Opportunity for collaboration
As an example, another tool was used, Universal Subtitles, to create subtitles in 9 languages of an Edgeryders presentation video. http://www.universalsubtitles.org/es/videos/14PHRm1OCieV/info/Edgeryders%20in%203%20minutes
In this case, there was no big thinking required, other than select a translation tool, and proceed. The categories were the different languages that exist. However, the one who took the initiative to do the translation tool, Lucas Gonzalez, was offered a space at Edgeryders’s blog, to present his initiative.
Not only does this collective effort benefit Edgeryders, but it serves as a model, to show to other government officials. I show it proudly to every decision makers I come across, and invite them to follow these footsteps.
Lucas Gonzalez did a first translation. Then, several members of the community participated and collaborated by adding other languages: Ibrahim Elbadawi, Alberto Cottica, somaria, yassine, Marc Garriga Portolà, Noemi Salantiu, Renato Turbati, Lyne Robichaud. Everyone was warmly thanked and applauded, as this great collaborative work was done by volunteers.
HERE, WE HAVE A DIFFERENT SITUATION.
Edgeryders team has not defined an interactive map projet, but this project could eventually benefit all its participants. It could become one of Edgeryders tools.
One Edgeryders participant, Jacky Degueldre, spoke about one of his needs/dreams, an interactive map, in his mission report, without further defining what this interactive map would be. Another Edgeryders participant, JohnFMoore, heard someone’s needs, and out of generosity, played the game, by doing a “Help a fellow Edgeryders”. He quickly put something together, hoping that the community will improve it. In addition, this participant is a partner, in the Edgeryders project.
Is it for John, to rethink this idea? Is this an opportunity for further collaboration and consolidation of a partnership?
As a member of the team Edgeryders, I would be happy to give a hand to define categories, and work on other tasks within a non-nerd’s reach.
“Citizens for change” is the new brand name of John’s social business. Before, it was called “Government in the Lab”. John has been recently playing with the name: @Citizensinthelab on Twitter, new Citizens for change discussion group, etc. He probably just put the name of his new brand as the title for the map project.
Because this social business is not supported nor recognized by government authorities for the services it offers, not just to U.S. citizens, but to all citizens of the world, including European citizens, (my humble opinion) it would be a good opportunity to test how such a situation could be turned into a possible collaboration between a project (under authorities) and someone who tries a lot, who’s walking on the edge, but does not receive much support.
TheLab is often perceived as a big solid business, competing with large corporations, such as O’Reilly Media. We have this impression because it accomplishes a lot, with very little means. In reality, it is a frail construction, held at arm’s length by a guy who tests all sorts of things, trying to do his best to meet community needs. As a one-man band, he is willing to contribute — has a big heart — but only has 10 fingers. Maybe I’m wrong, but I see this as an example of opportunity of collaboration. Sometimes, unexpected things happens, during a project, new ideas emerge, that were not part of the initial designed plan. Should we let them run? How can governments cope with such situations? Can this be turned into a model experience?
