According to the ODI data spectrum, data exists on a spectrum from closed, to shared to open. Closed data is limited to internal use in an organisation. Shared data might be available to specific groups. Open data is data published under an open licence for anyone to access, use and share. While it's framed around … Continue reading Using a collaboration spectrum alongside the data spectrum →

There's a hole in my lawn. I don't mean the grass is patchy. Although it is. I mean an actual hole in the earth. It's in the corner of the lawn tucked away by some lavender bushes. I think it was dug by a mouse. We used to see a mouse bolt across the patio … Continue reading There’s a hole in my lawn →

We're two years into the COVID-19 pandemic and I still keep having moments of "Holy shit, we're in a global pandemic". We've all been through so many emotions. And there's more to come. But it still seems surreal at times. I say that not to deny or dismiss what is happening. It's just a lot … Continue reading The COVID is coming from inside the house →

During the pandemic we've been inundated with data. Every news broadcast and government briefing features the latest figures on cases and, sadly, deaths. Much has been, and will be, written about the process by which that data has been collected, presented and communicated to the public. It hasn't always gone well at any level. This … Continue reading Weather reports, Coronavirus data and Cherry Blossom forecasts – the numbers we choose to see →

I'm forever planning and starting new side projects. I try not to beat myself up too much about not finishing or releasing them because they're mostly a bit of fun or intended as a learning exercise. But there's always some cognitive overhead to having code half finished, incomplete drafts and lots of open tabs. So … Continue reading @MetaverseCares →

As I enjoyed writing up my reflections on 2020 and recently reading back over them, I've decided to do it again this year. A long time ago, I used to do these around my birthday, but the end of the year is as good a time as any to do them. I don't keep a … Continue reading Reflecting on 2021 →

Last year I did some end of year reflection on my attempts to grow vegetables. Despite having done it for quick a few years now, it was a useful exercise that helped me plan for this year. So I'm doing it again. What did I set out to do this year? Looking back at my … Continue reading Garden Retro 2021 →

As I wrote in my recent reflections about the range of projects I helped to deliver during my time at the Open Data Institute and beyond, I've been thinking about the type of work I want to be doing in the future. Most of the last few years has been very focused on research and … Continue reading New job: (Part time) CTO at EnergySparks →

Disclaimer: this blog post is about some of the challenges that we have faced in consuming and using data in Energy Sparks. While I am a trustee of the Energy Sparks application, and am currently working with the team on some improvements to the application, this blog post are my own opinions. Energy Sparks is … Continue reading The data we use in Energy Sparks →