[Wikipedia-l] Moving the English Wikipedia to en.wikipedia.org

[tarquin]

The Cunctator wrote:

>A big question that we are in the process of resolving now is whether we
>want to think of Wikipedia as a single project that has multiple
>translations, or as a bunch of largely independent projects specific to
>particular nations and language sets. I think the first conception is
>healthier and more productive over the long term. We really should think
>about this issue before we take broad actions that touch upon it.
>
Neither.

It can't be the first:
1) true translation is impossible, anyone who speaks more than one 
language knows that
2) it would be quite insulting to the people who work on the other 
pedias to suggest that they are mere translators. The polyglots among us 
are the cross-pollinators. :-)

It can't be the 2nd:
1) all projects must work towards an NPOV, open, GFDL encyclopedia.

We have to move in two directions simultanously:
1.) we have to give the other language equal status and more independance
2.) we have to bring them closer in: same software, same name, same 
logo, same attitude

We also have to remember that most of the other pedias are way further 
behind in their development. -- that doesn't just mean in number of 
*articles*.
Look behind you. Read the old english wiki debates on NPOV, on article 
names, on how to handle everything. Some of them are still at that 
phase. Give them time.