Challenges City departments to use open source software, Launches new Mayor’s Office open source web site

10/21/09 – Today, Mayor Newsom joined with City departments and technology visionary Tim O’Reilly to announce an Open Data Executive Directive for San Francisco. The Directive requires City departments make all non confidential datasets under their authority available on DataSF.org, the city’s one stop web site for government data.

“The City’s new Open Data policy will enhance open government, transparency, and accountability by improving access to City data,” said Mayor Newsom. “By providing more government data, San Francisco’s world class technology community will be able to create useful civic tools, with no cost to City government.”

The initial phase of DataSF includes more than 100 datasets, from a range of city departments, including Police, Public Works, and the Municipal Transportation Agency.

“Just as the iPhone platform allows independent developers to bring innovative applications to the phone, San Francisco’s open data initiative will let you develop the next generation of government services,” said Tim O’Reilly, Founder and CEO of O’Reilly Media.

A number of software applications have already been created from the City’s data and are featured in the DataSF App Showcase. This includes San Francisco Crimespotting, an interactive crime map, EcoFinder, an iPhone app that helps residents recycle, and Routesy, an app that helps people find their way around the Bay Area’s transit systems.

“At its core, this initiative strengthens our partnership with and accountability to the people we serve,” said Ed Reiskin, Director of the Department of Public Works. “Providing this information to San Francisco’s entrepreneurs and innovators helps us in many ways as we work toward making San Francisco a more livable and sustainable city.”

Mayor Newsom also announced the launch of a new open source Mayor’s Office web site (http://www.sfmayor.org/) powered by WordPress. The mayor challenged City departments to use open source software when they update or purchase new software. Open source software has delivered shorter implementation times and lower costs for the City, as seen with DataSF.org, RecoverySF.org and the City’s 311 integration with Twitter.

The Open Data Executive Directive and open source integration is part of a larger Open Gov Initiative for the City and County of San Francisco, which focuses on open data, open participation and open source.