Python and Wikimedia bots workshop Oct 2013

Many tasks on the Wikimedia projects are easier quicker and more accurate if done by or in conjunction with a "bot", a computer program that performs repetitive edits. This is a session "to learn, discuss and share coding best practices when working with bots. (particularly with a focus on the Python language)".

Basic information

• Date: Saturday 26 October 2013, TBC time 10:30am-3:30pm. Due to popular demand we are rescheduling this, in the next few days we will be contacting those who are interested but couldn't make this date and offering alternative times.
• Venue: Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT
• Participants:

The session is aimed at editors with at least some basic coding experience who would like to find out how to interface with the underlying Wikimedia software and to start working with bots. There will not be time during the session to teach programming from scratch, and participants should therefore have some basic knowledge of Programming. Existing beginner/intermediate bot editors who would like to improve their skills are also welcome.

• Contacts: Any questions? Please contact Jonathan Cardy on jonathan.cardywikimedia.org.uk, 020 7065 0990.

The event will be led by Fæ, who is a longstanding Wikimedian and an active bot operator on Commons. Scope will vary to reflect the interests of the participants, though the aim is to cover:

• how to write a Python scripts to do interesting things
• how to use the Wikimedia API on any Wikimedia project
• pywikipediabot, basic modules such as those for batch uploading

We aim to get all participants at least to the stage where you have Python loaded on your machine and are able to write and run a few simple programs on the day. To brush up on loops, lists and file handling in Python, you may find the free online book at Learnpythonthehardway a useful source of tips and example code.

Participants

Please bring a laptop - if you don't have one, we will have a few available to borrow.

The capacity of the event is 12.

Please sign below with # ~~~~

Reserves

Reserve list for above event and also interest for a repeat event, or an event at a different level

1. MichaelMaggs (talk) 12:07, 25 September 2013 (UTC). Would be interested in a later event, but can't make half term.

   I think this is bound to be a limited audience, hopefully we can assemble 5 or 6 interested scripting enthusiasts before this session is a goer. I would be happy to see the date float forward a few months to suit diaries, or indeed for it to tie in with specific Wikimedia projects as case studies to discuss or hack live. --Fæ (talk) 12:48, 25 September 2013 (UTC)

2. Can't make the date, but I'd be interested in something, probably at the beginner end of things though (I've done a bit of coding/editing other's stuff but it's all very basic...) Sjgknight (talk) 13:14, 25 September 2013 (UTC)
3. Due to needing to book a train, I can't commit until I know the date is confirmed. --Deskana (talk) (email) 10:21, 27 September 2013 (UTC)

Logistics

• Lunch will be provided (please note below or by email to Jonathan if you have any special dietary requirements).

If you have any questions please contact Jonathan Cardy on jonathan.cardywikimedia.org.uk, 020 7065 0990.