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A matter of discretion in the wake of Katrina?

Re: [Wikien-l] Looking at the real...

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Michael Turley

2 Sep 2005 2 Sep '05

6:11 p.m.

In light of the Katrina disaster and the competing appeals for aid for the victims there, should we consider suspending the Wikimedia Foundation funding drive for a time? Or do we consider the two causes different enough that it should continue as scheduled? -- Michael Turley User:Unfocused

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Fredrik Johansson

2 Sep 2 Sep

6:54 p.m.

On 9/2/05, Michael Turley <michael.turley(a)gmail.com> wrote:

In light of the Katrina disaster and the competing appeals for aid for the victims there, should we consider suspending the Wikimedia Foundation funding drive for a time? Or do we consider the two causes different enough that it should continue as scheduled?

We're doing our part by providing accessible, neutral, and up-to-date information about the disaster. The extra traffic costs money... -- Fredrik Johansson http://fredrikj.net

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Andrew Gray

6:58 p.m.

On 02/09/05, Fredrik Johansson <fredrik.johansson(a)gmail.com> wrote:

On 9/2/05, Michael Turley <michael.turley(a)gmail.com> wrote:

In light of the Katrina disaster and the competing appeals for aid for the victims there, should we consider suspending the Wikimedia Foundation funding drive for a time? Or do we consider the two causes different enough that it should continue as scheduled?

We're doing our part by providing accessible, neutral, and up-to-date information about the disaster. The extra traffic costs money...

I've not seen any complaints about the fund drive - but would you believe someone complained about having the Hurricane Katrina article linked from /In The News/ on the front page? The mind, she boggles. For what it's worth, income over the past few days to the fund drive has been roughly constant. I'd say that indicates it isn't in direct competition in any way; were we holding a drive for $random_charity, then perhaps. -- - Andrew Gray andrew.gray(a)dunelm.org.uk

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Michael Turley

7:34 p.m.

On 9/2/05, Andrew Gray <shimgray(a)gmail.com> wrote:

On 02/09/05, Fredrik Johansson <fredrik.johansson(a)gmail.com> wrote:

On 9/2/05, Michael Turley <michael.turley(a)gmail.com> wrote: > In light of the Katrina disaster and the competing appeals for aid for

the

> victims there, should we consider suspending the Wikimedia Foundation > funding drive for a time? > > Or do we consider the two causes different enough that it should

continue as

scheduled?

We're doing our part by providing accessible, neutral, and up-to-date information about the disaster. The extra traffic costs money...

I've not seen any complaints about the fund drive - but would you believe someone complained about having the Hurricane Katrina article linked from /In The News/ on the front page? The mind, she boggles. For what it's worth, income over the past few days to the fund drive has been roughly constant. I'd say that indicates it isn't in direct competition in any way; were we holding a drive for $random_charity, then perhaps.

OK. I see our value here as pointed out by Fredrik Johansson. I don't normally see the news, instead preferring to read online and listen to NPR. Last night and this morning were the first time I'd seen video footage and photographs of the aftermath, and although I realized how big the disaster was, I guess today is when the emotional impact struck me. I hope no one thinks I was suggesting that we're wrong to continue the scheduled drive. I was listening to a report of the lack of effective relief efforts while reading Wikipedia's article on Katrina, and noticed our appeal at the top of the page and I suddenly felt very small. On reflection, even the goal for our drive is very small as well. -- Michael Turley User:Unfocused

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Andrew Gray

7:51 p.m.

On 02/09/05, Michael Turley <michael.turley(a)gmail.com> wrote:

For what it's worth, income over the past few days to the fund drive has been roughly constant. I'd say that indicates it isn't in direct competition in any way; were we holding a drive for $random_charity, then perhaps.

OK. I see our value here as pointed out by Fredrik Johansson.

For what it's worth, I regularly hear Wikipedia praised in situations like this. It's not quite what the project is intended for, but it works damn well at it.

I hope no one thinks I was suggesting that we're wrong to continue the scheduled drive. I was listening to a report of the lack of effective relief efforts while reading Wikipedia's article on Katrina, and noticed our appeal at the top of the page and I suddenly felt very small. On reflection, even the goal for our drive is very small as well.

Looking at the figures we have had a bit of a drop-off - the figures for the 1st weren't summarised so I missed them - but given we note the scope (both in time and money) of the drive... -- - Andrew Gray andrew.gray(a)dunelm.org.uk

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Ray Saintonge

8:38 p.m.

Michael Turley wrote:

In light of the Katrina disaster and the competing appeals for aid for the victims there, should we consider suspending the Wikimedia Foundation funding drive for a time? Or do we consider the two causes different enough that it should continue as scheduled?

Life goes on. It is up to each individual to determine his own priorities, and whether he wants to contribute to one or both or neither cause. Competing appeals have always and will always be there. The enormity of the Katrina disaster just happens to draw more publicity than others of that type with smaller but more frequent footprints Ec.

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Andrew Gray
Fredrik Johansson
Michael Turley
Ray Saintonge