Information Policy

Open Data Institute creates 13 'Nodes' around the world

The Open Data Institute (ODI) has announced the creation of 13 "Nodes" -- essentially hubs for companies, universities and NGOs around the world, to support open data projects and communities. There are eight city or regional Nodes in Dubai, Chicago, North Carolina, Paris, Trento, Brighton, Manchester and Leeds. These deliver projects and can provide training, research and development. Finally there are three "communications Nodes" -- in Moscow, Buenos Aires and Gothenburg -- which will help spread information and case studies about open data to promote understanding.

Link: http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-10/29/open-data-institute-nodes

Online Dating & Relationships

One in ten Americans have used an online dating site or mobile dating app; 66% of these online daters have gone on a date with someone they met through a dating site or app, and 23% have met a spouse or long term partner through these sites. Public attitudes toward online dating have become more positive in recent years, but many users also report negative experiences.

Smart Citizens

The notion of the Smart Citizen is an important contribution to an urgent debate on the future of cities. An industry is growing up around a vision of the ‘Smart City’, predicted to be worth more than $20 billion in annual market value by 2020. But a growing number of voices now argue this vision is flawed and will not deliver the civic or economic benefits it claims.

Why journalists need the Open Government Partnership to help them

The London summit marks the second anniversary of the Open Government Partnership, when eight founding countries – now grown to 60 – committed themselves to greater transparency. With civil society organisations they are working on radical reforms including access to information, budget transparency, anti-corruption measures, public service delivery measures and more.

Ukrainian VOD service takes off

The Ukrainian VOD service Megogo had two million unique visitors daily and more than 25 million in the month of September.

What was more, its viewers looked through over 100 million pages monthly.