I have repeatedly talked about the value of data and the need to keep it open. While the analogy to bioinformatics is not direct, recent discussions about OpenSocial are stressing the need to set the data free.
As Tim notes … “we want applications that can use data from multiple social networks”
Similarly, in the life sciences, we want to access information across the spectrum of data sources (data networks?). Not a different app on each network or for each interpretation or data “standard”
We should keep the data free. We should have the capability to use data from one place and re-use it elsewhere. In the pharma industry, that could be within different parts of the same organization, especially in globally distributed ones. Tim also talks about “small pieces loosely joined”. Another perfect use case for the power being in the hands of those who learn how to harness the data, but not lock it in.
Just some of the concepts that I cover in the oft embedded slideshow on “searching science”.
Data should be set free
I have repeatedly talked about the value of data and the need to keep it open. While the analogy to bioinformatics is not direct, recent discussions about OpenSocial are stressing the need to set the data free.
As Tim notes … “we want applications that can use data from multiple social networks”
Similarly, in the life sciences, we want to access information across the spectrum of data sources (data networks?). Not a different app on each network or for each interpretation or data “standard”
We should keep the data free. We should have the capability to use data from one place and re-use it elsewhere. In the pharma industry, that could be within different parts of the same organization, especially in globally distributed ones. Tim also talks about “small pieces loosely joined”. Another perfect use case for the power being in the hands of those who learn how to harness the data, but not lock it in.
Just some of the concepts that I cover in the oft embedded slideshow on “searching science”.
Further reading:
TechCrunch
Technorati Tags: Open Data, Tim O’Reilly