If we want to add transparency indicators to the UN index we need specific targeted proposals for indicators.
So I would like to present the UN with precise indicator, not a complete methodology.
We have to choose a single data to be measured in terms of availability on the government website.
For me, this would be government budget as from the open budget initiative.
So I would like to propose an indicator that measures the availability of budget information at different levels: no information, information on how to find and access the budget offline, full downloadable budget and machine-readable/reusable information on budget.
Any thoughts?
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Policy and technology: a "longue durée" view 
December 8, 2008 at 1:27 pm
What level would you give a facebook app that gives you DC’s expenditures in a commentable forum fomate?: http://www.appsfordemocracy.org/wheres-my-money-dc/
December 8, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Peter that is looks like a great idea but I wasnt able to add it to my facebook profile
simply love appsfordemocracy!
For me this is an application built on top of government data. So I would look at the source of data and assess whether they are available on the web, and machine readable – in other words, how much scrapping they need.
In this context the survey only evaluates government websites and aims at making sure that people can build similar applications.
thanks
December 9, 2008 at 6:59 am
Not only the budget must be available in electronic format, but also how the money is spent. This must be compulsive for the governments related to grants and allowances busineses.
Other information which availability in a machine readable format are important
* different law projects the government is working on
* contact information (e-mail, phone and so on) of the responsible for each major policy
December 9, 2008 at 7:32 am
Many thanks Andres. I would add procurement, beside grants and allowance.
Also agree on law projects – although this would involve parliament as well.
Haven’t thought so far about contact information. Why is it important to be in machine readable format? Maybe just the microformat hCard?
December 9, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I think it is important for the automation of services like FixMyStreet, developed based on the use of contact information.