Open Data

April 24th is the Ottawa Open Data Hackfest.  Their website describes Open Data as:

It’s about unrestricted access to the same public data already sitting in city hall in a format easy for Internet applications to consume.

We’re talking about easy access to bus schedules, restaurant inspection reports, childcare locations, crime stats, special event license lists, and lots more.

With open data, citizen application creators can work their magic, building tools to help you kick ass every day.

Garbage Collection

One of the recommended datasets for the hackfest was the garbage collection schedule. How often are you left wondering which of the many recycling bins is supposed to go out this week?!

Update (March 19, 2010):    A more complete release of this project has been completed.  Please visit the Ottawa Garbage Collection iCalendar Project  page for more information.