Open Data
Open data are the building blocks of open knowledge. Open knowledge is what open data becomes when it’s useful, usable and used.
What is Open Data ?
Open Data is defined as structured data that is machine-readable, freely shared, used and built on without restrictions. (Gov of Canada - Open Data). The goal is interoperability.
The key features of openness are:
Availability and access: the data must be available as a whole, preferably by downloading over the internet. The data must also be available in a convenient and modifiable form.
Reuse and redistribution: the data must be provided under terms that permit reuse and redistribution including the intermixing with other datasets. The data must be machine-readable.
Universal participation: everyone must be able to use, reuse and redistribute — there should be no discrimination against fields of endeavour or against persons or groups. For example, ‘non-commercial’ restrictions that would prevent ‘commercial’ use, or restrictions of use for certain purposes (e.g. only in education), are not allowed.
Links
Open Knowledge International : https://okfn.org/opendata/
Open Government (Canada): http://open.canada.ca/en/open-data
Open Government (USA): https://www.data.gov/