links for 2009-10-16

Although I see a lot to agree with here (providing access to city data is a good thing). I can’t help but wince at the techno-optimism oozing from this piece. The author seems to think the average citizen is fluent in datamanipulation. Geeks are also flocking to this city as a platform stuff because it’s shiny new tech. But they’re forgetting about all the mundane infrastructures regular people are already dealing with, and need help with, which the techno-elite have forgotten about, since, well, it’s gotten bored with it.