Dear Offline Wiki Collaborators,
Wikimania 2025 is a monumental milestone as we mark 20 years of Wikimania! This year’s theme, Wikimania at 20: Inclusivity. Impact. Sustainability., resonates deeply with the work of the Wiki offline community. The conference will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from August 6-9, with a pre-conference on August 5. We invite you to play a pivotal role in shaping this global celebration of knowledge-sharing by submitting a program proposal before the March 31 deadline.
Your expertise in offline technologies is crucial to advancing the conference theme. To help spark ideas, here are a few topics that may align with the conference theme:
● Innovative strategies for enabling access to Wikimedia projects offline, fostering inclusivity in underserved areas.
● File format solutions or tools that prioritize sustainability and accessibility.
● Updates on collaborative efforts to enhance Wikimedia projects for offline use.
● Project case studies demonstrating measurable impact within offline communities.
Proposals are welcome in any format: remote presentations, pre-recorded sessions, or live participation on-site in Nairobi.
Program submission site is at https://wikimania.wikimedia.org/wiki/2025:Program
For inquiries, comments, or assistance with your proposal, please email wikimania(a)wikimedia.org. Our team of dedicated volunteers will be happy to guide you.
Additionally, to support you in developing your proposals, the Programme Subcommittee will host a consultation hour: 📅 Today, Thursday, 20 March 🕐 13:00 UTC (Find your local time at https://zonestamp.toolforge.org/1742475600) 🌐 Video Call Link: https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/84172058297 💬 Live Interpretation Available in Arabic, French, and Swahili
Let’s collaborate to make Wikimania 2025 an inspiring showcase of offline innovations. Your work is invaluable in making knowledge accessible to all.
Warm regards,
Butch Bustria
https://wikimania.wikimedia.org/wiki/2025:Organisers
Yes would be happy to give an update on IIAB
J
Sent from Gmail Mobile
On Fri, Mar 28, 2025 at 08:56 <offline-l-request(a)lists.wikimedia.org> wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: Sustain the Momentum: Propose Offline Wiki Topics for Wikimania
> 2025 !
> (Stephane Coillet-Matillon)
> 2. Re: Sustain the Momentum: Propose Offline Wiki Topics for Wikimania
> 2025 !
> (Tim Moody)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2025 15:10:39 +0100
> From: Stephane Coillet-Matillon <stephane(a)kiwix.org>
> Subject: [Offline-l] Re: Sustain the Momentum: Propose Offline Wiki
> Topics for Wikimania 2025 !
> To: Using Wikimedia projects and MediaWiki offline
> <offline-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
> Cc: Tim Moody <tim(a)timmoody.com>
> Message-ID: <4594A1D9-B536-4EBC-921D-887354C82CE8(a)kiwix.org>
> Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
> boundary="Apple-Mail=_74CE5ECE-CFE7-4F97-961B-DAEB302368A5"
>
> Ok, then how about we propose a panel on Offline access in 2025? I see
> there’s a panel format (not sure how it differs from the roundtable, except
> it’s 15’ longer): it could be a show-and-tell, presenting how we went from
> older projects like WP1/Wikislices to now, and present new things coming to
> a connectivity desert near you.
>
> @SJ: offline collaborative editing could be a presentation of Wikifundi
> from Florence, but there were also some discussion with NASA a couple of
> years back with the Wikimedians for Space Wikis (or something like that,
> apologies to Seddon, Cindy and David if they reads this).
>
> Who’s in? James/Tim? Andrew? Florence? Anyone else?
>
>
> > On 27 Mar 2025, at 21:27, Samuel Klein <meta.sj(a)gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > I love this :) A good contxt to spin back up some of the
> mesh/low-bandwidth snippet ideas that we worked on for OLPC.
> >
> > * I'm reminded of
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Wikislice
> > * The topic that we need to add which seems missing so far is offline
> collaborative editing. Have any of you been working on this lately? It's
> not a very good pony express if you can read books and articles but only
> share short telegrams. I could submit something about this.
> > * This might be a good reason to get a Wikipedia 1.0 snapshot out, and
> address ways to replicate that across languages.
> > * Language: This might be a good excuse to upgrade Wiktionary to a
> multilingual lexemes-based project, showing a mix of translations from
> editors / models.
> > * Language: this might also be a good excuse to include a multilingual
> interface to Wikispecies * Library: we should work with OpenLibrary to
> build a similarly tiered canon of open books, might be a good Wikisource
> project [most OL works aren't on WS, conversely there's no mechanism for
> making translations within OL]
> >
> > On Thu, Mar 27, 2025 at 7:15 AM Andrew Lih <andrew.lih(a)gmail.com
> <mailto:andrew.lih@gmail.com>> wrote:
> >> Thanks Stephane, how about I form a proposal in the Etherpad, and we
> can double check to make sure it works for everyone. I could submit, but it
> may be better for someone else to do so since I will be a co-submitter of
> at least three other submissions, so reviewers may get sick of me.:)
> >>
> >> I was watching the Youtube WikiAfrica hour episode, and I really like
> your points about not being satisfied just serving up the same
> high-bandwidth content offline.
> >> Wiktionary is indeed an under-appreciated project that could have
> massive utility over low-bandwidth links like Meshtastic. The slower link
> speed also gets us to think about innovative ways to serve up knowledge in
> new forms and not just full Wikipedia articles. What knowledge formats
> should we consider when the links are 1 kbps – AI chat? AI summaries, or
> something else? I think it would be fascinating to assemble groups from the
> region, including the local UNHCR folks who I've worked with in the past,
> to brainstorm various uses.
> >>
> >> -Andrew
> >>
> >> On Thu, Mar 27, 2025 at 10:01 AM Stephane Coillet-Matillon <
> stephane(a)kiwix.org <mailto:stephane@kiwix.org>> wrote:
> >>> Ok let’s pitch a Show-and-Tell where we can showcase different offline
> techs (IIAB, KH, Wikifundi, Cyberpony, etc.) in meatspace.
> >>>
> >>> Andrew, can you take care of the placeholder submission? I think you
> can add folks to the proposal so we can edit/correct stuff if need be.
> >>>
> >>> Ninja edit: was about to hit « send » when I saw you email Andrew.
> thanks!
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>> On 27 Mar 2025, at 14:17, Andrew Lih <andrew.lih(a)gmail.com <mailto:
> andrew.lih(a)gmail.com>> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> Great to hear that the Wikimania organizers are encouraging more of
> this, especially since there may be great applications for the region.
> >>>>
> >>>> If that is the case, perhaps we could submit something related to
> LoRa/Meshtastic now, get it in the system, and then combine or figure out
> how we do a session on it.
> >>>>
> >>>> Some ideas:
> >>>> 1. A group of folks are running the "Cyberpony Express" project in
> conjunction with the Burning Man organizers, on how to create an offline
> BBS and Wikipedia system using LoRa/Meshtastic in the desert (or in a
> survival scenario), and are already using IIAB. They might be interested in
> collaborating on something. See:
> >>>>
> https://highdesertinstitute.org/2025/03/19/initial-cyberpony-express-worksh…
> >>>>
> >>>> 2. There don't seem to be any active Kenya groups (that I can see)
> using LoRa/Meshtastic, so Wikimania could be a great training ground for
> testing some services. Usually amateur/Ham radio groups are a good conduit
> for getting folks interested in Meshtastic, so we might want to reach out
> to them, or universities doing similar things.
> >>>>
> >>>> 3. We could experiment with setting up a Meshtastic network just for
> Wikimania, so people can try it out themselves. Access devices are as low
> as $30-40 USD.
> >>>>
> >>>> -Andrew
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> On Thu, Mar 27, 2025 at 4:59 AM Stephane Coillet-Matillon <
> stephane(a)kiwix.org <mailto:stephane@kiwix.org>> wrote:
> >>>>> Well folks from the organizing committee told me offline access
> would be front and center this year so there’s definitely room for more
> offline sessions!
> >>>>>
> >>>>> > On 26 Mar 2025, at 22:35, Andrew Lih <andrew.lih(a)gmail.com
> <mailto:andrew.lih@gmail.com>> wrote:
> >>>>> >
> >>>>> > Hi all, while I'm not sure there is room for a third session about
> offline Wikipedia, there might be some interesting things to do during the
> Hackathon.
> >>>>> >
> >>>>> > Specifically, there is a lot more attention to "offline friendly"
> technologies like LoRa/Meshtastic, an inexpensive, long range wireless
> peer/mesh system of radios to communicate with text messaging at low
> bandwidth (1 kbps). This might be an interesting opportunity to see what
> types of offline Wikipedia services might be practical using these types of
> inexpensive devices. The good news is that LoRa uses unlicensed ISM bands
> depending on the locale, and does not requiring a license or any
> subscription fees.
> >>>>> >
> >>>>> > There are "international" devices that can use wireless spectrum
> appropriate for different countries, so this might be a good time to
> experiment or showcase these types of applications.
> >>>>> >
> >>>>> > Sample device:
> >>>>> >
> https://www.seeedstudio.com/SenseCAP-Card-Tracker-T1000-E-for-Meshtastic-p-…
> >>>>> >
> >>>>> > Example BBS/service on LoRa:
> >>>>> > https://github.com/TheCommsChannel/TC2-BBS-mesh
> >>>>> >
> >>>>> > -Andrew
> >>>>> > _______________________________________________
> >>>>> > Offline-l mailing list -- offline-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org <mailto:
> offline-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
> >>>>> > To unsubscribe send an email to
> offline-l-leave(a)lists.wikimedia.org <mailto:
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> >>>>>
> >>>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>>> Offline-l mailing list -- offline-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org <mailto:
> offline-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
> >>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to offline-l-leave(a)lists.wikimedia.org
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> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> --
> >>>> -Andrew Lih
> >>>> Smithsonian Institution - Wikimedian at Large
> >>>> Metropolitan Museum of Art - Wikimedia strategist
> >>>> Previously: professor of journalism and communications, American
> University, Columbia University, University of Southern California
> >>>> ---
> >>>> Email: andrew.lih(a)gmail.com <mailto:andrew.lih@gmail.com>,
> andrew(a)andrewlih.com <mailto:andrew@andrewlih.com>
> >>>> WEB: https://muckrack.com/fuzheado
> >>>> PROJECT: Wikipedia Space: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:WPSPACE
> >>>>
> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>> Offline-l mailing list -- offline-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org <mailto:
> offline-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
> >>>> To unsubscribe send an email to offline-l-leave(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> <mailto:offline-l-leave@lists.wikimedia.org>
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> Offline-l mailing list -- offline-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org <mailto:
> offline-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
> >>> To unsubscribe send an email to offline-l-leave(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> <mailto:offline-l-leave@lists.wikimedia.org>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> -Andrew Lih
> >> Smithsonian Institution - Wikimedian at Large
> >> Metropolitan Museum of Art - Wikimedia strategist
> >> Previously: professor of journalism and communications, American
> University, Columbia University, University of Southern California
> >> ---
> >> Email: andrew.lih(a)gmail.com <mailto:andrew.lih@gmail.com>,
> andrew(a)andrewlih.com <mailto:andrew@andrewlih.com>
> >> WEB: https://muckrack.com/fuzheado
> >> PROJECT: Wikipedia Space: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:WPSPACE
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Offline-l mailing list -- offline-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org <mailto:
> offline-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
> >> To unsubscribe send an email to offline-l-leave(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> <mailto:offline-l-leave@lists.wikimedia.org>
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Samuel Klein @metasj w:user:sj +1 617 529
> 4266
> > _______________________________________________
> > Offline-l mailing list -- offline-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> > To unsubscribe send an email to offline-l-leave(a)lists.wikimedia.org
>
>
>
> A proposal is in the works entitled “Preserving linguistic diversity using
> Internet-in-a-Box. Experiences from the UNHCR refugee camp of Minawao
> (Cameroon)”
.
From what i understand we are submitting something on IIAB. Tim can clarify.
We had discussed having an extra event about offline like we did after
Montreal but not sure how much interest there would be.
Since partnering with the Wikipedia store we have shipped about 700
devices. We will bring a few to Wikimania.
J
Sent from Gmail Mobile
On Thu, Mar 27, 2025 at 04:21 <offline-l-request(a)lists.wikimedia.org> wrote:
> Send Offline-l mailing list submissions to
> offline-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit
>
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/postorius/lists/offline-l.lists.wikimedia.org/
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> offline-l-owner(a)lists.wikimedia.org
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Offline-l digest..."
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: Sustain the Momentum: Propose Offline Wiki Topics for Wikimania
> 2025 !
> (Florence Devouard)
> 2. Re: Sustain the Momentum: Propose Offline Wiki Topics for Wikimania
> 2025 !
> (Stephane Coillet-Matillon)
> 3. Re: Sustain the Momentum: Propose Offline Wiki Topics for Wikimania
> 2025 !
> (Andrew Lih)
> 4. Re: Sustain the Momentum: Propose Offline Wiki Topics for Wikimania
> 2025 !
> (Stephane Coillet-Matillon)
> 5. Re: Sustain the Momentum: Propose Offline Wiki Topics for Wikimania
> 2025 !
> (Butch Bustria)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2025 19:24:29 +0100
> From: Florence Devouard <fdevouard(a)gmail.com>
> Subject: [Offline-l] Re: Sustain the Momentum: Propose Offline Wiki
> Topics for Wikimania 2025 !
> To: Using Wikimedia projects and MediaWiki offline
> <offline-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
> Message-ID: <a4bb4134-71d1-48a7-997e-5ca058af1214(a)gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
> Hello everyone
>
> I did not see any reaction to Butch invitation....
>
> Given that I organized discussion sessions for the Offline several times
> in the last Wikimania, I wanted to clarify that this year, I do not
> intend to submit such as session.
> The propositions on EventYay are not public, so I have no idea whether
> somebody proposed something related to offline, or not. So if you did...
> maybe it is the right time to mention your submission.
> If no one submit anything... this is also the right time to jump in IF
> you want a session related to Offline to take place.
>
>
> Cheers
>
> Florence
>
> Le 20/03/2025 à 12:31, Butch Bustria a écrit :
> > Dear Offline Wiki Collaborators,
> >
> > Wikimania 2025 is a monumental milestone as we mark 20 years of
> Wikimania! This year’s theme, Wikimania at 20: Inclusivity. Impact.
> Sustainability., resonates deeply with the work of the Wiki offline
> community. The conference will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from August
> 6-9, with a pre-conference on August 5. We invite you to play a pivotal
> role in shaping this global celebration of knowledge-sharing by submitting
> a program proposal before the March 31 deadline.
> >
> > Your expertise in offline technologies is crucial to advancing the
> conference theme. To help spark ideas, here are a few topics that may align
> with the conference theme:
> >
> > ● Innovative strategies for enabling access to Wikimedia projects
> offline, fostering inclusivity in underserved areas.
> >
> > ● File format solutions or tools that prioritize sustainability and
> accessibility.
> >
> > ● Updates on collaborative efforts to enhance Wikimedia projects for
> offline use.
> >
> > ● Project case studies demonstrating measurable impact within offline
> communities.
> >
> > Proposals are welcome in any format: remote presentations, pre-recorded
> sessions, or live participation on-site in Nairobi.
> >
> > Program submission site is at
> https://wikimania.wikimedia.org/wiki/2025:Program
> >
> > For inquiries, comments, or assistance with your proposal, please email
> wikimania(a)wikimedia.org. Our team of dedicated volunteers will be happy
> to guide you.
> >
> > Additionally, to support you in developing your proposals, the Programme
> Subcommittee will host a consultation hour: 📅 Today, Thursday, 20 March 🕐
> 13:00 UTC (Find your local time at
> https://zonestamp.toolforge.org/1742475600) 🌐 Video Call Link:
> https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/84172058297 💬 Live Interpretation Available
> in Arabic, French, and Swahili
> >
> > Let’s collaborate to make Wikimania 2025 an inspiring showcase of
> offline innovations. Your work is invaluable in making knowledge accessible
> to all.
> >
> >
> > Warm regards,
> >
> >
> > Butch Bustria
> > https://wikimania.wikimedia.org/wiki/2025:Organisers
> > _______________________________________________
> > Offline-l mailing list -- offline-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> > To unsubscribe send an email to offline-l-leave(a)lists.wikimedia.org
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2025 20:55:32 +0100
> From: "Stephane Coillet-Matillon" <stephane(a)kiwix.org>
> Subject: [Offline-l] Re: Sustain the Momentum: Propose Offline Wiki
> Topics for Wikimania 2025 !
> To: "" <offline-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
> Message-ID: <Mailbird-1aff5061-b114-4e32-a063-6871531773f6(a)kiwix.org>
> Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
> boundary="----=_NextPart_47230601.365368321084"
>
> Hola,
>
> We have submitted two proposals - one relating to Wikipedia on Demand /
> WP1 (fairly technical), and the other about the offline Wiktionary.
> Open to submitting a third one regarding offline use cases, could be cool.
>
> Let me know and I'll draft a quick blurb.
> SCM
>
> Le 26.03.2025 19:24:49, Florence Devouard <fdevouard(a)gmail.com> a écrit :
> Hello everyone
>
> I did not see any reaction to Butch invitation....
>
> Given that I organized discussion sessions for the Offline several times
> in the last Wikimania, I wanted to clarify that this year, I do not
> intend to submit such as session.
> The propositions on EventYay are not public, so I have no idea whether
> somebody proposed something related to offline, or not. So if you did...
> maybe it is the right time to mention your submission.
> If no one submit anything... this is also the right time to jump in IF
> you want a session related to Offline to take place.
>
>
> Cheers
>
> Florence
>
> Le 20/03/2025 à 12:31, Butch Bustria a écrit :
> > Dear Offline Wiki Collaborators,
> >
> > Wikimania 2025 is a monumental milestone as we mark 20 years of
> Wikimania! This year’s theme, Wikimania at 20: Inclusivity. Impact.
> Sustainability., resonates deeply with the work of the Wiki offline
> community. The conference will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from August
> 6-9, with a pre-conference on August 5. We invite you to play a pivotal
> role in shaping this global celebration of knowledge-sharing by submitting
> a program proposal before the March 31 deadline.
> >
> > Your expertise in offline technologies is crucial to advancing the
> conference theme. To help spark ideas, here are a few topics that may align
> with the conference theme:
> >
> > ● Innovative strategies for enabling access to Wikimedia projects
> offline, fostering inclusivity in underserved areas.
> >
> > ● File format solutions or tools that prioritize sustainability and
> accessibility.
> >
> > ● Updates on collaborative efforts to enhance Wikimedia projects for
> offline use.
> >
> > ● Project case studies demonstrating measurable impact within offline
> communities.
> >
> > Proposals are welcome in any format: remote presentations, pre-recorded
> sessions, or live participation on-site in Nairobi.
> >
> > Program submission site is at
> https://wikimania.wikimedia.org/wiki/2025:Program
> >
> > For inquiries, comments, or assistance with your proposal, please email
> wikimania(a)wikimedia.org. Our team of dedicated volunteers will be happy
> to guide you.
> >
> > Additionally, to support you in developing your proposals, the Programme
> Subcommittee will host a consultation hour: 📅 Today, Thursday, 20 March 🕐
> 13:00 UTC (Find your local time at
> https://zonestamp.toolforge.org/1742475600) 🌐 Video Call Link:
> https://wikimedia.zoom.us/j/84172058297 💬 Live Interpretation Available
> in Arabic, French, and Swahili
> >
> > Let’s collaborate to make Wikimania 2025 an inspiring showcase of
> offline innovations. Your work is invaluable in making knowledge accessible
> to all.
> >
> >
> > Warm regards,
> >
> >
> > Butch Bustria
> > https://wikimania.wikimedia.org/wiki/2025:Organisers
> > _______________________________________________
> > Offline-l mailing list -- offline-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> > To unsubscribe send an email to offline-l-leave(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> _______________________________________________
> Offline-l mailing list -- offline-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to offline-l-leave(a)lists.wikimedia.org
>