Ladies and Gentlemen:
Beginning Wednesday (August 1st), two-way communication between English
Wikipedia editors and Wikipedia Education Program staff in the San Francisco
office will no longer need to be directed through a middle-man anymore for
translation. I encourage anyone of either party needing to communicate to the
other party to check out the new Google Translate option that translates between
WMFese English and Wikipedian English.
I’d like to thank everyone I’ve worked with and around who has helped make
this one of the most enjoyable jobs I’ve ever worked. I’ve had a wonderful time
working with the amazing folks at the Foundation on the United States, Canada,
and India Education Programs, as well as with the other community liaisons. I’ve
never had the opportunity to work in such a cheerful and supportive environment
as this. I wish all of you the best as you fill in any gaps I leave behind—I
know you’ve got some big challenges ahead of you the next several months.
English Wikipedians, you haven’t seen the last of me yet! [[:en:User:Bob
the Wikipedian]] is about to come out of hibernation. As for the IRC clan, it
was great getting to know you, and I sure hope this won’t be the last
opportunity I get to interact with most of you. You may now resume normal chat
(if there’s such a thing) knowing that the only staff watching you during my
former office hours is Ironholds. (Please be gentle with him on occasion,
though!)
It’s been very exciting to see the Wikipedia Education Program from a staff
perspective and to relay messages to the community. Likewise, it was interesting
to see how the editing community felt about the Wikipedia Education Program, and
to share those feelings with my manager and coworkers—that’s an experience they
don’t teach you in computer science courses! From questions and comments to even
the biggest complaints—I’ve enjoyed providing my services to you all. This job
has opened my eyes to a whole new career path for me to explore in online
community liaising.
I think any of you Wikipedia editors and staff will agree with me that
having a roof over one’s head and a working Internet connection are two of the
most valuable privileges life has to offer, so I’ve attached my résumé in the
event someone out there has (or knows of) an opening for which they’d like to
consider me.
If you do plan on responding to this email, please make sure you include my
permanent email address
schnautzr@hotmail.com —thanks!
Adios, y’all!
Rob Schnautz
Online Communications
Contractor
Global Development
Wikimedia Foundation
Evansville, Indiana, U.S.
P.S. I don’t have any plans at the moment to
quit my volunteer work as regional ambassador for the Wikipedia Education
Program to Wisconsin, Michigan, and Kentucky. So Jami, and all my fellow
volunteers, see you on the other side!