Talk:FAQ/en: Difference between revisions

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It's been correctly pointed out that most mentions of "chapters" in the FAQ are at this point misleading, in that they exclude other movement groups, namely thematic organizations and user groups. I'd like to discuss ways to make it more accurate. [[User:Ijon|Ijon]] ([[User talk:Ijon|talk]]) 20:17, 29 April 2014 (UTC)
It's been correctly pointed out that most mentions of "chapters" in the FAQ are at this point misleading, in that they exclude other movement groups, namely thematic organizations and user groups. I'd like to discuss ways to make it more accurate. [[User:Ijon|Ijon]] ([[User talk:Ijon|talk]]) 20:17, 29 April 2014 (UTC)
: Hi [[User:Ijon|Ijon]]. I searched for "chapter" in the current text of [[FAQ/en]] and added subsections and quotes below so that everyone can discuss specific portions of the text directly. Some of the instances seem fine. Others may need tweaking.
: As I recall, the whole FAQ is pretty dated and in need of love. A symptom of a fishbowl wiki, perhaps. (cc: [[User:Eloquence|Eloquence]]) --[[User:MZMcBride|MZMcBride]] ([[User talk:MZMcBride|talk]]) 23:47, 29 April 2014 (UTC)

For reference: [[Special:Permalink/96477]].

=== 1 ===
{{quote|1=Our mission is to empower a global volunteer community to collect and develop the world's knowledge and to make it available to everyone for free, for any purpose. We work together with a [[local chapters|network of chapters]] in many different countries to achieve this goal.}}

=== 2 ===
{{quote|1=Our staff is divided into three program departments: technology (website operations, software development); legal, communications, and community advocacy (public outreach, community programs, legal defense); and learning and grantmaking (supporting chapter programs and growing Wikimedia worldwide).}}

=== 3 ===
{{quote|1=Once a year, hundreds of Wikimedia volunteers come together at [//wikimania.wikimedia.org/ Wikimania], in a different location around the world each year. (You should come! In Summer 2014 [//wikimania2014.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Wikimania will be in London].) And Wikimedia's chapter organizations have staged dozens of additional events, competitions and conferences around the world. Some are targeted at recruiting new volunteers; some give the community space to think about its work, and to do it. Recognizing the value of people coming together because they are passionate about Wikimedia's mission has been key to our success.}}

=== 4 ===
{{quote|1=Wikimedia is not a traditional organization. It's a global movement. The core of the work is done by thousands of volunteers worldwide. This volunteer community is supported by a network of organizations, with the Wikimedia Foundation at its center, working in partnership with geographically focused [[local chapters]] in {{CHAPTER-COUNT}} countries. It's our volunteer community that enables us to accomplish so much with so little.}}

=== 5 ===
{{quote|1=We've successfully partnered with cultural institutions around the world – not just in working with them to make digital reproductions available for free, but also in improving Wikipedia articles and other content related to their collections and archives. Wikimedia chapters are playing a lead role in organizing conferences and meetings targeting the cultural sector, and executing partnerships.}}

=== 6 ===
{{quote|1=In the age of the open web, there's the potential for student projects to be more than just exercises. Pioneering professors have long assigned Wikipedia writing as coursework to their students. Everybody wins: students get an audience for their work, teachers successfully motivate their students, and readers get better articles. Wikimedia chapters have also reached out to schools to develop media literacy and to promote responsible use of Wikipedia in the classroom.}}

=== 7 ===
{{quote|1=The Board is comprised of ten members, with three seats elected directly by the [[m:Community|Wikimedia community]]; two seats selected by the [[Wikimedia chapters]]; one Board-appointed "community founder" seat (reserved for [[Board of Trustees#Jimmy Wales|Jimmy Wales]]); and four Board-appointed "specific expertise" seats. The Board is supported by an [[Advisory Board]].}}

=== 8 ===
{{quote|1=If you want to keep up with Wikimedia events more regularly, we recommend the following sources:<br />[...]
* the [https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/WikimediaAnnounce-l Wikimedia Announcements mailing list], which includes announcements from chapters and community members}}

Revision as of 23:47, 29 April 2014

Out of date, inaccurate

Hi. Parts of this FAQ are now out of date or inaccurate. The whole page could use a read-through, if anyone has time. --MZMcBride (talk) 01:12, 21 August 2012 (UTC)[reply]

when to use "Wikimedia" and "Wikimedia Foundation"

I've heard repeatedly in various contexts that folks don't like it when "Wikimedia" and "Wikimedia Foundation" are conflated or used interchangeably. I made a pass through the FAQs to try to draw a brighter line between the two, but happy if someone else will give it an edit as well. In cases where "Wikimedia" clearly seemed to reference WMF, I changed it to "the Wikimedia Foundation." In cases where it could mean Wikimedia as a movement, I left it unchanged. There were one or two instances where it seemed a bit of a toss up to me. Feel free to have at it if you're inclined. Mroth (talk) 21:14, 27 September 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Needs updating every July 1

This page should be updated regularly, including at the start of each fiscal year. Since it is linked prominently from our fundraising banners, which now go on all year round, it needs swift maintenance. Sj (talk) 19:39, 21 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

It used to be possible to recruit editors to help out with exactly this kind of thing. Given recent events leading to the inability to create accounts for others, it's now substantially more difficult to attract or recruit new editors. Consequently, it's completely unsurprising that this page and the rest of the wiki continue to slowly rot from neglect.
I need not be the one to point out that an active and vibrant community is the lifeblood of any wiki. Stagnant and outdated pages are a direct result of the attack on openness and other core values here on this wiki. Or put another way: e-mail Gayle or Philippe about getting this page updated. :-) --MZMcBride (talk) 23:20, 21 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

"Chapters"

It's been correctly pointed out that most mentions of "chapters" in the FAQ are at this point misleading, in that they exclude other movement groups, namely thematic organizations and user groups. I'd like to discuss ways to make it more accurate. Ijon (talk) 20:17, 29 April 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Hi Ijon. I searched for "chapter" in the current text of FAQ/en and added subsections and quotes below so that everyone can discuss specific portions of the text directly. Some of the instances seem fine. Others may need tweaking.
As I recall, the whole FAQ is pretty dated and in need of love. A symptom of a fishbowl wiki, perhaps. (cc: Eloquence) --MZMcBride (talk) 23:47, 29 April 2014 (UTC)[reply]

For reference: Special:Permalink/96477.

1

Our mission is to empower a global volunteer community to collect and develop the world's knowledge and to make it available to everyone for free, for any purpose. We work together with a network of chapters in many different countries to achieve this goal.

2

Our staff is divided into three program departments: technology (website operations, software development); legal, communications, and community advocacy (public outreach, community programs, legal defense); and learning and grantmaking (supporting chapter programs and growing Wikimedia worldwide).

3

Once a year, hundreds of Wikimedia volunteers come together at Wikimania, in a different location around the world each year. (You should come! In Summer 2014 Wikimania will be in London.) And Wikimedia's chapter organizations have staged dozens of additional events, competitions and conferences around the world. Some are targeted at recruiting new volunteers; some give the community space to think about its work, and to do it. Recognizing the value of people coming together because they are passionate about Wikimedia's mission has been key to our success.

4

Wikimedia is not a traditional organization. It's a global movement. The core of the work is done by thousands of volunteers worldwide. This volunteer community is supported by a network of organizations, with the Wikimedia Foundation at its center, working in partnership with geographically focused local chapters in Template:CHAPTER-COUNT countries. It's our volunteer community that enables us to accomplish so much with so little.

5

We've successfully partnered with cultural institutions around the world – not just in working with them to make digital reproductions available for free, but also in improving Wikipedia articles and other content related to their collections and archives. Wikimedia chapters are playing a lead role in organizing conferences and meetings targeting the cultural sector, and executing partnerships.

6

In the age of the open web, there's the potential for student projects to be more than just exercises. Pioneering professors have long assigned Wikipedia writing as coursework to their students. Everybody wins: students get an audience for their work, teachers successfully motivate their students, and readers get better articles. Wikimedia chapters have also reached out to schools to develop media literacy and to promote responsible use of Wikipedia in the classroom.

7

The Board is comprised of ten members, with three seats elected directly by the Wikimedia community; two seats selected by the Wikimedia chapters; one Board-appointed "community founder" seat (reserved for Jimmy Wales); and four Board-appointed "specific expertise" seats. The Board is supported by an Advisory Board.

8

If you want to keep up with Wikimedia events more regularly, we recommend the following sources:
[...]