Office of Public Sector Information

Posted by: Bill Chadwick

Public Sector Information Holder: Ordnance Survey

Information Asset: Open DRM for OS Map Data Consumers

The problem

Currently consumers are unable to buy digital mapping from one OS reseller (e.g. Anquet, MemoryMap, SatMap, Garmin ...) and reuse it with another vendor's software. This is unfair as the map data is expensive and may well have usefulness that outlives the software and computing platform used to display it. This is a situation not unlike that of CDs within the music industry.

My ideal solution

The OS licensing model should enable consumer digital mapping data (1:50k, 1:25k raster + terrain data) to be moved by consumers, amongst computing platforms and storage media that they own and be displayed using any software of their choosing - even that of their own writing.

What I would do

Write and perhaps sell map display software.

Posted by: Benjamin Gould

Public Sector Information Holder: Ordnance Survey

Information Asset: Administrative Areas Geographic Data

The problem

I would like free access to administrative geography data held by Ordnance Survey. At the moment you have to pay just to know the extent of local authority boundaries! This information should be free, as proposed by the Power of Information Taskforce.

My ideal solution

The boundary line product should be publicly available, and free to re-use (at least non-commercially) under a simple licence.

What I would do

Create applications, like the excellent "Fix My Street", which depends on knowing who is responsible for what, where.

Posted by: Benjamin Gould

Public Sector Information Holder: Ordnance Survey

Information Asset: OS data on Google Maps

The problem

At the moment it is not possible for Local Authorities and others to use the excellent Google Maps API in conjunction with Ordnance Survey data. This is because Ordnance Survey prohibit the use of any of their information (derived data) on Google Maps, apparently because of Google's terms and conditions.

My ideal solution

Ordnance Survey should reach an accommodation with Google, so public sector information, which often contains derived OS data, can be displayed on Google Maps. OS should update its guidance to Local authorities as soon as possible.

What I would do

Mashups of public sector information, using the excellent, easy and free Google Maps.

Posted by: Workshop on Finding and Re-using Public Information

Public Sector Information Holder: Ordnance Survey

Information Asset: Postcodes to administrative areas

The problem

At the Open Knowledge Foundation Workshop on Finding and Re-using Public Information, a list of 15-20 key government / public datasets were identified. This is a basic dataset for geo-coders - given a postcode what administrative district does it lie within. A wide variety of applications and campaigns need this information, from improving policing to cleaning up litter.

My ideal solution

That the dataset provided by Ordnance Survey is made available free of charge, particularly for non-commercial re-use, and supplied on the web.

What I would do

Many of the suggestions made as part of the Show Us a Better Way competition.

Posted by: Daniel Yates

Public Sector Information Holder: Ordnance Survey

Information Asset: Points of interest data

The problem

Ordnance Survey hold an extensive database of UK points of interest classified into hundreds of different categories.

The minimum value for a 'specific use contract' is £5k, making the database inaccessible to all but the best-funded sites.

http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/products/pointsofinterest/

My ideal solution

Either free data or, taking into account the cost of collection, variable pricing depending on the nature and quantity of records in each dataset.

What I would do

Use certain POI data in mashup form.

Posted by: Bill Chadwick, wheresthepath.googlepages.com

Public Sector Information Holder: Ordnance Survey

Information Asset: Administrative boundaries for UK

The problem

Community web mashups like FixMyStreet need to be able to attribute issues to a local authority/council by geographic location.

My ideal solution

Local council/authority bondary GIS polygon data to be in the public domian - free for any use.

What I would do

Build a 'TrafficRant' site where issues with local traffic flow can be logged by the public and brought to the attention of the appropriate local authority.

Posted by: Matthew

Public Sector Information Holder: Ordnance Survey

Information Asset: Electoral Boundary Data

The problem

I find it odd that if I want to know the actual boundary of the ward or constituency I am in (co-ordinates, not just an image), I have to pay Ordnance Survey lots of money for their Boundary-Line product. I would have thought that, given it's quite important to know which MP or councillors I'm going to have the option of electing, that this information should be freely available as part of a healthy democracy; it's compiled by the various publicly funded Boundary Commissions/Committees as far as I know.

My ideal solution

I think the actual data rather than just images of the boundaries should be available, so that people can create things using the data - you can't do anything with images besides display them. For example, I can't create a Google map (using their My Maps feature) of my ward marking on where and when councillors hold their surgeries, and other local amenities. I can't create an application that asks people to select where they live on a map and it tell them if their Parliamentary constituency will be changing at the next general election, what it's changing to, and what difference that makes to them.

I am aware of the election-maps.co.uk website, but this is extremely hard to use - you have to know the name of your area before you can enter a postcode, you can't look up by e.g. ward name, and it only provides images of the boundaries.

Originally posted in the OPSI Discussion Forum.