I got a delightful postal box today, with some goodies to stimulate my
appetite and a great tee-shirt :)
It would be difficult to thank individually all the people who put a
message on the Wikimania shirt, so I would like to extend a big thank
you for all your thoughts and love.
After much thinking, I decided to pin the tee-shirt in my bathroom :) So
that when I see me in the mirror, I can also see you. I'll turn the
tee-shirt around from time to time :)
I intend to stay in the "Next to Perfect Attendance Club". So...
London... I'll be there.
Florence
We're looking a year ahead, so we should have plenty of time to sort
things out. But, the UK has some particularly-talented Wikinewsies
(I'm looking at Iain Macdonald, Tom Morris and Paul Williams in
particular).
It would be short-sighted, in the extreme, not to ask the UK-resident
Wikinewsies to get involved. Given the direction I've seen Paul
heading off in (to Wikinews' great loss) I suspect he would make a
great 'Head of Broadcasting' for next year's Wikimania; and, with
Wikimedia UK's support, could help make sure Wikimania 2014 is the
'most-online' annual conference to-date. [All sessions webcast live,
all recordings thereof online faster than the BBC does with iPlayer.]
The major snag for me, a Wikinewsie in Edinburgh, is it looks-like
Wikimania 2014 clashes with the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe. (I
already have interest from a local community Radio station, which
might lead to free use of high-end gear, and a few other things
in-the-works).
But, anyone who is planning to travel to the UK for Wikimania should
bear that in-mind!
If you want to come up to The Athens of The North, post-conference,
start looking at those accommodation bookings right now. Otherwise,
you'll be camping somewhere in the vicinity of Arthur's Seat.
Regardless, and no-matter how hard Wikimedia UK tries to promote their
London Wikimania, I can promise you "us lot up in Scotland" will keep
knocking you off the front page when it comes to headlines in the
press. Does anyone else have some 'creative ideas' about Wikimania
2014 having a 'token presence' in Edinburgh? (The Fringe venue I want
to 'hijack' is close-enough to the Edinburgh Uni CS facilities I was
hacking - 25 years ago - that, we could run an armoured fibre straight
into JANET).
It's simply too-good an opportunity to miss. And, where I strongly
agree with the broad-criticisms Jimmy made of mainstream media in his
HK keynote, I know that "the news division of the WMF" (i.e. Wikinews)
could wipe the floor with the Mainstream on the independence debate.
Brian.
Dear all wikimanian 2013 attendees, supporters and organizers,
Thank you for all your great contribution to make wikimania 2013 a great
success. As a new comer who knows nothing about the Wikipedia all all those
concerned, the wikimania 2013 has really opened up my mind and enriched my
heart. I started to promote all those I have heard through my global
networks of International Toastmasters, Nourish the Children and Nu Skin
Enterprises. Hope that we still join hand in hand to make the wikimania
2014 a greater success.
Eugenie from Hong Kong.
Vice-presidentof Public Relation of Global Toastmasters Club of
International Toastmasters
A Few emails have been circulating re the content and the programme of
the conference, and I wish to put in my two cents.
This year a track of
"discussions" have been introduced. Though a full track (and rooms)
have been set aside for this, a total of one discussion has been proposed to
the programme committee (and has been accepted of course).
I do agree with what Louis suggest, and with some of the things
suggested. The breaks should remain breaks – time to rest, have coffee and have
informal talks which are an important part of Wikimania. Time should also be
set aside for discussions and for lightning talks, but the fact is – the community
who comes to the conference does not propose discussions (and nobody volunteers
to lead them). My experience from past conferences is that the
"unconference" day is a waste of time. Most people already leave the
conference and go touring or go home, and do not stay for the unconference
talks.
The fact is – no one wanted to lead a discussion this year, and no one
came and said "I want a basic course of Wikipedia editing".
What we can do different next year is to "impose" some
discussion time. I have suggested during the conference that next year we will
have a discussion track set aside, where, for example, one day, every half
hour, one WMF board member will be in the "hot seat" answering
questions, the best of which will be asked again in the Q&A session for the
whole gathering to hear. On the second day, WMF teams will be in the hot sit to
answer legal or technical questions.
I also suggest that WMF stuff will submit talks in which they conduct a tutorial
to various aspects such as the visual editor, wikidata etc – but this is of
course up to them to submit, and for the entire conference programme committee to
approve.
As to the number of tracks – as I have shown in my lecture – this has
not really changed in the past 8 years (with the exception of DC due to the
large number of attendees) and I think four tracks + 2 workshops/tutorials + 1 discussion
is a good composition for next year as well.
And by "four tracks" I mean four presentations or panels
tracks. This does not meant the entire time there will be four tracks. The conference
may have 8 or 12 subject tracks (such as "women", "Asia",
"GLAM", "culture", and the best submissions of all will be
chosed and placed, thus a track may only be in one session of the conference if
only one good panel or 3 good lectures have been submitted). I do believe that
a conference session should be 90 minutes of which 3 * 30 sessions (allowing 25
min session + 5 min Q&A) but this is flexible, and can be 90 min panel and
discussion, or 30 min talk + 30 min panel + 30 min discussion, or any other variant.
But this also enables a 30 min break every two hours which is important.
I personally (in my biased opinion) think the programme was good, and
believe that a situation where the attendees say "there are two good
things to listen to right now, which one will I chose" only leads to
wanting to come again next year (as opposed to "there is noting
interesting right now, I will go back to the hotel and rest").
Deror
(Deputy programme chair for Wikimania 2011, 2012 and 2013)
------------------------------
>Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2013 02:46:32 -0700
>From: Luis Villa <lvilla(a)wikimedia.org>
>To: "Wikimania general list (open subscription)"
> <wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
>Subject: Re: [Wikimania-l] A thought: Different tracks
>Message-ID:
> <CAM2wSz4SfgGjCgQzEYKbwX5+Q7TObv0tHEcRE1qxxLJVFwmn1g(a)mail.gmail.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>On Thu, Aug 15, 2013 at 7:36 PM, Samuel Klein <meta.sj(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>> I would prefer more of Wikimania to be interactive and
>> discussion-oriented; perhaps you would prefer more to be
>> presentation-oriented. That's a good tradeoff for a program team to
>> discuss. But presenters could then think consciously about which of
>> these modes they intend to participate in.
>
> a simple change, the default language for submissions could be shifted
>from "presentations" (currently used repeatedly as the 'default' term to
>describe what is going on) to "discussions and presentations" or something
>along those lines. Simply that reminder that presentations aren't the only
>way to have a session at the conference might go a long way towards opening
>things up.
>
>Luis
Without doubt, Wikimania HK has been a successful one.
For the first time, a Ghanaian from Ghana could attend the event. This
brings us much joy.
That wouldn't have been possible without the keen support of the local
organizing team in terms of Visa acquisition. Though through a lot of
inconveniences in acquiring Visa, Ghana was represented.
I see their support as a very practical and effective approach in helping
countries like ourselves obtaining a visa to enter such high-ranking
countries.
I believe and hope such visa assistance mechanism and approach is adopted
and improved upon by LOCs of upcoming Wikimanias to enable persons from
semi-banned countries like Ghana attend such wonderful events.
Rexford
--
+Rexford <https://plus.google.com/107174506890941499078> | +CG
Central<https://plus.google.com/b/103109918657638322478/103109918657638322478/posts>
|
+233 266 811 165 l
BFCT<http://www.blendernetwork.org/member/nkansah-rexford-nyarko/>
I couldn't agree more with Risker. I'm afraid that such a huge preparedness
would damage the option that less experienced speakers can present too. I
also wouldn't be in favor of a lot of plenary sessions - my experience
tells me that at least *I* have been more often disappointed by a keynote
speaker than positively surprised. This year's Charles Mok was a very
positive exception on that. But maybe that is simply because I've attended
too many Wikimania's :)
On the other hand what I always liked so much about Wikimania /was/ exactly
the amount of choice. What I questioned was that the sessions basically
continue through the breaks - I'm simply afraid that this is very
exhausting (which everybody so far seems to confirm).
Something what I *would* like to see changed about the schedule is more
discussions with experienced discussion leaders. Not like this year when it
was basically a run-out-time for the session before, but a dedicated track,
with a dedicated discussion coordinator that puts together the discussion
track only a few days in advance to ensure that the most recent topics are
covered too. In that way I hope that you also have an improved experience -
that track could be somewhat run like you suggested (with someone preparing
the discussion etc) and should indeed of course be documented! I just
don't think the whole schedule should be like that.
Lodewijk
2013/8/15 Risker <risker.wp(a)gmail.com>
>
>
>
> On 15 August 2013 00:03, Samuel Klein <meta.sj(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> >> Wikimania should have less parallel sessions,
>> >< longer sessions with more time between the sessions
>> >> and an "open space" as an additional track.
>> <>
>> >> We implemented this idea last year at the WikiCon...
>> <> I am a strong believer that less is actually more. I would like to have
>> >> a less stressful but more effictive Wikimania.
>> >
>> > Your ideas are welcomed by me :) I've been wanting fewer sessions at
>> > Wikimania for a long time.
>>
>> I agree totally. We can rethink the traditional program entirely.
>>
>> Imagine a Wikimania where
>> * the only "talks" or presentations are Plenary sessions
>> * all other sessions
>> ** have their documents/drawings/slides/tools published 2 weeks in
>> advance, for others to read / comment / link
>> ** have Q&A handled online in advance of the event (via comments and
>> discussion)
>> ** are group discussions or collaborations around a topic, not one-way
>> presentations
>> ** are moderated by someone who is good at moderation (this may or may
>> not be the primary author of works being discussed)
>> ** update the latest documentation about those ideas/projects/tools
>> live, during the session (via a designated facilitator/editor)
>>
>>
>
> I dunno. That sounds fundamentally unwiki, and an awful lot like the
> professional annual meetings that everyone hates attending. It weighs
> heavily in favour of "professional" presenters and those who think that the
> powerpoint is more important than the presentation. I wouldn't spring for a
> plane ticket for something like this.
>
> As it is, I know for a fact that most of the sessions presented this year
> were finalized no more than a week before their presentation, and quite a
> few included "up to the minute" information and data. This is particularly
> important in an environment that is constantly changing.
>
> What I'd like to see is live-streaming of sessions with moderation that
> could include online questions for the sessions.
>
> Wikimania is primarily a social event - and that includes the "developer
> days" at the beginning. Some sessions are of professional quality, some
> others gain their energy from the presentation itself or the perceived
> importance of the topic, and others simply by being presented by sincere
> and caring community members. The best session I saw this year was one
> that would never meet the bars described above - it was about the Javanese
> Wikipedia, and it was the one that was so full of hope and joy at the
> prospect of sharing knowledge freely that the few of us who were in the
> room walked away with a refreshed sense of what our movement is all about.
>
> You can't capture that with slides or plenary sessions or expert
> moderation. You need to be in the room.
>
> Risker
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Wikimania-l mailing list
> Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l
>
>
sorry if you are talking about the guy who didn't get the visa and it is
me, I have to say, I sent my documents earlier than time needed for visa,
and local team couldn't help me.
Mardetanha
On Fri, Aug 16, 2013 at 12:36 AM,
<wikimania-l-request(a)lists.wikimedia.org>wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: Visa Acquisition Assistance (Deryck Chan)
> 2. Re: Visa Acquisition Assistance (Amir Ladsgroup)
> 3. Re: Visa Acquisition Assistance (Amir Ladsgroup)
> 4. Re: a thought: break events (Samuel Klein)
> 5. Re: Deryck Chan, a specific thank you (Anirudh Bhati)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2013 23:22:15 +0800
> From: Deryck Chan <deryckchan(a)gmail.com>
> To: "Wikimania general list (open subscription)"
> <wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
> Subject: Re: [Wikimania-l] Visa Acquisition Assistance
> Message-ID:
> <CA+F5PQ_yDWoko+pF3s55RPU3fSJ8g9EQ5m+s2eLW0BB=
> 7o0bTA(a)mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Next year, WMF and Wikimania London are hiring the company which got the
> visas for everyone in London Olympics! Fingers crossed.
>
> Also, unfortunately, this year we did have one person who didn't get his
> visa on time. One is too many for Hong Kong! :(
>
>
> On 15 August 2013 16:02, Nkansah Rexford <nkansahrexford(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Without doubt, Wikimania HK has been a successful one.
> >
> > For the first time, a Ghanaian from Ghana could attend the event. This
> > brings us much joy.
> >
> > That wouldn't have been possible without the keen support of the local
> > organizing team in terms of Visa acquisition. Though through a lot of
> > inconveniences in acquiring Visa, Ghana was represented.
> >
> > I see their support as a very practical and effective approach in helping
> > countries like ourselves obtaining a visa to enter such high-ranking
> > countries.
> >
> > I believe and hope such visa assistance mechanism and approach is adopted
> > and improved upon by LOCs of upcoming Wikimanias to enable persons from
> > semi-banned countries like Ghana attend such wonderful events.
> >
> > Rexford
> >
> >
> > --
> > +Rexford <https://plus.google.com/107174506890941499078> | +CG Central<
> https://plus.google.com/b/103109918657638322478/103109918657638322478/posts>
> |
> > +233 266 811 165 l BFCT<
> http://www.blendernetwork.org/member/nkansah-rexford-nyarko/>
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Wikimania-l mailing list
> > Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> > https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l
> >
> >
>
Hi all,
reading back through my mailbox, I encountered huge amounts of
announcements (mostly by Wikimedia Deutschland) about events taking place
in breaks of Wikimania. Without wanting to form an opinion about that just
yet, I would like to ask what you think about having many side events going
on in the break/breakfast/evening.
I personally am a bit caught between wanting to do as much as possible in
the limited time, and feeling that there was basically no break at all
(contributing to the exhaustion), because every break people were basically
asking you to attend break sessions. For some of them that is the only
choice (they intend to be informal), others probably belong primarily in
the schedule (assuming they were interesting).
Anyway, just a conversation starter to evaluate the concept of break events
a bit more in general (I assume the chapters village etc in particular will
be evaluated separately too).
Looking forward to your thoughts,
Best,
Lodewijk
I'd like to point out the work of Deryck Chan, who was there for us, with his group of volunteers, from dusk 'til dawn at the dorms. Mr. Chan act as a facilitator for the foreigners that we are, and I want to thank him personally for his availability and his patience! We all come from different cultures, and some things may look not important for some of us, but for the hosts, it was a big thing.
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do": few of us broke rules in Hong Kong, me first, and probably without knowing, but Deryck had the patience to explain this many times.
Last night, he mentioned to me "Wikimania is so big, it's hard to manage all this". Well Deryck, you did great; as we say in French: "Une poigne de fer dans un gant de velour."
So, Deryck Chan, please let me give you an high five. You earn it.
Now rest please! :-)
Benoit Rochon
--
Chargé de projet / Project manager
Wikimédia Canada
3450 rue Saint-Denis, suite 180
Montréal (Québec) H2X 3L3
Téléphone : 1-800-249-1216
http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/User:Benoit_Rochon