National Day of Civic Hacking

[Ms. Toad]

In case anyone is looking for something to do this weekend - happening all over, in a location near you (well, near many of you...)

http://hackforchange.org/

National Day of Civic Hacking is a national event that will take place June 1-2, 2013, in cities across the nation. The event will bring together citizens, software developers, and entrepreneurs from all over the nation to collaboratively create, build, and invent new solutions using publicly-released data, code and technology to solve challenges relevant to our neighborhoods, our cities, our states and our country. National Day of Civic Hacking will provide citizens an opportunity to do what is most quintessentially American: roll up our sleeves, get involved and work together to improve our society.

The event will leverage the expertise and entrepreneurial spirit of those outside federal, state and local government to drive meaningful, technology-based solutions for federal, state and local government. It demonstrates what's possible when we all work together to strengthen our society and our lives. YOU can make a difference no matter where you live.

I'm participating in this one:

http://hackforchange.org/hackneo

You don't have to be able to code to help out - they are looking (locally at least) for bloggers, creative thinkers, testers, etc.

(Cross posted in Computers: Website, DB, & Software Developers)

[Ms. Toad]

1. Kick for the end of the work day crew... n/t

[Laelth]

2. k&r for exposure. n/t

-Laelth

[Ms. Toad]

3. One more boost for the night! n/t

[Pragdem]

4. Finally some tolerable hacktivism! nt

[LeftInTX]

5. Kick!

I had to click on the link.

What is a civic hacker?

Civic hackers" as we think about it for the National Day of Civic Hacking are engineers, technologists, civil servants, scientists, designers, artists, educators, students, entrepreneurs – anybody - who is willing to collaborate with others to create, build, and invent open source solutions using publicly-released data, code and technology to solve challenges relevant to our neighborhoods, our cities, our states and our country.

Some people have a negative association with "hacking", how do you clarify the difference to them?

To us, a hacker is someone who uses a minimum of resources and a maximum of brainpower and ingenuity to create, enhance or fix something. Although in some circumstances it is used in a negative sense, the term is not inherently negative, nor does it even have to be related to technology.

[Ms. Toad]

6. Thanks for checking it out!

I've been working with folks so long who use the word "hack" in this way that I forget that not everyone does...

One of my favorite economic hacks is "cash mobs" which an acquaintance of mine thought he created (you can read the background at the link) and made big - You pick a local business (or an area) in need of an infusion of cash and worthy of support (however you define that), announce the event place and time (and let the business know so they can have extra people on hand), and everyone coming makes a commitment to spend a small amount of money (usually around $20), then at the event end you gather everyone who wants to stay around in a local coffee shop, bar, etc. (often a local place which could also use some extra business).

The one time event not only gives an infusion of cash to a worthy place, it often introduces people to that place (so they become repeat customers), and the meet-up afterwards often creates friendships and more ideas about how to benefit the local economy, and so on.

[Ohio Joe]

7. K&R

Nice... I'm poking about for something to do to help out. Thanks!

[Ms. Toad]

8. Hope you find something near you!

There are also things going on outside of this weekend - this is just the big, concerted push. I think many groups have regular Meet-ups.

Look for a Code For group in your area (formally or loosely connected with Code For America).

(ETA: I think the Summit County event is the only one in Ohio this weekend - if your name is connected to where you are.)

[Ms. Toad]

9. One last kick, for anyone planning their weekend fun! n/t

[Ms. Toad]

10. Busy hacking all day today -

If you get a chance Sunday (and have one close to you), you should drop in!

Wonderful people, fun and plenty to do whether you can code or not (although it was a bit chaotic - but who doesn't love a bit of chaos).

I spent my time grabbing data from park maps and bing or google maps, and entering it into a file that will ultimately be convert into a living map of the parks in Summit County, Ohio (it will be responsive to where you are - to find local trails, walk with you on the trails, and to what the current state of roads and trails is in order to reroute if there are closings)

The other group was working on a similar project with Census information to track how accessible the parks are in the area.

Then we spent another couple of hours hanging out at a local restaurant/bar.

Like I said - if you have a chance on Sunday jump on in!