5 Cool Data Apps & Mashups from the US Government

Government Data Tools for Analysis and Mashups

It's often surprising to consider the U.S. Government as a source of innovative data analysis tools and applications. While many talented programmers are creating impressive data-driven projects, the government is increasingly involved in this space.

Previously, accessing and correlating government data required significant effort. However, the emergence of user-friendly tools is changing this landscape.

The Rise of Data.gov

Data.gov is becoming a central hub for accessing and utilizing government datasets. These resources empower researchers and analysts to uncover statistics and establish connections that were previously difficult to achieve.

Several applications built upon Data.gov are particularly noteworthy. They demonstrate the potential of open government data for insightful analysis.

Five Notable Data.gov Tools

Here are five of the most valuable tools available through Data.gov, showcasing their capabilities:

Data.gov itself: Serves as the primary portal for discovering and downloading a vast collection of datasets.
USAspending.gov: Provides detailed information on federal spending, allowing users to track where taxpayer money is allocated.
Recovery.gov: Focused on tracking the impact of economic stimulus spending, offering transparency into recovery efforts.
HealthData.gov: Offers datasets related to public health, healthcare costs, and quality of care.
City Data: Enables comparisons of data across different cities, covering areas like crime, education, and employment.

These tools represent a significant shift towards open data and increased government transparency. They facilitate a deeper understanding of complex issues and promote data-driven decision-making.

As highlighted by previous explorations of map-based applications and Craigslist data mashups, the potential for combining data sources is immense. The U.S. Government's contribution to this field is rapidly expanding.

The Data.gov Applications Showcase: A Comprehensive Overview

For those familiar with the Data.gov application, DataMasher, a significantly expanded resource is now available through the Data.gov Apps Showcase. This platform presents a vast collection of datasets and innovative mashups.

These resources empower users to visually and analytically connect diverse pieces of information, fostering deeper insights.

Exploring the Apps Showcase

The Apps Showcase serves as a central hub, highlighting the most compelling and useful applications derived from government data.

Users can access this curated selection directly through the dedicated Apps Showcase page on Data.gov.

Discovering Tools and Resources

A comprehensive search engine, featuring over 600 tools, is accessible by clicking the "Tools" tab located at the top of the Data.gov website.

This search functionality allows users to quickly locate specific applications tailored to their needs.

The majority of these applications provide RSS feeds, delivering real-time updates on critical alerts and emerging trends.

Variety of Information Available

These feeds cover a broad spectrum of topics, including weather warnings, public health statistics, and numerous other areas of public interest.

Data.gov provides a powerful platform for accessing and utilizing government information.

Exploring Five Exceptional Data Mashups

All five of the highlighted tools are readily available on the Apps Showcase. Should any of these applications pique your interest, you can locate them there.

Initially, we have the National Obesity Comparison Tool. This application allows for the examination of obesity prevalence across different states. Simply input the desired state to view comparative data against national averages.

Frequent travelers often encounter airport delays. The FlyOnTime.us app addresses this issue by providing access to recent airport and airline performance statistics. Utilizing this information can significantly improve travel planning.

This airline data reveals historical performance trends and identifies airports prone to delays. For instance, flights departing from Boston on Delta Airlines generally maintain good on-time records.

Selecting "Airport Security" information and entering your departure or arrival airport yields historical flight data. This includes real-time updates – within the last 30 minutes – detailing security line wait times over the past seven days. Proactive planning can lead to shorter security queues. The ability to anticipate conditions is a valuable asset.

Individuals seeking employment may find the Employment Market Explorer app beneficial. This Google Maps mashup displays unemployment trends. Clicking on map markers provides automatically updated data for local comparisons.

DataMasher [No Longer Available]

A discussion of top apps would be incomplete without mentioning DataMasher. Its strength lies in its flexibility, allowing users to select from a comprehensive range of datasets covering diverse national information. It also enables mathematical calculations and graphical data representation.

As an example, a mashup can be created displaying states with the highest combined elderly population and driving accident rates. The available datasets encompass 100 to 200 items across numerous topics.

The resulting maps are color-coded for easy interpretation. Switching to the "table" view reveals the underlying data broken down by state and variable.

Health Data Visualizer

Lastly, the Health Data Visualizer is worth noting. Similar to DataMasher, it focuses specifically on health data. However, its interface is less visually intuitive, requiring users to input text commands with precise formatting to specify desired variables.

The output can be presented as sortable tables, scatter plots, or blot maps, depending on user preference. Over three dozen topics are available as variables. The capacity to gather and visualize information with these tools is substantial, offering a valuable resource for researchers and students.

Have you had experience with any of these Data.gov tools? Are you aware of comparable resources in other countries? Please share your insights and resources in the comments below.