Zenbu iPhone App 2.2

Just a quick note to let people know the new version of the iPhone app is out today. It incorporates all the updates on Zenbu from the last 6 weeks and brings the total number of listings to 57,318.

The significant new feature is the ability to Find Nearest using the location of any existing Zenbu entry as the search centrepoint. This means you can find the nearest bar to the restaurant you’re eating at tomorrow and iPod Touch users can now utilise the Nearest searching too. Nifty.

Anyone out there using Windows Mobile or Android who would like to see Zenbu on their phone?

Street View on Zenbu

Google launched Street View, street-level imagery, in New Zealand yesterday. This is seriously cool technology. A lot of the media yesterday seemed to focus on the negative and a small minority whining about privacy concerns. Puhlease. The photos are taken in a public place and nobody really cares to see you walking your dog or watering your lawn. Google has avenues for reporting imagery of concern so I hope to hear more positive news about all the cool stuff this enables.

Trade Me was first off the blocks integrating street view into their property listings. What a brilliant way to suss out the neighbourhood. Top marks.

Street View is now available on Zenbu too. See examples at the following links (click Street View above the map)

Mission Bay
http://www.zenbu.co.nz/entries/show/1099916-mission-bay

The Beehive (you’ll have to pan upwards to see the hive, not just the garage!)
http://www.zenbu.co.nz/entries/show/1098786-the-beehive

Tamaki Yacht Club (pan right for a great view of Rangitoto)
http://www.zenbu.co.nz/entries/show/1137377-tamaki-yacht-club

Very excited about this. Nice one Google.

November 2008 on Zenbu

2749 edits from 103 users in November. A wonderful effort from a lot of new users and much appreciated input from the regulars.

zenbu 2198
rc8 266
burgla 34
garyt 21
hexzed 18
Glars 17
vrod_rider 15
GaryMck 13
MauriceWinn 11
rediguana 11

Hastings, Tauranga and Palmerston North councils supplied details on every premise with an Environmental Health license so now we can find every baker, butcher, grocer, hairdresser, funeral director in these areas. The councils can only provide a name and address so there is still a lot of value to be added to these listings if you can help, every little bit helps – phone numbers, description tags, opening hours, etc.

Thanks to everyone who has edited, searched and recommended Zenbu. With your help it continues to grow and get better and better.

The Ombudsmen Part II

In early November I filed a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsmen regarding the replies received from Napier City and Ruapehu District councils in response to my request for a spreadsheet of the trading name and address of premises issued Environmental Health licenses in the region. See the Councils Project page on our wiki for the background and status of this project.

Both councils refused the request citing the Privacy Act. Seems to me that local goverment is citing the Privacy Act as some sort of panacea for requests that might make them do some work. Seems the Ombudsman agrees with me too! The letter received today states:

I have today notified your complaints to both councils, and advised them as follows:

The first point I would note with regard to Mr Webster’s request is that it concerns information pertaining to commercial entities rather than individuals. The significance of this is that the Privacy Act is not applicable, since it only protects the privacy rights of “natural persons”, that is to say, private individuals. Mr Webster’s request therefore falls to be considered under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) alone.

In light of the above, the Council may wish to reconsider Mr Websters request. Should it be decided that the information can be released, would you please advise that this has been done. Alternatively, should the Council remain of the view that good reason existed for refusing the request on any of the grounds available under LGOIMA, please forward a sample of the information at issue, together with a letter stating which withholding grounds are considered to be applicatable, and the reasons for that decision. (Ombudsman) Mr McGee would then consider the matter further.

I sure can’t see anything remotely appropiate within the reasons for withholding official information in LGOIMA. so we’ll wait 21 days for the councils to respond (wouldn’t expect them to exceed legislated requirements) and see what happens.

PS. I have no idea who Mr Webster is. Either the Ombudsmen have changed my name to protect the innocent or they’re so inundated with requests that they used a template and neglected to update my details, sigh…

[Edit: I got another letter from the Ombudsmen apologising for their mistake of referring to me as Mr Webster. Maybe they read the blog... ]