How might a person begin to understand the digital technologies that are embedded into our physical places? What are the possibilities for engaging with and giving feedback on these ambient digital systems? We’re excited to share one proposal for feedback. DTPR is an initial draft of an open-source system-to-people communication standard for transparency and accountability, for digital technologies embedded in physical places. The framework includes a taxonomy of concepts around digital tech and data practices, an associated set of icons and visual language, and can be used for signs, websites, or really any kind of communication mechanism. We will introduce the DTPR system and share prepared “smart city” scenarios so that people can understand how the system works, and provide us with feedback. For more info see https://github.com/helpful-places/dtpr
Because DTPR is an on-going project, participants at the MozFest session would be able to continue to contribute to the open-source project.
DTPR has a Slack workspace where attendees can share their feedback and engage with others who are interested in furthering DTPR.
The DTPR project collaborators would actively reach out to participants and follow-up on their implementations. These conversations can provide an opportunity to gather feedback on the way the standard works (or needs further refinement).
One approach with a larger number of participants would be to provide feedback worksheets that the participants can use to interview and gather feedback from each other on their use of the system, in small groups. We could use this same approach if the number of participants is on the lower end. But, if we are asking participants to apply the standard in advance, we should know the number of folks who are planning to attend.
What is the goal and/or outcome of your session?:The goal of the session is to get feedback on the draft DTPR communication standard, and get more feedback and ideas from the community on how it might be improved. We’d also like to get more folks interested in the project, ideally from around the world, so that we can get a diversity of perspectives into the development of this visual language designed to increase transparency about the digital technologies that are pervasive everywhere and helping spark a conversation on their use
Data Lead at Mozilla Foundation. At Helpful Places, coalition building for DTPR, an open-source communication standard for technology that enables agency for people in the real world.
Richard is president of GLIA Foundation (www.glia.net), and currently a Mozilla fellow. He will be announcing from MozFest the launch of a cool new startup.