Heya,
so I went about doing some homework on the Commons and it's usage from both
sides in India.
Here is what I cam across.
This isn't related at all to my previous mail
For uploads, Commons is hardly used in India.
Major reasons are:
1> The ND/NC Conflict, or the I want my Picture on Wikipedia, but don't
want it to be edited.
Most people want their content on Wikipedia, [not Commons, but Wikipedia],
but don't want it to be edited. I've come across numerous of these cases on
Flickr and Picasa.
2> Isn't Wikimedia a part of Wikipedia? How did you get your images out
there?
People are curious. They think that Wikimedia is part of Wikipedia and that
only select stuff lands up there.
Again, as Bala stated in Coimbatore, this myth needs to be explained. Wiki
is for the people, of the people, by the people.
3> No comments.
A LOT of people want to contribute, but don't, simply because one can't
comment on pictures on the Commons. I suggest that they upload to Flickr,
release it under a Commons Compatible licence, and let FlickrBot take over.
4> Photographs? What?
Most people are unaware that the Commons can also host Audio and Video.
Awareness is needed.
5> My file isn't getting uploaded [Audio and Video]
Most people end up using Propriety formats such as *.mp3, *.aac *.avi and
*.mpg. They don't know or don't want to convert it to *.ogg and *.ogv.
Again, awareness is the only solution.
Around six months ago, F-Secure had stated that Facebook accounts for 4% of
all uploaded images. My estimation is that atleast 10% of these images ALSO
exists on the Commons.
I've been trying to spread awareness about the Commons. Literally preaching
about it in my lab, cyber cafes, and the likes.
Alternatively, I've been trying to get people interested in the matter on
Twitter [My test bed]. Those following me [and NOT too] would know about
this.
Others can look up
http://t.co/lEwZkuWW
The only things currently catalysing contributions to the Commons are:
1> TamilWiki Media Contest.
2> Wikipedia Takes Cities.
3> Various Photowalks.
4> The upcoming Wiki Loves Monuments [It will]
Do let me know what your thoughts on this matter are.
--
Regards,
Srikanth Ramakrishnan.
P.S: Sundar, Manish, this is the 'research' I mentioned on Twitter.