Truly a good idea, but it is somewhat hard to evaluate this when all we get are a couple high level graphs, and everything else is marked as "Unlock with Pro"
The freemium model is in and of itself interesting because most tech leaders in the public sector are quite allergic to the idea of monetizing the public view of data and content. They want the organizations who produce the data to fund the platforms, with the public views being a key piece of the puzzle, but not the funding source. I'm actually with you on it, that if the public wants deep engagement, it is worth some small fees. But we're the minority - most folks with whom I've discussed projects vehemently reject the idea.
As you are also asking for a "Pro" subscription for API access, I'd open up the public view and rely instead on API fees.
I hear ya. I'm just unsure that people will even use the API enough. That is assuming that most of the people that would use this/hangout here are programmer-y.
Perhaps I can make more things seen in the "Free tier"
I'm not sure what this comment means. The site is to help you follow the money of federal spending in districts. I never mention anything about "local spending". What are you trying to say here?
There are lots of places people would want to see contracts and spending..
A district is by definition local. Comparing spending of each national laboratory against its local VA is kind of pointless.
If you want to see how much is being spent on national research, you'll get useful information by displaying national spending on research. Looking up local spending on national research facilities will get you absolutely zero information for 99% of districts, because most districts don't have a national laboratory.
As it is currently designed, if you want to know how your local district is spending federal money, e.g. on roads or health care, thepublictab.com almost always shows useful information, except in rare cases where billing for a nexus of nation-wide contractors throws off the mix, for example by being in or near a federal district or hosting a national laboratory.
Truly a good idea, but it is somewhat hard to evaluate this when all we get are a couple high level graphs, and everything else is marked as "Unlock with Pro"
The freemium model is in and of itself interesting because most tech leaders in the public sector are quite allergic to the idea of monetizing the public view of data and content. They want the organizations who produce the data to fund the platforms, with the public views being a key piece of the puzzle, but not the funding source. I'm actually with you on it, that if the public wants deep engagement, it is worth some small fees. But we're the minority - most folks with whom I've discussed projects vehemently reject the idea.
As you are also asking for a "Pro" subscription for API access, I'd open up the public view and rely instead on API fees.
I hear ya. I'm just unsure that people will even use the API enough. That is assuming that most of the people that would use this/hangout here are programmer-y.
Perhaps I can make more things seen in the "Free tier"
It's like 90% social security. The one thing that has a bipartisan lack of support.
https://thepublictab.com/districts/VA-08
You can at least drill down onto what the spending is all about! Where I'm near its not mainly social security (^:
My district has only one defense contractor, and yours has like all of them. It's not really local spending.
I'm not sure what this comment means. The site is to help you follow the money of federal spending in districts. I never mention anything about "local spending". What are you trying to say here?
There are lots of places people would want to see contracts and spending..
https://thepublictab.com/districts/CA-14 https://thepublictab.com/districts/NM-01
etc..
A district is by definition local. Comparing spending of each national laboratory against its local VA is kind of pointless.
If you want to see how much is being spent on national research, you'll get useful information by displaying national spending on research. Looking up local spending on national research facilities will get you absolutely zero information for 99% of districts, because most districts don't have a national laboratory.
As it is currently designed, if you want to know how your local district is spending federal money, e.g. on roads or health care, thepublictab.com almost always shows useful information, except in rare cases where billing for a nexus of nation-wide contractors throws off the mix, for example by being in or near a federal district or hosting a national laboratory.