In this week’s edition of our open source news roundup, we’ve show you the power of open data, a cool new tool for programmers, and more.
Track the rats
Open data is being used in many creative ways in cities and communities around the world, but it’s possible the New York City Rat Information Portal takes the cheese. IT World has more details on the city-wide rat reports made possible through the city’s Health Department, which shares raw data on where the rats are located based on department inspections. The portal is designed to educate residents about rats, including what attracts them and how to spot an infestation. While the portal has been around for some time, it’s news to me and this IT World reporter. Do you know of any other open data apps that are this unique?