Comments on: What’s a sustainable model for developers to make green apps? http://blog.epa.gov/data/2011/12/what%e2%80%99s-a-sustainable-model-for-developers-to-make-green-apps/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what%25e2%2580%2599s-a-sustainable-model-for-developers-to-make-green-apps A Place to Discuss EPA Data and Developer Resources Wed, 22 May 2013 20:57:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Bruce Caron http://blog.epa.gov/data/2011/12/what%e2%80%99s-a-sustainable-model-for-developers-to-make-green-apps/comment-page-1/#comment-42776 Bruce Caron Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:38:35 +0000 http://blog.epa.gov/data/?p=904#comment-42776 For some years now, I’ve been the “client side” earth data app enthusiast, trying to help build authoring tools for organizations to create custom, data-rich apps for classrooms, resource managers, and decision makers. This adventure did not go well in the face of all the funding and attention to web services. Then the iPad happened. Suddenly, apps are back. Apps can take advantage of web services, but then add value through their ability to offer a better user experience.
The EPA’s Apps for the Environment is a great first step to open up app development. The next steps are emerging. As Ethan notes here, there are new ways to leverage social networking, microfunding, and social media to connect data providers, software developers, and thought leaders in education and the environmental NGO world. I know the DigitalOcean team is working to add microfunding to their ocean science platform, and I’ve seen some great proposals looking to build better science software authoring standards. This is a perfect time to explore these opportunities.

]]> By: Andy Rossmeissl http://blog.epa.gov/data/2011/12/what%e2%80%99s-a-sustainable-model-for-developers-to-make-green-apps/comment-page-1/#comment-42773 Andy Rossmeissl Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:59:32 +0000 http://blog.epa.gov/data/?p=904#comment-42773 Ethan, these are all great points. I especially like the focus on funding, which is a crucial–and mostly lacking–element of this movement. Identifying projects, selecting winners, and distributing funds are obviously difficult tasks, but there are models: we should look to the venture capital community for advice and even leadership. There are any number of funds focusing on “clean tech,” but not much is out there for pure green software plays. Perhaps this is lack of deal flow, or unclear monetization strategies, or something else — but these are all challenges that VCs have learned over the years to address.

A couple of plugs for folks reading this:

* At Brighter Planet we’re making our own contribution to the funding challenge in the form of our Developer Fellowship program. Check it out: http://brighterplanet.com/fellowship

* Beyond funding, another critical part of the green apps ecosystem is data, and there is certainly room for improvement there that will accelerate developers’ work. We just released a whitepaper with some analysis and recommendations: http://brighterplanet.com/research

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