David Gerard schreef:
I'd like you to answer this question:
How could Commons be a more effective service project for other Wikimedia projects, including the chapters and Foundation?
- d.
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Hello,
I think there need to change a few things, and that will not be the most easy job since Commons is a big ship and can just make a 180 degrees turn without having to deal with problems, discussions or other drama.
A big thing that need to be changed is communication to new projects, there is a lot of info about the policies om Commons. The only real problem is that we don't have a page that gives info to projects, A great improvement could be a help page with some content that could help projects dealing with our policies. That page could give information about: ; How Commons wants there source information. ; What the best way is to deal with permission and some info about our OTRS system. ; Information how to find info about FAQ ; And a talk page where the can ask questions.
A other way to go is making the new projects ask "permission" before the start with uploading on Commons, by asking permission I mean that the make a announcement about how the gonna deal with permissions, source info and who we can contact when we (Commons) needs help. This would give the Commons also a change to ask questions about the project and give tips about the best way to go.
A great problem that I noticed is language, However English is the main language on Commons it could still cause trouble. We need to remember that not every body can speak English very well or even the can not understand it at all. Now there are babel templates but we can not expect from new users that the know how to use babel templates, It could be a option to make some list with trusted user that can help in there Native language.
I don't really have noticed problems with chapters and Commons. The one problem that is happening now can be solved easily but it is a big change also. We could update the Commons Licensing policy and make it possible for chapters to uploaded copyrighted material, However I still believe that Chapters are created with the mission to support free media and need to protect with copyright only when its really really needed.
I have a lot more of ideas but I think it is kind of Off-topic in this thread
Huib