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Not Convinced They Get It

Submitted by John Geraci on 8 April 2009 - 9:48pm to DIY New York City.

Got this in my inbox the other day in response to a proposal on an open 311 system sent to Speaker Quinn. What are the chances they'll do something really open here?

Dear Mr. Geraci,

Thanks so much for your interest in our newly proposed 311 mobile application.

Right now, we're still working out the details for this new tool with the New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT).

We're very excited about this new opportunity, and I'll be sure to keep your contact information on file as our discussions with DoITT move forward.

Thanks again for writing.

Sincerely,

Christine C. Quinn

Speaker

08 Apr22:19

...and does Speaker Quinn or

By John Geraci

...and does Speaker Quinn or someone from the City Council care to comment here?

08 Apr22:27

Well, this isn't that

By danaspiegel

Well, this isn't that surprising. Mrs. Quinn has never really gotten it, and continues to not get it.

I would recommend 3 things:

1) Put together a 1 pager that details what we want, how we want it (in terms of API recommendations), and what we want to use it for (in terms of proposed applications). Also include example other cities that have made similar data available and what people have done with that data

2) Get meetings with Councilmembers Brewer and Quinn (separately) and give them the 1 pager, and talk to them about making it happen.

3) Pitch an article to local papers (I know the Gotham Gazette will be sympathetic and possibly the Post as well) about the 1 pager and the response we get from the City Council. Talk about all the things that we _won't_ be able to do if DoITT and Quinn have their way.

08 Apr23:23

Interested Journalist

By mtaylor

Hi! I am a freelance journalist and have been following DIYcity for a while now. I'm interested in your open 311 ideas and would love to write about what you're doing. Please contact me at mtaylor@megantaylor.org.

09 Apr01:03

Toronto just announced it's moving this way

By Micah Sifry

See http://www.cbc.ca/technology/technology-blog/2009/04/jesse_brown_toronto...

www.toronto.ca/open is coming this fall.

I agree with Dana, it's time to pull together a simple one-pager and start making the case in a more public way.

09 Apr10:55

one-pager

By John Geraci

Okay, one-pager it is. Who wants to take a whack at it?

The only thing I would say regarding a one-pager is that it shouldn't be a manifesto or vitriolic declaration or a set of demands, it should be a friendly, clear and open invitation to the city to open up their data and make their 311 system more participatory.