Below is a whole bunch of information to help you prepare for GovHack!

Basically, the way your GovHack project is rated is based on your team page (where you register your team and project information, link to come) and on the presentation you give at the end of GovHack (Sunday 3pm). We don’t mind what developer, data or visualisation tools you use so long as the outcomes are awesome ![:)](http://www.govhack.org/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif) 

We provide some development tools and access to virtual servers (if you want to roll your own). Otherwise below are links to other tools that you might want to use.

Check out the [Data & Comps page](/data-competitions) for information about data sets.

Just remember, the competition judges will be focused on the outcomes of your project, so updating your team page with information and screenshots/screencasts of your project is really important, along with having an awesome presentation Sunday afternoon, so make sure you schedule some time to work on these before the 3pm deadline on Sunday ![:)](http://www.govhack.org/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif) 

<div class="toggleItem">[<div class="icon1\. iconSymbol plus"></div>Hosted Developer Tools](#hosted-developer-tools)

### Rewired State for GovHack

Rewired State are providing a GitHub hosted service along with some Atlassian developer tools. To get access to this environment, email steve [at] rewiredstate.com.au

### Sourceforge

Subversion, Git, Mercurial, Bazaar, CVS, issue tracker, wiki, release file downloads. Unlimited free use for open source projects.

You can create your own Sourceforge project at [http://sourceforge.net/](http://sourceforge.net/)

### Google Code Project Hosting

Git, Mercurial, and Subversion code. Issue tracker, wiki, release file downloads. Unlimited free use for open source projects.

You can host your Google Code project and get access to developer tools, APIs and documentation at [http://code.google.com/](http://code.google.com/)

</div></div><div class="toggleItem">[<div class="icon1\. iconSymbol plus"></div>Roll Your Own - Virtual Servers](#roll-your-own-virtual-servers)

### Anchor

Anchor have sponsored GovHack with virtual servers.

Just contact [govhack@lambdacomplex.org](mailto:govhack@lambdacomplex.org) if you want an Anchor hosted server, which comes with LAMP stack ready to go ![:)](http://www.govhack.org/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif) 

### Ninefold

Ninefold have sponsored GovHack with virtual servers. To access a Ninefold hosted server, firstly check out [http://ninefold.com/virtual-servers/](http://ninefold.com/virtual-servers/) and there are specific lists of available templates at:

*   [http://ninefold.com/virtual-servers/linux/](http://ninefold.com/virtual-servers/linux/)
*   [http://ninefold.com/virtual-servers/windows/](http://ninefold.com/virtual-servers/windows/)

To get your Ninefold hosted server, forward your GovHack Eventbrite registration confirmation along with your configuration requirements and please let them know if you will be in Canberra our Sydney.

Please use the following format:



<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Team Name:

Contact Name:

Contact Phone (mobile pref):

Contact Email:

Event Location: (Sydney/Canberra)</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">**

**</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Type of VM Required: [Select from: [https://ninefold.com/support/display/SPT/Ninefold+Templates](https://ninefold.com/support/display/SPT/Ninefold+Templates)]

</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">What you will be using the VM for?</span>

<span style="font-size: xx-small;">What ports does your application need opened?</span>

Please review the Ninefold terms and conditions and customer agreement [http://ninefold.com/legal/](http://ninefold.com/legal/)

**VM Specifications**

*   Compute Small &#8211\. 1 CPU [1.2GHz (Bursts 2.8GHz) / 1.7GB RAM]
*   One (1\. External IP address provided
*   4\. Megabits-capable connection to the Internet (Up to 300Megabits if required)

Your VM will be provisioned in a VLAN associated with other VMs in the GovHack event in your area (Sydney/Canberra). Meaning other participants in the event will be able to view your VM in their local network.



Your access information will be sent to you via email and/or phone.

**Need help with your Ninefold virtual server?**

Call 130\. 04\. 61\. / Send a tweet to @ninefold / or send us an email to [support@ninefold.com](mailto:support@ninefold.com)



</div></div>

# The basics &#8211\. being a data scientist


*   Find the people and tools you need to prove/show/find. This rest of this page will help with the latter.

<div>Please note, there are a combination of Analysis and Visualisation tools in each of the major categories below.</div>
<div><div class="toggleItem">[<div class="icon1\. iconSymbol plus"></div>API Development](#api-development)</div>
<div>

So an API isn&#8217;t just an XML file ![;)](http://www.govhack.org/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif) 

A good web based data API:

*   Is logically organised
*   Can filter returned data
*   Can return results in different open formats (CSV/JSON etc.)
*   Is efficient and responsive by using caching and databases appropriately
*   Handles errors gracefully
*   Monitors and controls access (to show benefit realised of API and prevent abuse)
*   Provides appropriate documentation with examples

Some people like sensis [http://](http://developers.sensis.com.au/)[developers.sensis.com.<wbr>au</wbr>](http://developers.sensis.com.au/)[/](http://developers.sensis.com.au/) use a provider like[http://](http://mashery.com/)[mashery.com](http://mashery.com/)[/](http://mashery.com/) or [https](https://apigee.com/)[://](https://apigee.com/)[apigee.com](https://apigee.com/) or [http://](http://apiaxle.com/)[apiaxle.com](http://apiaxle.com/)[/](http://apiaxle.com/) or [http://www.3scale.net/](http://www.3scale.net/) which handles making a good API for them.

Atlassian have a great page on what makes a good API [https](https://developer.atlassian.com/display/REST/Atlassian+REST+API+Design+Guidelines+version+1)[://](https://developer.atlassian.com/display/REST/Atlassian+REST+API+Design+Guidelines+version+1)[developer.atlassian.<wbr>com</wbr>](https://developer.atlassian.com/display/REST/Atlassian+REST+API+Design+Guidelines+version+1)[/display/REST/](https://developer.atlassian.com/display/REST/Atlassian+REST+API+Design+Guidelines+version+1)[Atlassian](https://developer.atlassian.com/display/REST/Atlassian+REST+API+Design+Guidelines+version+1)[+<wbr>REST+API+Design+Guidelines+<wbr>version+1</wbr></wbr>](https://developer.atlassian.com/display/REST/Atlassian+REST+API+Design+Guidelines+version+1)

</div>

</div></div>

<div class="toggleItem">[<div class="icon1\. iconSymbol plus"></div>Data Visualisation](#data-visualisation)

Most of the categories to follow have visualisation tools specific to their purpose.

You can find some data visualisation &#8220;essential&#8221\. tools below:

[http://www.visualisingdata.com/index.php/2011/07/part-6-the-essential-collection-of-visualisation-resources/](http://www.visualisingdata.com/index.php/2011/07/part-6-the-essential-collection-of-visualisation-resources/)

Also check out [http://thejit.org](http://thejit.org/) &amp; [http://www.senchalabs.org/<wbr>philogl/</wbr>](http://www.senchalabs.org/philogl/) (contributed by Matt Adcock)

</div></div>

<div class="toggleItem">[<div class="icon1\. iconSymbol plus"></div>Augmented Reality Tools](#augmented-reality-tools)

### buildAR

buildAR was the world&#8217;s first AR Content Management System with the first early version launched back in 200\. as a bit of a test to see if people were interested in being able to create their own augmented experiences. MOB Labs officially launched the new improved buildAR at the Augmented Reality event in Silicon Valley in May 2011.

[http://buildAR.com](http://buildar.com/) (normally a 1\. day free trial but GovHack attendees on the day will get a fully activated account for a month. If you are a GovHack attendee want full access now to play, just sign up for a trial and then forward your GovHack Eventbrite registration email to govhack [at] buildar.com and they&#8217;ll set you up for the free month fully activated account within a couple of days.

### Other AR tools and references

theAWEsomeWEB &#8211\. Future of the Augmented Web [http://theAWEsomeWEB.com](http://theawesomeweb.com/)

Layar &#8211\. AR Browser - [http://layar.com](http://layar.com/)

Junaio &#8211\. AR Browser - [http://junaio.com](http://junaio.com/)

Aurasma &#8211\. AR Browser - [http://aurasma.com/](http://aurasma.com/)

Vuforia &#8211\. NFT based AR SDK - [http://qualcomm.com/solutions/<wbr>augmented-reality</wbr>](http://qualcomm.com/solutions/augmented-reality)

String &#8211\. Marker based AR SDK - [http://poweredbystring.com/](http://poweredbystring.com/)

[pointcloud.io](http://pointcloud.io/) - SLAM based AR SDK - [http://pointcloud.io/](http://pointcloud.io/)

ARToolkit &#8211\. Marker based AR SDK - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/<wbr>ARToolKit</wbr>](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARToolKit)

FLARToolkit &#8211\. Marker based AR SDK - [http://saqoo.sh/a/en/<wbr>flartoolkit/start-up-guide</wbr>](http://saqoo.sh/a/en/flartoolkit/start-up-guide)

Kooaba &#8211\. Visual search platform - [http://kooaba.com](http://kooaba.com/)

Catchoom &#8211\. Visual search platform - [http://catchoom.com/](http://catchoom.com/)

Google Googles &#8211\. Visual search app - [http://www.google.com/mobile/<wbr>goggles/#text</wbr>](http://www.google.com/mobile/goggles/#text)

Vuzix 920AR &#8211\. Wearable display - [http://www.vuzix.com/consumer/<wbr>products_wrap920ar.html</wbr>](http://www.vuzix.com/consumer/products_wrap920ar.html)

Project Glass &#8211\. Googles wearable display project - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?<wbr>v=9c6W4CCU9M4</wbr>](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c6W4CCU9M4)

Mixed Reality &#8211\. Nokia&#8217;s vision for wearable displays [http://www.youtube.com/watch?<wbr>v=CGwvZWyLiBU</wbr>](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGwvZWyLiBU)

City Lens &#8211\. Nokia&#8217;s latest AR app - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?<wbr>v=63lNPkl-EPE&amp;feature=youtu.be</wbr>](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63lNPkl-EPE&amp;feature=youtu.be)

AR &#8211\. Wikipedia page - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/<wbr>Augmented_reality</wbr>](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality)

Steve Mann &#8211\. Wearable Computing Pioneer - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/<wbr>Steve_Mann</wbr>](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Mann)

Thad Starner &#8211\. Wearable Computing Pioneer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/<wbr>Thad_Starner</wbr>](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thad_Starner)

Mark Weiser &#8211\. Father of Pervasive Computing [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/<wbr>Mark_Weiser</wbr>](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Weiser)

</div></div><div class="toggleItem">[<div class="icon1\. iconSymbol plus"></div>Geographical Data Tools](#geographical-data-tools)

Check out the[ GeoRabble Boundary Mapper&#8217;s Cookbook](http://georabble.org/2012/05/31/the-boundary-mappers-cookbook/) to see how you can tie all these things together!

## Analysis

### PostGIS

[![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/postgisexample-300x130.jpg "postgisexample")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/postgisexample.jpg)PostGIS is an extension for the PostgreSQL database server that allows you to store and manipulate geospatial data on a large scale. For example finding which points are in an area or what points are closest . It is also very useful for storing geospatial data because it can convert between all major formats including ESRI Shape files and Google Earth/Maps KML.

### Quantum GIS

[![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_m50afbe88-300x160.jpg "QGIS Screenshot")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_m50afbe88.jpg)QGIS is a graphical desktop application that allows viewing and editing of geospatial data. Some good base maps are available by adding the WMS layer/server [http://irs.gis-lab.info/](http://irs.gis-lab.info/)

## Visualisation

### Google Fusion Tables/ChartsBin/[OpenHeatMap](http://www.openheatmap.com/)

[![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/fusiontablesscreenshot-300x168.jpg "fusiontablesscreenshot")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/fusiontablesscreenshot.jpg)Input a numerical values and areas to a spreadsheet and maps are produced

### [Cartographer.js](http://cartographer.visualmotive.com/)

[![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/cartographerjs-300x187.png "cartographerjs screenshot")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/cartographerjs.png)Input data as JSON and maps are produced.

### 

### 

### 

### 

### 

### OpenLayers/Google Maps/[Leaflet](http://leaflet.cloudmade.com/)

[![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_512fcbe1-300x173.jpg "OpenLayers Screenshot")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_512fcbe1.jpg)Display points and different layers. Leaflet is the easiest to use if you just want to show points with popups when clicked on.

### NASA World Wind/Google Earth

[![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_4dda24a4-300x261.jpg "WorldWind screenshot")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_4dda24a4.jpg)Google Earth provides 3\. viewing of KML/GML files which represent points and shapes, both through a desktop application and a web plugin. These can be extended with interactive features that allow you to view by timeline or have animated tours between different points. You can also develop and customise your own viewer with the open source [NASA World Wind toolkit.](http://goworldwind.org/demos/)

### 

</div></div><div class="toggleItem">[<div class="icon1\. iconSymbol plus"></div>Tabular Data Tools](#tabular-data-tools)

## Analysis

### Excel / Calc

Great basic analysis and viewing. Older versions can be limited to 6500\. or so rows. Eg [http://www.tcij.org/training-material/car/data-mining/3474](http://www.tcij.org/training-material/car/data-mining/3474)

### [DataWrangler](http://vis.stanford.edu/wrangler/)/[Google Refine](http://code.google.com/p/google-refine/)

[![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/google_refine_interface.png "google_refine_interface")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/google_refine_interface.png)Clean up duplicate or inconsistent data entries.

### PostgreSQL/MySQL

[![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_209ee972.jpg "SQL screenshot")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_209ee972.jpg)Next step up, large datasets can be manipulated/extracted efficiently for example [http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.4/static/tutorial-window.html](http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.4/static/tutorial-window.html) , no built-in data visualisation though.

[Miso Dataset](http://misoproject.com/dataset/)



### R Statistical Language

[![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/rstudio-windows-300x249.png "rstudio-windows")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/rstudio-windows.png)Advanced data analysis, can find and visualise trends in large datasets. Some reference resources to learn the language [http://cran.r-project.org/doc/manuals/R-intro.html ](http://cran.r-project.org/doc/manuals/R-intro.html)There are also some addons that provide graphical interfaces that make it easier to use such as Rattle [http://rattle.togaware.com/](http://rattle.togaware.com/) , RStudio [http://rstudio.org/](http://rstudio.org/) or Deducer [http://www.deducer.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.DeducerManual](http://www.deducer.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.DeducerManual)

## Visualisation

### [Tableau Desktop](http://www.tableausoftware.com/)

Create visualisations from various data formats by dragging and dropping. Free trial available on website. [![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/Tableau-Screenshot-300x190.jpg "Tableau Screenshot")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/Tableau-Screenshot.jpg)

### [Flotr2](http://www.humblesoftware.com/flotr2/)/[Google Chart Tools](https://developers.google.com/chart/)

[![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_m11006fce-300x199.jpg "flotr2 screenshot")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_m11006fce.jpg)Javascript based charts for webpages.

### D3.js (Data-Driven Documents)

[![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_m90d8020-300x277.jpg "d3 screenshot")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_m90d8020.jpg)Javascript visualisations that are more interactive or intricate than charts. Can be hard to learn but there are examples and easier to use premade visualisations such as [word clouds](http://www.jasondavies.com/wordcloud/), [realtime filtering of barcharts](http://square.github.com/crossfilter/), or [bubble trees for comparing amount sizes](https://github.com/okfn/bubbletree).

### Processing.js

</div></div><div class="toggleItem">[<div class="icon1\. iconSymbol plus"></div>Graph (relationships and networks) Data Tools](#graph-relationships-and-networks-data-tools)

## Analysis

### Neo4j



can be done using a preexisting tool like Gremlin or by writing a simple Java/Python/Ruby application. Queries can be tested in the built in data browser.

### [NetworkX](http://networkx.lanl.gov/index.html)

[![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/chess_masters-300x300.png "NetworkX")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/chess_masters.png)

NetworkX is a social network analysis library for python. Many advanced analyses built in like finding communities within a graph. Also good for converting data into graphs.

### Palantir

Palantir make a good computer forensics tool, which they will showcase and give GovHack attendees access to for GovHack data analysis purposes. For more information check out:

[http://palantir.com.au/](http://palantir.com.au/)

## Visualisation

### [Graphviz](http://www.graphviz.org/)



### Gephi

[![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_74d01d05-300x195.jpg "Gephi Screenshot")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_74d01d05.jpg)Desktop graph editor and renderer. Many good automatic layout algorithms even for very large graphs.

### [sigma.js](http://sigmajs.org/)

[![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_m6006eaf3-300x130.jpg "Sigma.js Screenshot")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_m6006eaf3.jpg)Javascript graph viewer, can use GEXF files exported from tools like neo4j, gephi and NetworkX.

</div></div>

Below is some additional information including a few previous GovHack projects to get you thinking ![:)](http://www.govhack.org/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)  More examples are available at [http://mashupaustralia.org/](http://mashupaustralia.org/).

<div class="toggleItem">[<div class="icon1\. iconSymbol plus"></div>Previous Project Examples](#previous-project-examples)

## PlanningAlerts

[![Planning Alerts Screenshot](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_2f0199ff1-300x221.png "Planning Alerts Screenshot")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_2f0199ff1.png)Description: Planning Alerts takes data from local government development applications and sends alerts to users based on what applications are lodged in their area.

Programming Language: Ruby

Source Control: [Git](https://github.com/openaustralia/planningalerts-app)

Issue Tracking: [Atlassian JIRA](http://tickets.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/browse/PA/)

## LobbyLens

[![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/129-Screenshot-LobbyClue_-_Chromium-300x180.png "LobbyLens screenshot")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/129-Screenshot-LobbyClue_-_Chromium.png)

Description: Displays connections between government contracts, business details, politician responsibilities, lobbyists, clients of lobbyists, political donors and the location of these entities.

Programing Language: PHP

Source Control: SVN (Subversion)

Issue Tracking: A whiteboard

## Bus.lambdacomplex.org

[![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_3789acae-300x253.jpg "Bus.lambda screenshot")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_3789acae.jpg)

Description: Online Canberra Bus Timetables and Trip Planner.

Programing Language: PHP/Ruby

Source Control: Git

Issue Tracking: Github

</div></div><div class="toggleItem">[<div class="icon1\. iconSymbol plus"></div>General Data Hacking and Programming References](#general-data-hacking-and-programming-references)

<div>
<dl id="attachment_3531">
<dt>[![Diagram of different kinds of Data Journalism](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_m6a65720f-300x199.gif "Data Journalism Diagram")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_m6a65720f.gif)</dt>
<dd>Illustration from Data Journalism Handbook, CC BY-SA 3.0</dd>
</dl>
</div>



[datajournalismhandbook.org](http://datajournalismhandbook.org/)

You can learn the technical skills from scratch in Visualize This: The FlowingData Guide to Design, Visualization, and Statistics by Nathan Yau or for more advanced

practical advice check out Data Analysis with Open Source Tools by Philipp K. Janert

For further reading in this space

[http://flowingdata.com/2012/04/27/data-and-visualization-blogs-worth-following/](http://flowingdata.com/2012/04/27/data-and-visualization-blogs-worth-following/)

**Statistics**

[http://greenteapress.com/thinkstats/html/index.html](http://greenteapress.com/thinkstats/html/index.html)

**Programming**

Programming is valuable skill for manipulating and displaying data.

Basic tutorials for a variety of languages are available for free online or you can learn

interactively with websites like [http://www.codecademy.com/](http://www.codecademy.com/#!/exercises/0\. for JavaScript or [http://www.learnpython.org/ ](http://www.learnpython.org/)or [http://tryruby.org](http://tryruby.org/)

[https://developer.mozilla.org/en/JavaScript](https://developer.mozilla.org/en/JavaScript) &#8211\. especially for web applications and visualisations, you&#8217;ll need a basic understanding of JS. Common libraries like prototype or jQuery can help

**Accessibility/User Experience**

WCAG guidelines not only make a web app accessible but make it a better experience for all users! Even if not making an app, good to consider these things to do and not do: [http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG/](http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG/)

</div></div>

<div class="toggleItem">[<div class="icon1\. iconSymbol plus"></div>Developer Tools For Your Computer](#developer-tools-for-your-computer)</p>

### Source Control &#8211\. Git / Subversion

[![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-at-2012-04-29-172132-300x235.png "Git Screenshot")](http://progit.org/book/)

[http://progit.org/book/](http://progit.org/book/)

[http://svnbook.red-bean.com/](http://svnbook.red-bean.com/)

[http://tortoisesvn.net/](http://tortoisesvn.net/)

[http://code.google.com/p/tortoisegit/](http://code.google.com/p/tortoisegit/)

### Task Tracking - [Trac](http://trac.edgewall.org/) / [Redmine](http://www.redmine.org/) / [Bugzilla](http://www.bugzilla.org/)

## [![](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/trac-300x207.png "trac screenshot")](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/trac.png)

Issue/task trackers allow you to outline the tasks required for your project and assign them to people to do.