Dragons� Den-type competition to find ideas which could improve our livesBy Edd McCracken
With computers in every home and mobile devices in every pocket, the geeks seem to have inherited the Earth. Now it appears they want to give something back.
Later this month Scottish programmers, coders and software designers will gather to donate their skills and expertise at Scotland's first Social Innovation Camp. Its aim is not to make millions, but rather to make lives better.
Six ideas have been shortlisted to be developed over the weekend of June 19 to June 21 in Glasgow, ranging from creating a network of social chain-gangs, billed as "flash-mobbing with a purpose", to MyPoliceService, a website where you can rate police officers, report crimes, and track cases. The best will be chosen in a Dragons' Den-style finale, and get £1000 to make it a reality.
Organisers said the camp will show that the virtual world of web and digital technology can affect real social change.
"We are a nation of whingers," said Anna Maybank, director of Social Innovation Camp. "When stuff goes wrong we like to complain and blame the government and councils for it. What we are trying to do is create a way for people to stop whinging and start fixing stuff themselves."
The event is supported by the Big Lottery Fund, Nesta - the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts - Skills Development Scotland, and 4iP, Channel 4's fund for digital innovation. Ewan McIntosh, 4iP's digital media manager, said the ideas produced at the camp could either "earn you a million or a knighthood".
"It is a heart-warming project," he added. "Maybe some people are thinking I'll get a job out of this,' but at the heart of every one coming is to do something good".
Inspired by similar schemes in the US, the first Social Innovation Camp was held in London in April 2008.
The winning idea at the second camp in December 2008 was The Good Gym. Its tagline is "helps you do good while you keep fit". After signing up to its website, joggers would run to the homes of isolated people, such as an infirm pensioners, deliver something nice, have a chat, then be on their way.
This will be the first Social Innovation Camp to be held outside London.
Sam Collins's project, Fix The Freakin' Buses, is one idea short-listed from more than 130 entries. The 23-year-old wants to build an accessible, mobile-friendly system of tracking buses in Edinburgh. It was inspired by his time spent at university walking everywhere because of the current confusing system.
"Now instead of waiting for the bus services to fix the problem, we can do that ourselves," he said. "The tools are there. The internet is sometimes overhyped and people think it can do more than it can, but in cases like this, it absolutely can."
Rosie McIntosh's idea, Ex-changing Places, hopes to create a user-generated map and database of fully accessible toilets for disabled people. "It is like a Facebook for toilets," she said. "It would change people's lives. Disabled people and their carers are excluded from doing things and going places if they don't know there is a suitable toilet in the area."
Lyall Bruce's idea was inspired by the number of derelict sites in Dundee awaiting development. His project, Citipedia, mixes Google maps with the classic town-planning game, Sim City. It would allow the public to review proposed developments online and design their own suggestions for the site.
Bruce, 31, is passionate about the potential of events like Social Innovation Camp.
"In the past you may have written to your councillor or MP, but the chances of getting things happening were slim," he said. "But with the internet, and having a pool of people who have the skills, you can can actually use the technology to improve lives for everyone."
