[Wikimedia-l] Wikimedia Mexico. Report of Activities of April 2014
Dear community: Below you will find the report of activities of the month of April 2014 done by the volunteers of Wikimedia Mexico. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us if you require extra information about this activities or only to make some suggestions. The report is also available on Spanish and English in our wiki: https://mx.wikimedia.org/wiki/Informes/Abril_2014/ (Spanish) https://mx.wikimedia.org/wiki/Informes/Abril_2014/en (English) Kindly regards on behalf our chapter. Carmen Alcázar (User:Wotancito) WMMX Secretary. ==Migrahack Mexico City== Wikimedia Mexico was part of the initiative of running a migrahack in Mexico City and supported the organization. The point of the event was to gather together journalists, academics, students, NGOs and programmers to collect and put order to disperse data about migration in Mexico and to do some data mining to obtain new knowledge on that topics, and generate statistics. Wikimedia Mexico, trough our volunteer and Board member Alan Lazalde gave some talks to show the importance of free knowledge and open access to data in order to create new knowledge based on that. The results of the Migrahack are in the web page ot the Institute for Justice and Journalism. ==Aldea Digital 2014== For the second year in a row, Aldea Digital was held at Mexico City, a digital inclusion event at the main square of Mexico City, with a very high attendance. A strategy covering the full 17 days of the event was planned, but a few days before the event its organizers made changes to its program and thus only required Wikimedia Mexico's presence during only one day of talks and a keynote by Iván Martínez. On April 11, the Wikimedia Mexico team gave a full day of introductory 20 minutes talks of Wikipedia. According to organizers stats, about 1,300 people attended to our program of talks given by volunteers Omar Sandoval (10 talks), Christian Cariño (5 talks), Andrés Cruz y Corro (5 talks), Adrián Cerón (5 talks), Rodolfo Galicia (5 talks), Anny Garcia and Gustavo Sandoval Kingwergs (5 talks). This event required a high effort on our part, but was a very grateful experience for our chapter. In order to avoid the fatigue of talking for several hours in a row, our volunteers took turns giving the talks, reducing the overall tiredness and encouraging everyone to become a better speaker for future Wikimedia Mexico events. On April 21, Iván Martínez gave the keynote Freedom in the Free Encyclopedia. The Foundations of Wikipedia's Freedom. The talk, with a duration of an hour and a half, was attended by 131 participants and was presented as one of the main contents of the event by Aldea Digital's organizing staff. In the same stage Steve Wozniak, Moshe Hogeg (Mobli creator), Walter Bender (MIT researcher) and Yin Lou (Coursera) gave a keynote each. - // Photo: Andres Crúz y Corro during a talk in Aldea Digital: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Andres_Cruz_en_Aldea_Digital.jpg ==Children's Day at Biblioteca Vasconcelos== The Biblioteca Vasconcelos (Vasconcelos Library), venue for the next Wikimania 2015, held an event organized on occasion of Children's Day, celebrated annually in Mexico on April 30. The Library gave us the option to read stories to children. However, when the Wikimedia Mexico community realized the public was expected to be aged 3 to 10 years, we decided to innovate and make an original story based on the core values of Wikipedia: free knowledge, sharing, curiosity and freedom. Our volunteer Andrés Cruz y Corro, also a NaNoWriMo participant, wrote a story called An adventure called knowledge. This story was told on April 27 and was very well received by the children as a way to convey the values behind Wikipedia in a fun and different way. We encourage other Wikimedia colleagues to use this story as a way to reach out to younger children and instill the seed of free knowledge. A translated copy of the story to English will be available in a few days. // Watch the gallery in Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Children%27s_Day_at_Biblioteca_Vasconcelos ==Journal== - April 1 *Second day of the Wikipedia workshop by Nohemí Chilpa at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Iztapalapa (UAM-I) as part of CEUAMI's Semana de Talleres del Capitulo de las Ciencias de la Computacion de la UAM-Iztapalapa (Worhshop Week at the Computer Sciences Chapter of UAM) *Meeting of Wikipedistas en Puebla with SocialTic. - April 3 * Q A session by Christian Cariño with Prof. Adriana Álvarez' class under WMMX's Education Program at National Autonomous University of Mexico's (UNAM) Philosophy and Letters Faculty within the Historical Analysis Seminar. // Read the full report: https://mx.wikimedia.org/wiki/Informes_abril_2014_Seminario_FFyL_de_la_UNAM - April 8 * WMMX's Participation at Universidad Tecnológica Emiliano Zapata's Technology Fest 2014 event in Morelos State: Omar Sansi imparted a Wikipedia workshop and Christian gave
[Wikimedia-l] Wikipedia and Universities
Jimmy Wales was recently asked, on Twitter: How do you collaborate with Universities? https://mobile.twitter.com/AarhusUni/status/460706953795502080 to which he replied: Right now mostly through our GLAM programs (galleries, libraries, museums). https://mobile.twitter.com/jimmy_wales/status/460711968698281984 While it's nice go see GLAM recognised (the A stands for Archives, BTW), that's a bit of a slap to our colleagues who work on education projects. -- Andy Mabbett @pigsonthewing http://pigsonthewing.org.uk ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Re: [Wikimedia-l] Wikipedia and Universities
Is there one place, perhaps on Meta, where a Wikipedian/Wikimedian could find a summary/briefing on the various different programs that exist? Newyorkbrad On Tue, May 6, 2014 at 10:24 AM, Leigh Thelmadatter osama...@hotmail.comwrote: I think this speaks to how little is known and how poorly education projects have been promoted, especially outside the US and Canada. There is even the assumption on the part of many that this is the purview of chapters. The Education Program has just convened an Education Cooperative with representatives from education projects in various parts of the world. Article in the Education newsletter (yes there is one) is here http://outreach.wikimedia.org/wiki/Education/Newsletter/March_2014/Education_Cooperative_Kickoff_Meeting_in_Prague Date: Tue, 6 May 2014 11:23:10 +0100 From: fae...@gmail.com To: wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Subject: Re: [Wikimedia-l] Wikipedia and Universities If Universities or GLAMs want to talk about our best practices for running open knowledge projects that include Wikimedia projects, they ought to be asking some of the many people who have successfully delivered these projects. Tip: ** Always recommend they visit https://outreach.wikimedia.org ** plenty of contacts and useful case studies are maintained there, both for GLAMs and education. Fae -- fae...@gmail.com https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fae ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Re: [Wikimedia-l] Wikipedia and Universities
On 6 May 2014 15:28, Newyorkbrad newyorkb...@gmail.com wrote: Is there one place, perhaps on Meta, where a Wikipedian/Wikimedian could find a summary/briefing on the various different programs that exist? Newyorkbrad Hi Brad, Yes, this is the purpose of https://outreach.wikimedia.org. Admittedly it always needs updating, however Romaine's excellent work keeping the GLAM newsletter going should provide everything you would like to know about what is happening - https://outreach.wikimedia.org/wiki/GLAM/Newsletter. Anyone can edit the outreach wiki, and people running education or GLAM projects should make a point of adding their projects to the site, it is our long term central repository of knowledge and should be the reference point for communications about our projects. Fae -- fae...@gmail.com https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fae ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Re: [Wikimedia-l] Wikipedia and Universities
On 6 May 2014 11:45, Fæ fae...@gmail.com wrote: On 6 May 2014 15:28, Newyorkbrad newyorkb...@gmail.com wrote: Is there one place, perhaps on Meta, where a Wikipedian/Wikimedian could find a summary/briefing on the various different programs that exist? Newyorkbrad Hi Brad, Yes, this is the purpose of https://outreach.wikimedia.org. Admittedly it always needs updating, however Romaine's excellent work keeping the GLAM newsletter going should provide everything you would like to know about what is happening - https://outreach.wikimedia.org/wiki/GLAM/Newsletter. Anyone can edit the outreach wiki, and people running education or GLAM projects should make a point of adding their projects to the site, it is our long term central repository of knowledge and should be the reference point for communications about our projects. I think Newyorbrad's point is that this is sectioned off into a distant project that few people know about - as I recall, it's not even part of the SUL so one has to log in separately there - and it seems not to be mentioned very often anywhere else. Risker/Anne ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Re: [Wikimedia-l] Wikipedia and Universities
On 6 May 2014 15:28, Newyorkbrad newyorkb...@gmail.com wrote: Is there one place, perhaps on Meta, where a Wikipedian/Wikimedian could find a summary/briefing on the various different programs that exist? Newyorkbrad The ones that are relevant to the english wikipedia can be found ad https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Student_assignment https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Education_noticeboard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Historical_page_for_school_and_university_projects -- geni ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Re: [Wikimedia-l] Wikipedia and Universities
On Tue, May 6, 2014 at 7:28 AM, Newyorkbrad newyorkb...@gmail.com wrote: Is there one place, perhaps on Meta, where a Wikipedian/Wikimedian could find a summary/briefing on the various different programs that exist? For education specifically: You can also go to http://education.wikimedia.org, which takes you to the education portal on Outreach wiki, and then click on Programs to see all the education efforts around the world: https://outreach.wikimedia.org/wiki/Education/Programs I had the privilege of working with the program leaders from the education program over the last few years, and there's some truly amazing work happening in education around the world. LiAnna ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Re: [Wikimedia-l] Wikipedia and Universities
Le 06/05/2014 16:24, Leigh Thelmadatter a écrit : (...) There is even the assumption on the part of many that this is the purview of chapters. Why shouldn't it be ? -- Mathias Damour https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilisateur:Astirmays ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Re: [Wikimedia-l] Wikipedia and Universities
Le 06/05/2014 20:15, Leigh Thelmadatter a écrit : Where chapter support is wanted and helpful, no problem. What I mean here is that universities should not be required to work under a chapter just because one exists. I mean that universities should be able to work with a chapter when it exists, because it's the most convenient way. :-) Date: Tue, 6 May 2014 20:08:58 +0200 From: mathias.dam...@laposte.net To: wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Subject: Re: [Wikimedia-l] Wikipedia and Universities Le 06/05/2014 16:24, Leigh Thelmadatter a écrit : (...) There is even the assumption on the part of many that this is the purview of chapters. Why shouldn't it be ? -- Mathias Damour https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilisateur:Astirmays -- Mathias Damour https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilisateur:Astirmays ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Re: [Wikimedia-l] Wikipedia and Universities
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Date: Tue, 6 May 2014 20:46:23 +0200 From: mathias.dam...@laposte.net To: wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Subject: Re: [Wikimedia-l] Wikipedia and Universities Le 06/05/2014 20:15, Leigh Thelmadatter a écrit : Where chapter support is wanted and helpful, no problem. What I mean here is that universities should not be required to work under a chapter just because one exists. I mean that universities should be able to work with a chapter when it exists, because it's the most convenient way. :-) Date: Tue, 6 May 2014 20:08:58 +0200 From: mathias.dam...@laposte.net To: wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Subject: Re: [Wikimedia-l] Wikipedia and Universities Le 06/05/2014 16:24, Leigh Thelmadatter a écrit : (...) There is even the assumption on the part of many that this is the purview of chapters. Why shouldn't it be ? -- Mathias Damour https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilisateur:Astirmays -- Mathias Damour https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilisateur:Astirmays ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
[Wikimedia-l] WikiConference USA - almost here!
I am very pleased to announce that WikiConference USA is less than 30 days away! Over the last few months, Wikimedia NYC and Wikimedia DC have been collecting curated submissions on a diversity of wiki and free/open knowledge-related topics (with tracks on Community, Tech, Outreach, GLAM, Education), and recruited some excellent keynote speakers who can speak to their personal activism and leadership in these domains. But this is a Wiki conference, and what it thrives on most is your participation, your differing areas of experience and expertise, to enliven and enrich all of the sessions we have planned together. And, exciting too, there still will be numerous opportunities for unconference sessions led by participants on the fly, and we encourage you to bring the ideas from your domain for these sessions as well. Here are the details for the conference: Dates: Friday, May 30, 2014 - Sunday, June 1, 2014 Location: New York Law School (185 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013) Website: http://wikiconferenceusa.org Email: wiki...@wikimedianyc.org Registration: http://wikiconusa.eventbrite.org/ And our distinguished and dynamic roster of keynote speakers: *Phoebe Ayers - Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees *Sumana Harihareswara - Wikimedia Foundation Engineering Community Team; Advisor, Ada Initiative *Christie Koehler - Community Building Education Lead, Mozilla Corporation *DC Vito, Executive Director - The LAMP/MediaBreaker For more information, please review our official press release below! We hope you will join us and help us spread the word! https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:WikiCon_USA_2014_Press_Release_v1.pdf Thanks, Richard Knipel (User:Pharos) Wikimedia NYC ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Re: [Wikimedia-l] Timothy Sandole and (apparently) $53, 690 of WMF funding
Pine, I think you raise some important questions below. Obviously there has been a lot going on in the last week, so I'd like to give this a bump and add a couple points: On Thu, May 1, 2014 at 12:17 AM, ENWP Pine deyntest...@hotmail.com wrote: Will the Foundation prohibit chapters and other thematic organizations from the creation of paid roles that have article writing as a core focus, regardless of who is initiating or managing the process as a condition of receiving WMF funding and using the WMF trademarks? I am not up to date on how often the WMF funds pass-through projects that include Wikipedian-in-Residence-like roles. But to whatever extent it does, I absolutely agree with Pine -- applying a litmus test of whether article writing is a core focus would be an inappropriate oversimplification of a complex subject. There are certainly cases where roles that are centrally focused on article writing could strongly advance to the Wikimedia mission. (In case anybody is surprised to hear me say this -- the concerns I voiced about the paid editing aspect of the Belfer Center project were very much based in the specifics of that case.) I think carefully managed article writing can be done successfully by chapters and other organizations, for example if a Wikimedia DC wanted to sponsor a Wikipedian in Residence at the National Institutes of Health to improve articles about cancer. The responsibility for training and supervision could rest with the chapter and the host organization, and the edits could be tagged for community review. Excellent example. There are of course ways such a project could be designed that would be problematic -- for instance, insufficient disclosure, or a bullish attitude in adding controversial points -- but under the guidance of Wikimedia DC, whose board and staff include many longtime Wikipedians, I would have a high degree of confidence they would avoid such problems. Pete posted some good ideas for WiRs in general in the Signpost last week: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Signpost/2014-04-23/Op-ed . Thank you, glad you liked that :) The situation with Belfer had a lot of problems, but I don't think it should completely stop us from having Wikimedia-sponsored WiRs add content. That would be a bridge too far. Agreed. I want to point out something that stands out to me. This is not an outright contradiction, but it's a puzzling contrast. In an unrelated thread on this email list, Executive Director Sue Gardner recently said: Editorial policies [for WMF staff] are developed, and therefore also best-understood and best-enforced, not by the WMF but by the community. [1] That is the WMF policy as it applies to WMF staff: essentially, no special rules, use your own judgment in interpreting how to best comply with community standards. But here, in the report Sue authored, it seems there is a very different standard for movement partners who seek funding or endorsement from the WMF: In the future, the Wikimedia Foundation will not support or endorse the creation of paid roles that have article writing as a core focus, regardless of who is initiating or managing the process. [2] Again: this is not a direct contradiction, and it is entirely within the rights of the WMF to apply different standards to its own staff vs. to other organizations. But I do think it deserves some careful consideration, as to *why* such different standards would be appropriate. Decision point #1 in the Belfer Center report is not something that is based in any Wikipedia policy. It does have a basis in the Wikipedian in Residence page on the Outreach Wiki.[3] That is an important page, and I believe many in the movement consider it to have the weight of a formal policy; but I don't. Elevating it from a best practice recommendation to an absolute rule is a significant step, and one that I don't believe should be taken lightly. Pete [[User:Peteforsyth]] [1] http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2014-April/071161.html [2] https://outreach.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikipedian_in_Residence/Harvard_University_assessment#Decisions_made [3] https://outreach.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikipedian_in_Residence#Core_characteristics_of_a_Wikipedian_in_Residence ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Re: [Wikimedia-l] Timothy Sandole and (apparently) $53, 690 of WMF funding
On Tue, May 6, 2014 at 8:18 PM, Pete Forsyth petefors...@gmail.com wrote: I want to point out something that stands out to me. This is not an outright contradiction, but it's a puzzling contrast. In an unrelated thread on this email list, Executive Director Sue Gardner recently said: Editorial policies [for WMF staff] are developed, and therefore also best-understood and best-enforced, not by the WMF but by the community. [1] That is the WMF policy as it applies to WMF staff: essentially, no special rules, use your own judgment in interpreting how to best comply with community standards. But here, in the report Sue authored, it seems there is a very different standard for movement partners who seek funding or endorsement from the WMF: In the future, the Wikimedia Foundation will not support or endorse the creation of paid roles that have article writing as a core focus, regardless of who is initiating or managing the process. [2] Again: this is not a direct contradiction, and it is entirely within the rights of the WMF to apply different standards to its own staff vs. to other organizations. But I do think it deserves some careful consideration, as to *why* such different standards would be appropriate. Decision point #1 in the Belfer Center report is not something that is based in any Wikipedia policy. It does have a basis in the Wikipedian in Residence page on the Outreach Wiki.[3] That is an important page, and I believe many in the movement consider it to have the weight of a formal policy; but I don't. Elevating it from a best practice recommendation to an absolute rule is a significant step, and one that I don't believe should be taken lightly. Hi Pete, Perhaps I'm misunderstanding you, and I hope you can clarify for me so that I can follow your position. I don't see the contradiction at all between the two policy-related statements. In the first case, the WMF says that the editorial policies that apply to its employees are promulgated by specific projects and their communities, not the WMF. In the second, it says effectively that the WMF will not sponsor paid editing. The presumption in the first instance is that the WMF already does not pay its employees to edit, so Sue was not referring to paid editing at all. Russavia's question was about editing with a conflict of interest, not payment. I'm not seeing any conflict between those two statements, and the WMF does not appear to me to be applying different standards to others than to itself. In fact, the only time paid editing by an employee has come up as an issue, the employee was quickly dismissed. Perhaps you can explain? ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Re: [Wikimedia-l] Timothy Sandole and (apparently) $53, 690 of WMF funding
On Tue, May 6, 2014 at 5:34 PM, Nathan nawr...@gmail.com wrote: On Tue, May 6, 2014 at 8:18 PM, Pete Forsyth petefors...@gmail.com wrote: I want to point out something that stands out to me. This is not an outright contradiction, but it's a puzzling contrast. In an unrelated thread on this email list, Executive Director Sue Gardner recently said: Editorial policies [for WMF staff] are developed, and therefore also best-understood and best-enforced, not by the WMF but by the community. [1] That is the WMF policy as it applies to WMF staff: essentially, no special rules, use your own judgment in interpreting how to best comply with community standards. But here, in the report Sue authored, it seems there is a very different standard for movement partners who seek funding or endorsement from the WMF: In the future, the Wikimedia Foundation will not support or endorse the creation of paid roles that have article writing as a core focus, regardless of who is initiating or managing the process. [2] Again: this is not a direct contradiction, and it is entirely within the rights of the WMF to apply different standards to its own staff vs. to other organizations. But I do think it deserves some careful consideration, as to *why* such different standards would be appropriate. Decision point #1 in the Belfer Center report is not something that is based in any Wikipedia policy. It does have a basis in the Wikipedian in Residence page on the Outreach Wiki.[3] That is an important page, and I believe many in the movement consider it to have the weight of a formal policy; but I don't. Elevating it from a best practice recommendation to an absolute rule is a significant step, and one that I don't believe should be taken lightly. Hi Pete, Perhaps I'm misunderstanding you, and I hope you can clarify for me so that I can follow your position. I don't see the contradiction at all between the two policy-related statements. In the first case, the WMF says that the editorial policies that apply to its employees are promulgated by specific projects and their communities, not the WMF. In the second, it says effectively that the WMF will not sponsor paid editing. The presumption in the first instance is that the WMF already does not pay its employees to edit, so Sue was not referring to paid editing at all. Russavia's question was about editing with a conflict of interest, not payment. I'm not seeing any conflict between those two statements, and the WMF does not appear to me to be applying different standards to others than to itself. In fact, the only time paid editing by an employee has come up as an issue, the employee was quickly dismissed. Perhaps you can explain? ___ Nathan: Again, I don't say it's a contradiction, it's not. But I do think it's an important contrast, and yes, I'll try to clarify why. Does the Wikimedia Foundation create additional policies, related to editing Wikipedia, over and above those established by the Wikipedia community and documented on Wikipedia? For its staff, according to the email I quoted above, the answer is no. (You're right, there is one case that might suggest otherwise, relating to paid editing -- but we don't, and shouldn't, have public access to all the specifics of that case, so it's a tricky one to draw conclusions from, especially in a public forum.) But, there are countless ways in which Wikimedia Foundation staff edit Wikipedia and other projects as a part of their compensated work (and also, in their free time). There is apparently no policy from the WMF governing that behavior beyond general trust in its staff to abide by community-set rules. For other organizations, though, that might seek Wikimedia funds and/or endorsement, the answer is apparently yes (according to the Belfer Center report.) I think that's a contrast that merits some consideration. I think Pine's example is a good one to consider: if a movement-affiliated organization wants to guide another organization in adding content to Wikipedia, and there is payment involved, the WMF apparently won't support that. Is that really a good rule to have? I don't think so. Many organizations have added material directly to Wikipedia, in some cases with the guidance of a Wikipedian in Residence, with unequivocally positive impact to the Wikimedia mission, and with much support from the Wikipedia community. I don't think it's a great idea for the WMF to distance itself from such projects on the basis of paid editing. Pete ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
