Events We Deliver

We currently deliver several types of event: Hackathons, Aberdeen Python User Group (APUG) meetings, Aberdeen Data Meetups (ADM), Aberdeen Wiki Meetup, and the annual Scottish Open Data Unconference (SODU). Others use our space such as the Aberdeen Linux User Group (AberLUG).

Our events are now held at our base at The Soap Factory, 111 Gallowgate, Aberdeen AB25 1BU.

Upcoming Events

Our upcoming events include:

  • 📅 Tues 4th Nov – ADM – Lightning Data Talks – Details and booking
  • 📅 Sat 8th Nov – Volunteer Clean-Up Day (10:00 – 16:00). Just drop in and help us continue with the spruce-up!
  • 📅 Weds 12th Nov- APUG – Two talks including “Historical Data Meets Modern Tech” – Details and Booking
  • 📅 Mon 24th Nov – Wiki Meetup – Details soon
  • 📅 Sun 30th Nov 2pm – Aberdeen Linux User Group – Details and booking
  • 📅 Thurs 4th Dec – Christmas Fundraising Social Night with mega raffle draw – Book here Early bird discounted tickets on sale until 31st Oct.

We are seeking sponsorship for both the Aberdeen Data Meetup and the Aberdeen Python User Group. If your company is interested in this opportunity, please contact info@codethecity.org.

Events Overview

Note – Our events have reverted to being run physically (with an option to attend virtually) where we can accommodate this.

To get advanced notice of our events, and make sure of a place, why not sign-up for our bi-monthly, spam-free, mailing list?

We’ve created a review of the last year, and a look ahead to some exciting plans for 2024.

You can read more in our latest newsletter.

How to Merge Items on Wikidata

When we edit Wikidata, we often come across duplicates. To merge items, we need an extension called ‘Merge’. To obtain it click on the Preferences tab at the right of the Wikidata page.

  1. Click on Gadgets on the ribbon menu.
  2. Check the box next to Merge, under the Wikidata-centric heading.
  3. Save your changes.

Open the items in separate tabs or note the QIDs of the items that require merging. Click on Merge with. Enter the QID of the best item into the Merge with text field, and uncheck the “Always merge into the older entity” checkbox.

The two items will now be merged into one, which will be loaded on screen. All links to that item will continue to work, while links to the vanished item will redirect to the existing one.

Why Open Data Matters

Making data (primarily government data) available under an open licence has numerous identified benefits, including humanitarian, social, economic, performance, and environmental factors.

While the Scottish Government publicly accepts the value of open data, actual delivery on strategy and policy is lagging.

  • Public Sector Information (PSI) constitutes a vast, diverse, and valuable pool of resources. In 2013, the estimated value to consumers, businesses, and the public sector was approximately £1.8 billion.

Obstacles to Open Data

  1. Sporadic publishing
  2. Lack of consistency or standards across local authorities
  3. Gaps in categories of published data
  4. Short-termism leading to data deletion

The Current State of Open Data in Scotland

There is a need for a clear oversight role within the Scottish Government for delivering open data, ensuring that strategies are implemented effectively by each public body. All organisations must engage in promoting open data to reap its multiple benefits.