Dear Martin,
We'll certainly like to reuse the processes and code developed for the English
Wiki and Malayalam Wiki projects.
Shiju and Santhosh have also offered to customise their code for us, if
required.
Let us get back to you with specific requests soon.
We can have a Skype call at that time.
> Also, if you have introduced any new schemes on the Tamil Wikipedia that
> we don't have, and that work well, please tell me! We are keen to learn
> from your experiences.
We shall write a short summary of the recently concluded article writing
contest, if that would be of use.
> In Gdansk, I met Mr. R Mayooranathan, a professional architect working on
> the Tamil Wikipedia. Is he helping in this offline project, too?
Certainly so. Mayooranathan is our longest and one of the topmost contributors
and he is involved in most of our growth initiatives to date.
Best regards,
Sundar
"That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a medium for
the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."
- George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
----- Original Message ----
> From: Martin A. Walker <walkerma(a)potsdam.edu>
> To: BalaSundaraRaman <sundarbecse(a)yahoo.com>
> Cc: Jessie Wild <jwild(a)wikimedia.org>; ravishankar.ayyakkannu(a)gmail.com;
>wikita-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> Sent: Mon, December 20, 2010 9:39:05 AM
> Subject: Re: Qs regarding village school & WP
>
> Sundar,
>
> Great to hear from you! I recall us talking in Argentina - and I'm
> delighted to see that you're looking at doing an offline release too. Our
> assessment and selection system has worked very well on the English
> Wikipedia. Our latest release has tested a new system for finding a safe
> article version (revisionID) that is free of vandalism. The code is all
> available for people to adapt and use. If there is anything we can do,
> please let me know. If you like, we can talk by Skype or by phone, or set
> up a meeting on IRC.
>
> Also, if you have introduced any new schemes on the Tamil Wikipedia that
> we don't have, and that work well, please tell me! We are keen to learn
> from your experiences.
>
> As you probably know, Shiju Alex and Santosh Thottingal did a Malayalam
> release recently:
> http://shijualex.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/creating-malayalam-wikipedia-cd/
>
> They have a lot of experience with non-Latin scripts, and I'm sure they
> would also be keen to help their neighbours in Tamil Nadu.
>
> In Gdansk, I met Mr. R Mayooranathan, a professional architect working on
> the Tamil Wikipedia. Is he helping in this offline project, too?
>
> Regards
> Martin (User:Walkerma)
> Martin A. Walker
> Department of Chemistry
> SUNY College at Potsdam
> Potsdam, NY 13676 USA
> +1 (315) 267-2271
>
>
> BalaSundaraRaman wrote:
> > Thanks for the connection, Jessie.
> >
> > Hello Prof.Martin,
> >
> > If you recall, we had a good discussion on the sidelines of Wikimania
> > Argentina.
> > Having observed the good work of the Offline Editions project team, I'm
> > sure we
> > can immensely benefit from your advice and help.
> > I've copied the Tamil Wikipedians' list as well.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Sundar
> > "That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a medium
> > for
> > the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."
> > - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----
> >> From: Jessie Wild <jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> >> To: BalaSundaraRaman <sundarbecse(a)yahoo.com>
> >> Cc: ravishankar.ayyakkannu(a)gmail.com; Martin A. Walker
> >> <walkerma(a)potsdam.edu>
> >> Sent: Sat, December 18, 2010 3:33:35 AM
> >> Subject: Re: Qs regarding village school & WP
> >>
> >> Glad to here things are underway - thanks for the update!
> >>
> >> I think you are right in taking the thorough approach to creating the
> >> best selection of Tamil Wikipedia. Using this approach in the English
> >> Wikipedia has resulted in some highly valuable editions/versions that
> >> were immediately useful as well as constructed in such a way to be
> >> iterated upon - that is, each release is an improved iteration of the
> >> last version.
> >>
> >> I have CC'd Martin Walker on this email who is the key lead behind the
> >> Wikipedia 1.0 project - the project of English offline article
> >> selections. He has gone through a lot of the trial and error behind
> >> article selection in general, so it would likely be incredibly
> >> beneficial for you to talk. Please feel free to reach out to him!
> >>
> >> Thanks again for your hard work on this!
> >> Jessie
> >>
> >> On 12/16/2010 7:43 PM, BalaSundaraRaman wrote:
> >> > Hi Jessie,
> >> >
> >> > Just a quick note to say that discussion on this is progressing,
> >> albeit
> >>slowly.
> >> > The consensus seems to be that we should do a thorough job with the
> > selected
> >> > articles as this is going to be our first major release.
> >> > Will update you when things move to the next stage.
> >> >
> >> > Best,
> >> > Sundar
> >> > "That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a
> >> medium
> >>for
> >> > the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."
> >> > - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > ----- Original Message ----
> >> >> From: BalaSundaraRaman<sundarbecse(a)yahoo.com>
> >> >> To: Jessie Wild<jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> >> >> Cc: ravishankar.ayyakkannu(a)gmail.com
> >> >> Sent: Thu, November 25, 2010 8:33:36 AM
> >> >> Subject: Re: Qs regarding village school& WP
> >> >>
> >> >> Sure. I've left a notice on the mailing list as well as our VP
> >> inviting a
> >>wiki
> >> >> co-ordinator.
> >> >> Will update you of the progress.
> >> >>
> >> >> Thanks a lot.
> >> >>
> >> >> Sundar
> >> >> "That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a
> >> medium
> >>for
> >> >> the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."
> >> >> - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> ----- Original Message ----
> >> >>> From: Jessie Wild<jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> >> >>> To: BalaSundaraRaman<sundarbecse(a)yahoo.com>
> >> >>> Cc: ravishankar.ayyakkannu(a)gmail.com
> >> >>> Sent: Wed, November 24, 2010 11:44:17 PM
> >> >>> Subject: Re: Qs regarding village school& WP
> >> >>>
> >> >>> Sure - if you would like to begin the discussion on Village Pump
> >> that
> >> >>> would be great! I think a lot of the questions we walked briefly
> > through
> >> >>> are the ones where some community support would be needed.
> >>Specifically:
> >> >>>
> >> >>> Immediate support:
> >> >>> 1 - Selecting the articles/creating collections of articles.
> >> >>> 2 - Creating training materials on how to use WP and how to
> >> incorporate
> >> >>> it into the classroom
> >> >>> 3 - Working with government officials on distribution policies
> >> >>>
> >> >>> Future support:
> >> >>> 4 - Distributing/installing software
> >> >>> 5 - Conducting teacher trainings
> >> >>>
> >> >>> As you probably suspect, I don't understand Tamil, so I'd love if
> >> you'd
> >> >>> just keep me in the loop with what happens on the Tamil and
> >> village
> > pump
> >> >> :)
> >> >>> Jessie
> >> >>>
> >> >>> On 11/24/2010 2:50 AM, BalaSundaraRaman wrote:
> >> >>> > Sorry for the delay on our part, Jessie.
> >> >>>> The Kenyan project is a useful project to learn from.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Though we have a list at
> >> >>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikita-l,
> >> >>>> we still use the Village Pump to begin most of the discussions.
> >> >>>> Perhaps we can start a thread on the list or on meta and put a
> >> note
> >>at
> >> >>>> http://ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:VP?
> >> >>>>
> >> >>> > - Sundar
> >> >>>> "That language is an instrument of human reason, and not
> >> merely a
> >> >> medium
> >> >>
> >> >>> for
> >> >>> > the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."
> >> >>> > - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
> >> >>> >
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> ----- Original Message ----
> >> >>> >> From: Jessie Wild<jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> >> >>>>> To: BalaSundaraRaman<sundarbecse(a)yahoo.com>
> >> >>> >> Cc: ravishankar.ayyakkannu(a)gmail.com
> >> >>> >> Sent: Tue, November 23, 2010 12:58:10 AM
> >> >>>>> Subject: Re: Qs regarding village school& WP
> >> >>> >>
> >> >>>>> Thanks for the thorough answers - it's so great you've thought
> >>through
> >> >>>>> so many of these things so carefully.
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>> I'm not sure if you are familiar with the project in Kenya
> >> that is
> >> >>>>> somewhat comparable:
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>
>http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Kenya/Project_for_Kenyan_Schools
> >> >>> >>
> >> >>>>> In terms of next steps, I think you are right in suggesting
> >> to put
> >>up
> >> >> a
> >> >>>>> proposal on a wiki. I think the approach the Kenyan
> >> Wikimedians have
> >> >>>>> taken to project planning is quite thorough and consequently
> >> very
> >> >>>>> helpful, and constructing something similar for Tamil Nadu
> >> could
> >> >>> >> likewise be beneficial.
> >> >>>>> I would suggest getting other members of the Tamil community
> > onboard
> >> >>> >> with the planning as soon as possible; is there a list
> >> serve
> >>that I
> >> >>>>> should get on to follow the conversations?
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>> Jessie
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>> >> On 11/18/2010 9:31 PM, BalaSundaraRaman wrote:
> >> >>> >>>> I definitely agree that the offline versions will be
> >> useful,
> >>and
> >> >> the
> >> >>>>> type of
> >> >>>>>>> project you are describing is exactly the type of offline
> >>work I
> >> >> am
> >> >>>>> helping
> >> >>>>>>> orchestrate - so yes: let's brainstorm and work
> >> together
> > on
> >> >> this!
> >> >>>>>> Thanks a lot, Jessie. :)
> >> >>> >>>
> >> >>>>>>> * For the Tamil Wikipedia project, is this the same project
> >>proposed
> >> >>>>> back in
> >> >>>>>>> 2007, or is it an extension of it? I am curious of
> >> this
> > ever
> >> >> got
> >> >>
> >> >>> off
> >> >>> >>>> the
> >> >>> >>>> ground initially.
> >> >>>>>> It derives from the same thought, but the earlier project did
> >> not
> >>go
> >> >>> >> anywhere.
> >> >>>>>> At present, we have more editors and hence will be able to
> >> curate
> >> >> content
> >> >>> >>> easily.
> >> >>>>>> We also have richer content on many interesting topics.
> >> >>>>>>
> >> >>> >>>> * Also, I am curious what are you thinking for the
> >> collection
> >>of
> >> >>>>> articles to
> >> >>>>>>> be included on the CD. Would you want the whole Tamil
> >> >>> >> Wikipedia/Wiktionary
> >> >>>>>>> collection? Or would you go through the process of
> >> screening
> >> > the
> >> >>>>> articles to
> >> >>>>>>> make sure they were student appropriate / of high
> >> academic
> >> >> quality?
> >> >>>>>> We're only thinking of releasing a selection of articles based
> >> on
> >> >> quality
> >> >>>>> (we've
> >> >>>>>> just started with a rating system),
> >> >>> >>> interestingness and suitability for students, and
> >> >> comprehensiveness.
> >> >>>>>> WikiProject Indian Mammals and articles on chemical
> >> elements form
> >>a
> >> >> good
> >> >>> >>> collection to share with students.
> >> >>> >>> The above are only examples, we can select articles from
> >> across
> >> >> several
> >> >>>>>> categories.
> >> >>> >>>
> >> >>>>>>> * In addition, in regards to article selection (above
> >> point),
> >>would
> >> >>>>> the
> >> >>> >>>> Tamil Nadu government need to approve the articles that
> >> were
> >> >> being
> >> >>>>>>> distributed into schools?
> >> >>>>>> Yes, perhaps. Due to our prior engagement with them in the
> >> recently
> >> >>>>> conducted
> >> >>> >>> article writing contest sponsored by the Government of
> >> Tamil
> >>Nadu,
> >> >>>>> co-ordination
> >> >>>>>> would be easier. We have points of contact in the IT
> >> department,
> >> >>> Department
> >> >>>>> of
> >> >>>>>> Translation, and the Department of Education in fairly senior
> >>levels.
> >> >> The
> >> >>> >>> Director of Tamil Virtual Academy is also a keen
> >> supporter of
> >>Tamil
> >> >>>>> Wikipedia
> >> >>>>>> (and an occasional editor).
> >> >>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>> * Why CD? Why not USB? Just curious!
> >> >>>>>> I just thought CDs are less expensive. We can certainly
> >> evaluate
> >>USB
> >> >>>>> storage.
> >> >>>>>>> * How are you thinking of getting the CDs to the different
> >>schools?
> >> >>> >> Who is
> >> >>>>>>> going to download the materials onto the school computers?
> >>Will
> >> >>> there
> >> >>>>> (or
> >> >>>>>>> does there need to be) any training involved?
> >> >>>>>> We should take the help of the School Education department
> >> who have
> >> >>>> existing
> >> >>>>>> channels.
> >> >>>>>> Some amount of training will be required. The Government
> >> already
> >> >> trains
> >> >>>>> selected
> >> >>>>>> teachers in each District on various skills and then
> >> encourages
> >>them
> >> >> to
> >> >>> >> train
> >> >>>>>> their colleagues. We can follow the same model. It might
> >> require us
> >> > to
> >> >>>> offer
> >> >>> >>> training in approximately 40 locations.
> >> >>> >>> Or we can do it at the zonal level, say, in 5-8
> >> locations.
> >> >>>>>> Please suggest how we can take this forward.
> >> >>>>>> Perhaps put up a proposal on an appropriate wiki if we're
> >>satisfied
> >> >> with
> >> >>> >> the
> >> >>>>>> skeleton?
> >> >>>>>>
> >> >>> >>> - Sundar
> >> >>>>>>
> >> >>> >>> "That language is an instrument of human reason, and
> >> not
> >>merely a
> >> >>> medium
> >> >>>>> for
> >> >>> >>> the expression of thought, is a truth generally
> >> admitted."
> >> >>>>>> - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
> >> >>>>>>
> >> >>> >>>
> >> >>>>>>> From: Jessie Wild<jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> >> >>> >>>> To: BalaSundaraRaman<sundarbecse(a)yahoo.com>
> >> >>> >>>> Cc:ravishankar.ayyakkannu@gmail.com
> >> >>> >>>> Sent: Fri, November 19, 2010 4:45:14 AM
> >> >>> >>>> Subject: Re: Qs regarding village school& WP
> >> >>>>>>> Thanks, Sundar.
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>> I definitely agree that the offline versions will be useful,
> >> and
> >>the
> >> >>>>> type of
> >> >>>>>>> project you are describing is exactly the type of offline
> >> work
> >>I
> >> >> am
> >> >>>>> helping
> >> >>>>>>> orchestrate - so yes: let's brainstorm and work
> >> together on
> >> >> this!
> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >>>>>>> A couple questions to get our conversations going:
> >> >>> >>>> * For the Tamil Wikipedia project, is this the same
> >> project
> >> > proposed
> >> >>>>> back in
> >> >>>>>>> 2007, or is it an extension of it? I am curious of
> >> this
> >>ever
> >> >> got
> >> >>
> >> >>> off
> >> >>>>>>> the
> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >>>>>>> ground initially.
> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >>>>>>> * Also, I am curious what are you thinking for the
> >> collection of
> >> >>>>> articles to
> >> >>>>>>> be included on the CD. Would you want the whole Tamil
> >> >>>>> Wikipedia/Wiktionary
> >> >>> >>>> collection? Or would you go through the process of
> >>screening
> >> >> the
> >> >>>>> articles to
> >> >>>>>>> make sure they were student appropriate / of high
> >> academic
> >> >>> quality?
> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >>>>>>> * In addition, in regards to article selection (above
> >> point),
> >>would
> >> >>>> the
> >> >>> >>>> Tamil Nadu government need to approve the articles that
> >> were
> >> >> being
> >> >>>>>>> distributed into schools?
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>> * Why CD? Why not USB? Just curious!
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>> >>>> * How are you thinking of getting the CDs to the
> >> different
> >>schools?
> >> >>>>> Who is
> >> >>>>>>> going to download the materials onto the school computers?
> >>Will
> >> >>> there
> >> >>>>> (or
> >> >>>>>>> does there need to be) any training involved?
> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >>>>>>> Sorry for the many questions - hopefully they'll push us
> >> closer to
> >> >>> > some
> >> >>>>>>> productive movement!
> >> >>> >>>> Jessie
> >> >>> >>>>
> >> >>>>>>> On 11/17/2010 7:05 PM, BalaSundaraRaman wrote:
> >> >>>>>>> Hi Jessie,
> >> >>> >>>>> On another note, we at Tamil Wikipedia have been
> >> discussing
> >> >>>>> ways to
> >> >>>>>>>> publish an offline edition (primarily CD-based) of
> >> >> selected
> >> >>>>> articles
> >> >>> >>>> >from Tamil Wikipedia and possibly the whole
> >> of
> >>Tamil
> >> >>>>> Wiktionary. Will
> >> >>>>>>>> you be interested in helping with this?
> >> >>> >>>>>
> >> >>> >>>>> This will be useful in schools, because the TN
> >> government
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>> has
> >> >>>>> provided
> >> >>>>>>>> almost every school with a couple of computers.
> >> In
> >>fact,
> >> >>> they're
> >> >>>>> also
> >> >>>>>>>> training the teachers (including my mom) in
> >> basic
> >> >> computer
> >> >>>>> usage. With
> >> >>> >>>>> an offline edition, students can immediately
> >>benefit
> >> >>> regardless
> >> >>> >> of
> >> >>>>>>>> whether they have access to the internet.
> >> >>> >>>>>
> >> >>> >>>>> - Sundar
> >> >>> >>> "That language is an instrument of human reason, and not
> > merely
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>> a
> >> >>>>> medium
> >> >>>>>> for the expression of thought, is a truth generally
> >> >> admitted."
> >> >>> >>>>> - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award
> >> Lecture
> >> >>> >>>>>
> >> >>> >>>>>> From: Jessie Wild<jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> >> >>> >>>>>>
To:sundarbecse@yahoo.com;ravishankar.ayyakkannu@gmail.com
> >> >>> >>>>>> Sent: Thu, November 18, 2010 12:56:55 AM
> >> >>>>>>>>> Subject: Qs regarding village school& WP
> >> >>>>>>>>>
> >> >>> >>>>>> Sundar / Ravishankar -
> >> >>> >>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>> Thanks for sharing this wonderful story below! What a
> >> >>>>> great
> >> >>> >>>>>> example of how WP can be useful in schools.
> >> >>>>>>>>> So, I'm working on the development and deployment of
> >> >>> >>> offline
> >> >>>>>>>>> Wikipedia, and the areas we think will be most
> >> >>> effective
> >> >>>>> to get
> >> >>> >>>>>> into are schools in areas without
> >> consistent
> >>access
> >> >> to
> >> >>> >> Internet.
> >> >>>>>>>>> To that end, hearing this story raised a
> >> couple
> >> >>> immediate
> >> >>>>>>>>> questions in my mind which I thought
> >> I'd ask
> >> > you:
> >> >>> >>>>>> (1) What was this school's connection to the
> >> Internet?
> >> >>>>> That is,
> >> >>>>>>>>> were they connecting to Wikipedia/Wiktionary
> >> >> online?
> >> >>>>>>>>> (2) What exactly is a "state-funded free education
> >> >>>>> school"? Does
> >> >>>>>>>>> that just mean that students do not have to
> >> pay
> >>to
> >> >>> attend,
> >> >>>>> or is
> >> >>> >>>>>> this a specific type of school (sorry, I
> >> am
> >>not
> >> >>> familiar
> >> >>>>> with the
> >> >>> >>>>>> phrase so just want to make sure I
> >>understand!)?
> >> >>> >>>>>> (3) Why did Mr. Jothimani choose to use
> >> >>>>> Wikipedia/Wiktionary over
> >> >>> >>>>>> other sources?
> >> >>> >>>>>> (4) Do we know if the students had used Wikipedia
> >> prior
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>> to
> >> >>>>> the
> >> >>>>>>>>> launch of this project? Had the teachers?
> >> >>>>>>>>>
> >> >>> >>>>>> Thank you both so much; what an awesome story!
> >> >>>>>>>>> Jessie
> >> >>> >>>>>>
> >> >>> >>>>>> On 11/16/2010 8:15 PM, BalaSundaraRaman wrote:
> >> >>>>>>>>> Hi Sue, I just got reminded of the following story about
> >> how
> >> >> students
> >> >>>>> and staff
> >> >>>>>>>>> of a village school benefited from Tamil Wikipedia. We
> >> found
> >>this
> >> >>> from
> >> >>>>> an
> >> >>> >>>>>> article in a magazine called "pudhiya thalaimurai"
> >> (New
> >> >> Generation)
> >> >>
> >> >>> and
> >> >>>>> another
> >> >>>>>>>>> blogpost.[1] It is about how a school headmaster
> >> Mr.Jothimani
> >> >>> transformed
> >> >>>>> the
> >> >>>>>>>>> state-funded free education school at a village Mangudi
> >> near
> >> >>> Kumbakonam
> >> >>>>> in
> >> >>>>>>>>> Tamil Nadu. Among others, it includes a section on how
> >> Tamil
> >> >>> Wikipedia
> >> >>>>> and
> >> >>>>>>>>> Wiktionary are being used by the students and staff.
> >>Subsequently,
> >> >> a
> >> >>>>> Tamil
> >> >>> >>>>>> Wikipedian Ravishankar Ayyakkannu (User:Ravidreams)
> >> called
> >> >>> Mr.Jothimani
> >> >>>>> over
> >> >>>>>>>>> phone and collected more information. He wrote the
> >> findings in
> >>the
> >> >>> Tamil
> >> >>> >>>>>> Wikipedia blogpost.[2] Translation of some excerpts:
> >> *
> >>Students
> >> >> of
> >> >>>>> sixth,
> >> >>> >>>>>> seventh, and eighth standard (aged ~11-13) use Tamil
> >>Wikipedia.
> >> >> *
> >> >>
> >> >>> One
> >> >>>>> class
> >> >>>>>>>>> everyday is dedicated for Wikipedia during school hours.
> >> During
> >> >> this
> >> >>>>> period,
> >> >>> >>>>>> students research about the topics that they learned
> >> that
> >>day in
> >> >>> other
> >> >>>>> classes
> >> >>> >>>>>> (examples below). If they need to access the Wiki
> >> for their
> >>home
> >> >>> work,
> >> >>>>> writing
> >> >>> >>>>>> or speaking contests, students spend time online
> >> during
> >>lunch or
> >> >>>>>>>> after hours.
> >> >>>>>>>>> * They find the information accessible most of the time.
> >> *
> >> >> Teachers
> >> >>
> >> >>> too
> >> >>>>> find it
> >> >>>>>>>>> useful. * They felt that they could use more of local
> >>information
> >> >>> about
> >> >>> >> their
> >> >>>>>>>>> district and about Tamil Nadu and India in general. *
> >>Example
> >> >> use
> >> >>> >> cases: if
> >> >>>>>>>>> the teacher gives a topic "statesmen", students look for
> >> Nehru,
> >> >>>>> Kamarajar,
> >> >>>>>>>>> etc., If they give a story writing contest of the title "a
> >>story
> >> >> of
> >> >>>>> itself told
> >> >>>>>>>>> by River Cauvery", they search for the article on the
> >> river and
> >> >> write
> >> >>> >> the
> >> >>>>>>>>> details in first person. They also go find other
> >> interlinked
> >> >>> articles on
> >> >>> >> Coorg,
> >> >>>>>>>>> Poombuhar, etc., and get excited about their findings. The
> >> >> headmaster
> >> >>> >> finds
> >> >>>>>>>>> that the students' creative expression has clearly
> >> increased
> >> > after
> >> >>> >> introducing
> >> >>>>>>>>> Tamil Wikipedia. A student who would write 20 sentences on
> >> a
> >>topic
> >> >>> now
> >> >>>>> writes
> >> >>>>>>>>> 60 sentences. * They also use the Tamil Wiktionary which
> >> has
> >> >> nearly
> >> >>
> >> >>> two
> >> >>>>> hundred
> >> >>> >>>>>> thousand entries including technical glossaries
> >> donated by
> >>the
> >> >> Tamil
> >> >>>>> Virtual
> >> >>> >>>>>> Academy. Given that typically students in such
> >> remote
> >>villages
> >> >> do
> >> >>
> >> >>> not
> >> >>>>> have
> >> >>>>>>>>> access to much information, the utility of this exposure
> >> is
> >> >> immense.
> >> >>>>> Also, most
> >> >>>>>>>>> of the students of state-run schools come from
> >> under-previleged
> >> > and
> >> >>>>> low-income
> >> >>> >>>>>> families. Given that, this helps to even out the
> >> systemic
> >>bias
> >> >>>>> somewhat. I've
> >> >>> >>>>>> taken the liberty to copy Ravishankar who spoke to the
> >> >> headmaster. -
> >> >>>>>> Sundar
> >> >>>>>>>>> [1]
> >> -http://infinityholes.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-post.html
> >>(in
> >> >>> Tamil)
> >> >>>>> [2] -
> >> >>> >>>>>>
> >>http://tamilwikipedia.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-post_5826.html
> >> >> (in
> >> >>>>> Tamil) "That
> >> >>>>>>>>> language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely
> >> a
> >>medium
> >> >> for
> >> >>>>> the
> >> >>>>>>>>> expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted." -
> >> George
> >> >> Boole,
> >> >>>>> quoted in
> >> >>>>>>>>> Iverson's Turing Award Lecture ----- Original Message
> >>----
> >> >>>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>>> From: Sue Gardner<sgardner(a)wikimedia.org> To:
> >> "Local
> >>Chapters,
> >> >>> board
> >> >>>>> and
> >> >>> >>>>>>> officers coordination (closed
> >> >>> >> subscription)"<Internal-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
> >> >>> >>>>>>> Sent: Thu, November 11, 2010 12:01:48 PM Subject:
> >>[Internal-l]
> >> >>> Looking
> >> >>>>> for
> >> >>> >>>>>>> stories of readers affected by Wikipedia Hi folks,
> >> Megan
> >> >> Hernandez
> >> >>
> >> >>> on
> >> >>> >> the
> >> >>>>>>>>>> staff is looking out for me, for stories of readers
> >> whose
> > lives
> >> >> have
> >> >>>>> been
> >> >>>>>>>>>> impacted by Wikipedia or the other projects. (Donors
> >> often
> >>send
> >> >> us
> >> >>>>> stories like
> >> >>> >>>>>>> that, and I am often looking for stories to tell
> >> people
> >>about
> >> >> the
> >> >>>>> projects. So
> >> >>> >>>>>>> I've asked her to send good ones to me.) I was
> >> writing
> >>her a
> >> >> set
> >> >>
> >> >> of
> >> >>>>> criteria
> >> >>>>>>>>>> for the kinds of stories I want, and it occurred to me
> >> that you
> >> >>> might
> >> >>> >>>>>>> yourselves have some good stories of exactly this
> >> kind. So I
> >>am
> >> >>> sending
> >> >>>>> along
> >> >>> >>>>>>> the criteria here too :-) If you have stories that
> >> fit
> >>many/all
> >> >> of
> >> >>>>> these
> >> >>> >>>>>>> criteria, please send them to me, onlist or off.
> >> And
> >>please
> >> >> forgive
> >> >>
> >> >>> my
> >> >>> >>>>>>> cross-posting to several lists at once. Thanks, Sue
> >> *
> >> >> Ideally,
> >> >>
> >> >>> they'd
> >> >>>>> be
> >> >>>>>>>>>> along the theme of "how Wikipedia made my life better."
> >> This
> >> >> might
> >> >>
> >> >>> be
> >> >>> >> an
> >> >>>>>>>>>> anecdote, or bigger-picture (ie, 'how Wikipedia makes my
> >> life
> >> >> better
> >> >>>>> every
> >> >>>>>>>>>> day'). * Ideally, they would be stories of people
> >> who
> >> >>>>>>>>>> pre-exposure-to-Wikipedia would have had circumscribed
> >> access
> >> >> to
> >> >>>>> information.
> >> >>>>>>>>>> Because they grew up in a small town with no library,
> >> because
> >> >> their
> >> >>>>> school
> >> >>>>>>>>>> didn't stock certain kinds of books, because materials
> >> in
> >>their
> >> >>>>> language are of
> >> >>>>>>>>>> limited availability, because their government limits
> >> access
> > to
> >> >>> certain
> >> >>> >> types
> >> >>>>>>>>>> of information -- in general, because their
> >> >>> >>>>>> economic/political/socio-cultural
> >> >>> >>>>>>> circumstances somehow impede(d) easy access to
> >>information. *
> >> >>> Ideally,
> >> >>>>> the
> >> >>>>>>>>>> information that Wikipedia gives them is important, and
> >>directly,
> >> >>>>> immediately
> >> >>>>>>>>>> useful. Like, it helped them better understand a health
> >> issue
> >> >> they
> >> >>
> >> >>> were
> >> >>> >> having,
> >> >>>>>>>>>> or it equipped them to do some important task better; it
> > helped
> >> >> them
> >> >>> >> understand
> >> >>>>>>>>>> a new situation or some aspect of themselves, or enabled
> >> them
> >>to
> >> >>> solve
> >> >>>>> an
> >> >>>>>>>>>> important problem. Maybe it helped them get a job they
> >> > otherwise
> >> >>>>> couldn't have
> >> >>> >>>>>>> gotten, or enabled them to avoid some specific
> >> danger or
> >>risk.
> >> >> *
> >> >>>>> And/or, the
> >> >>>>>>>>>> information fed a general curiosity and desire to
> >> understand
> >>the
> >> >>> world
> >> >>> >> better.
> >> >>>>>>>>>> It got them interested in going to college which nobody
> >> in
> >>their
> >> >>> family
> >> >>>>> had
> >> >>>>>>>>>> done before, it helped them develop a more thoughtful
> > position
> >> >> on a
> >> >>>>> public
> >> >>>>>>>>>> policy issue, it stimulated them to travel or read more
> > widely,
> >> >> or
> >> >>
> >> >>> to
> >> >>>>> question
> >> >>>>>>>>>> assumptions they had been making. * Ideally, their
> >> lives are
> >> >> better
> >> >>>>> today
> >> >>> >>>>>>> because of the information they are exposed to via
> >>Wikipedia.
> >> >> Maybe
> >> >>>>> this would
> >> >>> >>>>>>> be better in some really specific way -- like, "Three
> >>months
> >> >> later
> >> >>
> >> >> I
> >> >>>>> persuaded
> >> >>>>>>>>>> my doctor to let me try the new treatment, and it
> >> worked." Or,
> >>it
> >> >>> might
> >> >>> >> be much
> >> >>>>>>>>>> more general. * It is fine if the information they
> >> found on
> >> >>> Wikipedia
> >> >>>>> might
> >> >>> >>>>>>> otherwise have been kept from them, either
> >> deliberately
> > or
> >> >> through
> >> >>
> >> >>> lack
> >> >>>>> of easy
> >> >>>>>>>>>> opportunity. It is fine if the information is considered
> >> risky
> >> > or
> >> >>>>> controversial
> >> >>>>>>>>>> in some way. Sue Gardner Executive Director
> >> Wikimedia
> >> >>> Foundation
> >> >>>>> 415 839
> >> >>> >>>>>>> 6885 office 415 816 9967 cell Imagine a world in
> >> which
> >>every
> >> >> single
> >> >>>>> human
> >> >>> >>>>>>> being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge.
> >> Help
> >>us
> >> >> make it
> >> >>
> >> >>> a
> >> >>> >>>>>>> reality!http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Donate
> >> >>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________
> > Internal-l
> >> >> mailing
> >> >>>>> list
> >> >>>>>>>>>> Internal-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> >> >>> >>>>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/internal-l
> >> >>> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
> >> Internal-l
> >> >> mailing
> >> >>
> >> >>> list
> >> >>>>>>>>> Internal-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> >> >>> >>>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/internal-l
> >> >>> >>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>> -- Jessie Wild Special Projects Manager Gloabl
> >> Development
> >> >>> Wikimedia
> >> >>>>>>> Foundation
> >> >>>>>> -- Jessie Wild Special Projects Manager Gloabl Development
> >> > Wikimedia
> >> >>>>> Foundation
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>> --
> >> >>>>> Jessie Wild
> >> >>>>> Special Projects Manager
> >> >>>>> Gloabl Development
> >> >>>>> Wikimedia Foundation
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>> --
> >> >>> Jessie Wild
> >> >>> Special Projects Manager
> >> >>> Gloabl Development
> >> >>> Wikimedia Foundation
> >> >>>
> >> >>>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Jessie Wild
> >> Special Projects Manager
> >> Gloabl Development
> >> Wikimedia Foundation
> >>
> >>
> >
>
>
>
Thanks for the connection, Jessie.
Hello Prof.Martin,
If you recall, we had a good discussion on the sidelines of Wikimania
Argentina.
Having observed the good work of the Offline Editions project team, I'm sure we
can immensely benefit from your advice and help.
I've copied the Tamil Wikipedians' list as well.
Regards,
Sundar
"That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a medium for
the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."
- George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
----- Original Message ----
> From: Jessie Wild <jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> To: BalaSundaraRaman <sundarbecse(a)yahoo.com>
> Cc: ravishankar.ayyakkannu(a)gmail.com; Martin A. Walker <walkerma(a)potsdam.edu>
> Sent: Sat, December 18, 2010 3:33:35 AM
> Subject: Re: Qs regarding village school & WP
>
> Glad to here things are underway - thanks for the update!
>
> I think you are right in taking the thorough approach to creating the
> best selection of Tamil Wikipedia. Using this approach in the English
> Wikipedia has resulted in some highly valuable editions/versions that
> were immediately useful as well as constructed in such a way to be
> iterated upon - that is, each release is an improved iteration of the
> last version.
>
> I have CC'd Martin Walker on this email who is the key lead behind the
> Wikipedia 1.0 project - the project of English offline article
> selections. He has gone through a lot of the trial and error behind
> article selection in general, so it would likely be incredibly
> beneficial for you to talk. Please feel free to reach out to him!
>
> Thanks again for your hard work on this!
> Jessie
>
> On 12/16/2010 7:43 PM, BalaSundaraRaman wrote:
> > Hi Jessie,
> >
> > Just a quick note to say that discussion on this is progressing, albeit
>slowly.
> > The consensus seems to be that we should do a thorough job with the
selected
> > articles as this is going to be our first major release.
> > Will update you when things move to the next stage.
> >
> > Best,
> > Sundar
> > "That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a medium
>for
> > the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."
> > - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----
> >> From: BalaSundaraRaman<sundarbecse(a)yahoo.com>
> >> To: Jessie Wild<jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> >> Cc: ravishankar.ayyakkannu(a)gmail.com
> >> Sent: Thu, November 25, 2010 8:33:36 AM
> >> Subject: Re: Qs regarding village school& WP
> >>
> >> Sure. I've left a notice on the mailing list as well as our VP inviting a
>wiki
> >> co-ordinator.
> >> Will update you of the progress.
> >>
> >> Thanks a lot.
> >>
> >> Sundar
> >> "That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a medium
>for
> >> the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."
> >> - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> ----- Original Message ----
> >>> From: Jessie Wild<jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> >>> To: BalaSundaraRaman<sundarbecse(a)yahoo.com>
> >>> Cc: ravishankar.ayyakkannu(a)gmail.com
> >>> Sent: Wed, November 24, 2010 11:44:17 PM
> >>> Subject: Re: Qs regarding village school& WP
> >>>
> >>> Sure - if you would like to begin the discussion on Village Pump that
> >>> would be great! I think a lot of the questions we walked briefly
through
> >>> are the ones where some community support would be needed.
>Specifically:
> >>>
> >>> Immediate support:
> >>> 1 - Selecting the articles/creating collections of articles.
> >>> 2 - Creating training materials on how to use WP and how to incorporate
> >>> it into the classroom
> >>> 3 - Working with government officials on distribution policies
> >>>
> >>> Future support:
> >>> 4 - Distributing/installing software
> >>> 5 - Conducting teacher trainings
> >>>
> >>> As you probably suspect, I don't understand Tamil, so I'd love if you'd
> >>> just keep me in the loop with what happens on the Tamil and village
pump
> >> :)
> >>> Jessie
> >>>
> >>> On 11/24/2010 2:50 AM, BalaSundaraRaman wrote:
> >>> > Sorry for the delay on our part, Jessie.
> >>>> The Kenyan project is a useful project to learn from.
> >>>>
> >>>> Though we have a list at
> >>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikita-l,
> >>>> we still use the Village Pump to begin most of the discussions.
> >>>> Perhaps we can start a thread on the list or on meta and put a note
>at
> >>>> http://ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:VP?
> >>>>
> >>> > - Sundar
> >>>> "That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a
> >> medium
> >>
> >>> for
> >>> > the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."
> >>> > - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
> >>> >
> >>>>
> >>>> ----- Original Message ----
> >>> >> From: Jessie Wild<jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> >>>>> To: BalaSundaraRaman<sundarbecse(a)yahoo.com>
> >>> >> Cc: ravishankar.ayyakkannu(a)gmail.com
> >>> >> Sent: Tue, November 23, 2010 12:58:10 AM
> >>>>> Subject: Re: Qs regarding village school& WP
> >>> >>
> >>>>> Thanks for the thorough answers - it's so great you've thought
>through
> >>>>> so many of these things so carefully.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I'm not sure if you are familiar with the project in Kenya that is
> >>>>> somewhat comparable:
> >>>>>
> >> http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Kenya/Project_for_Kenyan_Schools
> >>> >>
> >>>>> In terms of next steps, I think you are right in suggesting to put
>up
> >> a
> >>>>> proposal on a wiki. I think the approach the Kenyan Wikimedians have
> >>>>> taken to project planning is quite thorough and consequently very
> >>>>> helpful, and constructing something similar for Tamil Nadu could
> >>> >> likewise be beneficial.
> >>>>> I would suggest getting other members of the Tamil community
onboard
> >>> >> with the planning as soon as possible; is there a list serve
>that I
> >>>>> should get on to follow the conversations?
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Jessie
> >>>>>
> >>> >> On 11/18/2010 9:31 PM, BalaSundaraRaman wrote:
> >>> >>>> I definitely agree that the offline versions will be useful,
>and
> >> the
> >>>>> type of
> >>>>>>> project you are describing is exactly the type of offline
>work I
> >> am
> >>>>> helping
> >>>>>>> orchestrate - so yes: let's brainstorm and work together
on
> >> this!
> >>>>>> Thanks a lot, Jessie. :)
> >>> >>>
> >>>>>>> * For the Tamil Wikipedia project, is this the same project
>proposed
> >>>>> back in
> >>>>>>> 2007, or is it an extension of it? I am curious of this
ever
> >> got
> >>
> >>> off
> >>> >>>> the
> >>> >>>> ground initially.
> >>>>>> It derives from the same thought, but the earlier project did not
>go
> >>> >> anywhere.
> >>>>>> At present, we have more editors and hence will be able to curate
> >> content
> >>> >>> easily.
> >>>>>> We also have richer content on many interesting topics.
> >>>>>>
> >>> >>>> * Also, I am curious what are you thinking for the collection
>of
> >>>>> articles to
> >>>>>>> be included on the CD. Would you want the whole Tamil
> >>> >> Wikipedia/Wiktionary
> >>>>>>> collection? Or would you go through the process of screening
> > the
> >>>>> articles to
> >>>>>>> make sure they were student appropriate / of high academic
> >> quality?
> >>>>>> We're only thinking of releasing a selection of articles based on
> >> quality
> >>>>> (we've
> >>>>>> just started with a rating system),
> >>> >>> interestingness and suitability for students, and
> >> comprehensiveness.
> >>>>>> WikiProject Indian Mammals and articles on chemical elements form
>a
> >> good
> >>> >>> collection to share with students.
> >>> >>> The above are only examples, we can select articles from across
> >> several
> >>>>>> categories.
> >>> >>>
> >>>>>>> * In addition, in regards to article selection (above point),
>would
> >>>>> the
> >>> >>>> Tamil Nadu government need to approve the articles that were
> >> being
> >>>>>>> distributed into schools?
> >>>>>> Yes, perhaps. Due to our prior engagement with them in the recently
> >>>>> conducted
> >>> >>> article writing contest sponsored by the Government of Tamil
>Nadu,
> >>>>> co-ordination
> >>>>>> would be easier. We have points of contact in the IT department,
> >>> Department
> >>>>> of
> >>>>>> Translation, and the Department of Education in fairly senior
>levels.
> >> The
> >>> >>> Director of Tamil Virtual Academy is also a keen supporter of
>Tamil
> >>>>> Wikipedia
> >>>>>> (and an occasional editor).
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>> * Why CD? Why not USB? Just curious!
> >>>>>> I just thought CDs are less expensive. We can certainly evaluate
>USB
> >>>>> storage.
> >>>>>>> * How are you thinking of getting the CDs to the different
>schools?
> >>> >> Who is
> >>>>>>> going to download the materials onto the school computers?
>Will
> >>> there
> >>>>> (or
> >>>>>>> does there need to be) any training involved?
> >>>>>> We should take the help of the School Education department who have
> >>>> existing
> >>>>>> channels.
> >>>>>> Some amount of training will be required. The Government already
> >> trains
> >>>>> selected
> >>>>>> teachers in each District on various skills and then encourages
>them
> >> to
> >>> >> train
> >>>>>> their colleagues. We can follow the same model. It might require us
> > to
> >>>> offer
> >>> >>> training in approximately 40 locations.
> >>> >>> Or we can do it at the zonal level, say, in 5-8 locations.
> >>>>>> Please suggest how we can take this forward.
> >>>>>> Perhaps put up a proposal on an appropriate wiki if we're
>satisfied
> >> with
> >>> >> the
> >>>>>> skeleton?
> >>>>>>
> >>> >>> - Sundar
> >>>>>>
> >>> >>> "That language is an instrument of human reason, and not
>merely a
> >>> medium
> >>>>> for
> >>> >>> the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."
> >>>>>> - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
> >>>>>>
> >>> >>>
> >>>>>>> From: Jessie Wild<jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> >>> >>>> To: BalaSundaraRaman<sundarbecse(a)yahoo.com>
> >>> >>>> Cc:ravishankar.ayyakkannu@gmail.com
> >>> >>>> Sent: Fri, November 19, 2010 4:45:14 AM
> >>> >>>> Subject: Re: Qs regarding village school& WP
> >>>>>>> Thanks, Sundar.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> I definitely agree that the offline versions will be useful, and
>the
> >>>>> type of
> >>>>>>> project you are describing is exactly the type of offline work
>I
> >> am
> >>>>> helping
> >>>>>>> orchestrate - so yes: let's brainstorm and work together on
> >> this!
> >>> >>>>
> >>>>>>> A couple questions to get our conversations going:
> >>> >>>> * For the Tamil Wikipedia project, is this the same project
> > proposed
> >>>>> back in
> >>>>>>> 2007, or is it an extension of it? I am curious of this
>ever
> >> got
> >>
> >>> off
> >>>>>>> the
> >>> >>>>
> >>>>>>> ground initially.
> >>> >>>>
> >>>>>>> * Also, I am curious what are you thinking for the collection of
> >>>>> articles to
> >>>>>>> be included on the CD. Would you want the whole Tamil
> >>>>> Wikipedia/Wiktionary
> >>> >>>> collection? Or would you go through the process of
>screening
> >> the
> >>>>> articles to
> >>>>>>> make sure they were student appropriate / of high academic
> >>> quality?
> >>> >>>>
> >>>>>>> * In addition, in regards to article selection (above point),
>would
> >>>> the
> >>> >>>> Tamil Nadu government need to approve the articles that were
> >> being
> >>>>>>> distributed into schools?
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> * Why CD? Why not USB? Just curious!
> >>>>>>>
> >>> >>>> * How are you thinking of getting the CDs to the different
>schools?
> >>>>> Who is
> >>>>>>> going to download the materials onto the school computers?
>Will
> >>> there
> >>>>> (or
> >>>>>>> does there need to be) any training involved?
> >>> >>>>
> >>>>>>> Sorry for the many questions - hopefully they'll push us closer to
> >>> > some
> >>>>>>> productive movement!
> >>> >>>> Jessie
> >>> >>>>
> >>>>>>> On 11/17/2010 7:05 PM, BalaSundaraRaman wrote:
> >>>>>>> Hi Jessie,
> >>> >>>>> On another note, we at Tamil Wikipedia have been discussing
> >>>>> ways to
> >>>>>>>> publish an offline edition (primarily CD-based) of
> >> selected
> >>>>> articles
> >>> >>>> >from Tamil Wikipedia and possibly the whole of
>Tamil
> >>>>> Wiktionary. Will
> >>>>>>>> you be interested in helping with this?
> >>> >>>>>
> >>> >>>>> This will be useful in schools, because the TN government
> >>
> >>
> >>> has
> >>>>> provided
> >>>>>>>> almost every school with a couple of computers. In
>fact,
> >>> they're
> >>>>> also
> >>>>>>>> training the teachers (including my mom) in basic
> >> computer
> >>>>> usage. With
> >>> >>>>> an offline edition, students can immediately
>benefit
> >>> regardless
> >>> >> of
> >>>>>>>> whether they have access to the internet.
> >>> >>>>>
> >>> >>>>> - Sundar
> >>> >>> "That language is an instrument of human reason, and not
merely
> >>
> >>
> >>> a
> >>>>> medium
> >>>>>> for the expression of thought, is a truth generally
> >> admitted."
> >>> >>>>> - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
> >>> >>>>>
> >>> >>>>>> From: Jessie Wild<jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> >>> >>>>>> To:sundarbecse@yahoo.com;ravishankar.ayyakkannu@gmail.com
> >>> >>>>>> Sent: Thu, November 18, 2010 12:56:55 AM
> >>>>>>>>> Subject: Qs regarding village school& WP
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>> >>>>>> Sundar / Ravishankar -
> >>> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> Thanks for sharing this wonderful story below! What a
> >>>>> great
> >>> >>>>>> example of how WP can be useful in schools.
> >>>>>>>>> So, I'm working on the development and deployment of
> >>> >>> offline
> >>>>>>>>> Wikipedia, and the areas we think will be most
> >>> effective
> >>>>> to get
> >>> >>>>>> into are schools in areas without consistent
>access
> >> to
> >>> >> Internet.
> >>>>>>>>> To that end, hearing this story raised a couple
> >>> immediate
> >>>>>>>>> questions in my mind which I thought I'd ask
> > you:
> >>> >>>>>> (1) What was this school's connection to the Internet?
> >>>>> That is,
> >>>>>>>>> were they connecting to Wikipedia/Wiktionary
> >> online?
> >>>>>>>>> (2) What exactly is a "state-funded free education
> >>>>> school"? Does
> >>>>>>>>> that just mean that students do not have to pay
>to
> >>> attend,
> >>>>> or is
> >>> >>>>>> this a specific type of school (sorry, I am
>not
> >>> familiar
> >>>>> with the
> >>> >>>>>> phrase so just want to make sure I
>understand!)?
> >>> >>>>>> (3) Why did Mr. Jothimani choose to use
> >>>>> Wikipedia/Wiktionary over
> >>> >>>>>> other sources?
> >>> >>>>>> (4) Do we know if the students had used Wikipedia prior
> >>
> >>
> >>> to
> >>>>> the
> >>>>>>>>> launch of this project? Had the teachers?
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>> >>>>>> Thank you both so much; what an awesome story!
> >>>>>>>>> Jessie
> >>> >>>>>>
> >>> >>>>>> On 11/16/2010 8:15 PM, BalaSundaraRaman wrote:
> >>>>>>>>> Hi Sue, I just got reminded of the following story about how
> >> students
> >>>>> and staff
> >>>>>>>>> of a village school benefited from Tamil Wikipedia. We found
>this
> >>> from
> >>>>> an
> >>> >>>>>> article in a magazine called "pudhiya thalaimurai" (New
> >> Generation)
> >>
> >>> and
> >>>>> another
> >>>>>>>>> blogpost.[1] It is about how a school headmaster Mr.Jothimani
> >>> transformed
> >>>>> the
> >>>>>>>>> state-funded free education school at a village Mangudi near
> >>> Kumbakonam
> >>>>> in
> >>>>>>>>> Tamil Nadu. Among others, it includes a section on how Tamil
> >>> Wikipedia
> >>>>> and
> >>>>>>>>> Wiktionary are being used by the students and staff.
>Subsequently,
> >> a
> >>>>> Tamil
> >>> >>>>>> Wikipedian Ravishankar Ayyakkannu (User:Ravidreams) called
> >>> Mr.Jothimani
> >>>>> over
> >>>>>>>>> phone and collected more information. He wrote the findings in
>the
> >>> Tamil
> >>> >>>>>> Wikipedia blogpost.[2] Translation of some excerpts: *
>Students
> >> of
> >>>>> sixth,
> >>> >>>>>> seventh, and eighth standard (aged ~11-13) use Tamil
>Wikipedia.
> >> *
> >>
> >>> One
> >>>>> class
> >>>>>>>>> everyday is dedicated for Wikipedia during school hours. During
> >> this
> >>>>> period,
> >>> >>>>>> students research about the topics that they learned that
>day in
> >>> other
> >>>>> classes
> >>> >>>>>> (examples below). If they need to access the Wiki for their
>home
> >>> work,
> >>>>> writing
> >>> >>>>>> or speaking contests, students spend time online during
>lunch or
> >>>>>>>> after hours.
> >>>>>>>>> * They find the information accessible most of the time. *
> >> Teachers
> >>
> >>> too
> >>>>> find it
> >>>>>>>>> useful. * They felt that they could use more of local
>information
> >>> about
> >>> >> their
> >>>>>>>>> district and about Tamil Nadu and India in general. *
>Example
> >> use
> >>> >> cases: if
> >>>>>>>>> the teacher gives a topic "statesmen", students look for Nehru,
> >>>>> Kamarajar,
> >>>>>>>>> etc., If they give a story writing contest of the title "a
>story
> >> of
> >>>>> itself told
> >>>>>>>>> by River Cauvery", they search for the article on the river and
> >> write
> >>> >> the
> >>>>>>>>> details in first person. They also go find other interlinked
> >>> articles on
> >>> >> Coorg,
> >>>>>>>>> Poombuhar, etc., and get excited about their findings. The
> >> headmaster
> >>> >> finds
> >>>>>>>>> that the students' creative expression has clearly increased
> > after
> >>> >> introducing
> >>>>>>>>> Tamil Wikipedia. A student who would write 20 sentences on a
>topic
> >>> now
> >>>>> writes
> >>>>>>>>> 60 sentences. * They also use the Tamil Wiktionary which has
> >> nearly
> >>
> >>> two
> >>>>> hundred
> >>> >>>>>> thousand entries including technical glossaries donated by
>the
> >> Tamil
> >>>>> Virtual
> >>> >>>>>> Academy. Given that typically students in such remote
>villages
> >> do
> >>
> >>> not
> >>>>> have
> >>>>>>>>> access to much information, the utility of this exposure is
> >> immense.
> >>>>> Also, most
> >>>>>>>>> of the students of state-run schools come from under-previleged
> > and
> >>>>> low-income
> >>> >>>>>> families. Given that, this helps to even out the systemic
>bias
> >>>>> somewhat. I've
> >>> >>>>>> taken the liberty to copy Ravishankar who spoke to the
> >> headmaster. -
> >>>>>> Sundar
> >>>>>>>>> [1] -http://infinityholes.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-post.html
>(in
> >>> Tamil)
> >>>>> [2] -
> >>> >>>>>>
>http://tamilwikipedia.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-post_5826.html
> >> (in
> >>>>> Tamil) "That
> >>>>>>>>> language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a
>medium
> >> for
> >>>>> the
> >>>>>>>>> expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted." - George
> >> Boole,
> >>>>> quoted in
> >>>>>>>>> Iverson's Turing Award Lecture ----- Original Message
>----
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>> From: Sue Gardner<sgardner(a)wikimedia.org> To: "Local
>Chapters,
> >>> board
> >>>>> and
> >>> >>>>>>> officers coordination (closed
> >>> >> subscription)"<Internal-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
> >>> >>>>>>> Sent: Thu, November 11, 2010 12:01:48 PM Subject:
>[Internal-l]
> >>> Looking
> >>>>> for
> >>> >>>>>>> stories of readers affected by Wikipedia Hi folks, Megan
> >> Hernandez
> >>
> >>> on
> >>> >> the
> >>>>>>>>>> staff is looking out for me, for stories of readers whose
lives
> >> have
> >>>>> been
> >>>>>>>>>> impacted by Wikipedia or the other projects. (Donors often
>send
> >> us
> >>>>> stories like
> >>> >>>>>>> that, and I am often looking for stories to tell people
>about
> >> the
> >>>>> projects. So
> >>> >>>>>>> I've asked her to send good ones to me.) I was writing
>her a
> >> set
> >>
> >> of
> >>>>> criteria
> >>>>>>>>>> for the kinds of stories I want, and it occurred to me that you
> >>> might
> >>> >>>>>>> yourselves have some good stories of exactly this kind. So I
>am
> >>> sending
> >>>>> along
> >>> >>>>>>> the criteria here too :-) If you have stories that fit
>many/all
> >> of
> >>>>> these
> >>> >>>>>>> criteria, please send them to me, onlist or off. And
>please
> >> forgive
> >>
> >>> my
> >>> >>>>>>> cross-posting to several lists at once. Thanks, Sue *
> >> Ideally,
> >>
> >>> they'd
> >>>>> be
> >>>>>>>>>> along the theme of "how Wikipedia made my life better." This
> >> might
> >>
> >>> be
> >>> >> an
> >>>>>>>>>> anecdote, or bigger-picture (ie, 'how Wikipedia makes my life
> >> better
> >>>>> every
> >>>>>>>>>> day'). * Ideally, they would be stories of people who
> >>>>>>>>>> pre-exposure-to-Wikipedia would have had circumscribed access
> >> to
> >>>>> information.
> >>>>>>>>>> Because they grew up in a small town with no library, because
> >> their
> >>>>> school
> >>>>>>>>>> didn't stock certain kinds of books, because materials in
>their
> >>>>> language are of
> >>>>>>>>>> limited availability, because their government limits access
to
> >>> certain
> >>> >> types
> >>>>>>>>>> of information -- in general, because their
> >>> >>>>>> economic/political/socio-cultural
> >>> >>>>>>> circumstances somehow impede(d) easy access to
>information. *
> >>> Ideally,
> >>>>> the
> >>>>>>>>>> information that Wikipedia gives them is important, and
>directly,
> >>>>> immediately
> >>>>>>>>>> useful. Like, it helped them better understand a health issue
> >> they
> >>
> >>> were
> >>> >> having,
> >>>>>>>>>> or it equipped them to do some important task better; it
helped
> >> them
> >>> >> understand
> >>>>>>>>>> a new situation or some aspect of themselves, or enabled them
>to
> >>> solve
> >>>>> an
> >>>>>>>>>> important problem. Maybe it helped them get a job they
> > otherwise
> >>>>> couldn't have
> >>> >>>>>>> gotten, or enabled them to avoid some specific danger or
>risk.
> >> *
> >>>>> And/or, the
> >>>>>>>>>> information fed a general curiosity and desire to understand
>the
> >>> world
> >>> >> better.
> >>>>>>>>>> It got them interested in going to college which nobody in
>their
> >>> family
> >>>>> had
> >>>>>>>>>> done before, it helped them develop a more thoughtful
position
> >> on a
> >>>>> public
> >>>>>>>>>> policy issue, it stimulated them to travel or read more
widely,
> >> or
> >>
> >>> to
> >>>>> question
> >>>>>>>>>> assumptions they had been making. * Ideally, their lives are
> >> better
> >>>>> today
> >>> >>>>>>> because of the information they are exposed to via
>Wikipedia.
> >> Maybe
> >>>>> this would
> >>> >>>>>>> be better in some really specific way -- like, "Three
>months
> >> later
> >>
> >> I
> >>>>> persuaded
> >>>>>>>>>> my doctor to let me try the new treatment, and it worked." Or,
>it
> >>> might
> >>> >> be much
> >>>>>>>>>> more general. * It is fine if the information they found on
> >>> Wikipedia
> >>>>> might
> >>> >>>>>>> otherwise have been kept from them, either deliberately
or
> >> through
> >>
> >>> lack
> >>>>> of easy
> >>>>>>>>>> opportunity. It is fine if the information is considered risky
> > or
> >>>>> controversial
> >>>>>>>>>> in some way. Sue Gardner Executive Director Wikimedia
> >>> Foundation
> >>>>> 415 839
> >>> >>>>>>> 6885 office 415 816 9967 cell Imagine a world in which
>every
> >> single
> >>>>> human
> >>> >>>>>>> being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. Help
>us
> >> make it
> >>
> >>> a
> >>> >>>>>>> reality!http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Donate
> >>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________
Internal-l
> >> mailing
> >>>>> list
> >>>>>>>>>> Internal-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> >>> >>>>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/internal-l
> >>> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ Internal-l
> >> mailing
> >>
> >>> list
> >>>>>>>>> Internal-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> >>> >>>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/internal-l
> >>> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> -- Jessie Wild Special Projects Manager Gloabl Development
> >>> Wikimedia
> >>>>>>> Foundation
> >>>>>> -- Jessie Wild Special Projects Manager Gloabl Development
> > Wikimedia
> >>>>> Foundation
> >>>>>
> >>>>> --
> >>>>> Jessie Wild
> >>>>> Special Projects Manager
> >>>>> Gloabl Development
> >>>>> Wikimedia Foundation
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>> --
> >>> Jessie Wild
> >>> Special Projects Manager
> >>> Gloabl Development
> >>> Wikimedia Foundation
> >>>
> >>>
>
> --
> Jessie Wild
> Special Projects Manager
> Gloabl Development
> Wikimedia Foundation
>
>
அடுத்த கட்ட நடவடிக்கைகளைத் தொடங்க வேண்டும். இலினக்சு குழமத்துடன் நாம்
தொடங்கியுள்ள திட்டத்தோடு இணைத்து விடலாமா? இந்தத் திட்டங்களுக்குப் பொறுப்பாளராக
செயல்பட ஒருவர் முன்வர வேண்டும். யாருக்கு விருப்பம் உள்ளது?
- சுந்தர்
"That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a medium for
the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."
- George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
----- Forwarded Message ----
> From: Jessie Wild <jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> To: BalaSundaraRaman <sundarbecse(a)yahoo.com>
> Cc: ravishankar.ayyakkannu(a)gmail.com
> Sent: Wed, November 24, 2010 11:44:17 PM
> Subject: Re: Qs regarding village school & WP
>
> Sure - if you would like to begin the discussion on Village Pump that
> would be great! I think a lot of the questions we walked briefly through
> are the ones where some community support would be needed. Specifically:
>
> Immediate support:
> 1 - Selecting the articles/creating collections of articles.
> 2 - Creating training materials on how to use WP and how to incorporate
> it into the classroom
> 3 - Working with government officials on distribution policies
>
> Future support:
> 4 - Distributing/installing software
> 5 - Conducting teacher trainings
>
> As you probably suspect, I don't understand Tamil, so I'd love if you'd
> just keep me in the loop with what happens on the Tamil and village pump :)
>
> Jessie
>
> On 11/24/2010 2:50 AM, BalaSundaraRaman wrote:
> > Sorry for the delay on our part, Jessie.
> > The Kenyan project is a useful project to learn from.
> >
> > Though we have a list at
>https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikita-l,
> > we still use the Village Pump to begin most of the discussions.
> > Perhaps we can start a thread on the list or on meta and put a note at
> > http://ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:VP?
> >
> > - Sundar
> >
> > "That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a medium
>for
> > the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."
> > - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----
> >> From: Jessie Wild<jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> >> To: BalaSundaraRaman<sundarbecse(a)yahoo.com>
> >> Cc: ravishankar.ayyakkannu(a)gmail.com
> >> Sent: Tue, November 23, 2010 12:58:10 AM
> >> Subject: Re: Qs regarding village school& WP
> >>
> >> Thanks for the thorough answers - it's so great you've thought through
> >> so many of these things so carefully.
> >>
> >> I'm not sure if you are familiar with the project in Kenya that is
> >> somewhat comparable:
> >> http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Kenya/Project_for_Kenyan_Schools
> >>
> >> In terms of next steps, I think you are right in suggesting to put up a
> >> proposal on a wiki. I think the approach the Kenyan Wikimedians have
> >> taken to project planning is quite thorough and consequently very
> >> helpful, and constructing something similar for Tamil Nadu could
> >> likewise be beneficial.
> >>
> >> I would suggest getting other members of the Tamil community onboard
> >> with the planning as soon as possible; is there a list serve that I
> >> should get on to follow the conversations?
> >>
> >> Jessie
> >>
> >> On 11/18/2010 9:31 PM, BalaSundaraRaman wrote:
> >>>> I definitely agree that the offline versions will be useful, and the
> >> type of
> >>>> project you are describing is exactly the type of offline work I am
> >> helping
> >>>> orchestrate - so yes: let's brainstorm and work together on this!
> >>> Thanks a lot, Jessie. :)
> >>>
> >>>> * For the Tamil Wikipedia project, is this the same project proposed
> >> back in
> >>>> 2007, or is it an extension of it? I am curious of this ever got
>off
> >>>> the
> >>>>
> >>>> ground initially.
> >>> It derives from the same thought, but the earlier project did not go
> >> anywhere.
> >>> At present, we have more editors and hence will be able to curate
content
> >>> easily.
> >>> We also have richer content on many interesting topics.
> >>>
> >>>> * Also, I am curious what are you thinking for the collection of
> >> articles to
> >>>> be included on the CD. Would you want the whole Tamil
> >> Wikipedia/Wiktionary
> >>>> collection? Or would you go through the process of screening the
> >> articles to
> >>>> make sure they were student appropriate / of high academic
quality?
> >>> We're only thinking of releasing a selection of articles based on
quality
> >> (we've
> >>> just started with a rating system),
> >>> interestingness and suitability for students, and comprehensiveness.
> >>> WikiProject Indian Mammals and articles on chemical elements form a
good
> >>> collection to share with students.
> >>> The above are only examples, we can select articles from across several
> >>> categories.
> >>>
> >>>> * In addition, in regards to article selection (above point), would
> >> the
> >>>> Tamil Nadu government need to approve the articles that were being
> >>>> distributed into schools?
> >>> Yes, perhaps. Due to our prior engagement with them in the recently
> >> conducted
> >>> article writing contest sponsored by the Government of Tamil Nadu,
> >> co-ordination
> >>> would be easier. We have points of contact in the IT department,
>Department
> >> of
> >>> Translation, and the Department of Education in fairly senior levels.
The
> >>> Director of Tamil Virtual Academy is also a keen supporter of Tamil
> >> Wikipedia
> >>> (and an occasional editor).
> >>>
> >>>> * Why CD? Why not USB? Just curious!
> >>> I just thought CDs are less expensive. We can certainly evaluate USB
> >> storage.
> >>>
> >>>> * How are you thinking of getting the CDs to the different schools?
> >> Who is
> >>>> going to download the materials onto the school computers? Will
>there
> >> (or
> >>>> does there need to be) any training involved?
> >>> We should take the help of the School Education department who have
> > existing
> >>> channels.
> >>> Some amount of training will be required. The Government already trains
> >> selected
> >>> teachers in each District on various skills and then encourages them to
> >> train
> >>> their colleagues. We can follow the same model. It might require us to
> > offer
> >>> training in approximately 40 locations.
> >>> Or we can do it at the zonal level, say, in 5-8 locations.
> >>>
> >>> Please suggest how we can take this forward.
> >>> Perhaps put up a proposal on an appropriate wiki if we're satisfied
with
> >> the
> >>> skeleton?
> >>>
> >>> - Sundar
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> "That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a
>medium
> >> for
> >>> the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."
> >>> - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>> From: Jessie Wild<jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> >>>> To: BalaSundaraRaman<sundarbecse(a)yahoo.com>
> >>>> Cc:ravishankar.ayyakkannu@gmail.com
> >>>> Sent: Fri, November 19, 2010 4:45:14 AM
> >>>> Subject: Re: Qs regarding village school& WP
> >>>>
> >>>> Thanks, Sundar.
> >>>>
> >>>> I definitely agree that the offline versions will be useful, and the
> >> type of
> >>>> project you are describing is exactly the type of offline work I am
> >> helping
> >>>> orchestrate - so yes: let's brainstorm and work together on this!
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> A couple questions to get our conversations going:
> >>>> * For the Tamil Wikipedia project, is this the same project proposed
> >> back in
> >>>> 2007, or is it an extension of it? I am curious of this ever got
>off
> >>>> the
> >>>>
> >>>> ground initially.
> >>>>
> >>>> * Also, I am curious what are you thinking for the collection of
> >> articles to
> >>>> be included on the CD. Would you want the whole Tamil
> >> Wikipedia/Wiktionary
> >>>> collection? Or would you go through the process of screening the
> >> articles to
> >>>> make sure they were student appropriate / of high academic
>quality?
> >>>>
> >>>> * In addition, in regards to article selection (above point), would
> > the
> >>>> Tamil Nadu government need to approve the articles that were being
> >>>> distributed into schools?
> >>>>
> >>>> * Why CD? Why not USB? Just curious!
> >>>>
> >>>> * How are you thinking of getting the CDs to the different schools?
> >> Who is
> >>>> going to download the materials onto the school computers? Will
>there
> >> (or
> >>>> does there need to be) any training involved?
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> Sorry for the many questions - hopefully they'll push us closer to
> > some
> >>>> productive movement!
> >>>> Jessie
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> On 11/17/2010 7:05 PM, BalaSundaraRaman wrote:
> >>>> Hi Jessie,
> >>>>> On another note, we at Tamil Wikipedia have been discussing
> >> ways to
> >>>>> publish an offline edition (primarily CD-based) of selected
> >> articles
> >>>> >from Tamil Wikipedia and possibly the whole of Tamil
> >> Wiktionary. Will
> >>>>> you be interested in helping with this?
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> This will be useful in schools, because the TN government
>has
> >> provided
> >>>>> almost every school with a couple of computers. In fact,
>they're
> >> also
> >>>>> training the teachers (including my mom) in basic computer
> >> usage. With
> >>>>> an offline edition, students can immediately benefit
>regardless
> >> of
> >>>>> whether they have access to the internet.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> - Sundar
> >>>>>
> >>> "That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely
>a
> >> medium
> >>> for the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."
> >>>>> - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> From: Jessie Wild<jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> >>>>>> To:sundarbecse@yahoo.com;ravishankar.ayyakkannu@gmail.com
> >>>>>> Sent: Thu, November 18, 2010 12:56:55 AM
> >>>>>> Subject: Qs regarding village school& WP
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Sundar / Ravishankar -
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Thanks for sharing this wonderful story below! What a
> >> great
> >>>>>> example of how WP can be useful in schools.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> So, I'm working on the development and deployment of
> >>> offline
> >>>>>> Wikipedia, and the areas we think will be most
>effective
> >> to get
> >>>>>> into are schools in areas without consistent access to
> >> Internet.
> >>>>>> To that end, hearing this story raised a couple
>immediate
> >>>>>> questions in my mind which I thought I'd ask you:
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> (1) What was this school's connection to the Internet?
> >> That is,
> >>>>>> were they connecting to Wikipedia/Wiktionary online?
> >>>>>> (2) What exactly is a "state-funded free education
> >> school"? Does
> >>>>>> that just mean that students do not have to pay to
>attend,
> >> or is
> >>>>>> this a specific type of school (sorry, I am not
>familiar
> >> with the
> >>>>>> phrase so just want to make sure I understand!)?
> >>>>>> (3) Why did Mr. Jothimani choose to use
> >> Wikipedia/Wiktionary over
> >>>>>> other sources?
> >>>>>> (4) Do we know if the students had used Wikipedia prior
> to
> >> the
> >>>>>> launch of this project? Had the teachers?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Thank you both so much; what an awesome story!
> >>>>>> Jessie
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> On 11/16/2010 8:15 PM, BalaSundaraRaman wrote:
> >>>>>> Hi Sue, I just got reminded of the following story about how
students
> >> and staff
> >>>>>> of a village school benefited from Tamil Wikipedia. We found this
>from
> >> an
> >>>>>> article in a magazine called "pudhiya thalaimurai" (New Generation)
>and
> >> another
> >>>>>> blogpost.[1] It is about how a school headmaster Mr.Jothimani
>transformed
> >> the
> >>>>>> state-funded free education school at a village Mangudi near
>Kumbakonam
> >> in
> >>>>>> Tamil Nadu. Among others, it includes a section on how Tamil
>Wikipedia
> >> and
> >>>>>> Wiktionary are being used by the students and staff. Subsequently, a
> >> Tamil
> >>>>>> Wikipedian Ravishankar Ayyakkannu (User:Ravidreams) called
>Mr.Jothimani
> >> over
> >>>>>> phone and collected more information. He wrote the findings in the
>Tamil
> >>>>>> Wikipedia blogpost.[2] Translation of some excerpts: * Students of
> >> sixth,
> >>>>>> seventh, and eighth standard (aged ~11-13) use Tamil Wikipedia. *
>One
> >> class
> >>>>>> everyday is dedicated for Wikipedia during school hours. During this
> >> period,
> >>>>>> students research about the topics that they learned that day in
>other
> >> classes
> >>>>>> (examples below). If they need to access the Wiki for their home
>work,
> >> writing
> >>>>>> or speaking contests, students spend time online during lunch or
> >>>>> after hours.
> >>>>>> * They find the information accessible most of the time. * Teachers
>too
> >> find it
> >>>>>> useful. * They felt that they could use more of local information
>about
> >> their
> >>>>>> district and about Tamil Nadu and India in general. * Example use
> >> cases: if
> >>>>>> the teacher gives a topic "statesmen", students look for Nehru,
> >> Kamarajar,
> >>>>>> etc., If they give a story writing contest of the title "a story of
> >> itself told
> >>>>>> by River Cauvery", they search for the article on the river and
write
> >> the
> >>>>>> details in first person. They also go find other interlinked
>articles on
> >> Coorg,
> >>>>>> Poombuhar, etc., and get excited about their findings. The
headmaster
> >> finds
> >>>>>> that the students' creative expression has clearly increased after
> >> introducing
> >>>>>> Tamil Wikipedia. A student who would write 20 sentences on a topic
>now
> >> writes
> >>>>>> 60 sentences. * They also use the Tamil Wiktionary which has nearly
>two
> >> hundred
> >>>>>> thousand entries including technical glossaries donated by the Tamil
> >> Virtual
> >>>>>> Academy. Given that typically students in such remote villages do
>not
> >> have
> >>>>>> access to much information, the utility of this exposure is immense.
> >> Also, most
> >>>>>> of the students of state-run schools come from under-previleged and
> >> low-income
> >>>>>> families. Given that, this helps to even out the systemic bias
> >> somewhat. I've
> >>>>>> taken the liberty to copy Ravishankar who spoke to the headmaster. -
> >>> Sundar
> >>>>>> [1] -http://infinityholes.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-post.html (in
>Tamil)
> >> [2] -
> >>>>>> http://tamilwikipedia.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-post_5826.html (in
> >> Tamil) "That
> >>>>>> language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a medium
for
> >> the
> >>>>>> expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted." - George
Boole,
> >> quoted in
> >>>>>> Iverson's Turing Award Lecture ----- Original Message ----
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>> From: Sue Gardner<sgardner(a)wikimedia.org> To: "Local Chapters,
>board
> >> and
> >>>>>>> officers coordination (closed
> >> subscription)"<Internal-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
> >>>>>>> Sent: Thu, November 11, 2010 12:01:48 PM Subject: [Internal-l]
>Looking
> >> for
> >>>>>>> stories of readers affected by Wikipedia Hi folks, Megan Hernandez
>on
> >> the
> >>>>>>> staff is looking out for me, for stories of readers whose lives
have
> >> been
> >>>>>>> impacted by Wikipedia or the other projects. (Donors often send us
> >> stories like
> >>>>>>> that, and I am often looking for stories to tell people about the
> >> projects. So
> >>>>>>> I've asked her to send good ones to me.) I was writing her a set
of
> >> criteria
> >>>>>>> for the kinds of stories I want, and it occurred to me that you
>might
> >>>>>>> yourselves have some good stories of exactly this kind. So I am
>sending
> >> along
> >>>>>>> the criteria here too :-) If you have stories that fit many/all of
> >> these
> >>>>>>> criteria, please send them to me, onlist or off. And please forgive
>my
> >>>>>>> cross-posting to several lists at once. Thanks, Sue * Ideally,
>they'd
> >> be
> >>>>>>> along the theme of "how Wikipedia made my life better." This might
>be
> >> an
> >>>>>>> anecdote, or bigger-picture (ie, 'how Wikipedia makes my life
better
> >> every
> >>>>>>> day'). * Ideally, they would be stories of people who
> >>>>>>> pre-exposure-to-Wikipedia would have had circumscribed access to
> >> information.
> >>>>>>> Because they grew up in a small town with no library, because their
> >> school
> >>>>>>> didn't stock certain kinds of books, because materials in their
> >> language are of
> >>>>>>> limited availability, because their government limits access to
>certain
> >> types
> >>>>>>> of information -- in general, because their
> >>>>>> economic/political/socio-cultural
> >>>>>>> circumstances somehow impede(d) easy access to information. *
>Ideally,
> >> the
> >>>>>>> information that Wikipedia gives them is important, and directly,
> >> immediately
> >>>>>>> useful. Like, it helped them better understand a health issue they
>were
> >> having,
> >>>>>>> or it equipped them to do some important task better; it helped
them
> >> understand
> >>>>>>> a new situation or some aspect of themselves, or enabled them to
>solve
> >> an
> >>>>>>> important problem. Maybe it helped them get a job they otherwise
> >> couldn't have
> >>>>>>> gotten, or enabled them to avoid some specific danger or risk. *
> >> And/or, the
> >>>>>>> information fed a general curiosity and desire to understand the
>world
> >> better.
> >>>>>>> It got them interested in going to college which nobody in their
>family
> >> had
> >>>>>>> done before, it helped them develop a more thoughtful position on a
> >> public
> >>>>>>> policy issue, it stimulated them to travel or read more widely, or
>to
> >> question
> >>>>>>> assumptions they had been making. * Ideally, their lives are
better
> >> today
> >>>>>>> because of the information they are exposed to via Wikipedia. Maybe
> >> this would
> >>>>>>> be better in some really specific way -- like, "Three months later
I
> >> persuaded
> >>>>>>> my doctor to let me try the new treatment, and it worked." Or, it
>might
> >> be much
> >>>>>>> more general. * It is fine if the information they found on
>Wikipedia
> >> might
> >>>>>>> otherwise have been kept from them, either deliberately or through
>lack
> >> of easy
> >>>>>>> opportunity. It is fine if the information is considered risky or
> >> controversial
> >>>>>>> in some way. Sue Gardner Executive Director Wikimedia
>Foundation
> >> 415 839
> >>>>>>> 6885 office 415 816 9967 cell Imagine a world in which every
single
> >> human
> >>>>>>> being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. Help us make it
>a
> >>>>>>> reality!http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Donate
> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________ Internal-l
mailing
> >> list
> >>>>>>> Internal-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> >>>>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/internal-l
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ Internal-l mailing
>list
> >>>>>> Internal-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> >>>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/internal-l
> >>>>>>
> >>>>> -- Jessie Wild Special Projects Manager Gloabl Development
>Wikimedia
> >>>> Foundation
> >>> -- Jessie Wild Special Projects Manager Gloabl Development Wikimedia
> >> Foundation
> >>
> >> --
> >> Jessie Wild
> >> Special Projects Manager
> >> Gloabl Development
> >> Wikimedia Foundation
> >>
> >>
>
> --
> Jessie Wild
> Special Projects Manager
> Gloabl Development
> Wikimedia Foundation
>
>
விக்கிப்பீடியா பன்னாட்டுப்பிரிவு மடற்குழுவில் சூ' கா'ர்டனர் (Sue Gardner)
விக்கிப் பயன்பாடு பற்றிய செய்திகளைக் கோரியதையடுத்து மாங்குடி நடுநிலைப்பள்ளியில்
தமிழ் விக்கி பயன்படுத்தப்படுவதைச் சுட்டி அது தொடர்பாகத் தகவல் சேர்த்திருந்த
இரவியையும் இணைத்து மடல் அனுப்பியிருந்தேன். அதைத் தொடர்ந்து பள்ளி மாணவர்களுக்கான
தமிழ் விக்கித்தொகுதி (தேர்ந்தெடுத்த விக்கிப்பீடியா கட்டுரைகள் + விக்சனரி) ஒன்றை
உருவாக்கி பள்ளிகளுக்குத் தரும் திட்டம் ஒன்றில் விக்கிமீடியா அலுவலர் செச்'சீ'
(Jessie Wild) ஆர்வம் காட்டி வருகிறார். இது தொடர்பாக இரவியும் நானும் அவருடன்
நடத்திய உரையாடல் கீழே உள்ளது. விரைவில் இத்திட்டத்தைத் தொடங்கலாம்.
- சுந்தர்
"That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a medium for
the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."
- George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
----- Forwarded Message ----
> From: BalaSundaraRaman <sundarbecse(a)yahoo.com>
> To: Jessie Wild <jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> Cc: ravishankar.ayyakkannu(a)gmail.com
> Sent: Wed, November 24, 2010 4:20:45 PM
> Subject: Re: Qs regarding village school & WP
>
> Sorry for the delay on our part, Jessie.
> The Kenyan project is a useful project to learn from.
>
> Though we have a list at https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikita-l,
>
> we still use the Village Pump to begin most of the discussions.
> Perhaps we can start a thread on the list or on meta and put a note at
> http://ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:VP?
>
> - Sundar
>
> "That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a medium for
> the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."
> - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> > From: Jessie Wild <jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> > To: BalaSundaraRaman <sundarbecse(a)yahoo.com>
> > Cc: ravishankar.ayyakkannu(a)gmail.com
> > Sent: Tue, November 23, 2010 12:58:10 AM
> > Subject: Re: Qs regarding village school & WP
> >
> > Thanks for the thorough answers - it's so great you've thought through
> > so many of these things so carefully.
> >
> > I'm not sure if you are familiar with the project in Kenya that is
> > somewhat comparable:
> > http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Kenya/Project_for_Kenyan_Schools
> >
> > In terms of next steps, I think you are right in suggesting to put up a
> > proposal on a wiki. I think the approach the Kenyan Wikimedians have
> > taken to project planning is quite thorough and consequently very
> > helpful, and constructing something similar for Tamil Nadu could
> > likewise be beneficial.
> >
> > I would suggest getting other members of the Tamil community onboard
> > with the planning as soon as possible; is there a list serve that I
> > should get on to follow the conversations?
> >
> > Jessie
> >
> > On 11/18/2010 9:31 PM, BalaSundaraRaman wrote:
> > >> I definitely agree that the offline versions will be useful, and the
>
> >type of
> > >>
> > >> project you are describing is exactly the type of offline work I am
> >helping
> > >> orchestrate - so yes: let's brainstorm and work together on this!
> > > Thanks a lot, Jessie. :)
> > >
> > >> * For the Tamil Wikipedia project, is this the same project proposed
> >back in
> > >>
> > >> 2007, or is it an extension of it? I am curious of this ever got
>off
> > >> the
> > >>
> > >> ground initially.
> > > It derives from the same thought, but the earlier project did not go
> >anywhere.
> > > At present, we have more editors and hence will be able to curate
content
> > > easily.
> > > We also have richer content on many interesting topics.
> > >
> > >> * Also, I am curious what are you thinking for the collection of
> >articles to
> > >>
> > >> be included on the CD. Would you want the whole Tamil
> >Wikipedia/Wiktionary
> > >> collection? Or would you go through the process of screening the
> >articles to
> > >>
> > >> make sure they were student appropriate / of high academic
quality?
> > > We're only thinking of releasing a selection of articles based on quality
>
> >(we've
> > > just started with a rating system),
> > > interestingness and suitability for students, and comprehensiveness.
> > > WikiProject Indian Mammals and articles on chemical elements form a good
> > > collection to share with students.
> > > The above are only examples, we can select articles from across several
> > > categories.
> > >
> > >> * In addition, in regards to article selection (above point), would
>
>
> >the
> > >> Tamil Nadu government need to approve the articles that were being
> > >> distributed into schools?
> > > Yes, perhaps. Due to our prior engagement with them in the recently
> >conducted
> > > article writing contest sponsored by the Government of Tamil Nadu,
> >co-ordination
> > > would be easier. We have points of contact in the IT department,
>Department
>
> >of
> > > Translation, and the Department of Education in fairly senior levels.
The
> > > Director of Tamil Virtual Academy is also a keen supporter of Tamil
> >Wikipedia
> > > (and an occasional editor).
> > >
> > >> * Why CD? Why not USB? Just curious!
> > > I just thought CDs are less expensive. We can certainly evaluate USB
> >storage.
> > >
> > >
> > >> * How are you thinking of getting the CDs to the different schools?
>
> >Who is
> > >> going to download the materials onto the school computers? Will
>there
>
> >(or
> > >> does there need to be) any training involved?
> > > We should take the help of the School Education department who have
> existing
> > > channels.
> > > Some amount of training will be required. The Government already trains
> >selected
> > > teachers in each District on various skills and then encourages them to
> >train
> > > their colleagues. We can follow the same model. It might require us to
> offer
> > > training in approximately 40 locations.
> > > Or we can do it at the zonal level, say, in 5-8 locations.
> > >
> > > Please suggest how we can take this forward.
> > > Perhaps put up a proposal on an appropriate wiki if we're satisfied with
>
> >the
> > > skeleton?
> > >
> > > - Sundar
> > >
> > >
> > > "That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a
>medium
>
> >for
> > > the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."
> > > - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
> > >
> > >
> > >> From: Jessie Wild<jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> > >> To: BalaSundaraRaman<sundarbecse(a)yahoo.com>
> > >> Cc:ravishankar.ayyakkannu@gmail.com
> > >> Sent: Fri, November 19, 2010 4:45:14 AM
> > >> Subject: Re: Qs regarding village school& WP
> > >>
> > >> Thanks, Sundar.
> > >>
> > >> I definitely agree that the offline versions will be useful, and the
>
> >type of
> > >>
> > >> project you are describing is exactly the type of offline work I
>am
>
> >helping
> > >> orchestrate - so yes: let's brainstorm and work together on this!
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> A couple questions to get our conversations going:
> > >> * For the Tamil Wikipedia project, is this the same project proposed
> >back in
> > >>
> > >> 2007, or is it an extension of it? I am curious of this ever got
>off
> > >> the
> > >>
> > >> ground initially.
> > >>
> > >> * Also, I am curious what are you thinking for the collection of
> >articles to
> > >>
> > >> be included on the CD. Would you want the whole Tamil
> >Wikipedia/Wiktionary
> > >> collection? Or would you go through the process of screening the
> >articles to
> > >>
> > >> make sure they were student appropriate / of high academic
quality?
> > >>
> > >> * In addition, in regards to article selection (above point), would
> the
> > >> Tamil Nadu government need to approve the articles that were being
> > >> distributed into schools?
> > >>
> > >> * Why CD? Why not USB? Just curious!
> > >>
> > >> * How are you thinking of getting the CDs to the different schools?
>
>
> >Who is
> > >> going to download the materials onto the school computers? Will
>there
>
> >(or
> > >> does there need to be) any training involved?
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Sorry for the many questions - hopefully they'll push us closer to
> some
> > >> productive movement!
> > >> Jessie
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> On 11/17/2010 7:05 PM, BalaSundaraRaman wrote:
> > >> Hi Jessie,
> > >>> On another note, we at Tamil Wikipedia have been discussing
>
> >ways to
> > >>> publish an offline edition (primarily CD-based) of selected
> >articles
> > >> >from Tamil Wikipedia and possibly the whole of Tamil
> >Wiktionary. Will
> > >>
> > >>> you be interested in helping with this?
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> This will be useful in schools, because the TN government
>has
>
> >provided
> > >>>
> > >>> almost every school with a couple of computers. In fact,
>they're
>
> >also
> > >>> training the teachers (including my mom) in basic computer
> >usage. With
> > >>>
> > >>> an offline edition, students can immediately benefit
>regardless
>
> >of
> > >>> whether they have access to the internet.
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> - Sundar
> > >>>
> > > "That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely
>a
>
> >medium
> > >
> > > for the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."
> > >>> - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>> From: Jessie Wild<jwild(a)wikimedia.org>
> > >>>> To:sundarbecse@yahoo.com;ravishankar.ayyakkannu@gmail.com
> > >>>> Sent: Thu, November 18, 2010 12:56:55 AM
> > >>>> Subject: Qs regarding village school& WP
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Sundar / Ravishankar -
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Thanks for sharing this wonderful story below! What a
> >great
> > >>>> example of how WP can be useful in schools.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> So, I'm working on the development and deployment of
> > > offline
> > >>>> Wikipedia, and the areas we think will be most
>effective
>
> >to get
> > >>>> into are schools in areas without consistent access to
> >Internet.
> > >>>> To that end, hearing this story raised a couple
>immediate
> > >>>> questions in my mind which I thought I'd ask you:
> > >>>>
> > >>>> (1) What was this school's connection to the Internet?
>
> >That is,
> > >>>> were they connecting to Wikipedia/Wiktionary online?
> > >>>> (2) What exactly is a "state-funded free education
> >school"? Does
> > >>>>
> > >>>> that just mean that students do not have to pay to
>attend,
>
> >or is
> > >>>> this a specific type of school (sorry, I am not
>familiar
>
> >with the
> > >>>> phrase so just want to make sure I understand!)?
> > >>>> (3) Why did Mr. Jothimani choose to use
> >Wikipedia/Wiktionary over
> > >>>>
> > >>>> other sources?
> > >>>> (4) Do we know if the students had used Wikipedia prior
> to
>
> >the
> > >>>> launch of this project? Had the teachers?
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Thank you both so much; what an awesome story!
> > >>>> Jessie
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>> On 11/16/2010 8:15 PM, BalaSundaraRaman wrote:
> > >>>> Hi Sue, I just got reminded of the following story about how students
>
> >and staff
> > >>>>
> > >>>> of a village school benefited from Tamil Wikipedia. We found this
>from
>
> >an
> > >>>> article in a magazine called "pudhiya thalaimurai" (New Generation)
>and
>
> >another
> > >>>>
> > >>>> blogpost.[1] It is about how a school headmaster Mr.Jothimani
>transformed
>
> >the
> > >>>> state-funded free education school at a village Mangudi near
>Kumbakonam
>
> >in
> > >>>> Tamil Nadu. Among others, it includes a section on how Tamil
>Wikipedia
>
> >and
> > >>>> Wiktionary are being used by the students and staff. Subsequently, a
> >Tamil
> > >>>> Wikipedian Ravishankar Ayyakkannu (User:Ravidreams) called
>Mr.Jothimani
>
> >over
> > >>>> phone and collected more information. He wrote the findings in the
>Tamil
> > >>>> Wikipedia blogpost.[2] Translation of some excerpts: * Students of
> >sixth,
> > >>>> seventh, and eighth standard (aged ~11-13) use Tamil Wikipedia. *
>One
>
> >class
> > >>>> everyday is dedicated for Wikipedia during school hours. During this
> >period,
> > >>>> students research about the topics that they learned that day in
>other
>
> >classes
> > >>>> (examples below). If they need to access the Wiki for their home
>work,
>
> >writing
> > >>>> or speaking contests, students spend time online during lunch or
> > >>> after hours.
> > >>>> * They find the information accessible most of the time. * Teachers
>too
>
> >find it
> > >>>>
> > >>>> useful. * They felt that they could use more of local information
>about
>
> >their
> > >>>> district and about Tamil Nadu and India in general. * Example use
> >cases: if
> > >>>> the teacher gives a topic "statesmen", students look for Nehru,
> >Kamarajar,
> > >>>> etc., If they give a story writing contest of the title "a story of
> >itself told
> > >>>>
> > >>>> by River Cauvery", they search for the article on the river and write
>
> >the
> > >>>> details in first person. They also go find other interlinked articles
>on
>
> >Coorg,
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Poombuhar, etc., and get excited about their findings. The headmaster
>
> >finds
> > >>>> that the students' creative expression has clearly increased after
> >introducing
> > >>>> Tamil Wikipedia. A student who would write 20 sentences on a topic
>now
>
> >writes
> > >>>> 60 sentences. * They also use the Tamil Wiktionary which has nearly
>two
>
> >hundred
> > >>>>
> > >>>> thousand entries including technical glossaries donated by the Tamil
> >Virtual
> > >>>> Academy. Given that typically students in such remote villages do
>not
>
> >have
> > >>>> access to much information, the utility of this exposure is immense.
> >Also, most
> > >>>>
> > >>>> of the students of state-run schools come from under-previleged and
> >low-income
> > >>>> families. Given that, this helps to even out the systemic bias
> >somewhat. I've
> > >>>> taken the liberty to copy Ravishankar who spoke to the headmaster.
-
> > > Sundar
> > >>>> [1] -http://infinityholes.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-post.html (in
>Tamil)
>
> >[2] -
> > >>>> http://tamilwikipedia.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-post_5826.html (in
> >Tamil) "That
> > >>>>
> > >>>> language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a medium
>for
>
> >the
> > >>>> expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted." - George Boole,
>
> >quoted in
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Iverson's Turing Award Lecture ----- Original Message ----
> > >>>>
> > >>>>> From: Sue Gardner<sgardner(a)wikimedia.org> To: "Local Chapters, board
>
> >and
> > >>>>> officers coordination (closed
> >subscription)"<Internal-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
> > >>>>> Sent: Thu, November 11, 2010 12:01:48 PM Subject: [Internal-l]
>Looking
>
> >for
> > >>>>> stories of readers affected by Wikipedia Hi folks, Megan Hernandez
>on
>
> >the
> > >>>>> staff is looking out for me, for stories of readers whose lives
>have
>
> >been
> > >>>>> impacted by Wikipedia or the other projects. (Donors often send us
> >stories like
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> that, and I am often looking for stories to tell people about the
> >projects. So
> > >>>>> I've asked her to send good ones to me.) I was writing her a set
>of
>
> >criteria
> > >>>>> for the kinds of stories I want, and it occurred to me that you
>might
> > >>>>> yourselves have some good stories of exactly this kind. So I am
>sending
>
> >along
> > >>>>> the criteria here too :-) If you have stories that fit many/all of
> >these
> > >>>>> criteria, please send them to me, onlist or off. And please forgive
>my
> > >>>>> cross-posting to several lists at once. Thanks, Sue * Ideally,
>they'd
>
> >be
> > >>>>> along the theme of "how Wikipedia made my life better." This might
>be
>
> >an
> > >>>>> anecdote, or bigger-picture (ie, 'how Wikipedia makes my life better
>
> >every
> > >>>>> day'). * Ideally, they would be stories of people who
> > >>>>> pre-exposure-to-Wikipedia would have had circumscribed access to
> >information.
> > >>>>> Because they grew up in a small town with no library, because their
>
> >school
> > >>>>> didn't stock certain kinds of books, because materials in their
> >language are of
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> limited availability, because their government limits access to
>certain
>
> >types
> > >>>>> of information -- in general, because their
> > >>>> economic/political/socio-cultural
> > >>>>> circumstances somehow impede(d) easy access to information. *
>Ideally,
>
> >the
> > >>>>> information that Wikipedia gives them is important, and directly,
> >immediately
> > >>>>> useful. Like, it helped them better understand a health issue they
>were
>
> >having,
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> or it equipped them to do some important task better; it helped
>them
>
> >understand
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> a new situation or some aspect of themselves, or enabled them to
>solve
>
> >an
> > >>>>> important problem. Maybe it helped them get a job they otherwise
> >couldn't have
> > >>>>> gotten, or enabled them to avoid some specific danger or risk. *
> >And/or, the
> > >>>>> information fed a general curiosity and desire to understand the
>world
>
> >better.
> > >>>>> It got them interested in going to college which nobody in their
>family
>
> >had
> > >>>>> done before, it helped them develop a more thoughtful position on a
>
> >public
> > >>>>> policy issue, it stimulated them to travel or read more widely, or
>to
>
> >question
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> assumptions they had been making. * Ideally, their lives are
>better
>
> >today
> > >>>>> because of the information they are exposed to via Wikipedia. Maybe
> >this would
> > >>>>> be better in some really specific way -- like, "Three months later
>I
>
> >persuaded
> > >>>>> my doctor to let me try the new treatment, and it worked." Or, it
>might
>
> >be much
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> more general. * It is fine if the information they found on
>Wikipedia
>
> >might
> > >>>>> otherwise have been kept from them, either deliberately or through
>lack
>
> >of easy
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> opportunity. It is fine if the information is considered risky or
> >controversial
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> in some way. Sue Gardner Executive Director Wikimedia
>Foundation
>
> >415 839
> > >>>>> 6885 office 415 816 9967 cell Imagine a world in which every
>single
>
> >human
> > >>>>> being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. Help us make it
>a
> > >>>>> reality!http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Donate
> > >>>>> _______________________________________________ Internal-l mailing
>
> >list
> > >>>>> Internal-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> > >>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/internal-l
> > >>>>>
> > >>>> _______________________________________________ Internal-l mailing
>list
> > >>>> Internal-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> > >>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/internal-l
> > >>>>
> > >>> -- Jessie Wild Special Projects Manager Gloabl Development Wikimedia
> > >> Foundation
> > > -- Jessie Wild Special Projects Manager Gloabl Development Wikimedia
> >Foundation
> >
> > --
> > Jessie Wild
> > Special Projects Manager
> > Gloabl Development
> > Wikimedia Foundation
> >
> >
>
It has been a long time since Wikicamp 2007 Chennai...
Planning for a Wikipedia Wikimeetup @ Chennai , possibly next month.
Need volunteers. If you are interested , please send a personal mail to me .
Regards
Tinu Cherian
Hi is there news or massages in tamil fond which that i could recieve..?
Thank you
Regards
Karunairasan.
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Chat logs
All chats are automatically saved on a secure database which you can view 24
hrs 7 days a week.
Reporting
With Embedded Chat you can use chat logs to run reports on various criteria
such as operator reports, reports by date, reports by keyword(s), reports by
prechat survey criteria
Postchat Survey
Your sales staff can rank conversations based on the quality or subject of
conversation.
Chat Alert
Your staff are alerted every time a customer enters a chat through a beeping
sound on their pc.
Multiple Chats
Your staff can have chats with multiple visitors at the same time.
Chat Transfers
Your staff can pass a visitor to another staff member to handle their query.
Operator Interchat
Your staff can contact each other instantly with any queries they may have.
Multiple Operators
You can have multiple staff online using Embedded Chat
Push Page
Quite often you will have a web visitor who cant navigate to a particular
page on your website. Using Embedded Chat you can push the page to them so
all they have to do is to click the link and they are there. Quite a number
of our clients use this to encourage their web visitors to register for a
particular product.
Hosted Software
The chat interface can be loaded onto our server so that you don't have to
do anything more than place the live chat button on your web pages. In fact,
we can also do this for you if you don't have time. We also have a non
hosted version which can be hosted by you on your servers.
Offline Email Form
Allow your visitors to leave a message if you are not signed in as an
operator. This message will be forwarded directly to your e-mail box.
Alternatively we also have the option of answering the chats for you after
hours too.
Customisable interface
This feature brings a little flare as it allows you o customise the look and
feel of your interface in seconds changing the colour of the interface, the
graphics and the fonts in the conversation with customizable colours, font
types, and sizes. Available for operator and visitor fonts.
Browser Compatibility
Embedded Chat is compatible with all browsers ensuring that you don't have
any frustrated chatter trying to get through.
Visitor history
Click the name of the visitor and see the past chats they had with your
company.
Typing indicator
A 'operator is typing' message indicator will appear which allows the other
party to know when you are typing.
Return Visitor Recognition
When customers connect with a chat, their network IP addresses are recorded.
When customers return, their presence is detected and prior chat histories
can be instantly accessed.
Chat Invite
You can now invite your web browsers into a chat in real manually or
automatically. This boosts interaction between your company and your website
visitors.
Visitor Monitoring
You can now monitor your website visitors in real time, see what web page
they are on, what search engine they came from and what keywords they used.
Embedded Chat turns Web Visitors into Clients
Turn up to 90% of your web visitors into Clients!
Our Embedded Chat does just that.
http://www.chatresponse.com/http://www.chatresponse.com/http://www.chatresponse.com/
Not just live chat, Embedded Chat!
This Phenomenon Will Skyrocket Your Sales!
If you are not using Embedded Chat on your site, you are losing valuable
clients. That is just a fact. There is an unimaginable difference what
Embedded chat does for converting browsing web surfers into leads and
clients.
We get your visitors contact information or it's FREE
We're so confident that it works, we give you a 15-day, fully-functioning,
free trial. Go ahead, try it out.
Our staff is goal oriented and dedicated to getting the contact information
of people that are interested in your products or services.
With our Embedded chat your customers do not even have to click a button to
chat, they are already in a chat when they enter the site, If they ignore
the chat window we have the power to invite them to chat with a floating
invitation. Why would you want to do that Direct contact with the customer
means customer confidence, conversion rates and sales skyrocket.
Imagine this:
Let's say that your customer contacts you for a live chat through our
Embedded Chat. They'd like to buy a pack of 40 burritos, but they only see
packages of 15. Not only can you push them to the page showing a pack of 50
burritos, you can offer them a discount and assist them through the purchase
process all through Embedded Chat. The customer is happy, they commend you
for the great customer service, and you've got more money in your pocket.
Embedded Chat helps organizations to increase online Sales Revenue and
provide better Customer Service - all in Real Time - and literally with a
mouse click
Embedded Chat provides instant benefits and maximum returns to its clients.
Embedded Chat Significantly increases new customer acquisitions and online
conversions.
Embedded Chat Generates qualified leads from your online marketing and
print campaigns.
Embedded Chat Decreases shopping cart abandonment rates and customer churn.
Embedded Chat Increase sales, reduce support costs, and attain rapid ROI.
Embedded Chat Services more prospects and customers, more efficiently.
Embedded Chat Maximizes customer satisfaction, loyalty and profit.
Imagine if your customers can get answers and live help to their questions
from you right into right now. No matter how informative your website is,
people will have more questions about your services or product. Our live
chat software will increase trust by making your website come alive.
* Instead of leaving visitors to navigate your site by themselves, you
would be in control. You would be able to engage your customers and
proactively guide them right toward a sale.
* No longer will you worry about losing a potential customer because a
simple question wasn't answered.
* You will increase your visitors' confidence by showing there is a real
live person behind your site.
Increase your sales: Chatters are 3 times more likely to buy from the
site
Site visitors that are provided the option to chat with a sales expert are
25-200% more likely to make purchases from your website. Online shoppers are
still wary to trust a website's catalogue technology and purchasing
procedure, and sometimes even the most web savvy shoppers need help. With
Embedded Chat, your business can offer your customers the information and
online confidence they seek. Agents can use the opportunity to develop
relationships with customers and suggest items to upsell.
Improve your customer service: Chatters are twice as likely to return to the
site.
90% of customers prefer live human interaction for online assistance, but
80-90% of the same customers would rather not use the phone. Using Embedded
Chat, customers avoid the hassles of navigating phone systems or waiting on
hold for up to an hour to speak with a phone agent. Many will simply give up
and find your products elsewhere if they can't get help instantly. This is
especially true among dial-up internet users.
Increase your online revenue
Chatters are 3 times more likely to buy from your site having spoken with
your sales staff
Increase staff performance
Each chats is automatically saved online so you can access them at the end
of every day to see how your staff performed. This will give you a better
idea of what your customers requests are and how your staff are handling
them.
Reduce your staff costs
One operator can easily handle multiple customers at the same time.
Resolving customer support issues with Embedded Chat is up to 90% less
expensive than a phone call or an email. By incorporating the live chat
button into the emails your staff send to customers you also make it easier
for customers to respond quickly.
Increase your customer satisfaction and loyalty
Your customers experience shorter waiting time and get immediate answers to
their questions.
24-7 Chat Answering
Embedded Chat has a 24 hour call centre that can answer your visitors chats
for you after hours and on weekends, passing you on leads so even when your
staff have left for office we are still gathering leads to pass onto you the
next business day.
Hosted and Client Hosted
Embedded Chat has both a hosted version (stored on our servers) and a client
hosted (stored on your servers) program allowing you more flexibility.
Report Download
At the end of each day our team can send you a file with all the chats that
took place that day. This can be printed off for you to browse no the way
home. This allows an excellent insight into what your staff are saying to
customers and what your customers are looking for.
Prechat Survey
Embedded Chat allows you to set-up a series of questions for your visitors
to answer once theyve clicked the chat button. This will help you to build a
profile of your website visitors before you begin chatting. You can also use
this to follow up with our website visitors.
Customised buttons
Our team can provide you with well-designed buttons to attract your visitors
attention. We can also customise the chat interface to ensure that it blends
with your website.
Canned Responses
You can save standard responses to questions to answer typical customer
queries. This saves time and enables you to word your responses well.
Chat logs
All chats are automatically saved on a secure database which you can view 24
hrs 7 days a week.
Reporting
With Embedded Chat you can use chat logs to run reports on various criteria
such as operator reports, reports by date, reports by keyword(s), reports by
prechat survey criteria
Postchat Survey
Your sales staff can rank conversations based on the quality or subject of
conversation.
Chat Alert
Your staff are alerted every time a customer enters a chat through a beeping
sound on their pc.
Multiple Chats
Your staff can have chats with multiple visitors at the same time.
Chat Transfers
Your staff can pass a visitor to another staff member to handle their query.
Operator Interchat
Your staff can contact each other instantly with any queries they may have.
Multiple Operators
You can have multiple staff online using Embedded Chat
Push Page
Quite often you will have a web visitor who cant navigate to a particular
page on your website. Using Embedded Chat you can push the page to them so
all they have to do is to click the link and they are there. Quite a number
of our clients use this to encourage their web visitors to register for a
particular product.
Hosted Software
The chat interface can be loaded onto our server so that you don't have to
do anything more than place the live chat button on your web pages. In fact,
we can also do this for you if you don't have time. We also have a non
hosted version which can be hosted by you on your servers.
Offline Email Form
Allow your visitors to leave a message if you are not signed in as an
operator. This message will be forwarded directly to your e-mail box.
Alternatively we also have the option of answering the chats for you after
hours too.
Customisable interface
This feature brings a little flare as it allows you o customise the look and
feel of your interface in seconds changing the colour of the interface, the
graphics and the fonts in the conversation with customizable colours, font
types, and sizes. Available for operator and visitor fonts.
Browser Compatibility
Embedded Chat is compatible with all browsers ensuring that you don't have
any frustrated chatter trying to get through.
Visitor history
Click the name of the visitor and see the past chats they had with your
company.
Typing indicator
A 'operator is typing' message indicator will appear which allows the other
party to know when you are typing.
Return Visitor Recognition
When customers connect with a chat, their network IP addresses are recorded.
When customers return, their presence is detected and prior chat histories
can be instantly accessed.
Chat Invite
You can now invite your web browsers into a chat in real manually or
automatically. This boosts interaction between your company and your website
visitors.
Visitor Monitoring
You can now monitor your website visitors in real time, see what web page
they are on, what search engine they came from and what keywords they used.