On Fri, Jun 5, 2009 at 11:06 PM, Aaron Halfakerhalf0032@umn.edu wrote:
Hello,
I am a researcher in the GroupLens lab (http://grouplens.org) at the University of Minnesota. You might recognize previous work in Wikipedia like "Creating, Destroying, and Restoring Value in Wikipedia" (http://www-users.cs.umn.edu/~reid/papers/group282-priedhorsky.pdf).
As part of our continuing work within Wikipedia, my colleagues and I are conducting an academic (non-commercial) study in which we have developed a modification that is designed to help users work together more effectively by changing the interface for reverting other editors.
If you choose to participate in the study, you will be automatically assigned a Wikipedia gadget that will consist of a subset of the modifications we have developed. As part of the study, we will be logging your usage of the tool (ie. when you are reverting other editors). We will also be available for tech support and bug fixes. Most likely there will be a survey at the completion and the complete tool will be made available.
Consent form/installer: http://wikipedia.grouplens.org/NICE/consent/
This looks interesting -- I might have a look at the tools myself in the week when I have a bit more time.
I would, however, urge everyone to use the "manual" installation process. I don't think it's good form to ask people for their credentials on another site. Indeed, it is forbidden (actively prohibited) for those with Toolserver accounts to do this.
I am sure that you won't be being evil with the information, but nevertheless I don't think you should request it.
Sam