, as they all have the need to communicate electronically with the government in the future.”
So, I am looking for some help. If you have read this far, I expect it is because you are interested in the subject. If this is the case and you know of any links that might be of use, or have any comments or suggestions then I would dearly like to read them. Or perhaps you have a friend that you could suggest this to?
All comments/suggests/links/hints/tips/whatever very much appreciated.
thanks
john