Data.gov Releases Open Source Software

May 21, 2012

The General Services Administration (GSA) announced on May 21 that Data.Gov partnering with the Government of India National Informatics Centre has produced an open source version of Data.gov that is being made available today, the third anniversary of Data.gov. The open source product, called the Open Government Platform (OGPL), can be downloaded and evaluated by any national Government or state or local entity as a path toward making their data open and transparent.

Based on Drupal, the core software includes a data management system, web site, and social networking community support. This full package, in early release, is now available for public download, comments, and open source development. The combined U.S. and India team is helping expand the global open government movement by making open data software and services available to developing nations, cities, and governments around the world. Prior to this announcement, 30 other national governments have launched their own versions of open government websites. In addition, U.S. states and local governments continue to deploy open data portals.

In using an open source method of development, the OGPL community will provide future technology enhancements, open government solutions, and community-based technical support. OGPL exemplifies a new era of diplomatic collaboration that benefits the global community by promoting government transparency and increasing citizen engagement.

Follow OGPL on Twitter at @OGPL and on Facebook. Join the world of open data, discover new information and find ways to get and leverage data for your research, cause or business. Visit OpenGovPlatform.org.

 

December 5, 2011

Among the actions in the U.S. National Action Plan announced by President Obama is an effort under the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue to produce “Data.gov-in-a-Box,” an open source version of the United States’ Data.gov data portal and India’s India.gov.in document portal. The U.S. and India are working together to produce an open source version available for implementation by countries globally, encouraging governments around the world to stand up open data sites that promote transparency, improve citizen engagement, and engage application developers in continuously improving these efforts. Technical teams from the governments of the U.S. and India have been working together since August of this year, with a planned launch of a complete open source product (which is now called the Open Government Platform (OGPL) to reflect its broad scope) in early 2012. Find out more about the evolution of this project from the U.S. Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer.

Check out the Open Government Platform repository on Github. You'll find here a growing set of open source, open government platform code that allows any city, organization, or government to create an open data site.

The first module released is the Data Management System, which provides the tools and capabilities for an automated process for publishing data in the Open Government Platform, an open source product designed to facilitate governments around the world to stand up their own open government data sites. Any government adopting the Open Government Platform will be able to download and use the DMS code to submit, approve, and update catalog data electronically on Open Government Platform websites and view management metrics reports.

Our next planned release will be from India and related to the web site for the Open Government Platform.

The U.S. and India will be providing additional modules in the future, and developers are encouraged to participate, provide feedback, and create new modules and capabilities!

The teams working on this project are the National Informatics Centre in India and Data.gov in the U.S.