Dear Wikibase and Wikidata Communities,
As mentioned in our latest announcements about upcoming strategic changes,
we decided to pour our energy into ecosystem-related activities such as
federation and data governance. As you might know, our Linked Open Data
Strategy
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/LinkedOpenData/Strategy2021/Wikibase> is
built on the idea that our products are capable of building synergies as
well as growing sustainably.
With this research project, we hope to get a more nuanced understanding of
which projects are perceived to belong into which product category. We aim
to synthesize and map how people currently use the three LOD products, what
their desired use cases are, and where the boundaries between these
platforms may need clarification or additional support.
This process is part of a broader strategy to ensure our hosting
infrastructure remains sustainable and mission-aligned.
A key outcome will be a clearer understanding of:
-
What kinds of projects are best suited for each LOD product
-
Where overlap, duplication, or ambiguity exists
-
How we can make more mission-aligned, predictable decisions on growth
and hosting
Process Design
You will be invited to participate in an asynchronous card sort exercise
where you will be asked to sort imagined projects into four categories:
-
1 - Wikibase Cloud
-
2 - Wikidata
-
3 - Suite or other ways of Wikibase hosting
-
4 - Wikibase is not a suitable software for this use case
Participants will be asked to explain their thought process aloud so that
we can also ensure that we’re considering the full dimensions of each use
case (e.g., technical needs, scope, resource requirements). The results
will inform product strategy across WBC, WBS, and WD—while also offering
key insights into ambivalent or complex areas that require further
discussion.
This approach ensures everyone can participate in their own time, without
needing to attend multiple meetings.
We’re offering two ways to participate:
1. Card Sort Research Activity (Primary Method)
-
Asynchronous (early- mid-July)
-
Approx. 30 minutes
-
No technical expertise required
-
Focused on sorting and classifying use cases
-
Recorded screen and microphone
-
Optional: follow-up interview (if you’d like to talk more)
2. Extended Stakeholder Group (Optional Additional Involvement)
Includes:
-
Asynchronous activity (above)
-
Research insights discussion (synchronous, 30-45 minutes, end of July)
-
Async policy draft review (end of August)
-
Group session (August, 1.5–2 hours)
Total time: ~3.5 hours
Compensation: 35 EUR (if eligible)
Participation
We aim to recruit at least 30, ideally up to 50 community members across
the LOD ecosystem to participate in the research activities, including:
-
Wikibase Cloud users
-
Self-hosted Wikibase users
-
Wikidata users who are invested in the broader Wikibase ecosystem.
-
At least 10 marginalized knowledge holders
Join us!
We will send a link to participate in the card-sort within the next week.
If you would like to participate in the Extended Stakeholder Group, please
reach out to us via email: annie.kim(a)wikimedia.de. We will share the
opportunities as they come up, likely at the end of July and the end of
August, respectively.
Thank you for your continued care and contributions. We're looking forward
to exploring this research with you! :)
On behalf of the Linked Open Data Ecosystem,
Valerie Wollinger (She/Her)
Community Communications Manager Wikibase
Wikimedia Deutschland e. V. | Tempelhofer Ufer 23-24 | 10963 Berlin
Phone: +49 (0)30-577 11 62-0https://wikimedia.de
Keep up to date! Current news and exciting stories about Wikimedia,
Wikipedia and Free Knowledge in our newsletter (in German): Subscribe
now <https://www.wikimedia.de/newsletter/>.
Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in
the sum of all knowledge. Help us to achieve our
vision!https://spenden.wikimedia.de
Wikimedia Deutschland — Gesellschaft zur Förderung Freien Wissens e.
V. Eingetragen im Vereinsregister des Amtsgerichts Charlottenburg, VR
23855 B. Als gemeinnützig anerkannt durch das Finanzamt für
Körperschaften I Berlin, Steuernummer 27/029/42207. Geschäftsführende
Vorständin: Franziska Heine
On Thu, Sep 5, 2024 at 8:15 PM Physikerwelt <wiki(a)physikerwelt.de> wrote:
>
> Dear Luca,
>
> the communication was good I think.
>
> However, I don't understand the decision process. Who is the
> responsible person, e.g., the product manager, who eventually decided
> to cut WDQS into pieces?
>
> Moritz
The decision was defined together by the Search Team at Wikimedia
Foundation and the people in charge of Wikidata at Wikimedia
Deutschland. In particular, Lydia Pintscher is ultimately responsible
for all Wikidata product decisions at WMDE.
I would like to stress how this decision was not taken lightheartedly.
It's been three years that we know that Blazegraph is on the verge of
failing, we wrote a playbook in case of dramatic failure,[1] and we
evaluated several alternatives to Blazegraph,[2] each with its pros
and cons.
While evaluating which way to go, knowing that no solution would be a
"magic wand" that would magically solve all our problems - in fact, no
"magic solution" exists, each comes with its load of problems and
costs - we came to terms with the fact that we needed more time and
the split was a harsh, but ultimately effective solution to buy some
time in the transition to the next backend.
Hope this helps.
L.
[1] https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:SPARQL_query_service/WDQS_backend_up…
[2] https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:SPARQL_query_service/WDQS_backend_up…
Hi everyone,
Wikidata turns 13 this October, and it’s time to start preparing for the
birthday celebrations! Since launching on 29 October 2012, Wikidata has
grown into a thriving open-source knowledge base, thanks to all of you.
Each year, we come together to mark this milestone. Events and
contributions happen throughout October and November 2025, across regions
and languages, online and offline.
Why we celebrate:
-
To recognize the work and impact of the Wikidata community
-
To connect and engage with others who care about open knowledge
-
To share Wikidata with new audiences and grow the movement
How you can take part:
🎉 Join an Event: Birthday celebrations are already being planned. Whether
you’re after a hands-on editathon or an informal hangout, there are many
ways to get involved. 👉 Keep an eye on the list of events
<https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:Thirteenth_Birthday/Calendar> and
find one near you.
🎈 Host Your Own: Organize something with your local community. A short
Wikidata intro, an editathon, or even a cake-cutting meetup -- every
contribution counts. 👉 Visit the birthday page for support and resources
<https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:Thirteenth_Birthday/Run_an_event>
to help you promote it.
🎁 Prepare a Birthday Gift: Every year, volunteers create “birthday
presents” for the community; new features, playful content, documentation,
and more. 👉 Take a look at previous gifts
<https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:Twelfth_Birthday/Presents> and add
your idea to this year’s list.
💬 Join the Online Call On October 29*:* we’ll host a call where people can
present their gifts, share updates, and celebrate live with the global
community. Details will be published soon.
💡 Need support for your event or gift idea? Microgrants are available
through Wikimedia Deutschland to help cover costs. You can apply until
September
1st via this Lime Survey form
<http://lime.wikimedia.de/index.php/897743?lang=en>.
For questions, feel free to reply here, contact me directly, or leave a
note on the talk page
<https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata_talk:Thirteenth_Birthday>. If you'd
like to discuss WikidataCon 2025, which will take place during the birthday
period, feel free to reach out to my colleague Danny
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Danny_Benjafield_(WMDE)>.
Looking forward to celebrating together again!
Cheers,
--
Mohammed S. Abdulai
*Community Communications Manager, Wikidata*
Wikimedia Deutschland e. V. | Tempelhofer Ufer 23-24 | 10963 Berlin
Phone: +49 (0) 30 577 116 2466
https://wikimedia.de
Grab a spot in my calendar for a chat: cal.com/masssly.
A lot is happening around Wikidata - Keep up to date!
<https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:Status_updates> Current news and
exciting stories about Wikimedia, Wikipedia and Free Knowledge in our
newsletter (in German): Subscribe now <https://www.wikimedia.de/newsletter/>
.
Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in the
sum of all knowledge. Help us to achieve our vision!
https://spenden.wikimedia.de
Wikimedia Deutschland — Gesellschaft zur Förderung Freien Wissens e. V.
Eingetragen im Vereinsregister des Amtsgerichts Charlottenburg, VR 23855 B.
Als gemeinnützig anerkannt durch das Finanzamt für Körperschaften I Berlin,
Steuernummer 27/029/42207. Geschäftsführende Vorstände: Franziska Heine
Hello all!
The Search Platform Team usually holds an open meeting on the first
Wednesday of each month. Come talk to us about anything related to
Wikimedia search, Wikidata Query Service (WDQS), Wikimedia Commons Query
Service (WCQS), etc.!
Feel free to add your items to the Etherpad Agenda for the next meeting.
Details for our next meeting:
Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Time: 15:00-16:00 UTC / 08:00 PST / 11:00 EST / 17:00 CET
Etherpad: https://etherpad.wikimedia.org/p/Search_Platform_Office_Hours
Google Meet link: https://meet.google.com/vgj-bbeb-uyi
Join by phone: https://tel.meet/vgj-bbeb-uyi?pin=8118110806927
Have fun and see you soon!
--
*Guillaume Lederrey* (he/him)
Engineering Manager
Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/>
Hello everyone,
(apologies for the cross-posting)
I’m excited to share more details about the GLAM Wiki Conference Program—and to remind you to register before in-person registration closes in just a few days!
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/GLAM_Wiki_2025/Program/Program
Over three days (October 30 – November 1), we’ll have:
More than 30 lightning talks
Two dozen workshops, trainings, and roundtables
A full-day GLAM Hackathon
A Portuguese-language workshop for institutions new to Wiki
A Global GLAM Strategy day
Sessions on decolonization, heritage at risk, gender in GLAM, technical infrastructure, digitization methods, and much more.
And beyond the sessions, there’s plenty of culture to enjoy:
18+ tours of Lisbon’s cultural institutions
20 film screenings
A concert
Screen printing activities
For those joining remotely, the auditorium sessions will be streamed via Zoom webinar (registration for online participation is also open). There will also be a dedicated space @ GLAM Wiki to watch WikiDataCon (October 31 – November 2).
Don’t miss out—in-person registration closes very soon!
Best,
Connor
Hello Everyone,
TLDR: Wikimedia is participating in the Outreachy Round 31 internship
program <https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Outreachy/Round_31> [1].
Outreachy's goal is to support people from groups underrepresented in the
technology industry. Interns will work remotely with mentors from our
community. We are seeking mentors to propose projects that Outreachy
interns can work on during their internship. If you have some ideas for coding
or non-coding (design, documentation, translation, outreach, research)
projects, share them by Sept. 26, 2025, at 4 pm UTC <
https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T403210 > [2]
Program Timeline
As a mentor, you engage potential candidates in the application period
between October–November (winter round) and help them make small
contributions to your project. You work more closely with the accepted
candidates (interns) during the internship period between December–March
(winter round).
Important dates are:
- September 26th, 2025, at 4 pm UTC - Project submission deadline
<https://www.outreachy.org/communities/cfp/wikimedia/>
- October 8, 2025 - Contribution period begins.
- November 3, 2025 - Contribution period ends.
*Guidelines for crafting project proposals *
-
Follow this task description template when you propose a project in
Phabricator: <
https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/tag/outreach-programs-projects/> Add
#Outreachy (Round 31) tag.
-
The project should require an experienced developer~15 days, and a
newcomer, 3 months to complete.
-
Each project should have at least two mentors, including one with a
technical background.
-
Ideally, the project has no tight deadlines, a moderate learning curve,
and fewer dependencies on Wikimedia's core infrastructure. Projects
addressing the needs of a language community are most welcome.
Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of mentors on
MediaWiki.org: <https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Outreachy/Mentors> [4][5]
Cheers,
Sheila & Lani (Wikimedia Org Admins for Outreachy Round 31)
[1] https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Outreachy/Round_31
[2] https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T403210
[3] https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/tag/outreach-programs-projects/
[4] https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Outreachy/Mentors
[5] https://www.outreachy.org/mentor/mentor-faq/
Hello everyone,
Quick FYI, today is the last day to submit talks to the MediaWiki Users and Developers Conference Fall 2025:
https://www.semantic-mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki\_Users\_and\_Developers\_…<https://www.semantic-mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki/_Users/_and/_Developers/_…>
Deadline: EOD September 15th
Conference: October 28–30, Hanover, Germany
Regards,
on behalf of the conference team
--
Dr. Lozana Rossenova
Postdoc Researcher
Open Science Lab
TIB – Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology and University Library
Welfengarten 1 B // 30167 Hannover
lozana.rossenova(a)tib.eu<mailto:xxx.xxx@tib.eu>
www.tib.eu<http://www.tib.eu/>
ORCID: 0000-0002-5190-1867
TIB is a public-law foundation of the Federal State of Lower Saxony. In accordance with Section 1(1) of the “Gesetz über die Stiftung Technische Informationsbibliothek (TIB)” (TIBstiftG ND), its name is “Technische Informationsbibliothek (TIB)”. TIB uses the terms “Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology” and “University Library” as additional designations.