Architecture

We are developing this platform with an understanding of the importance of its underlying architecture, and the necessity of adhering to web standards while looking to the future. In large part, we are guided by the work of Daniel Bennett, whose grasp of these issues, as well as the current communication infrastructure on the Hill are to be admired.

We are looking to build upon the theory of the web as one giant database and use our platform to prove the concepts that Daniel elaborates upon on his website http://advocatehope.org/, and particularly under the Tech Tidbits section. In general however, this theory proposes that since each webpage has a unique url by which it can be addressed and accessed, the web currently IS one big database – albeit a messy one. With some fairly simple innovations upon current web standards however, portions of this messy database can be cleaned up so that it is readily accessible and useful, aka machine-readable.

Why is this important?

Today, if you want a piece of information, you can generally find it. Google has indexed a significant portion of the internet and by guessing at search terms and scrolling through endless quantities of results, you can usually find what you’re looking for. But what if you want to cross-reference information from two different sources? Then it becomes much more difficult. Typically you have to cut and paste information into a spreadsheet or build a custom app to bring these things together. The difficulty is that once you’ve pulled all the necessary information into a format that is usable for you, it still continues to change on the original sites. This may not be a problem if you’re looking for a new blender, but what if you want to stay on top of the activities of your elected representative? Ideally, your information would automatically udpate as the information on the original site does – or even better, you should be using the original information directly.

The difficulties with aggregating, syncing, and maintaining a separate source of data are numerous. IF however, the original sources of data each maintained a consistent format and there were tools available to read that format, these complexities would be solved. From a government perspective, this provides benefits in terms of transparency of information as well as in a reduction for the need to present the information in a myriad of ways. From a citizen perspective, this provides access to the information however it is that you want to use it.

Our part in all of this

There is a lot of information that is currently available in just these consistent formats, but the tools to access this information are still under development. We are developing our platform to conform to these emerging standards. Simultaneously therefore, we must also aid in the development of the tools that will enable easy and consistent access to all of this information.

We understand that realizing our vision requires supporting a much broader community than just our projects. The strength and viability of internet architecture is fundamental to our success. So is increasing transparency and openness of government information. Wherever possible, we will support the broader civic ecosystem in everything that we do.