Transparency in Government -- How Possible Is It?

[manape]

Joy, I could see a wiki similiar to one used for development of opensource software where the community adds to the wiki. Eventhough the example below is a geek example, with most wikis you don't have to be a web designer. That is the beauty of a wiki. For example, ubuntu is one of the Linux distros where a community of programmers works on a project. I think the same thing could be accomplished by a community that is interested in their local area, especially in the area of making information available.

I can't give away all my secrets, yet. Servers, operating systems (except for Linux), paid professionals, and other resources are not free. Therefore, to sustain a roll your own wiki, it all can't be given away. This would require investment from some stakeholders to make it happen and revenue from local businesses or govenment to make it happen.

I'm sure I'm the only one interested in Linux, but below is one example of a wiki. Free opensource software is good, especially if you are working on shoestring budget, like Manape Enterprises.

Wiki's are becoming poplar with companies spread over a WAN and opensource programmers. Here is an example for the Ubuntu site:

www.ubuntu.com/community/participate/wiki

[sometimeman]

The end result being, we are still dependent on the Judiciary for ANY discipline to be applied to wrong doing, by public officials.
Meaning if they steal enough votes to stay in office, they are safe to continue to steal money!!!

With electronic vote counts, the election results can be guaranteed. Under these circumstances, for change to come, the system must reject the incumbent, the people can't!

[bubbadebubba]

Feb 28, 2008 4:37:40 GMT -4 sometimeman said:

The end result being, we are still dependent on the Judiciary for ANY discipline to be applied to wrong doing, by public officials.
Meaning if they steal enough votes to stay in office, they are safe to continue to steal money!!!

With electronic vote counts, the election results can be guaranteed. Under these circumstances, for change to come, the system must reject the incumbent, the people can't!

sometimey-I have been hoping and believing you are wrong with the last sentence while knowing you are right with the first sentence.

I'm beginning to wonder if maybe you might be right with both sentences. If so, then we've reached the end of freedom and are living on dreams.

[sometimeman]

Research the Diebold stuff -just- here on this board is enough to convince you.
The people will finally resist but, the government is ready with martial law and internment camps.
We already cut a deal with Canada to use troups in each others countries to keep down civil un rest They did it with out the approval of congress!

[Joy]

Feb 27, 2008 14:00:13 GMT -4 queenbee said:

This same topic "Transparency in Government" was on the other forum, November 2007.

You might incorportate some of that information into this topic.

I looked and all I found was a topic relating to transparency in regards to forum ownership. I don't think it really has much to apply here. And, there were no replies in that thread.

[Joy]

Feb 27, 2008 22:22:16 GMT -4 manape said:

Joy, I could see a wiki similiar to one used for development of opensource software where the community adds to the wiki. Eventhough the example below is a geek example, with most wikis you don't have to be a web designer. That is the beauty of a wiki. For example, ubuntu is one of the Linux distros where a community of programmers works on a project. I think the same thing could be accomplished by a community that is interested in their local area, especially in the area of making information available.

I can't give away all my secrets, yet. Servers, operating systems (except for Linux), paid professionals, and other resources are not free. Therefore, to sustain a roll your own wiki, it all can't be given away. This would require investment from some stakeholders to make it happen and revenue from local businesses or govenment to make it happen.

I'm sure I'm the only one interested in Linux, but below is one example of a wiki. Free opensource software is good, especially if you are working on shoestring budget, like Manape Enterprises.

Wiki's are becoming poplar with companies spread over a WAN and opensource programmers. Here is an example for the Ubuntu site:

www.ubuntu.com/community/participate/wiki

Since your last post, I've tried out some wiki software (including the one used for Wikipedia) on my servers. The only thing that worries me about a wiki is that *anyone* can contribute, change, and add to information. On most topics that are not politically charged, it would be a great tool. But, who's to say that a person who is against this project for whatever reason -- or just someone who likes to cause trouble -- who's to say that they wouldn't totally wreck and ruin the project, by either deleting correct information or intentionally adding incorrect information? Yes, you can rollback those changes and basically take them away, but that could be a headache to sort through and could damage the progress being made.

Plus, there's the learning curve of formatting and posting to a wiki. The formatting (even just how to make a link) is so different from what is commonly used online that it would take some people a long time to get a handle on it.

What about a content management system like Mambo or Joomla? A site run using this software allows registered members to post articles, links, etc, but they aren't "live" until an admin authorizes them. This would contain the possibility of getting the site off-topic or becoming partisan. It would also limit the liability for slander/defamation lawsuits against the site owner(s).


There are lots of ways a site like this could be run, but what do you see as the purpose or mission for it? Would it be a source of information for the public (i.e. county budgets, minutes from meetings, documents, forms, etc) or would it function as a watchdog for the community? Or would it be some combination of the two?

[sometimeman]

I don't know what ya"ll are talking about but, if it has anything to do with stopping the irresponsible use, theft and waste of taxpayer money by the schools and Mr. Paris -THEN- I'm all for it!

[bubbadebubba]

well heck sometime- soon as you post it might do away with the commisar and irresponsible use of taxpayers money, Joy and the ape disappear into the ether. It's been 2 weeks since you posted and no ones said a thang.

[sometimeman]

Ya'll please, come back and post some more.