The SparK

NYC Big Apps is one of the most interesting initiatives that I saw in the mix that is web 2.0 and politics, basically the idea of New York City is available to any citizen the greatest possible amount of public data in the form of sets of data for any programmer or developer can create a web application or mobile “Make New York a city more transparent, accessible and accountable, a better place to live, work and play”

The reward? Besides helping the public to participate more simple or at least provide more services with data already available but not readily accessible, are a total of $ s20.000 in cash and a dinner with the mayor of the city, on the jury will be a mix of Internet luminaries as Fred Wilson or Esther Dyson and politics of that city as Paul Cosgrove.

The idea is simply excellent and enviable, because the possibility of having awards for data visualization (transparency as the first target) to awards by popular vote (more productive services) is excellent and to be jealous because it demonstrates a commitment to a digital diary that few cities can prove!