I think what people are realizing is that there is a difference between data and information. I recently created the Center for Digital Information http://digitalinfo.org not focused just on government research/data, but policy research generally including think tanks, agencies, foundations, nonprofits, etc. The goal is to start to make these important distinctions between “research” “data” “information” where they are often used synonymously. To qualify as “information,” I maintain it needs to be effectively *communicated* (in digital media). Perhaps that’s where data distribution such as this falls short of information?

I’d propose a sixth: “Data to Keep Citizens Informed,” which would include crime, health inspections, new business licenses and the types of frequently updated, “newsy” government information we collect at EveryBlock. I realize your list is slightly skewed toward incentives for *governments* to release their data, but I’d argue an informed public helps the government do its job better (e.g., in community policing).