There's Data, and Then There's Using Data

If one way of looking at Web 2.0 is that it's a Data Operating System (per Tim O'Reilly), then there are two important elements shaping up:

1. Accessing Data
2. Using the Data

Using organizations in Washington DC as an example, several organizations with a lot of useful data are tackling these issues. The World Bank, for example, has launched it's api.worldbank.org and also a tool that users can explore the data with. The Center for Global Development and Confronting Climate Change Initiatives have an API for accessing carbon emission data, online tool for visualizing carbon emissions, including widgets that can be placed on your own site.

The DC Government has an impressive catalog of data that is made available for people to create their own mashups, and also provides maps that reflect the data. Now, the DC government has launched an innovation content, offering a prize to companies or individuals that develop innovative applications using this data. One iphone app has already been developed that is a "realtime, location-aware DC alerting tool for the iPhone, which includes crime reports, building permits and more." For those of you interested in participating in the contest, the submission deadline is November 12th.