WRITTEN ON July 2nd, 2008 BY William Heath AND STORED IN Power of Information

Hurrah! Three years after we launched the IdealGov government data mashups competition (it was Tom F’s idea) the government has launched a government data mashups competition (Beeb). What an excellent idea. I’m awash with nostalgia.

It’s called Showusabetterway. And the better news is the Power of Information task force has put up a £20,000 prize (we offered an OS map and a Google lava lamp).

Wouldn’t it be great if one of our winners from 2005 won the official 2008 compeition? Funny, yes, but unlikely. The world has moved on. Also, our competition was maps only – this is for everything.

This does underline the point that the Power of Info posse DOES NOT address personal data. Nor (see below) does the recent public services white paper address personal data. This potato is too hot to handle. Just decentralise it, Sir Bonar. Give it back to everyone.