We've been writing a lot about data portability here lately, and specifically the DataPortability.org Work Group. High level members of Google and Facebook staff joined the group a week ago yesterday, key people from LinkedIn, SixApart, Flickr and Twitter joined two days after that, the new Mozilla CEO told us last night that his organization is looking closely and will likely join the group.
That's all well and good but when does the rubber hit the road? Where's the beef and what are we waiting for?
Though it's only been a week since Google and Facebook staff joined the organization, there's been some key progress made this morning in explaining the aims of the movement. Whereas parts of Data Portability (like OpenID) have been plagued with foggy evangelistic efforts for years, check out the following video explaining the concepts. This strikingly well-produced work was made independently by screencaster Michael Pick of Smashcut Media.
I'm really impressed. The past week may have been more talk and hype than anything else - but talk plays an important roll in building pressure for change. Major vendors have come to the table, now advocates of change everywhere have one more useful tool in this video to make sure that the public doesn't forget about the conversation that's begun.
Though it appears that Data Portability has a long road ahead of it and that major vendors are unlikely to open up access to their users' data, in fact openness has some important competitive advantages. The open and integrated vendor has far greater network effect and scale of access to data for their own purposes than the data hording vendor. The biggest challenge may be building a new social contract to protect customer privacy and control in this exciting new era of portability and personalization. You can join that conversation at DataPortability.org and elsewhere.
Michael Pick has chosen the easy-on-the eyes player from Vimeo to embed his video, the code to repost the video elsewhere is available with just a click or two from inside the player here.
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Whereas parts of Data Portability (like OpenID) have been plagued with foggy evangelistic efforts for years, check out the following video explaining the concepts. Read More
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An impressive elite group of select "high level members" of select "high level companies".
There's no JOIN button on DataPortability.org site (joining? not welcome, unless...)
And that me@chrissaad.com didn't even care to respond to how-to-join inquiries -- despite the obvious "Contact Us" text link.
Yuck.
(PS. Sure we know how to join a Google Group -- in case you think all those people emailing you are stupid and didn't RTFM.)
Posted by: Unimpressed | January 15, 2008 9:05 AMUnimpressed - I think you make a fair point there. I do wonder if there's been any official communication about Working Group new members - other than these announcements about new elite members.
Posted by: Marshall KirkpatrickFair enough. It was a little disappointing, in that we've also been vocal advocates urging people to join it. Anyway, nothing is perfect, but still, good efforts.
Posted by: Unimpressed | January 15, 2008 10:48 AM@Unimpressed The only thing to join at this stage is the public group.
There is a second google group for the 'Workgroup' made up of people who started the discussion early or can have a large impact on it. We are currently working out a process for people to move from the public group to the Workgroup.
The public group, though, is more active and productive than the workgroup at the moment. And the workgroup is open - anyone can read the conversation as it happens.
I will also tweak the site to put a big 'Join Here' button to help people see the link.
Thanks for the feedback!
Chris
Posted by: Chris Saad | January 15, 2008 2:35 PMThere are too many in the group with a horse in the race.
Posted by: Horse Trainer | January 15, 2008 3:11 PMStrange mentality. Doomed to fail by separating people into two classes.
Posted by: Unimpressed | January 15, 2008 8:33 PMLet me attempt translate what Mr. Saad might be really saying...
MR. SAAD:
"There is a second google group for the 'Workgroup' made up of people who started the discussion early or can have a large impact on it."
TRANSLATION BY HORSE TRAINER:
There is a second group of people, led by me (the Attention Ninja), who have worked long and hard trying to get this baby going. I have big plans with my Engagd & Particls and don't want any 'nobodys' to screw with my plans. I need to have the Facebook and Google reps undivided attention to ensure my ship comes in.
MR. SAAD:
"We are currently working out a process for people to move from the public group to the Workgroup."
TRANSLATION BY HORSE TRAINER:
Me and the 'big boys' are devising a plan to bring in worker bees to do all the admin stuff. The big thinking has already been done by my people, but we'll need alot of help from the masses with documentation so that our ship can come in and we can have our names in stars next to Zuckerberg.
Posted by: Horse Trainer | January 16, 2008 9:01 AM24hrs later...still no 'Join Here' link up on DataPortability.org
MR SAAD:
"I will also tweak the site to put a big 'Join Here' button to help people see the link."
WHAT SAAD IS SHOWING WITH HIS ACTIONS BY HORSE TRAINER:
I'll appease you when I have time. I'm busy you know...talking to the 'big guys' and being a ninja.
HORSE TRAINER WORDS:
I would have done it IMMEDIATELY after saying it.
These kids need to get on the ball.
Are they really the ones we want to change the world for us? Come on.
To think they understand the whole Internet for us.
That idea seems obsurd to me.
Posted by: Horse Trainer | January 16, 2008 10:36 PMHorse Trainer,
I actually went to add the link, but I realized that there is already a list of links for taking action and that to add anything more was probably unnecessary.
We are looking for pro-active people who can find links :)
Regarding your translations - I think in all things one can be optimistic, cynical or pragmatic.
You can be cynical about our goals and motivations and criticize from the sidelines OR you can be pragmatic and help produce your desired outcomes. The choice is yours.
I choose pragmatism mixed with a little optimism.
I invite you to do the same.
Posted by: Chris Saad | January 18, 2008 2:31 PM