Okay guys.
There is nothing mysterious in this "spam", this is simply the coming fundraiser.
So, to keep you up to date, there were many messages on the wikimedia foundation list on this topic in the past few weeks, but I guess you were too busy to have a look. That's okay.
Announcement for the quick off was here http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/foundation-l/2007-October/034148.html
Whilst you are at it, please have a look here: http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/foundation-l/2007-October/034147.html
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I am aware that most of you do not know what is going on behind the doors whilst you are editing. Again, that is fine. Wikimedia projects have become a pretty complex set, with some busy only editing, others taking care of fundraising, others making sure the websites are up and in good order etc...
So, bottom line, we need money to operate the websites and to do more as well. Those of you who were already wikipedians 3 years ago (or worse :-)) will remember a time where the site was slow and sometimes dead. Hopefully, though we grew enormously, your editing experience is now good 99% of the time. This does not come from nowhere. There are people working to make sure that we provide you the best editing and reading environment.
Now, that means that from time to time, we need money. Every year, we try to raise funds by various means.
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HOW CAN YOU HELP ?
First, please look at this page: http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fundraising_2007
Many ways
WAY N°1, MENTION THE FUNDRAISING AROUND YOU There are many buttons to use on your blogs or websites: http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fundraising_2007/web_buttons
WAY N°2, HELP TRANSLATE THE SITENOTICE http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fundraising_2007/Text_for_sitenotice Currently, only two languages have been set up. All will be added. Either the site notice is not translated, and the text will be in english. Or it is translated. Your turn. if you are bi(or more)lingual, just come help provide the translation
WAY N°3: HELP SELECT THE BUGGING QUOTES IN THE SITE NOTICE Where do they come from ? From comments from donators. You may pick some from here: http://donate.wikimedia.org/en/fundcore_browse Then what ? Well, put them here to make a list per language: http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fundraising_2007/comments Or BE BOLD and directly add them on the live page: http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/MediaWiki:Centralnotice-quotes Just do it
WAY N°4: BRING POSITIVE CRITICISM Here: http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Fundraising_2007 Remember to stay nice. Thanks
WAY N°5: HELP TRANSLATE TEXT For example, these pages: http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fundraising_2007/Testimonials Or this page: http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fundraising_2007/Fundraising_FAQ
Anthere