| Below is a whole bunch of information to help you prepare mashups! | #GovHack Toolkit |
| Welcome to the GovHack toolkit. This page provides all the information you need to prepare hackfest entries. | |
| # [Hosted Developer Tools](#hosted-developer-tools) | These tools can be used to make entries like mobile apps, web apps and data visualisations/infographics. |
| The text of this toolkit is open for reuse under a Creative Commons Attribution licence and improvements are encouraged via Git http://github.com/maxious/govhack-tools or via email patches to govhack@lambdacomplex.org | |
| # How to register and submit your entry | |
| ## Registering your team | |
| Coming Soon: how to use the website "Hacker Space" to register and find teams. | |
| ## Preparing your submission | |
| You should record a 3 minute speech and mix images/text to accompany. | |
| [Screenr] (http://www.screenr.com/) , [ActivePresenter Free Edition](http://atomisystems.com/activepresenter/free-edition/) and other screencasting tools allow you to demo apps. | |
| To mix together clips, you can use youtube video editor http://www.youtube.com/editor or local software like http://www.videolan.org/vlmc/ or http://www.lwks.com/ | |
| You also need to submit your "source material". For an application this may be source code, for another work it might be your notes or prototypes. | |
| The key thing here is that your source material demonstrates to the judges that some of the end result was your own work and that it is possible for another person to replicate that work. | |
| # General References | |
| ## 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. | |
| * 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. | |
| [](img/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_m6a65720f.gif)</dt> | |
| 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 | |
| [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** | |
| A great guide to statistics is | |
| [Think Stats](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 [Codecademy for JavaScript](http://www.codecademy.com/#!/exercises/0), [Learn Python](http://www.learnpython.org/) or [Try Ruby](http://tryruby.org/) | |
| For web applications and visualisations, you'll need a basic understanding of JavaScript in order to configure pre made libraries like jQuery. A good source for Javascript information is the [Mozilla Development Network Javascript Page](https://developer.mozilla.org/en/JavaScript) | |
| **Accessibility/User Experience** | |
| Following accessibility guidelines not only make a application 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 when designing for humans: [http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG/](http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG/) | |
| # Developer Tools For Your Computer | |
| No matter what kind of application you have for the data, there are many tools you can use to better collaborate and manage your project. | |
| ### Source Control | |
| Using a version control system like Git or Subversion allows you to keep many different versions of what you have been working on so you can collaborate with others or simply back up your files so you don't lose them! | |
| [](http://progit.org/book/) | |
| There are [tutorials on git](http://progit.org/book/) and GUIs to help you like [TortoiseGit for Windows](http://code.google.com/p/tortoisegit/) and [Atlassian SourceTree for Windows and OSX](http://sourcetreeapp.com/) (or if you prefer the console [tig](http://blogs.atlassian.com/2013/05/git-tig/)) | |
| There is also a [manual for Subversion](http://svnbook.red-bean.com/) and a [similar GUI for Subversion](http://tortoisesvn.net/) | |
| ### Task Tracking | |
| 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! | |
| ## Virtual Servers | |
| Many free services to try out virtual/cloud servers before scaling up: https://www.chunkhost.com/ or heroku or https://www.appfog.com/pricing/ | |
| ## Hosted Developer Tools | |
| Can get many tools (source control, issue tracking) combined into one service cloud hosted so there's no setup required. | |
| ### Github / BitBucket | |
| Github provides Git but [Subversion (svn)](https://github.com/blog/626-announcing-svn-support) and [Mercurial (hg)](http://hg-git.github.io/) interfaces are also available. Github provide their own GUI for Windows/OSX or you can use a variety of Git capable tools https://github.com/ | |
| Similarly Atlassian provide BitBucket accessible via Git and Mercurial (hg) https://bitbucket.org/ | |
| ### 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/) |
| # Applications of data hacking | |
| # The basics of being a data scientist | |
| ## API Development | |
| * Find the people and tools you need to prove/show/find. This rest of this page will help with the latter. | |
| So an API isn't just an XML file! | |
| Please note, there are a combination of Analysis and Visualisation tools in each of the major categories below. | |
| # [API Development](#api-development) | |
| 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://developer.atlassian.com/display/REST/Atlassian+REST+API+Design+Guidelines+version+1) |
| HowTo.gov has a bunch of api resources about choosing SOAP vs. REST etc. http://www.howto.gov/mobile/apis-in-government | |
| API documentation is important too! Traditionally for SOAP APIs, you use WSDL but for REST try [Swagger](http://swagger.wordnik.com/) or [iodocs](https://github.com/mashery/iodocs) | |
| Many web app frameworks can generate the documentation for you. For example Symfony for PHP 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 https://github.com/liip/LiipHelloBundle | |
| # [Data Visualisation](#data-visualisation) | Or for Ruby on Rails there is is https://github.com/elc/rapi_doc https://github.com/Pajk/apipie-rails |
| For example [Stripe's API](http://amberonrails.com/building-stripes-api/) or previous GovHack entrant [WeatheredOak](http://www.govhack.org/2012/06/02/weatheredoak/) | |
| ## Infographics and 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. | |
| 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/) | [Essential Colletion](http://www.visualisingdata.com/index.php/2011/07/part-6-the-essential-collection-of-visualisation-resources/) |
| [Drawing By Numbers Tools and Resources](http://drawingbynumbers.org/toolsandresources) | |
| - http://selection.datavisualization.ch/ data viz tools catalog | |
| 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) |
| A good infographic should use visual art concepts and [good color schemes](http://www.r-bloggers.com/the-paul-tol-21-color-salute/). See the [data visualisation guidelines from the international journalism festival](http://schoolofdata.org/2013/04/26/data-visualization-guidelines-by-gregor-aisch-international-journalism-festival/) | |
| For more information on the theory of data visualisation check out the [Stanford CS448B notes](https://graphics.stanford.edu/wikis/cs448b-12-fall/) or [The Ultimate Collection of Data Storytelling Resources](http://www.juiceanalytics.com/writing/the-ultimate-collection-of-data-storytelling-resources/) | |
| # [Augmented Reality Tools](#augmented-reality-tools) | |
| Some examples of data visualisation can be seen on [the Sunlight Foundation tumblr](http://sunfoundation.tumblr.com/) or at the GovHack alumn [The Open Budget](http://www/.theopenbudget.org) | |
| ### buildAR | |
| buildAR was the world’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. | ## Web Applications |
| [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’ll set you up for the free month fully activated account within a couple of days. | With the rise of HTML5 technologies it is easier than ever to make a web application for engaging use of data. |
| It's easy to quickly make a good looking and accessible webpage if you use a CSS framework like Bootstrap or Zurb Foundation. | |
| ### Other AR tools and references | There are a variety of bootstrap themes like [Flat-UI](http://designmodo.com/flat-free/) |
| theAWEsomeWEB –\. Future of the Augmented Web [http://theAWEsomeWEB.com](http://theawesomeweb.com/) | Check out the visualisation tools listed in the data sections for web application tools like these [CSS Dashboard gauges](http://www.larentis.eu/donuts/) |
| Layar –\. AR Browser - [http://layar.com](http://layar.com/) | ### Examples |
| Junaio –\. AR Browser - [http://junaio.com](http://junaio.com/) | |
| #### PlanningAlerts | |
| Aurasma –\. AR Browser - [http://aurasma.com/](http://aurasma.com/) | |
| [](img/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. | |
| Vuforia –\. NFT based AR SDK - [http://qualcomm.com/solutions/<wbr>augmented-reality</wbr>](http://qualcomm.com/solutions/augmented-reality) | |
| Programming Language: Ruby | |
| String –\. Marker based AR SDK - [http://poweredbystring.com/](http://poweredbystring.com/) | |
| Source Control: [Git](https://github.com/openaustralia/planningalerts-app) | |
| [pointcloud.io](http://pointcloud.io/) - SLAM based AR SDK - [http://pointcloud.io/](http://pointcloud.io/) | |
| Issue Tracking: [Atlassian JIRA](http://tickets.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/browse/PA/) | |
| ARToolkit –\. Marker based AR SDK - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/<wbr>ARToolKit</wbr>](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARToolKit) | |
| #### LobbyLens | |
| FLARToolkit –\. Marker based AR SDK - [http://saqoo.sh/a/en/<wbr>flartoolkit/start-up-guide</wbr>](http://saqoo.sh/a/en/flartoolkit/start-up-guide) | |
| [](img/129-Screenshot-LobbyClue_-_Chromium.png) | |
| Kooaba –\. Visual search platform - [http://kooaba.com](http://kooaba.com/) | |
| Description: Displays connections between government contracts, business details, politician responsibilities, lobbyists, clients of lobbyists, political donors and the location of these entities. | |
| Catchoom –\. Visual search platform - [http://catchoom.com/](http://catchoom.com/) | |
| Programing Language: PHP | |
| Google Googles –\. Visual search app - [http://www.google.com/mobile/<wbr>goggles/#text</wbr>](http://www.google.com/mobile/goggles/#text) | |
| Source Control: SVN (Subversion) | |
| Vuzix 920AR –\. Wearable display - [http://www.vuzix.com/consumer/<wbr>products_wrap920ar.html</wbr>](http://www.vuzix.com/consumer/products_wrap920ar.html) | |
| Issue Tracking: A whiteboard | |
| Project Glass –\. Googles wearable display project - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?<wbr>v=9c6W4CCU9M4</wbr>](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c6W4CCU9M4) | |
| #### bus.lambdacomplex.org | |
| Mixed Reality –\. Nokia’s vision for wearable displays [http://www.youtube.com/watch?<wbr>v=CGwvZWyLiBU</wbr>](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGwvZWyLiBU) | |
| [](img/How-to-participate-in-GovHack_html_3789acae.jpg) | |
| City Lens –\. Nokia’s latest AR app - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?<wbr>v=63lNPkl-EPE&feature=youtu.be</wbr>](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63lNPkl-EPE&feature=youtu.be) | |
| Description: Online Canberra Bus Timetables and Trip Planner. | |
| AR –\. Wikipedia page - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/<wbr>Augmented_reality</wbr>](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality) | |
| Programing Language: PHP/Ruby | |
| Steve Mann –\. Wearable Computing Pioneer - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/<wbr>Steve_Mann</wbr>](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Mann) | |
| Source Control: Git | |
| Thad Starner –\. Wearable Computing Pioneer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/<wbr>Thad_Starner</wbr>](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thad_Starner) | |
| Issue Tracking: Github | |
| Mark Weiser –\. Father of Pervasive Computing [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/<wbr>Mark_Weiser</wbr>](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Weiser) | |
| ## Mobile | |
| Geographical Data Tools](#geographical-data-tools) | |
| If you want to get stared quickly with mobile application development, it's worth considering cross platform frameworks like http://www.sencha.com/products/touch http://phonegap.com/ http://cordova.apache.org/ | |
| 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! | |
| For a simple mobile app, a web application with a framewrok like jQuery Mobile can work quite well (as used on directory.gov.au) | |
| For data visualisation, there are a variety of graph widgets 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/ | |
| You may wish to consider backend frameworks like http://helios.io/ or https://www.parse.com/ | |
| ### Examples | |
| Bureau of Meteorology Water Storage App http://icelab.com.au/work/bureau-of-meteorology/ | |
| NZ Gov budget http://www.treasury.govt.nz/budget/app | |
| # 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! | |
| ## Key datasets | |
| There are a variety of base layers like AGRI aerial imagery of Australia http://agri.openstreetmap.org/ or WMS services like http://irs.gis-lab.info/ wms or http://www.gdal.org/frmt_wms_openstreetmap_tms.xml | |
| Check out the [Geoscience Australia Geo Dataset search and preview](http://www.ga.gov.au/search/index.html#/showMap) | |
| ASGS from ABS including suburbs/postcodes andrewharvey4.wordpress.com postgis/asgs tutorial | |
| You can also get KML layers for various statistical measures on the ABS TableBuilder tool. | |
| ## Wrangling | |
| ### Converting | |
| There are many spatial data formats and often the one your tool requires is not the one the dataset is provided in. | |
| You can convert spatial datasets online with http://converter.mygeodata.eu/vector or locally using GDAL (which better for >10 megabyte datasets) | |
| ### Geocoding | |
| See this [introduction to geocoding](http://schoolofdata.org/2013/02/19/geocoding-part-i-introduction-to-geocoding/) | |
| Google Maps APIs allow you to convert an address to map co-ordinates (geocoding) but you must display on a Google Map. The easiest way to do is with a Google Spreadsheet/Fusion Table http://schoolofdata.org/2013/02/19/geocoding-part-ii-geocoding-data-in-a-google-docs-spreadsheet/ | |
| If you need geocoding for more than display (working out the distance between points etc) or you don't want to use Google Maps, Cloudmade offers free OpenStreetMap based geocoding http://developers.cloudmade.com/projects/show/geocoding-http-api | |
| ## 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. | [](img/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/) | [](img/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/) |
| See this [Creating a Map in QGIS tutorial](http://schoolofdata.org/2013/04/27/creating-a-map-using-qgis/) | |
| ## Visualisation | ## Visualisation |
| ### Layar and other augmented reality tools | |
| [Layar](http://www.layar.com/) provides a platform for exploring a dataset by travelling to the actual locations of the data and looking through a smartphone. Custom markers (2D or 3D) seem to float in the air and can be clicked on for more information. You can even trigger an event like playing music when within a certain range of a location. | |
| ### 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 | [](img/fusiontablesscreenshot.jpg)Input numerical values and areas to a spreadsheet and maps are produced where the areas are colored on a scale of the values |
| http://www.peteraldhous.com/CAR/Making_maps_with_Google_Fusion_Tables.pdf tutorial or http://support.google.com/fusiontables/topic/2592754?hl=en&ref_topic=27020 for google help files | |
| ### [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. | [](img/cartographerjs.png)Input data as JSON and interactive maps are produced. |
| You can also try d3 maps: 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. | [](img/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 ma |