| Welcome to the GovHack toolkit. This page provides all the information you need to prepare hackfest entries. | Welcome to the GovHack toolkit. This page provides all the information you need to prepare hackfest entries. |
| These tools can be used to make entries like: mobile apps, web apps, data visualisations/infographics | These tools can be used to make entries like: mobile apps, web apps, data visualisations/infographics |
| # General Data Hacking and Programming References {#general-data-hacking-and-programming-references} | # General Data Hacking and Programming References {#general-data-hacking-and-programming-references} |
| ## The basics of being a data scientist | ## The basics of being a data scientist |
| * Have a hypothesis � even if you’re making a tool/api that helps people with their questions too, remember what the objective of that is. | * Have a hypothesis - even if you're making a tool/api that helps people with their questions too, remember what the objective of that is. |
| * Find the people and tools you need to prove/show/find. This rest of this page will help with the latter. | * Find the people and tools you need to prove/show/find. This rest of this page will help with the latter. |
| * Analyse and present results � were they what you expected? Do they help explain to others what you have found out? Can present as a interactive data visualisation or a web/mobile application or just a infographic/motion graphics video that tells a story. | * Analyse and present results - were they what you expected? Do they help explain to others what you have found out? Can present as a interactive data visualisation or a web/mobile application or just a infographic/motion graphics video that tells a story. |
| Please note, there are a combination of Analysis and Visualisation tools in each of the major categories below. | Please note, there are a combination of Analysis and Visualisation tools in each of the major categories below. |
| [](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_m6a65720f.gif)</dt> | [](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_m6a65720f.gif)</dt> |
| Illustration from Data Journalism Handbook, CC BY-SA 3.0</dd> | Illustration from Data Journalism Handbook, CC BY-SA 3.0</dd> |
| The best high level reference is the �Understanding Data� and �Delivering Data� chapters of the Data Journalism Handbook which is available online for free at | The best high level reference is the 'Understanding Data' and 'Delivering Data' chapters of the Data Journalism Handbook which is available online for free at |
| [datajournalismhandbook.org](http://datajournalismhandbook.org/) | [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 | 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 | practical advice check out Data Analysis with Open Source Tools by Philipp K. Janert |
| For further reading in this space | 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/) | [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** | **Statistics** |
| [http://greenteapress.com/thinkstats/html/index.html](http://greenteapress.com/thinkstats/html/index.html) | [http://greenteapress.com/thinkstats/html/index.html](http://greenteapress.com/thinkstats/html/index.html) |
| **Programming** | **Programming** |
| Programming is valuable skill for manipulating and displaying data. | 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 | 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/) | 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) –\. especially for web applications and visualisations, you’ll need a basic understanding of JS. Common libraries like prototype or jQuery can help | [https://developer.mozilla.org/en/JavaScript](https://developer.mozilla.org/en/JavaScript) - especially for web applications and visualisations, you'll need a basic understanding of JS. Common libraries like prototype or jQuery can help |
| **Accessibility/User Experience** | **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/) | 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/) |
| ## Who can be a hack day participant | ## Who can be a hack day participant |
| - roles; coder, designer UX/graphics | - roles; coder, designer UX/graphics |
| ## Definitions | ## Definitions |
| - definitions, open licence reuse permissive hacker hack data journalism data bis UCX etc. | - definitions, open licence reuse permissive hacker hack data journalism data bis UCX etc. |
| ## key datasets | ## key datasets |
| - key datasets, directory.gov.au gazetter/AEC electorates/suburbs/postcodes/LGAs | - key datasets, directory.gov.au gazetter/AEC electorates/suburbs/postcodes/LGAs |
| ## examples | ## examples |
| ## The Open Budget | ## The Open Budget |
| ## WeatherTree weather API | ## WeatherTree weather API |
| ## PlanningAlerts | ## PlanningAlerts |
| [](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. | [](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 | Programming Language: Ruby |
| Source Control: [Git](https://github.com/openaustralia/planningalerts-app) | Source Control: [Git](https://github.com/openaustralia/planningalerts-app) |
| Issue Tracking: [Atlassian JIRA](http://tickets.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/browse/PA/) | Issue Tracking: [Atlassian JIRA](http://tickets.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/browse/PA/) |
| ## LobbyLens | ## LobbyLens |
| [](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/129-Screenshot-LobbyClue_-_Chromium.png) | [](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. | 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 | Programing Language: PHP |
| Source Control: SVN (Subversion) | Source Control: SVN (Subversion) |
| Issue Tracking: A whiteboard | Issue Tracking: A whiteboard |
| ## Bus.lambdacomplex.org | ## Bus.lambdacomplex.org |
| [](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_3789acae.jpg) | [](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_3789acae.jpg) |
| Description: Online Canberra Bus Timetables and Trip Planner. | Description: Online Canberra Bus Timetables and Trip Planner. |
| Programing Language: PHP/Ruby | Programing Language: PHP/Ruby |
| Source Control: Git | Source Control: Git |
| Issue Tracking: Github | Issue Tracking: Github |
| ## Developer Tools For Your Computer {#developer-tools-for-your-computer} | ## Developer Tools For Your Computer {#developer-tools-for-your-computer} |
| server admin / technical tools | server admin / technical tools |
| many projects will require some kind of internet presence, webpage etc. | many projects will require some kind of internet presence, webpage etc. |
| - css framework like bootstrap or zurb foundation | - css framework like bootstrap or zurb foundation |
| video tools, youtube video editor/slideshow, FOSS video editing tools | video tools, youtube video editor/slideshow, FOSS video editing tools |
| - http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/2008/11/11/relaying-postfix-smtp-via-smtpgmailcom/ | - http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/2008/11/11/relaying-postfix-smtp-via-smtpgmailcom/ |
| - amon | - amon |
| ### Source Control –\. Git / Subversion | ### Source Control |
| Git / Subversion | |
| [](http://progit.org/book/) | [](http://progit.org/book/) |
| [http://progit.org/book/](http://progit.org/book/) | [http://progit.org/book/](http://progit.org/book/) |
| [http://svnbook.red-bean.com/](http://svnbook.red-bean.com/) | [http://svnbook.red-bean.com/](http://svnbook.red-bean.com/) |
| [http://tortoisesvn.net/](http://tortoisesvn.net/) | [http://tortoisesvn.net/](http://tortoisesvn.net/) |
| [http://code.google.com/p/tortoisegit/](http://code.google.com/p/tortoisegit/) | [http://code.google.com/p/tortoisegit/](http://code.google.com/p/tortoisegit/) |
| ### Task Tracking - | ### Task Tracking - |
| Issue/task trackers allow you to outline the tasks required for your project and assign them to people to do. | Issue/task trackers allow you to outline the tasks required for your project and assign them to people to do. |
| [Trello](https://trello.com/) and [Workflowy](https://workflowy.com/) are free, lightweight project management tools suitable for a rapid project! | [Trello](https://trello.com/) and [Workflowy](https://workflowy.com/) are free, lightweight project management tools suitable for a rapid project! |
| ## Hosted Developer Tools {#hosted-developer-tools} | ## Hosted Developer Tools {#hosted-developer-tools} |
| Can get many tools (source control, issue tracking) combined into one service cloud hosted so no setup required. | Can get many tools (source control, issue tracking) combined into one service cloud hosted so no setup required. |
| ### Github | ### Github |
| Git obviously but svn/hg interfaces are possible. Provide their own GUI for Windows/OSX or use the variety of Git capable tools | Git obviously but svn/hg interfaces are possible. Provide their own GUI for Windows/OSX or use the variety of Git capable tools |
| ### Sourceforge | ### Sourceforge |
| Subversion, Git, Mercurial, Bazaar, CVS, issue tracker, wiki, release file downloads. Unlimited free use for open source projects. | 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/) | You can create your own Sourceforge project at [http://sourceforge.net/](http://sourceforge.net/) |
| ### Google Code Project Hosting | ### Google Code Project Hosting |
| Git, Mercurial, and Subversion code. Issue tracker, wiki, release file downloads. Unlimited free use for open source projects. | 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/) | 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/) |
| # API Development {#api-development} | # API Development {#api-development} |
| So an API isn’t just an XML file  | So an API isn't just an XML file  |
| A good web based data API: | A good web based data API: |
| * Is logically organised | * Is logically organised |
| * Can filter returned data | * Can filter returned data |
| * Can return results in different open formats (CSV/JSON etc.) | * Can return results in different open formats (CSV/JSON etc.) |
| * Is efficient and responsive by using caching and databases appropriately | * Is efficient and responsive by using caching and databases appropriately |
| * Handles errors gracefully | * Handles errors gracefully |
| * Monitors and controls access (to show benefit realised of API and prevent abuse) | * Monitors and controls access (to show benefit realised of API and prevent abuse) |
| * Provides appropriate documentation with examples | * 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. | 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) | 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) |
| API | API |
| - howto.gov api tutorial | - howto.gov api tutorial |
| - http://shancarter.com/data_converter/ | - http://shancarter.com/data_converter/ |
| - http://training.sunlightfoundation.com/module/data-visualizations-google-docs/ | - http://training.sunlightfoundation.com/module/data-visualizations-google-docs/ |
| - api documentation | - api documentation |
| - WSDL or http://swagger.wordnik.com/ or https://github.com/mashery/iodocs | - WSDL or http://swagger.wordnik.com/ or https://github.com/mashery/iodocs |
| - http://symfony.com/ https://github.com/FriendsOfSymfony/FOSRestBundle http://williamdurand.fr/2012/08/02/rest-apis-with-symfony2-the-right-way/ https://github.com/nelmio/NelmioApiDocBundle better apis https://github.com/liip/LiipHelloBundle | - http://symfony.com/ https://github.com/FriendsOfSymfony/FOSRestBundle http://williamdurand.fr/2012/08/02/rest-apis-with-symfony2-the-right-way/ https://github.com/nelmio/NelmioApiDocBundle better apis https://github.com/liip/LiipHelloBundle |
| - https://github.com/elc/rapi_doc https://github.com/Pajk/apipie-rails | - https://github.com/elc/rapi_doc https://github.com/Pajk/apipie-rails |
| - | - |
| http://amberonrails.com/building-stripes-api/ | http://amberonrails.com/building-stripes-api/ |
| # Infographics and Data Visualisation {#data-visualisation} | # Infographics and Data Visualisation {#data-visualisation} |
| Infographics try to contextualise charts and graphs to tell a story. Data vis builds on this to find new ways to design insight. | Infographics try to contextualise charts and graphs to tell a story. Data vis builds on this to find new ways to design insight. |
| Most of the categories to follow have visualisation tools specific to their purpose. | Most of the categories to follow have visualisation tools specific to their purpose. |
| You can find some data visualisation “essential”\. tools below: | You can find some data visualisation 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/) | [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/) & [http://www.senchalabs.org/<wbr>philogl/</wbr>](http://www.senchalabs.org/philogl/) (contributed by Matt Adcock) | Also check out [http://thejit.org](http://thejit.org/) & [http://www.senchalabs.org/<wbr>philogl/</wbr>](http://www.senchalabs.org/philogl/) (contributed by Matt Adcock) |
| Have to use visual art concepts, good color schemes http://www.r-bloggers.com/the-paul-tol-21-color-salute/ | Have to use visual art concepts, good color schemes http://www.r-bloggers.com/the-paul-tol-21-color-salute/ |
| - https://graphics.stanford.edu/wikis/cs448b-12-fall/ data viz theory | - https://graphics.stanford.edu/wikis/cs448b-12-fall/ data viz theory |
| - http://drawingbynumbers.org/toolsandresources | - http://drawingbynumbers.org/toolsandresources |
| examples - http://sunfoundation.tumblr.com/ | examples - http://sunfoundation.tumblr.com/ |
| tools - http://selection.datavisualization.ch/ data viz tools catalog | tools - http://selection.datavisualization.ch/ data viz tools catalog |
| # Mobile | # Mobile |
| bom water, nz gov budget | |
| html5 jquery mobile like directory.gov.au | html5 jquery mobile like directory.gov.au |
| - android datviz | - android datviz |
| - http://code.google.com/p/afreechart/ http://code.google.com/p/snowdon/ http://code.google.com/p/chartdroid/ http://androidplot.com/ http://code.google.com/p/achartengine/ | - http://code.google.com/p/afreechart/ http://code.google.com/p/snowdon/ http://code.google.com/p/chartdroid/ http://androidplot.com/ http://code.google.com/p/achartengine/ |
| # Geographical Data Tools {#geographical-data-tools} | # Geographical Data Tools {#geographical-data-tools} |
| Check out the[ GeoRabble Boundary Mapper’s Cookbook](http://georabble.org/2012/05/31/the-boundary-mappers-cookbook/) to see how you can tie all these things together! | Check out the[ GeoRabble Boundary Mapper's Cookbook](http://georabble.org/2012/05/31/the-boundary-mappers-cookbook/) to see how you can tie all these things together! |
| ## Key datasets | ## Key datasets |
| - base layers like agri http://agri.openstreetmap.org/, http://irs.gis-lab.info/ wms or http://www.gdal.org/frmt_wms_openstreetmap_tms.xml | - base layers like agri http://agri.openstreetmap.org/, http://irs.gis-lab.info/ wms or http://www.gdal.org/frmt_wms_openstreetmap_tms.xml |
| ASGS including suburbs/postcodes | ASGS including suburbs/postcodes |
| - andrewharvey4.wordpress.com postgis/asgs tutorial | - andrewharvey4.wordpress.com postgis/asgs tutorial |
| ## Wrangling | ## Wrangling |
| ### Converting | ### Converting |
| There are many spatial data formats and often the one your tool requires is not the one the dataset is provided in | There are many spatial data formats and often the one your tool requires is not the one the dataset is provided in |
| Online | Online |
| - http://converter.mygeodata.eu/vector kml exporter for shp | - http://converter.mygeodata.eu/vector kml exporter for shp |
| or locally using GDAL | or locally using GDAL |
| ### geocoding | ### geocoding |
| cloudmade, google (but you must display on a Google Map). | cloudmade, google (but you must display on a Google Map). |
| Easiest way to do is with a Google Spreadsheet/Fusion Table http://williamparry.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/putting-data-into-google-fusion-tables.htm | Easiest way to do is with a Google Spreadsheet/Fusion Table http://williamparry.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/putting-data-into-google-fusion-tables.htm |
| ## Analysis | ## Analysis |
| ### PostGIS | ### PostGIS |
| [](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. | [](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 | ### Quantum GIS |
| [](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/) | [](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 | ## Visualisation |
| ### Layar and other augmented reality tools | ### Layar and other augmented reality tools |
| ### Google Fusion Tables/ChartsBin/[OpenHeatMap](http://www.openheatmap.com/) | ### Google Fusion Tables/ChartsBin/[OpenHeatMap](http://www.openheatmap.com/) |
| [](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/fusiontablesscreenshot.jpg)Input a numerical values and areas to a spreadsheet and maps are produced | [](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/) | ### [Cartographer.js](http://cartographer.visualmotive.com/) |
| [](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/cartographerjs.png)Input data as JSON and maps are produced. | [](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/cartographerjs.png)Input data as JSON and maps are produced. |
| See also d3 maps. | See also d3 maps. |
| - http://bost.ocks.org/mike/map/ | - http://bost.ocks.org/mike/map/ |
| ### OpenLayers/Google Maps/[Leaflet](http://leaflet.cloudmade.com/) | ### OpenLayers/Google Maps/[Leaflet](http://leaflet.cloudmade.com/) |
| [](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. | [](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. |
| There are wrappers for Google maps like http://hpneo.github.com/gmaps/examples.html and Mapstraction that can make it easier to use too. | There are wrappers for Google maps like http://hpneo.github.com/gmaps/examples.html and Mapstraction that can make it easier to use too. |
| ### NASA World Wind/Google Earth | ### NASA World Wind/Google Earth |
| [](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/) | [](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/) |
| ### | ### |
| # Tabular Data Tools {#tabular-data-tools} | # Tabular Data Tools {#tabular-data-tools} |
| ## Wrangling | ## Wrangling |
| Tabular data may have duplicate entries or incorrect formats (varying ways to enter dates/phonenumbers etc.). There are tools to quickly fix common problems | Tabular data may have duplicate entries or incorrect formats (varying ways to enter dates/phonenumbers etc.). There are tools to quickly fix common problems |
| [DataWrangler](http://vis.stanford.edu/wrangler/)/[Google Refine](http://code.google.com/p/google-refine/) | [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)Clean up duplicate or inconsistent data entries. | [](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/google_refine_interface.png)Clean up duplicate or inconsistent data entries. |
| Can also use general purpose tools; grep/awk/sed | Can also use general purpose tools; grep/awk/sed |
| regex http://www.regexper.com/ http://www.debuggex.com/?re=&str= | regex http://www.regexper.com/ http://www.debuggex.com/?re=&str= |
| ## Analysis | ## Analysis |
| ### Excel / Calc | ### 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) | 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) |
| ### PostgreSQL/MySQL | ### PostgreSQL/MySQL |
| [](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. | [](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/) | ### [Miso Dataset](http://misoproject.com/dataset/) |
| [](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_m53b7ee38.png)Javascript data transformation library � especially good if you want to use the output for javascript interactive visualisations because the transformations can be done on-the-fly by users. | [](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_m53b7ee38.png)Javascript data transformation library - especially good if you want to use the output for javascript interactive visualisations because the transformations can be done on-the-fly by users. |
| ### R Statistical Language | ### R Statistical Language |
| [](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) | [](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) |
| - http://blog.yhathq.com/posts/10-R-packages-I-wish-I-knew-about-earlier.html | - http://blog.yhathq.com/posts/10-R-packages-I-wish-I-knew-about-earlier.html |
| - excel -> R/rattle/ deducer? http://www.r-bloggers.com/updates-to-the-deducer-family-of-packages/ | - excel -> R/rattle/ deducer? http://www.r-bloggers.com/updates-to-the-deducer-family-of-packages/ |
| - http://www.twotorials.com/ for R | - http://www.twotorials.com/ for R |
| - http://www.r-bloggers.com/gradient-word-clouds/ http://www.rstudio.com/shiny/ http://blog.ouseful.info/2012/11/28/quick-shiny-demo-exploring-nhs-winter-sit-rep-data/ https://github.com/timelyportfolio/shiny-d3-plot https://github.com/trestletech/shiny-sandbox/tree/master/grn | - http://www.r-bloggers.com/gradient-word-clouds/ http://www.rstudio.com/shiny/ http://blog.ouseful.info/2012/11/28/quick-shiny-demo-exploring-nhs-winter-sit-rep-data/ https://github.com/timelyportfolio/shiny-d3-plot https://github.com/trestletech/shiny-sandbox/tree/master/grn |
| - http://www.r-bloggers.com/video-simpler-tricks-and-tools-help-debugging-git-latex-and-workflow-with-r-by-prof-rob-hyndman/ | - http://www.r-bloggers.com/video-simpler-tricks-and-tools-help-debugging-git-latex-and-workflow-with-r-by-prof-rob-hyndman/ |
| - http://yihui.name/knitr/ makes reports including google widgets/charts/maps via http://www.r-bloggers.com/googlevis-0-3-2-is-released-better-integration-with-knitr/ | - http://yihui.name/knitr/ makes reports including google widgets/charts/maps via http://www.r-bloggers.com/googlevis-0-3-2-is-released-better-integration-with-knitr/ |
| - http://chartsnthings.tumblr.com/post/36978271916/r-tutorial-simple-charts http://flowingdata.com/2012/12/17/getting-started-with-charts-in-r/ | - http://chartsnthings.tumblr.com/post/36978271916/r-tutorial-simple-charts http://flowingdata.com/2012/12/17/getting-started-with-charts-in-r/ |
| ## Visualisation | ## Visualisation |
| ### [Tableau Desktop](http://www.tableausoftware.com/) | ### [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.jpg) | Create visualisations from various data formats by dragging and dropping. Free trial available on website. [](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/Tableau-Screenshot.jpg) |
| ### [Flotr2](http://www.humblesoftware.com/flotr2/)/[Google Chart Tools](https://developers.google.com/chart/) | ### [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.jpg)Javascript based charts for webpages. | [](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) | ### D3.js (Data-Driven Documents) |
| [](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). | [](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). |
| d3 | d3 |
| - http://datadrivenjournalism.net/resources/data_driven_documents_defined | - http://datadrivenjournalism.net/resources/data_driven_documents_defined |
| - http://www.benmcmahen.com/blog/posts/50eb57d55a94d35262000001 d3 svg | - http://www.benmcmahen.com/blog/posts/50eb57d55a94d35262000001 d3 svg |
| - d3 tools and tutorial http://enjalot.com/ http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4608440 | - d3 tools and tutorial http://enjalot.com/ http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4608440 |
| - Why d3 is the way it is and how to make charts http://bost.ocks.org/mike/chart/ | - Why d3 is the way it is and how to make charts http://bost.ocks.org/mike/chart/ |
| - how to make an xkcd chart http://bl.ocks.org/3914862 | - how to make an xkcd chart http://bl.ocks.org/3914862 |
| ### Processing.js | ### Processing.js |
| # Unstructured (text documents, webpages, metadata, tweets etc) Data Tools | # Unstructured (text documents, webpages, metadata, tweets etc) Data Tools |
| ## wranglying | ## wranglying |
| Scraperwiki pytemplate scrapy | Scraperwiki pytemplate scrapy |
| Overviewer/ Jigsaw | Overviewer/ Jigsaw |
| http://www.cc.gatech.edu/gvu/ii/jigsaw/ | http://www.cc.gatech.edu/gvu/ii/jigsaw/ |
| - opennlp/nltk / https://github.com/clips/pattern | - opennlp/nltk / https://github.com/clips/pattern |
| - lucene/solr | - lucene/solr |
| - http://www.r-bloggers.com/simple-text-mining-with-r/ | - http://www.r-bloggers.com/simple-text-mining-with-r/ |
| - http://blog.josephwilk.net/ruby/latent-semantic-analysis-in-ruby.html similar terms usually found together | - http://blog.josephwilk.net/ruby/latent-semantic-analysis-in-ruby.html similar terms usually found together |
| # Graph (relationships and networks) Data Tools {#graph-relationships-and-networks-data-tools} | # Graph (relationships and networks) Data Tools {#graph-relationships-and-networks-data-tools} |
| - http://www.slideshare.net/OReillyStrata/visualizing-networks-beyond-the-hairball | - http://www.slideshare.net/OReillyStrata/visualizing-networks-beyond-the-hairball |
| - http://blog.sciencenet.cn/blog-554179-622011.html SNA tools catalog | - http://blog.sciencenet.cn/blog-554179-622011.html SNA tools catalog |
| - https://github.com/jacomyal/osdc2012-sigmajs-demo sigmajs filtering/searching | - https://github.com/jacomyal/osdc2012-sigmajs-demo sigmajs filtering/searching |
| ## Analysis | ## Analysis |
| ### R | ### R |
| - http://is-r.tumblr.com/post/38240018815/making-prettier-network-graphs-with-sna-and-igraph | - http://is-r.tumblr.com/post/38240018815/making-prettier-network-graphs-with-sna-and-igraph |
| ### Neo4j / OrientDB | ### Neo4j / OrientDB |
| [](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/webadmin-data.png)Help understand relationships � how is X connected to Y and via what other entities they both are connected to. Imports and exports | [](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/webadmin-data.png)Help understand relationships - how is X connected to Y and via what other entities they both are connected to. Imports and exports |
| - http://www.slideshare.net/maxdemarzi/etl-into-neo4j | - http://www.slideshare.net/maxdemarzi/etl-into-neo4j |
| http://www.orientdb.org/ | http://www.orientdb.org/ |
| Both can be accessed 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. | Both can be accessed 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) | ### [NetworkX](http://networkx.lanl.gov/index.html) |
| [](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/chess_masters.png) | [](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. | 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. |
| ## Visualisation | ## Visualisation |
| ### Tree/Hierarchy visualisation | ### Tree/Hierarchy visualisation |
| - don't use network viz if what you actually have is a tree/hierarchy with no interconnections http://www.randelshofer.ch/treeviz/ http://thejit.org/demos/ http://mbostock.github.com/protovis/ex/treemap.html http://blog.pixelingene.com/2011/07/building-a-tree-diagram-in-d3-js/d3 for Trees and Hierarchies | - don't use network viz if what you actually have is a tree/hierarchy with no interconnections http://www.randelshofer.ch/treeviz/ http://thejit.org/demos/ http://mbostock.github.com/protovis/ex/treemap.html http://blog.pixelingene.com/2011/07/building-a-tree-diagram-in-d3-js/d3 for Trees and Hierarchies |
| http://mbostock.github.com/d3/ex/pack.html http://mbostock.github.com/d3/ex/tree.html | http://mbostock.github.com/d3/ex/pack.html http://mbostock.github.com/d3/ex/tree.html |
| ### NodeXL for Microsoft Excel | ### NodeXL for Microsoft Excel |
| - http://nodexl.codeplex.com/ network graphs for excel | - http://nodexl.codeplex.com/ network graphs for excel |
| ### [Graphviz](http://www.graphviz.org/) | ### [Graphviz](http://www.graphviz.org/) |
| [](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_7579906d.png)Classic directed graph visualisation tool, can even [generate images online without installing](http://ashitani.jp/gv/) or use in webpages with [javascript port of software](http://code.google.com/p/canviz/). File format [�dot� very easy to learn](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOT_language) | [](http://www.govhack.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_7579906d.png)Classic directed graph visualisation tool, can even [generate images online without installing](http://ashitani.jp/gv/) or use in webpages with [javascript port of software](http://code.google.com/p/canviz/). File format ["dot" very easy to learn](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOT_language) |
| ### Gephi | ### Gephi |
| [](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. | [](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/) | ### [sigma.js](http://sigmajs.org/) |
| [](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. | [](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. |