open data is only the beginning
TRANSCRIPT
Open Data is only the Beginning
An Open City Government talk beyond Open Data on Open Development & Open Source.
Open Belgium6 March 2017, Brussels
Johan JanssensMake.Good.Code
http://timble.net - @johanjanssens
I'm a Belgian web developer,
free software advocate,
chief breaker of things @Timble.
3% of the internetbuild solely by volunteers
An open source web publishing platform used by 65 local police forces & federal police.
Open Police
Making a city open beyond data ...https://flic.kr/p/nDzaE3
http://opendefinition.org/
The Open Definition initially derived from the Open Source Definition.
“Open data and content can be freely used, modified, and shared by
anyone for any purpose”
Open City Governmenthttps://flic.kr/p/9KR59t
[City] is committed to:
● Transparency
● Meaningful public participation
● Collaborating with public and across government
● Sharing best practices, software and resources
http://opengovernmentinitiative.org/declaration-of-local-open-government-principles/
A open city must create a legal framework that will institutionalize the
principles of transparency, participation, and collaboration into
it’s culture and work.
http://opengovernmentinitiative.org/declaration-of-local-open-government-principles/
Open City Directive
Why?https://flic.kr/p/eQtasQ
Builds trust
Being open about code, and the processes which lead to coding decisions, are vital parts of building trust in
government.
Increases transparency
Coding in the open allows the public to see how public money is being spent.
Potential for reuse
Work together and reuse solutions from other government services rather than re-writing the wheel.
Makes it better
The more eyes there are on a service the better it gets. Howlers are spotted, better alternatives are pointed out,
the bar is raised.
Helps to find great people
Developers can see the quality and style of code produced, the types of technologies, and the kinds of
services delivered.
How?https://flic.kr/p/qhd2dh
www.gov.uk/service-manual/service-standard & www.dta.gov.au/standard/
Create a 'Digital Service Standard'
Set of criteria to create and run digital services.
Digital Service Standard of GOV.UK:
1. Understand user needs
4. Use agile methods
5. Iterate and improve frequently
8. Make all new source code open
9. Use open standards and common platforms
www.gov.uk/service-manual/service-standard
www.cgi-group.co.uk/cgi-successfully-awarded-a-place-on-the-governments-digital-services-framework
Outsourcing suppliers must comply with the Digital Service Standard
It took us 6 months to negotiate a contract to deliver open source software to the Belgian Police.
https://github.com
Use GitHubThe largest open source community in the world.
government.github.com/community/
Who’s using GitHub?
Add your organisation ...
https://pages.18f.gov/open-source-guide/making-readmes-readable/
Start with a README
The first thing a user will see when encountering your code.
https://github.com/tinkkit/tink-core/blob/master/README.md
https://pages.18f.gov/open-source-guide/writing-clear-and-concise-issues/
Create issues
Tasks that need to be completed or discussed are added to repositories as issues.
https://github.com/Fedict/eid-viewer/issues
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coding_conventions
Use coding standards
Reduce the cost of maintenance and improve code readability.
https://github.com/timble/openpolice-platform/blob/master/application/site/component/districts/view/relations/html.php
The Gitflow workflow defines a strict branching model designed around the project release.
Use a branching model
nvie.com/posts/a-successful-git-branching-model/
https://github.com/timble/openpolice-platform
https://www.vagrantup.com/ & https://www.docker.com/
Have a virtual development environment
Lower development environment setup time, increase development/production parity, and make the "works on my
machine" excuse a relic of the past.
https://github.com/timble/openpolice-platform/blob/master/README.md
Exampleshttps://flic.kr/p/bwHCXU
https://github.com/CityOfBoston/boston.gov
https://github.com/CityOfBoston/boston.gov/issues
https://github.com/18F/analytics.usa.gov
https://www.kanooh.be/nl/raamcontract/abonnementen-websites
https://tweakers.net/nieuws/85895/vlaamse-overheid-kiest-voor-drupal-as-a-service-aanbieder-kanooh.html
Built with Drupalbut source code is not open
Funded by us, the taxpayer, for 9 million
We’re lagging behindhttps://flic.kr/p/o3ZQHn
http://www.feweb.be/sites/default/files/FEDERAALREGEERAKKOORD_09102014.PDF
No mention of open source in the federal coalition agreement
75 countries endorsed the Open Government Declaration since 2011. Belgium hasn’t.
https://governmenttechnology.blog.gov.uk/2016/12/14/our-commitment-to-better-open-source-practices/
Others already have a commitment to make source code open by default.
I have a “simple” dream ...
I dream of living in a truly open city where I can access, use, modify the
code of city’s website.
You?
We build things for the webwww.timble.net
Thank youtom.janssens.me - @JanssensTom