The on-wiki version of this newsletter is available here:
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Abstract_Wikipedia/Updates/2021-09-30
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This week is the last week Lindsay Wardell will be working on Wikifunctions
as a contractor from ThisDot <https://www.thisdot.co/>. Her contributions
to the code, particularly to the front end, can be seen everywhere. The
discussions with her and insights we learned from her about Wikifunctions
and how composition should work, about errors, about functional
programming, and about the details of the functional model will have a
lasting impact on the project. She very quickly developed a deep
understanding and intuition of what the project could achieve, and was able
to channel that understanding into creative solutions. It was a pleasure
working with her. The whole team is sad to see Lindsay go.
We are very thankful to Lindsay for her contribution, and we congratulate
her on her new role. Here are her own words.
“When I started working on this project back in March, I was fascinated
with the goal and the ambition behind it. Providing a way for Wikipedia
articles to be provided in any number of languages is exciting in its own
right, but also providing a platform for people to interact with data and
create their own functions spoke to me personally. I have enjoyed working
so much on the Wikifunctions platform, and building the experience for
users to create and utilize their own functions.
I have loved working with this team (and the Wikimedia Foundation in
general). From day one, I was accepted as a member of the group, despite my
official role as a consultant. The feeling of being welcome was so
wonderful to feel. I have so much respect for each and every member of the
Foundation that I got to work with, and I am very grateful that I got to
interact with them on such an exciting project.
It was always a dream to get to work with the Wikimedia Foundation, and my
experience was truly amazing. Once the dust settles around me, I fully
intend on being a part of the community that is forming around Abstract
Wikipedia and Wikifunctions. I look forward to participating as a community
member and contributor to the project.”
You can follow Lindsay on Twitter <https://twitter.com/lindsaykwardell> or
listen to the Views on Vue <https://viewsonvue.com/> podcast she is a host
on. Again, congratulations to your new role, we know how excited you are
about it, and we all wish you the best!