Wikimedia-l July 2024

wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org

86 participants
47 discussions

We need more interactive content: we are doing it wrong
by Galder Gonzalez Larrañaga 01 Feb '25

01 Feb '25

Dear wikimedians, Nearly one year ago, the Graphs extension was disabled from all wikis, because there was a security issue that should be solved (https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T334940). A wide team from the WMF worked on a solution for some weeks, but after Northern Hemisphere spring ended, summer came, then the monsoon season, and now it is again summer in the Southern Hemisphere... and Graphs are still disabled. All the solutions proposed have been dismissed, but every two months there's a proposal to make a new roadmap to solve the issue. We have plenty of roadmaps, but no vehicle to reach our destination. Seven years ago, we were discussing our Strategy for 2030. We used thousands of volunteer hours, thousands of staff hours and millions of dollars to build a really well-balanced strategy. There we concluded that "By 2030, Wikimedia will become the essential infrastructure of the ecosystem of free knowledge". We also made some recommendations to improve the User Experience (https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Movement_Strategy/Recommendations/Improve_U…) and claimed that we wanted to Innovate in Free Knowledge (https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Movement_Strategy/Recommendations/Innovate_…). Well, the situation is now worse than it was seven years ago, let me give some examples: * Graph extension is used in thousands of pages, some of them highly relevant, as COVID or Climate Change information. There are thousands of graphs broken now, and the only partial solution give is loading these graphs as images, instead of promoting an interactive solution. * Meanwhile, a place like Our World in Data has been publishing data and interactive content with a compatible license for years. (Remember, "By 2030, Wikimedia will become the essential infrastructure of the ecosystem of free knowledge"). Trying to add this data and graphs to Wikimedia projects has been done by WikiMed, and it is technically possible, but still blocked to deploy (https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T303853). * Wolfram Alpha is like a light year ahead us on giving interactive solutions to knowledge questions, even the silliest ones (https://www.wolframalpha.com/input?i=how+many+oranges+fit+in+the+Earth%3F). We have good technical articles about a lot of things, but sometimes "becoming the essential infrastructure of the ecosystem of free knowledge" needs to provide solutions to exact problems, like the answer to an equation, and how to solve it. That's also "free knowledge". * Brilliant (https://brilliant.org/) is brilliant if you want to learn lots of things, like geometry or programming. Way better than Wikipedia. But... you need to pay for it. How could we even try if we can't add anything interactive to our platforms? * We can build interactive timelines using Wikidata, but we can't embed them at Wikipedia. Weird, because I can do it in any external page. Hopefully, Histropedia will do it better. http://histropedia.com/<http://histropedia.com/> * We could have something very special: inline links in video and audio subtitles. We used to have them, but the new video infrastructure doesn't allow it. Imagine a world where you can watch a video and link a link in the subtitles just to know more about that. * ... The list can go on an on ("which phase the moon is today?"), but I think that the idea is clear. We could have interactive content, but we are going in the opposite direction, and every year we are further from our goal, because other platforms are doing it better, way better. And this seems like some wild ideas, but then I read the 2023-2024 annual plan section called "Wiki Experiences" (https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Annual_Plan/2023-2024/…) and it looks like we should be going there. But we aren't. I'm sorry if this e-mail feels bitter. My experience in the last years is that we are now further of what we need that we were before, even if many chapters and volunteers are trying to overturn it. Thank to everyone who have been trying. Galder

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Feedback invited on proposed requirements for affiliates & user groups recognition changes
by Nataliia Tymkiv 18 Nov '24

18 Nov '24

Dear all, I would like to share with you the outputs of the Wikimedia Foundation Affiliate Strategy process [1], and to invite you to give feedback on the proposed changes to requirements for all affiliates & to user groups recognition process (more below). The 2017 Strategic Direction <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Strategy/Wikimedia_movement/2017> says that we, the Wikimedia Movement, would build “the services and structures that enable others to … advance our world by collecting knowledge that fully represents human diversity” while carrying on “our mission of developing content”. As Wikimedia affiliates are a key and integral part of the Wikimedia movement and have knowledge and expertise to share, the movement’s success depends greatly on affiliates as they help people join us in doing mission-aligned work. The Wikimedia Foundation Affiliates Strategy report [2] identified a need to streamline the role of the Affiliations Committee (AffCom) on recognition of Wikimedia Affiliates, and identified issues with the current state of the process. After conversations with AffCom, the Board liaisons to AffCom identified two areas for improvement. These areas are about the relevant work and mandate of the Board related to affiliate recognition: 1) requirements for affiliates; and 2) improving the workflows around the process for the creation and recognition of a user group. The proposal on Meta [3] is suggesting to change the requirements for all existing Wikimedia affiliates, not just the legal entities. There are ten proposed criteria for a healthy affiliate. Examples include focusing on continuity by being an active group and welcoming new users, having good governance, and actively delivering on mission goals. Compliance with these requirements would be self-reported by the affiliates. The Board liaisons will work with the Affiliations Committee to publish a resolution outlining how affiliates would be expected to fulfill these requirements to remain in good standing. Throughout the Wikimedia Foundation Affiliate Strategy process, there was also feedback about user groups. Initially, user groups were meant as a first step toward creating chapters or thematic organizations. Over the years, user groups have evolved and there are now legally incorporated user groups, user groups with boards, etc. Getting started does need to be easy, but also needs to make sense, and so there is a proposal for changes to the current workflow. The recommendations [3] include an outline of the sequential steps of a revised process. The feedback can be given from today up till March 20, 2024 (Anywhere on Earth). Hopefully a fairly long feedback period will allow affiliates to consult with their membership, thinking it through practically. To provide your feedback, please review the page here, on Meta, [3] and leave comments on the talk page. Alternatively, you can join an open call (February 14 and 28 at 14:00 to 14:30 UTC) or request a conversation as a part of Talking:2024 <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Community_Affairs_Comm…>. You can use the Wikimedia Foundation Community Affairs Committee/Talking: 2024#Let’s Talk|Let’s Talk <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Community_Affairs_Comm…'s_talk> feature to sign up for a time to speak with me and other trustees about this conversation or any other topic regarding the Wikimedia Foundation Board, Movement Strategy, and more. Note: New user group applications will be placed on hold for the duration of this conversation – but the ones received before will be reviewed according to the current process. Best regards, Nat & Mike & Lorenzo Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees Liaisons to the Affiliations Committee [1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Affiliates_Strategy [2] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Board_noticeboard/Wiki… [3] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Affiliates_Strategy/Re… Best regards, antanana / Nataliia Tymkiv Chair, Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees *NOTICE: You may have received this message outside of your normal working hours/days, as I usually can work more as a volunteer during weekend. You should not feel obligated to answer it during your days off. Thank you in advance!*

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Wikidata’s 12th birthday & decentralized events in October 2024
by Léa Lacroix 26 Aug '24

26 Aug '24

Hello all, Every year, the month of October is dedicated to celebrating Wikidata’s birthday, as our favorite Wikimedia project went live on October 29th, 2012. Since then, we’ve been celebrating together the achievements of the community, bringing together active editors and newcomers, and taking this opportunity to do outreach and bring more people onboard. This year, for Wikidata’s 12th birthday, we would love to see many decentralized community events taking place all around the world in October and November. Whether you are involved in a local chapter or user group, or in touch with another organization that could organize an event, or simply interested in connecting with other Wikidata editors, we invite you to start thinking about organizing a Wikidata birthday event in the upcoming months! On the Twelfth Birthday page <https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:Twelfth_Birthday>, you will find more information about the birthday and how to organize an event. Wikidata birthday decentralized events are organized by local groups within the Wikidata community, onsite as well as online. They can take many forms and can be adapted to the wishes, languages, favorite topics and interests of the local group. It can be for example: - A meetup / get together with your local/regional community to share a piece of birthday cake ; - An online editing campaign to improve Wikidata together on a specific topic ; - A moment dedicated to celebrating Wikidata’s birthday during a Wikimedia conference ; - A “translathon” to improve the labels of Wikidata in your language ; - A workshop in a library or university to get more people aware of Wikidata ; - A livestream presentation to showcase interesting tools ; - …and many other things! On the How to run an event page <https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:Twelfth_Birthday/Run_an_event>, you will find many other examples of events, and you can take inspiration from the past years and what other people have been organizing. You will also find a communication kit with visuals that you can use to communicate about your event, and instructions on how to add your event to the global schedule. If you are planning an event for Wikidata’s birthday, you may need some financial support in order to run the event smoothly. On the Funding page <https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:Twelfth_Birthday/Run_an_event/Funding>, you will find some useful information about how to get funding, to help your participants join or to provide equipment or refreshments. What is new this year: Wikimedia Deutschland will run an experiment on providing microgrants to fund projects related to the Wikidata birthday. These grants, of a maximum amount of 1,000€, will be provided to the selected projects after an application process that is running until September 1st. You also have the option to ask for WMF’s Rapid Fund if the amount or eligibility criteria work better for you. You will find all the information about how to apply and what to prepare on the Funding page <https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:Twelfth_Birthday/Run_an_event/Funding> . If you are interested in organizing an event, we strongly encourage you to do it together with other people. We suggest that you reach out to your local affiliate to get logistical and communication support, or to other Wikidata editors who share similar interests, for example your favorite WikiProject. You are also very welcome to join the Wikidata Events Telegram group <https://t.me/joinchat/HGjGexK8LA2wJZEk1x1p_A>, in which you will find other community organizers who have been running events in the past and can answer your questions or provide inspiration. On top of that, we are running organizers office hours <https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:Twelfth_Birthday/Run_an_event#Connec…> from July to October: you can join these online meetings to connect with other organizers and ask questions to the coordination team. I’m looking forward to hearing about your Wikidata birthday events, and I’m available at lea.lacroix_ext(a)wikimedia.de if you have any questions. Best, -- Léa Lacroix Community Engagement & Events Consultant Contractor for Wikimedia Deutschland e.V.

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Internet shutdown in Bangladesh
by Farah Jack Mustaklem 13 Aug '24

13 Aug '24

Dear fellow Wikimedians, Following the violent and deadly repression of student protesters in Bangladesh <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Bangladesh_quota_reform_movement> that has claimed the lives of about 150 people, the Bangladeshi government has shut down the Internet throughout the country. The Internet shutdown began on the 18th of July and remains in place to this day <https://mastodon.social/@netblocks/112830348166788483>. This has affected access to Wikipedia and other sources of free knowledge. Traffic to the Bangla Wikipedia has dropped to less than half the usual rate <https://stats.wikimedia.org/#/bn.wikipedia.org/reading/total-page-views/nor…> . Several organizations of the #KeepItOn coalition (which includes the Wikimedia Foundation) have signed an appeal <https://www.accessnow.org/press-release/keepiton-restore-internet-during-st…> to the Bangladeshi authorities to restore the Internet. I wish our Wikimedian colleagues a speedy return to their online activities, and most importantly safety in these troubling times. Farah

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Meetup about Video in Wikimania 2024
by Butch Bustria 08 Aug '24

08 Aug '24

Hi Folks, You are all invited to the Wikimania 2024 meetup about video. Thursday, 8 August 17:00 – 18:00 local time Belgrade Room 8, ICC, Katowice, Poland https://wikimania.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/2024:Meetups/Commons_Video_Meetup It is an open room for those who are interested. Kind regards, Butch Bustria

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Announcing the opening of voting for the U4C Special Election
by kpeterzell＠wikimedia.org 06 Aug '24

06 Aug '24

Dear all, I am writing to you to let you know the voting period for the Universal Code of Conduct Coordinating Committee (U4C) is open now through 10 August, 2024. Read the information on the voting page on Meta-wiki to learn more about voting and voter eligibility [1]. The Universal Code of Conduct Coordinating Committee (U4C) is a global group dedicated to providing an equitable and consistent implementation of the UCoC. Community members were invited to submit their applications for the U4C. For more information and the responsibilities of the U4C, please review the U4C Charter [2]. Please share this message with members of your community so they can participate as well. 1. https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Universal_Code_of_Conduct/Coordinating_Comm… 2. https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Universal_Code_of_Conduct/Coordinating_Comm… In cooperation with the U4C, Keegan Peterzell Committee Support, Wikimedia Foundation

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Recognition of Wikimedians of Singapore User Group
by Affiliations Committee 02 Aug '24

02 Aug '24

Hi everyone! I'm very happy to announce that the Affiliations Committee has recognized [1] Wikimedians of Singapore User Group [2] as a Wikimedia User Group. The group aims to promote Wikipedia and various Singapore Wikimedia projects throughout Singapore, as well as Collaborate with other regional affiliates in the ESEAP Hub and worldwide. Please join me in congratulating the members of this new user group! Regards, Jeffrey Keefer Chair, Affiliations Committee [1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Affiliations_Committee/Resolutions/2024/Rec… [2] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedians_of_Singapore_User_Group

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Recognition of Wikimedistas Wayuu
by Affiliations Committee 30 Jul '24

30 Jul '24

Hello everyone! I'm very happy to announce that the Affiliations Committee has recognized [1] Wikimedistas Wayuu [2] as a Wikimedia User Group. The group aims to promote the development and creation of content in the Wayuunaiki language in the northwest of Venezuela and the northeast of Colombia. Please join me in congratulating the members of this new user group! Regards, Jeffrey Keefer Chair, Affiliations Committee [1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Affiliations_Committee/Resolutions/2024/Rec… [2] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WikiMedistas_Way%C3%BAu

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Blocking anonymous IP addresses
by Robert Levenstein 30 Jul '24

30 Jul '24

Dear Wikimedia Community: I am writing to express my concerns about the current practices regarding the blocking of anonymous IP addresses on Wikimedia projects. While I fully understand and support the necessity of preventing trolls, disinformation, and vandalism, I believe that the approach to blocking anonymous addresses may need reconsideration. It appears that IP addresses are sometimes blocked preemptively, based on the possibility of misuse, without concrete evidence of abusive activity. This practice, while well-intentioned, can inadvertently discourage genuine contributors who prefer or need to edit anonymously. The potential for such contributors to be excluded from participating in the Wikimedia projects is a serious issue that warrants attention. I believe it is essential for our community to find a balance between safeguarding the integrity of our content and maintaining an open, inclusive environment for all contributors. I urge the community to review and discuss these policies to ensure they are both effective and fair. Thank you for considering these concerns. I look forward to a constructive discussion on how we can address this issue together. Regards, Robert Levenstein

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CEE Newsletter - July 2024 Issue Now Available!
by Toni Ristovski 30 Jul '24

30 Jul '24

Good morning, We're excited to announce the release of the *July 2024 issue of the CEE Newsletter*! Once again we have captivating stories, community highlights, and collaborative achievements from across the Central and Eastern Europe region in the Wikimedia movement. Read the Newsletter here <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/CEE/Newsletter/July_2024> *In This Issue:* - *International Updates:* Stay informed with the "Wikimedia International Update Corner", covering key developments, events and initiatives in the international Wikimedia space for 2024. - *CEE in the News:* Discover notable mentions of CEE region activities in "This month in Education" and "This month in GLAM" newsletters. - *Reader's Digest:* Catch up on the latest insights and stories from around the globe with the "Reader’s Digest". - *Open calls and consultations: *Voice your opinion! These topics are open to discussion. Also, please take a look at the open calls and apply! - *Updates from Communities:* Learn about the successful second quarter of Wikimedia MKD and the first half of 2024 of Wikimedia Ukraine, read more about the Third Ionian Wikithon 2024, review activities in the past months of the Wikimedia Serbia, read the report from the event in the Buffer Zone on Cyprus, discover the new area of focus for Wikimedia Poland, and many more community updates. - We hope you enjoy this issue and find inspiration in the diverse stories and impactful work being done by our CEE communities. Thank you for being a part of our journey toward promoting free knowledge and collaboration. You can read the full newsletter here <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/CEE/Newsletter/July_2024>. We hope you enjoy the inspiring stories and achievements showcased by our vibrant CEE communities. Happy reading! Toni Ristovski | Тони Ристовски *CEE HUB | Program Officer* Tel. +389 72 565 409 Web. www.wmceehub.org

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