Many would be forgiven for harbouring such views, but computer crews at Inveresk's Battery Shed are working to fix that.

The technological boffins were bashing their heads together, programming, designing and coding new ways to present information as part of Launceston's inaugural GovHack event.

Almost 30 sites across Australia and New Zealand were taking part in the weekend initiative, an annual open data competition designed to flex skills with a view to benefit social and economic value of compiled information.

Launceston GovHack organiser James Riggall said he was encouraged by the productivity and application being generated at the Inveresk think-tank.

For more information about GovHack, go to www.govhack.org