Chuck Smith wrote:
Some problems;
What are we going to do with all that
money? If we can't spend it, would that jeopardize
our
nonprofit status? I think it would be a step
backwards
for Wikimedia to become a for-profit organization.
I think we should hire full-time editors especially
for the non-English Wikipedias.
Until we are very clear about the function of such an editor, this is
definitely something to be avoided. It often means that editorial
policy is then centralized in one person. That needs to remain in the
community. Some short term (say 3 months) editorial contracts might be
worthwhile when we want to give a boost to a particular language which
has had very limited activity. Sometimes, a person to manage and
organize the transition between Wikipedia and paper could be worthwhile
in making the paper contents less random. There are certainly strong
arguments for a technical person.
The English Wikipedia
had a full-time Larry Sanger to help jump-start the
Wikipedia, but the other languages (to my knowledge)
never had such luxuries. As I said before, I would
propose Brion Vibber (technical support, non-English
wikis) and Arno Lagrange (Esperanto Wikipedia editor)
as full-time employees. Arno is now trying to start a
Wikipedia organization in France to be able to legally
work full-time for the Esperanto Wikipedia.
I would avoid speaking of particular individuals, until the general
issue is settled.
Also, I've never heard of having too much money as
being a problem. I mean, we're a foundation! Lots of
foundations have millions of dollars... We could use
the money to hold Wikipedia seminars and conferences.
We could also use the money to finance other worthy
educational projects like other foundations do.
"Sponsored by Wikimedia"
Too much money can be a bigger problem than not enough. Money
completely changes the social dynamics.
Ec