Open Kenya

For general how-to guides on getting started with the Kenya Open Data Portal, we encourage you to visit our video gallery.

We have created a Google Group where we will post various issues regarding the site and open data and open government. We encourage you to join the group and interact by posting your questions and discussion topics.

The following definitions are for some terms used on the Kenya Open Data Portal:

API

An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of instructions and standards that works behind the scenes in a software program to share data with other programs.

Apps

Shorthand for software applications designed to perform a specific function

Mashup

An application that takes data and/or functionality from multiple sources and presents it to users in a novel way, by providing new functionality and/or greater visual appeal.

Geomatics

The discipline of gathering, storing, processing and delivering geographic or spatially-referenced information.

Georeference

To establish a location in terms of map projections or coordinate systems.

Metadata

Data that describes other data. Metadata is an informative label (or tag) that allows data to be searched easily.

Web or News Feed

A data format used for providing users with frequently updated content. Content distributors syndicate a web feed, thereby allowing users to subscribe to it.

Dataset

A dataset (or data set) is a collection of data, usually presented in tabular form. Each column represents a particular variable.

Datum

Datum is the singular form of "data".

Database

A collection of material (the Contents) arranged in a systematic or methodical way and individually accessible by electronic or other means offered under the terms of this License.

License

Means this license agreement and is both a license of rights such as copyright and Database Rights and an agreement in contract.

The following are some file types used by the Kenya Open Data Portal:

CSV

A file that uses Comma Separated Value (CSV) formatting. Several programs can open this type of basic text file, including Excel and other spreadsheet applications.

TXT

A standard text document that contains unformatted text. These files can be recognized by any text editing or word processing program. They can also be processed by most other software programs.

KML

Keyhole Markup Language (KML) is an XML-based language used to display data in Google Maps, Google Earth and similar applications.

RDF

The Resource Description Framework (RDF) is a family of World Wide Web Consortium(W3C) specifications that uses a variety of syntax formats for the conceptual description or modeling of information implemented in web resources.

RSS

Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated works in a standardized format. An RSS document — also known as a feed, web feed or channel — includes full or summarized text, plus metadata such as publishing dates and authorship.

SHP

SHP or "shape" is a format native to ESRI GIS software. These datasets are viewable in many commercial and open source applications.

XLS

A Microsoft Excel file. The Microsoft Download Centre provides free Excel, Word and Powerpoint viewers. Access open source versions of similar software at www.openoffice.org.