Hoi, You are wrong. First, fundraising and budgeting is aimed at the future, they aim to enable the needs defined in the present. When you refer to an audit, particularly one that is two years in the past, it reminds me of obligatory messaging for investment products in the Netherlands: "results from the past do not predict results for the future". Apparently you are not aware that the engine used for Wikidata/Wikibase will not suffice and is likely to break our service. You ask about efforts from the past; developers new at the time have analysed and optimised the performance of MediaWiki (and related) code. It resulted in a huge improvement in our service. MediaWiki used to work properly only for desktop computers, at this time mobile phones are supported. However editing on a mobile is still not very inviting.
You repeatedly state that the fundraising message is a lie. It is not, the facts do not support your notions. Fundraisers that lie find that they may gain more money for the moment. In the long run it is detrimental for the fundraising capacity. I know, I raised funds for charities. On Sat, 25 Sept 2021 at 09:48, Vi to <vituzzu.w...@gmail.com> wrote: > * do fundraisers require a compelling message? *could be reworded into *do > fundraisers need to lie?* > > Once again, you say that "Wikidata is about to crash", "we don't properly > deliver our contents everywhere", but according to FY2019-2020 audit > report > <https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/foundation/f/f7/Wikimedia_Foundation_FY2019-2020_Audit_Report.pdf> > while inbalance increased of 23%, hosting expenditures increased of 2,7%, > the "other" item (which includes, among many things, *funding of the > Wikidata project*) increased of 15%, in-kind expenses, partially related, > decreased of about 70%. Undeniably 32% growth in (combined) wages and > awards (grants) items also impact infrastructure. These figures surely > don't highlight an infrastructure which is about to collapse or, at least, > not a sense of urgency towards preventing it from happening. > > Please correct me if I am wrong by pointing out how much money was spent > on the priorities you highlight. > > Vito > > Il giorno sab 25 set 2021 alle ore 09:19 Gerard Meijssen < > gerard.meijs...@gmail.com> ha scritto: > >> Hoi, >> Please read carefully. I do point out that there is an existential threat >> to "Wikipedia", I do point out that we need fundraising to stay >> independent. >> >> I do point out that the fundraising message is on point. >> Thanks, >> GerardM >> >> On Sat, 25 Sept 2021 at 09:12, Vi to <vituzzu.w...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Once again this is not what the fundraising messages point out. >>> >>> This is just a quite shareable list of top priorities in your opinion. >>> >>> Vito >>> >>> Il giorno sab 25 set 2021 alle ore 09:00 Gerard Meijssen < >>> gerard.meijs...@gmail.com> ha scritto: >>> >>>> Hoi, >>>> I presented two existential threats to our ecosystem. We have a >>>> technical debt in the legacy software we use for our functionality. The >>>> engine for Wikidata is not likely to survive, it desperately needs >>>> replacement. When the question is: are we in dire straights, yes we are. Is >>>> this about fundraising, hell yes. Do fundraisers require a compelling >>>> message, they do. I remind you of this "branding" issue. We are raising >>>> money for Wikimedia. >>>> >>>> The notion of a budget is to fulfill ambitions. We have gone over the >>>> message, let's talk about the mission. It is about "sharing the sum of all >>>> knowledge". Opening up Commons in a Wiki way to nine year old children >>>> worldwide is easy, we already have the software and it will cost money >>>> to implement properly. It needs an integral implementation that fits our >>>> infrastructure. There are other examples that demonstrate that we do not >>>> even "share the knowledge available to us". Increasing a budget to fulfil >>>> ambitions is what you do to get things done. Fundraising is what we do to >>>> pay the cost of enabling the fulfilment of what is budgeted. >>>> >>>> The Wikimedia Foundation has the best platform to raise funds. Much >>>> more is possible. We can easily get more institutional money. However, it >>>> is well known that the WMF retains its independence by keeping a balance >>>> between public and institutional funding. Therefore the fundraising is >>>> essential for "Wikipedia" to retain its independence. >>>> >>>> What I point out is not new, it should be well known. To me your point >>>> of view is bizarre. It is only about appearances and numbers without a >>>> context in what we do >>>> Thanks, >>>> GerardM >>>> >>>> On Fri, 24 Sept 2021 at 16:26, Andreas Kolbe <jayen...@gmail.com> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Gerard, >>>>> >>>>> Do you think the banners *have* to paint a mental picture of >>>>> Wikipedia being in dire financial straits for people to donate? With >>>>> wordings like "We need you to make a donation this Friday so that we can >>>>> continue to protect Wikipedia's independence"? >>>>> >>>>> Isn't it pretty bizarre to portray your financial situation in this >>>>> way, when you're planning to increase your expenses by 40% from one year >>>>> to >>>>> the next, and are literally taking 10 times more money from the public per >>>>> annum than you did ten years ago? >>>>> >>>>> It's not about the money per se – there are surely few people and >>>>> organisations who would say that they couldn't do with some more money >>>>> than >>>>> the amount they have – but about whether you give the public and >>>>> prospective donors a more or less accurate impression of your financial >>>>> situation and your spending intentions. >>>>> >>>>> Do you think the current fundraising banners do that? >>>>> >>>>> Andreas >>>>> >>>>> On Fri, Sep 24, 2021 at 2:50 PM Gerard Meijssen < >>>>> gerard.meijs...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Hoi, >>>>>> No it is not. When we do not find a solution for the technical issues >>>>>> for Wikidata it will crash and burn.. >>>>>> >>>>>> The ferocity that some people display about the WMF fundraising >>>>>> astounds me. We are operating one of the biggest websites in the world, >>>>>> it >>>>>> is hugely problematic in that its bias for English prevents us from >>>>>> providing a service that is of the same quality for everyone. The legacy >>>>>> that exists in our code and the rising expectations are obvious signs >>>>>> that >>>>>> we are under investing, not over investing. There is a limit to the >>>>>> growth >>>>>> of our organisation as such I applaud the WMF even though it could and >>>>>> should be so much better. >>>>>> >>>>>> On Fri, 24 Sept 2021 at 15:25, Vi to <vituzzu.w...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> This is exactly the previously mentioned idea of "collect money, >>>>>>> then we will find a way to spend it". >>>>>>> Instead, we should be honest with donors and volunteers, the urgency >>>>>>> portrayed by banners is not true, there's no risk of closing our >>>>>>> projects. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> *Assumes that there is only one project* is true, but in terms of >>>>>>> current fundraising communication. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Vito >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Il giorno ven 24 set 2021 alle ore 14:50 Gerard Meijssen < >>>>>>> gerard.meijs...@gmail.com> ha scritto: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Hoi, >>>>>>>> There are some people who repeatedly argue that we raise way too >>>>>>>> much money. Given a set of assumptions an argument can be constructed >>>>>>>> to >>>>>>>> make this point. In my opinion there is little merit to the argument. >>>>>>>> We do >>>>>>>> need money to operate the Wikimedia projects and a positive outcome per >>>>>>>> year enables us to do more.the next year. I have some ideas about >>>>>>>> raising >>>>>>>> money and raising expectations. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> - We want to raise less money in the Anglo-Saxon world. When >>>>>>>> people donate money everywhere they too will gain a sense of >>>>>>>> ownership. >>>>>>>> This sense of ownership is to be distributed more equally around >>>>>>>> the globe >>>>>>>> - With our projects owned more equitably around the globe, the >>>>>>>> notion that "any child of nine year old can find pictures in >>>>>>>> Commons" is >>>>>>>> reasonable and self-evident; the world pays for results that >>>>>>>> are globally relevant .. >>>>>>>> - We need a delivery manager, his/her task is to research and >>>>>>>> define what it is our projects deliver to their public. The >>>>>>>> objective is to >>>>>>>> increase both quantity and quality of what is delivered by a >>>>>>>> project and >>>>>>>> discuss with project communities what it is that can be done to >>>>>>>> improve the >>>>>>>> service to its public. Commons does provide material to Wikipedia, >>>>>>>> that is >>>>>>>> good but not enough. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Both the Wikimedia Foundation and the Internet Archive have >>>>>>>> projects to document all scientific papers / output. The Internet >>>>>>>> Archive >>>>>>>> provides an important service to the Wikimedia Foundation and we can >>>>>>>> integrate the two projects, reduce costs and have the WMF pay the IA >>>>>>>> for >>>>>>>> its services. Closer ties with the Internet Archive provide many other >>>>>>>> benefits. One of these benefits is that we can bring the Wikipedia >>>>>>>> references into a modern age. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> For Wikidata there is a technical limit in what we can achieve on >>>>>>>> the current platform. Because of Wikidata the WMF is a very big fish >>>>>>>> in the >>>>>>>> data pond. We need to (imho) pick up the challenge and develop our own >>>>>>>> software. This will cost significantly and it demonstrates that we >>>>>>>> accept >>>>>>>> that Free software is not Free as in Beer. With the IA as a partner, >>>>>>>> we may >>>>>>>> find a partner in this endeavour. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The notion that we raise too much money, the notion that there is >>>>>>>> no urgency is a fallacy. It is all too easy to identify how our >>>>>>>> service is >>>>>>>> lacking and where we can improve our service. The arguments why the WMF >>>>>>>> raises too much money assumes that there is only one project, their >>>>>>>> project >>>>>>>> and they consider that its status quo suffices. The question is, >>>>>>>> sufficient >>>>>>>> for who,for what and for how long. >>>>>>>> Thanks, >>>>>>>> GerardM >>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>> Wikimedia-l mailing list -- wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org, >>>>>>>> guidelines at: >>>>>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and >>>>>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l >>>>>>>> Public archives at >>>>>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org/message/DEUD2GEI5CNSKGJLZKQB2JYPZVNSW6CF/ >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>>>>>>> wikimedia-l-le...@lists.wikimedia.org >>>>>>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>> Wikimedia-l mailing list -- wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org, >>>>>>> guidelines at: >>>>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and >>>>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l >>>>>>> Public archives at >>>>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org/message/O6SXN6BX4JT3ZSR6IRINCALLXDOB266U/ >>>>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>>>>>> wikimedia-l-le...@lists.wikimedia.org >>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> Wikimedia-l mailing list -- wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org, >>>>>> guidelines at: >>>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and >>>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l >>>>>> Public archives at >>>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org/message/IOJVJSWMOJGON2KEYGM7QEWXRN7N2ZBE/ >>>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to wikimedia-l-le...@lists.wikimedia.org >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> Wikimedia-l mailing list -- wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org, >>>>> guidelines at: >>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and >>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l >>>>> Public archives at >>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org/message/B22EFROPUNW6NCD7NL2DNBLE3ZA4I2HR/ >>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to wikimedia-l-le...@lists.wikimedia.org >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Wikimedia-l mailing list -- wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org, >>>> guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines >>>> and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l >>>> Public archives at >>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org/message/JXXSDLLBYIDDMOEOC53CGUY7COKCA5LE/ >>>> To unsubscribe send an email to wikimedia-l-le...@lists.wikimedia.org >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Wikimedia-l mailing list -- wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org, guidelines >>> at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and >>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l >>> Public archives at >>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org/message/LEQS2FT7RNBK5SU5RNHJAUIMEPO3HLCK/ >>> To unsubscribe send an email to wikimedia-l-le...@lists.wikimedia.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Wikimedia-l mailing list -- wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org, guidelines >> at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and >> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l >> Public archives at >> https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org/message/7UD2KKM3PSE3NDJUZNFNSRS2326VVII4/ >> To unsubscribe send an email to wikimedia-l-le...@lists.wikimedia.org > > _______________________________________________ > Wikimedia-l mailing list -- wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org, guidelines > at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and > https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l > Public archives at > https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org/message/ZMIOSSP652LJL5EEXCPTNXSL7ADZLYK4/ > To unsubscribe send an email to wikimedia-l-le...@lists.wikimedia.org
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