Hiya,
With the deadline for submitting LOGO designs for WikiConference lapsing today, we now request everyone to vote for the design they would like to see as the logo of WikiConference India from the eight designs submitted. Deadline for voting is 2.30PM on 29 June 2011 (48 hours from now).
You see all the designs and vote here: http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:WikiConference_India_2011#Logo
Kind Regards,
User:AroundTheGlobe
cross-posting pan India (apologies if you got/get this through other mailing lists.)
Hi Folks,
I'm really pleased to send out this email welcoming the first 2 new members of the India Programs team. Just before I introduce them, I thought I'd share with you the background of their selection.
Context
As you might be aware, the Foundation had decided to undertake a catalyst operation in India to promote the growth of the community and projects here. The team is expected to be a small, nimble 5 person group. We had put out 2 job postings - for Indic Initiatives and for Participation. (Please refer: http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2011-May/003007.html) We posted them on linkedin and on the Indian FOSS community list as well as announcing them on various Facebook pages and Twitter feeds.
The response was wonderful. >110 applications for Indic Initiatives and nearly 175 applications for Participation. These were short-listed to 10 (3 for Indic Language and 7 for Participation.) These were a mix of existing & previous Wikipedians, Wikipedia newbies and open source advocates.
In June, the shortlisted 10 were interviewed and further down-selected to 4. These 4 were then further interviewed by a group of other staff members from the Foundation. I am pleased to inform the community of the final selected 2.
Shiju Alex - Indic Initiatives
Most of you already know Shiju. For those who don't, Shiju is a long-time Wikipedian [User: shijualex] and is active on Malayalam Wikipedia, English wikiprojects and Wikimedia Commons, as well as Wikisource and offline. He has been passionately involved with the establishing and building of Indic language Wikipedias. He's participated in a series of outreach activities and is also (jointly) undertaking a grant from the Foundation for outreach across India. He's a regular member of the Bangalore community.
Shiju is from Palakkad, Kerala and is married with a 2 year old baby. He currently works as a Senior Technical Writer with ABB in Bangalore.
Even those of you who know him might not know the following 2 things that I was lucky to discover during the selection process. Shiju is an MSc in Physics with a specialisation in Astronomy and Astrophysics - and he retains a deep interest in anything astronomical. Feel free to quiz him vigorously on this! He also enjoys trekking and misses his time in Pune where he could be up & close the gorgeous Sahyadri Hills.
Shiju is going to lead our work on promoting Indic language projects across India. The challenges are enormous - from technical constraints to low levels of awareness of these projects to vibrant but nascent communities. However, these only point to the massive size of the opportunity for Indic language projects - which is the joint top-2 strategic priority of the movement in India. After he joins, he'll collaboratively put together a plan for Indic language projects and work towards quality execution of high-impact initiatives.
Shiju is currently serving out his notice period so will be able to join us only around September - October.
Nitika Tandon - Participation
Nitika [User:nitika.t] is relatively newer to the community - and has been brushing up her editing. She's been immersing herself in the Wikimedia world and attended community meet-ups as well as reviews of the Wikipedia India Education Program. She is from Delhi - and is currently based in Mumbai - where she works as a Strategic Partnerships Manager with Directi. (If you're not aware, they are one of the most prominent internet domain & solutions providers in India.)
Nitika has an MBA and has also worked on research analytics. A fascinating detail I discovered about a previous assignment of hers - and you must ask her about it - is how African drums can be used for management coaching! She also reliably informs me that there are 7 Spanish dance forms and she instructs in all of them!
Nitika is going to be working on Participation - which is primarily focussed on increasing the contributor base of non-Indic language projects, primarily Wikipedia. One of her first tasks will be to expand the Wikipedia India Education Program from the Pune pilot to a more national footprint. She'll also work on other initiatives to promote participation - and I can foresee Wikimedia Commons being a potential initiative.
Nitika will join us on August 1st.
Introductions
I'm going to be scheduling the August Monthly India Programs IRC on Thursday August 18th to introduce them both to you. Please do join us. I'll send a reminder closer to the date. Also, needless to say, they'll be attending a series of community meet-ups over the next months.
In the meantime, please do join me in welcoming them onboard. I'm really excited because this means that we will now have the capacity and capability to dramatically accelerate our activities in India.
Warmest Regards,
Hisham Mundol
Wikimedia India Programs
skype : hisham.wikimedia
gtalk : hmundol(a)wikimedia.org
twitter : @mundol
Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. Help us make it a reality!
hi,
We've decided to make the third Satday of every month as the regular meetup
spot in the July Wikipedia Mumbai meetup. We would love to have venue
suggestions from your side for the August meetup.
Since the last few meetups have been in the western suburbs, we'd love to
have it in the Eastern suburbs or South Mumbai.
warm regards,
Pradeep
--
Pradeep Mohandas
How Pradeep uses email - http://goo.gl/6v1I9
cross-posting pan India (apologies if you have got this through other mailing lists.)
Hi Folks
I wanted to share an update on the Wikipedia India Education Program. As of today, we have 15 teachers from 4 colleges participating. The most exciting part is that we have nearly 800 students (and counting) who are going to work on about 1200 articles in this semester. (Do note these numbers may fluctuate as the actual editing in classrooms starts - which is only to be expected.)
Please see the project page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:India_Education_Program - and do go through the sub-tabs for Ambassadors and courses.)
I think it will be a great idea if the Campus Ambassadors had a chance to introduce themselves to you and you had a chance to interact with them. Can we do it on the India Programs Monthly IRC this Thursday (July 28th) at ppm IST on #wikimedia-office. (I apologise that we are late on this month's IRC.)
You can also hear from them about their experiences. They've having 1-on-1 discussions with faculty members to identify potential articles to work on and conducting editing workshops for students in classrooms.
I look forward to as many of you attending as possible - and for a wonderful interaction with the Campus Ambassadors. They are great guys and have done amazing stuff so far. They're going to need your help and encouragement. Drop in and say hello, and a little more!
Warm Regards,
Hisham Mundol
Wikimedia India Programs
skype : hisham.wikimedia
gtalk : hmundol(a)wikimedia.org
twitter : @mundol
Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. Help us make it a reality!
hi,
Warning up front that the forward is very long. However, there was no
offline instance.
This was circulated on the Wikipedia GLAM list today. This is also something
that we hope to promote via the WikiConference India 2011 (though we do not
have concrete plans on how to do that - ideas welcome!) . What follows is
the press release for the "Wikipedia for World Heritage".
warm regards,
Pradeep
--mail begins--
Hi everybody,
I am new to this list. I've only read yesterday's and today's posts but
that's already been really, really interesting. I am a PR assistant at
Wikimedia Deutschland, mostly involved with our chapter publications and
supportive tasks for WMDE's projects, as well as press support of community
events. Ever since the initiative "Wikipedia for World Heritage" was
launched a couple of months ago I have also been involved there. I'd like to
keep you informed about the initiative's progress trying to convince the
UNESCO of declaring Wikipedia the first digital World Cultural Heritage. For
now, please find our initial press release below (a kind of introduction).
By the way, approaching 50k supporters who have signed the online petition:
http://wikipedia.de/wke/Main_Page?setlang=en
Best,
Michael
--
Michael Jahn
Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Wikimedia Deutschland e.V. | Eisenacher Straße 2 | 10777 Berlin
Tel. (030) 219 158 260
http://wikimedia.de <http://www.wikimedia.de/>
Stellen Sie sich eine Welt vor, in der jeder Mensch freien Zugang zu der
Gesamtheit des Wissens der Menschheit hat. Helfen Sie uns dabei!
*Helfen Sie mit, dass WIKIPEDIA von der UNESCO als erstes digitales
Weltkulturerbe anerkannt wird. Unterzeichnen Sie die Online-Petition:*
http://wikipedia.de/wke/Main_Page?setlang=de
Wikimedia Deutschland - Gesellschaft zur Förderung Freien Wissens e.V.
Eingetragen im Vereinsregister des Amtsgerichts Berlin-Charlottenburg unter
der Nummer 23855 B. Als gemeinnützig anerkannt durch das Finanzamt für
Körperschaften I Berlin, Steuernummer 27/681/51985.
PRESS RELEASE
Berlin, 26 May 2011
*
**Wikipedia for World Heritage! *
*
*
*Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales calls for signatures to be collected and
presented to the UNESCO.*
On Monday, 23 May 2011, Wikimedia Deutschland started a worldwide collection
of signatures for the Wikipedia for World
Heritage!<http://ten.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page>initiative. People
are invited to join the list now by signing an online
form <http://wikipedia.de/wke/Main_Page?setlang=en>. The list will
ultimately be presented to the World Heritage
Committee<http://whc.unesco.org/en/comittee>at the beginning of 2012.
To date more than 7000 people from over 100
countries have already signed the petition. Each signature supports the
initiative’s claim that Wikipedia as the largest collection of human
knowledge should be recognized as the first ever global and digital World
Heritage site. Altogether there are ten UNESCO criteria for recognition as a
World Heritage site. The first of those criteria demands that World Heritage
sites “represent a masterpiece of human creative genius”. The online
petition is quoting these exact words. By signing it participants confirm
that Wikipedia has universal value and that the claim is true in its case.
This petition is the starting point for a global discussion of Wikipedia’s
cultural meaning. Currently the free encyclopedia provides free access to
more than 18 million articles in over 280 languages. Since the beginning of
the new millennium Wikipedia has evolved into the collective memory of the
world. Having Wikipedia recognized as a Unesco World Heritage site is a huge
step towards preserving its cumulative knowledge for future generations.
“Millions of people take Wikipedia for granted. They use it each and every
day. Still, free access to the sum of human knowledge is not a matter of
course in many places. It is a global challenge to recognize, support and
preserve the work that hundreds of thousands of volunteers invest in this
community project. The key to free exchange of knowledge is public
recognition”, says Pavel Richter, CEO of Wikimedia Deutschland.
The initiative was introduced in March 2011 at the international Wikimedia
Chapters Conference in Berlin. Chapters from all over the world will
accompany the initiative's activities regarding Wikipedia’s recognition as a
World Heritage site. Wikimedia Deutschland will entertain an expert round on
the subject on 31 May 2011 at the Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin. The event
will be a public kick-off. Further activities with the international
community will follow. Additionally, public discussion provides a chance to
explain how to deal with free knowledge and to stress its meaning for
society. The advertising agency Leo Burnett supports Wikimedia Deutschland
in the initiative’s realization.
Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales was the first to sign the petition. In a video
statement <http://ten.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page> he calls for support of
the initiative. In his appeal Jimmy Wales puts emphasis on how important
international awareness is to the free encyclopedia: “A lot of people think
of Wikipedia as a technical phenomenon, a technical achievement. But in fact
it isn't. What Wikipedia is, is a cultural change, a cultural achievement.
We are going to try to get as many people as possible to sign the petition.
Just like Wikipedia itself, the more people we get involved, the greater the
chance that we'll achieve our goal. Please sign the petition!”
Links:
Petition: http://wikipedia.de/wke/Main_Page?setlang=en
International website and video statement by Jimmy Wales:
http://ten.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
*
*
*About the UNESCO World Heritage:*
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization. Its list of World Heritage sites currently recognizes 911
properties as parts of the cultural and natural heritage of the world and
worthy of protection. The basis for this list is the World Heritage
Convention, established in 1975. The convention has been signed by 187
countries so far. By doing so they have committed to protect World Heritage
sites in their respective territories and to support each other’s efforts.
Further information: http://whc.unesco.org/
*About Wikimedia Deutschland:*
Wikimedia Deutschland is a non-profit organization that supports the
advancement of free knowledge. Since its foundation in 2004 the organization
has been supporting the Wikimedia projects, the most well-known of which is
Wikipedia. Wikimedia Deutschland promotes free of charge access to free
knowledge, thereby endorsing the fundamental human right to education.
Wikipedia, like its sister projects, is ad-free and independent. This is
only possible through volunteer dedication and donations.
Further information about Wikimedia Deutschland:
Website: www.wikimedia.de
Blog: www.blog.wikimedia.de
Twitter: www.twitter.com/WikimediaDE
Kind regards
Catrin Schoneville
spokeswoman
Wikimedia Deutschland e.V.
--
Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Wikimedia Deutschland e.V. | Eisenacher Straße 2 | 10777 Berlin
Tel. (030) 219 158 260
http://wikimedia.de <http://www.wikimedia.de>
Stellen Sie sich eine Welt vor, in der jeder Mensch freien Zugang zu der
Gesamtheit des Wissens der Menschheit hat. Helfen Sie uns dabei!
*Helfen Sie mit, dass WIKIPEDIA von der UNESCO als erstes digitales
Weltkulturerbe anerkannt wird. Unterzeichnen Sie die Online-Petition:*
http://wikipedia.de/wke/Main_Page?setlang=de
Wikimedia Deutschland - Gesellschaft zur Förderung Freien Wissens e.V.
Eingetragen im Vereinsregister des Amtsgerichts Berlin-Charlottenburg unter
der Nummer 23855 B. Als gemeinnützig anerkannt durch das Finanzamt für
Körperschaften I Berlin, Steuernummer 27/681/51985.
_______________________________________________
cultural-partners mailing list
cultural-partners(a)wikimedia.ch
http://lists.wikimedia.ch/listinfo/cultural-partners
--
Pradeep Mohandas
How Pradeep uses email - http://goo.gl/6v1I9
FYI - We invite applications for scholarships for attending WikiConference India, 2011 in Mumbai from 18-20 November 2011. Kindly Refer to email below.
Kind Regards,
Date: Sat, 23 Jul 2011 00:36:07 +0530
From: vvcrishna(a)radiophony.com
To: wikimediaindia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
Subject: [Wikimediaindia-l] WikiConference India 2011 - Scholarships
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dGNxS…
Applications are invited for travel/boarding scholarships for WikiConference India 2011. There are a very limited number of such scholarships, and it is also possible to apply for partial assistance, in case you can handle part of the costs on your own - doing so will ensure that more Wikipedians will be able to get assistance. Provisions have been made for participants from special interest groups. Applications will be welcomed until Aug 15, and the decision process will be completed by the first week of September 2011. Please study the form carefully before submission.
We look forward to plenty of active participation at the conference, with the help of all Wikipedians.
--
Vickram
Fool On The Hill
_______________________________________________
Wikimediaindia-l mailing list
Wikimediaindia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l
hi,
This film was one of the points on the agenda during the Mumbai meetup on
July 20 which could not be done unfortunately. We hope that we can do it at
the next meetup.
warm regards,
Pradeep
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Achal Prabhala <aprabhala(a)gmail.com>
Date: 22 July 2011 13:00
Subject: [Wikimediaindia-l] Oral Citations project: People are Knowledge
To: "Discussion list on Indian language projects of Wikimedia." <
wikimediaindia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>, wikimediaza <
wikimediaza(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
Dear friends,
At the beginning of 2011, a group of us began working on a project to
explore alternative methods of citation on Wikipedia. We were motivated
by the lack of published resources in much of the non-Anglo-European
world, and the very real difficulty of citing everyday aspects of lived
reality in India and South Africa.
We are now at a stage where the project is almost complete, and we'd
like to share our work with the broader movement, especially within
India and South Africa.
There are three languages we worked within: Malayalam, Hindi and Sepedi.
The project page documents the process and logistics employed, as well
as the findings and results:
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Research:Oral_Citations
A film made from the project is available here: http://vimeo.com/26469276
There have been discussions on oral citations for some time now within
the language communities we worked with for the duration of the project.
At this stage, we are really interested in *your* feedback, either on
this list, or on the Discussion section of the project page.
There are still some things to come, namely:
- Better (high resolution) versions of the film on Wikimedia Commons
with an open subtitle track for translation, in process
- Updates on events, meetings and discussions held around the project
(updated as they happen)
- Updates on articles created in Malayalam, Hindi and Sepedi as a result
of the project (updated as they happen)
We would be very grateful to hear your feedback, and begin a broader
discussion.
Best wishes,
Achal
_______________________________________________
Wikimediaindia-l mailing list
Wikimediaindia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l
hi,
We met on the evening of July 20, 2011 at the InOrbit Mall, Malad. The
meeting took place in the food-court. Seven people attended the meeting, in
no particular order:
1. Pradeep Mohandas
2. Pranav Curumsey
3. Vickram Crishna
4. Deepak Patil
5. Suyog Vyawahare
6. Rahul Mehrotra
7. Vishal Mahajan
The agenda for the meeting was set as:
- Introductions & General Discussions.
- Updates on WikiConference India 2011
- Preview of Oral Citations Project Video
- GLAM update
- Wikipedia for the UNESCO World Heritage Site
Minutes of the Meeting:
1. After a round of introductions, we decided to give updates on the
WikiConference India 2011 to the attendees and also discuss a few items of
interest. Members took the opportunity to connect with each other and speak
face-to-face.
2. We were not able to view the Oral citations project video since we did
not have screening space. We met in the Food court.
3. Updates were provided on the GLAM with The Museum, Mumbai. We're still
awaiting word from the Museum on a good date and a good time to begin our
interactions from. We also decided to approach the Bombay Natural History
Society.
4. We also were not able to talk about the World Heritage Site since it
became too late.
warm regards,
Pradeep Mohandas
Hiya,
Kindly note that Mumbai Meetup XI will take place TOMORROW, Wednesday 20th July 2011 at 6pm. Venue: Conference Room, Inorbit Malad. Nearest Railway Station: Goregaon (Western Line). For more information refer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Meetup/Mumbai/Mumbai11
With Mumbai Community regulars busy with outreach activities in different parts of the country - Moksh in Dehradun, Kundan Amitabh in Silchar - Assam we hope to see some new faces tomorrow.
Follow us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/WikimediaMumbai
Kind Regards,
**Kindly forward this to other language/city lists that you are a part of**
Just to follow up, we have received offer for help with translation to Hindi, Telegu, Sanskrit and Kannada thus far. We still need help with all the other indic languages and request volunteers to come forward. Kindly contact Theo or myself privately if you can help.
Kind Regards,