Details of the Data Infrastructure afternoon track at the Opendata.ch/2017 conference.

Please note that several afternoon tracks take place in parallel, between 2pm – 4pm. More information is available at the conference website.

14:00 – 14:30 OLEG LAVROVSKY: UNCONDITIONAL BASIC DATA (EN)

Abstract: Open data platforms are already becoming part of critical infrastructure at a local, national or international level. The ability to access openly licensed and distributed data is a right that should not be taken for granted. We will introduce the workshop panel, and ask: what makes good quality data universal? From reliable data sources, to transparent processes to put such data to use, examples from the network will highlight some of the inherent risks and opportunities, followed by a discussion.
Bio: Oleg Lavrovsky is an IT specialist who’s been around the block at least twice, worked with a variety of organisations to put all kinds of weird and wonderful information sources online. He runs Datalets.ch, an independent consulting practice based in Bern, and has been active since the founding of Opendata.ch, the Swiss chapter of Open Knowledge, as event organiser, community champion and member of the board.

14:30 – 15:00 ANDREAS AMSLER: THE FUTURE OF OPEN DATA CATALOGS (DE)

Abstract: What features do open data catalogs make use of to support easy access to open data? How can efficient exchange between data-users and -publishers be enabled best? What are state-of-the-art solutions for such needs, and what are prerequisites to further advance our local and national open data catalogs into those directions? This session aims to collaboratively collect user needs, and seeks to show ways how you – as a (potential) open data user – can support open data delivery in Switzerland.
Bio: Andreas Amsler works as a product owner at Liip.ch, and is a founding board member of Opendata.ch. His focus are government digital services, for which he clarifies user and stakeholder needs, prioritizes requirements, conceptualizes effective digital transactions, and is iteratively developing them together with a dedicated team of specialists – e.g. opendata.swiss und data.stadt-zuerich.ch.

15:00 – 15:30  BARNABY SKINNER: OPEN DATA DO-IT-YOURSELF (DIY)

Abstract: The Swiss administration publishes so many bits and bytes. So do Swiss corporations, actually. Sadly, most of these bits and bytes aren’t open data, but hidden away in large text documents or PDFs. This session provides a brief overview, of how to work with large document collections to open up your own data. Yes, do it yourself!
Bio: Barnaby Skinner is an investigative datajournalist at SonntagsZeitung and Tages-Anzeiger and founding member of Opendata.ch. He studied history at the University of Basel focusing on the Industrial Revolution in the 19th Century and its various social and economic impacts. As an journalist, he has shifted his attention to the Digital Revolution, using open source software and code to open up data for his reporting.

15:30 – 16:00 JUAN PABLO LOVATO:
WHAT PUBLISHING OPEN GOVERNMENT DATA REALLY LOOKS LIKE: BARRIERS AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS (EN)

Abstract: Open Government Data is a learning process. It involves developing a deeper understanding of your data and discovering the best way to use them and, at the same time, the best way to make them usable for others. While the administration is already making substantial efforts towards Open Data, some barriers are still slowing this process down and creating inefficiencies. What are those barriers? And what solutions should be adopted to overcome them?
Bio: J.P. Lovato manages the opendata.swiss project for the Swiss Federal Archives.