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Microsoft Canada Opens Up to Help Fuel Local App Ecosystem in Vancouver

Microsoft Canada Inc. is working with local open government experts and Vancouver-based developer Nitobi, to help make government data more easily accessible and useful for citizens. Leveraging the City of Vancouver’s Open Data catalogue and Microsoft’s Open Government Data Initiative (OGDI) platform, Nitobi has developed VanGuide, a web and mobile based social mapping application that enables citizens to tag, rate and comment on Vancouver landmarks and locations. The codebase for the project has been released as an Open Source framework, to enable the creation of new community driven "mash ups", presenting new opportunities to increase citizen participation and collaboration.

VanGuide is just one example of how Microsoft is working to build a vibrant application ecosystem around Open Data catalogues in Canada and around the world by leveraging the power of technology.

Microsoft’s Open Government Efforts Felt Across Canada:

  • Since the launch of Vancouver’s Open Data Catalogue, local programmers have been working on applications to make the data useful for the citizens of Vancouver. Apps like Vancouver Parking, MapWay and FreeFinders are the result of a Microsoft sponsored competition to encourage the development of open government apps.

  • Edmonton is the first North American city to use the Open Government Data Initiative (OGDI) cloud-based solution from Microsoft for its Open Data Catalogue. The catalogue was implemented at minimal cost to the City using open source components and Microsoft’s newest cloud operating system, Windows Azure ™. Using open standards and application interfaces (API), local developers and municipal IT staff can easily retrieve data for use in innovative online applications that can help improve citizen services, enhance collaboration between public and private organizations and increase City transparency.

  • In November 2009, Microsoft Canada held an Open Government Roundtable in Vancouver which brought together various Western government organizations planning open government initiatives. The event facilitated the sharing of best practices amongst the cities of Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, North Vancouver and Nanaimo and served as a discussion hub on how technology can assist with the challenges around deployment. Currently, Microsoft is working with the cities of Nanaimo and Calgary on new Gov 2.0 projects.

  • Microsoft continues to contribute and drive innovation through its Open Source initiatives such as Microsoft’s CodePlex.com, Port25 and Open Source Technology Center (OTC). A deep engagement with local Open Source and application communities is also maintained through a series of events including WordCamp, DemoCamp and most recently ConFoo conference. Microsoft’s open source efforts also include Web Application Gallery, PHP on Windows and the FTW! Coding Competition at the Make Web, Not War event in Montreal on May 27th, 2010.

    Supporting Resources:

    VanGuide

    Open Data Application Framework

    Edmonton Open Data Catalogue

    City of Vancouver’s Open Data Catalogue

    Windows Azur Platform

    Nitobi Software

    Open@Microsoft Flickr link

     [March 19, 2010]


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