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Craigslist founder working with mayor on DataSf.org
By: Mike Aldax
09/23/09 6:30 AM PDT
We knew Craigslist founder Craig Newmark has been a big fan of Mayor Gavin Newsom’s push for DataSf.org, a new Web site promising up-to-date city government data for public viewing.
Now we are learning just how involved the tech guru has been in making sure the Web site is effective in making city government more transparent.
Newmark has twice stopped by City Hall with other tech leaders in the last three weeks to offer the Mayor’s Office advice on how it should move forward with DataSf.org, an aide told The Examiner.
His most recent visit to Newsom’s so-called Gov. 2.0 Working Group was Friday, the aide said.
Newmark was joined by David Cohn, founder of Spot.Us, in his last two sessions. The sessions also included other tech leaders, representatives of The City’s Department of Technology and other city departments.
“[Newmark] has been awesome,” the aide said. “We just really appreciate his guidance and commitment.”
The just-launched DataSF.org will make public all kinds of government data, everything from crime statistics to restaurant inspections and street fixes. The City is challenging technology-savvy folks in town to create applications based upon that data -- such as a detailed, easy-to-read crime map -- so residents can more readily be kept informed.
The site has been praised by the White House for offering more government transparency.
Newmark also lauded the site on his blog.
Tim O’Reilly, founder of O’Reilly Media and a staunch supporter of the open source movement, has also been helping the mayor’s new tech initiative, the Mayor’s Office said.
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