Hi everybody,
You may have seen the recent communication [1
<https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Engineering/June_2017_changes>]
about the product and tech tune-up which went live the week of June 5th,
2017. In that communication, we promised an update on the future of
Discovery projects and we will talk about those in this email.
The Discovery team structure has now changed, but the new teams will still
work together to complete the goals as listed in the draft annual plan.[2]
A summary of their anticipated work, as we finalize these changes, is
below. We plan on doing a check-in at the end of the calendar year to see
how our goals are progressing with the new smaller and separated team
structure.
Here is a list of the various projects under the Discovery umbrella, along
with the goals that they will be working on:
Search Backend
Improve search capabilities:
-
Implement ‘learning to rank’ [3] and other advanced machine learning
methodologies
-
Improve support for languages using new analyzers
-
Maintain and expand power user search functionality
Search Frontend
Improve user interface of the search results page with new functionality:
-
Implement explore similar [4]
<https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Cross-wiki_Search_Result_Improvements/Testin…>
-
Update the completion suggester box [5]
<https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:CirrusSearch/CompletionSuggester>
-
Investigate the usage of a Wiktionary widget for English Wikipedia [6]
Wikidata Query Service
Expand and scale:
-
Improve ability to support power features on-wiki for readers
-
Improve full text search functionality
-
Implement SPARQL federation support
Portal
Create and implement automated language statistics and translation updates
for Wikipedia.org
Analysis
Provide in-depth analytics support:
-
Perform experimental design, data collection, and data analysis
-
Perform ad-hoc analyses of Discovery-domain data
-
Maintain and augment the Discovery Dashboards,[7] which allow the teams
to track their KPIs and other metrics
Maps
Map support:
-
Implement new map style
-
Increase frequency of OSM data replication
-
As needed, assist with individual language Wikipedia’s implementation of
mapframe [8] <https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Maps/how_to:_embedded_maps>
Note: There is a possibility that we can do more with maps in the coming
year; we are currently evaluating strategic, partnership, and resourcing
options.
Structured Data on Commons
Extend structured data search on Commons, as part of the structured data
grant [9] via:
-
Research and implement advanced search capabilities
-
Implement new elements, filters, relationships
Graphs and Tabular Data on Commons
We will be re-evaluating this functionality against other Commons
initiatives such as the structured data grant. As with maps, we will
provide updates when we know more.
We are still working out all the details with the new team structure and
there might be some turbulence; let us know if there are any concerns and
we will do our best to answer them.
Best regards,
Deborah Tankersley, Product Manager, Discovery
Erika Bjune, Engineering Manager, Search Platform
Jon Katz, Reading Product Lead
Toby Negrin, Interim Vice President of Product
Victoria Coleman, Chief Technology Officer
[1] https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Engineering/June_2017_changes
[2]
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Annual_Plan/2017-2018/…
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_to_rank
[4]
https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Cross-wiki_Search_Result_Improvements/Testin…
[5]
https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:CirrusSearch/CompletionSuggester
[6]
https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Cross-wiki_Search_Result_Improvements/Testin…
[7] https://discovery.wmflabs.org/
[8] https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Maps/how_to:_embedded_maps
[9] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Structured_data
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I have a soft spot for Wikiquote. I realize that it's a lesser-known
project, but I find it interesting. I agree with some quotes more than
others, but almost all of them make me think.
"If the mind is to emerge unscathed from this relentless struggle with the
unforeseen, two qualities are indispensable: first, an intellect that, even
in the darkest hour, retains some glimmerings of the inner light which
leads to truth; and second, the courage to follow this faint light wherever
it may lead."
-- Carl von Clausewitz <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_von_Clausewitz>,
Prussian general and military theorist
"Live now. Make now always the most precious time. Now will never come
again."
-- Captain Jean-Luc Picard <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Luc_Picard>,
in the *Star Trek: The Next Generation *episode "The Inner Light".
What's making you happy this week?
Pine
Dear wikipedians,
We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with the above named prestigious broadcasting station to partner with us in reaching further audience in Nigeria.
The agreement will assist us in reaching wider audience and also actualizing some of our core projects in alignment with the pinnacle of their establishment, which is to promote women in Nigeria.
I will keep you inform as things unfold.
Best RegardsOlushola
Welcome to WFM 91.7 - NIGERIA'S FIRST RADIO STATION FOR WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES
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Welcome to WFM 91.7 - NIGERIA'S FIRST RADIO STATION FOR WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES
Keeping listeners company throughout the day with quality, relevant, informative and entertaining programmes tha... | |
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Hi everyone,
The Affiliations Committee – the committee responsible for guiding
volunteers in establishing Wikimedia chapters, thematic organizations, and
user groups – is looking for new members!
The main role of the Affiliations Committee is to guide groups of
volunteers that are interested in forming Wikimedia affiliates. We review
applications from new groups, answer questions and provide advice about the
different Wikimedia affiliation models and processes, review affiliate
bylaws for compliance with requirements and best practices, and advise the
Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees on issues connected to chapters,
thematic organizations and Wikimedia user groups.
The committee consists of twelve members, six of whom are selected every
twelve months for staggered two-year terms. Those joining during the
mid-year process will serve an extended term ending in December 2019.
*Key skills*
Being a part of the Affiliations Committee requires communication with
volunteers all over the world, negotiating skills, cultural sensitivity,
and the ability to understand legal texts. We look for a healthy mix of
different skill sets in our members, including the following key skills and
experience:
- Willingness to process applications through a set, perhaps bureaucratic
process.
- Readiness to participate in political discussions on the role and future
of affiliates, models of affiliation, and similar topics.
- Availability of up to 5 hours per week, and the time to participate in a
monthly two-hour voice/video meeting.
- International orientation.
- Fluency in English.
- Ability to work and communicate with other languages and cultures.
- Strong understanding of the structure and work of affiliates and the
Wikimedia Foundation.
- Knowledge of different legal systems and experience in community building
and organising are a plus.
- Skills in other languages are a major plus.
- Experience with or in an active affiliate is a major plus.
- Strong track record of effective collaboration (such as evidenced skills
at facilitation, mediation, negotiation, and so forth) are a major plus.
- Willingness to use one's real name in committee activities (including
contacts with current and potential affiliates) when appropriate.
We are looking for people who are excited by the challenge of empowering
volunteers to get organized and form communities that further our mission
around the world. In exchange, committee members selected will gain the
experience of supporting their world-wide colleagues to develop their
communities as well as personal development in guiding organizational
development, facilitating affiliate partnerships, and professional
communications.
*Selection process*
As a reflection of our commitment to openness, transparency, and bilateral
engagement with the Wikimedia community, the 2017 member selection process
will include a public review and comment period. All applications received
by the committee will be posted on Meta at
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Affiliations_Committee/Candidates/June_2017,
and the community will be invited to provide comments and feedback about
each candidate.
At the end of the public comment period, the applications will be voted on
by the members of the committee who are not seeking re-election, taking
into account comments put forward by the committee's members, advisors,
Wikimedia Foundation staff and board liaisons, and the community. A final
decision will be made by mid-July 2017, with new members expected to join
later that month.
*How to apply*
If you are interested in joining the committee, please post your
application on the nomination page and send an email announcing your
application to affcom(a)lists.wikimedia.org by 30 June 2017. Your application
must include the following information:
- Your full name and Wikimedia username
- A statement describing your relevant experience, skills, and motivation
for joining the committee.
- Answers to the following three questions:
(1) How do you think affiliates work best together to partner on
effective projects and initiatives?
(2) What do you see as the role of affiliates in the Wikimedia
movement in the next three years?
(3) What do you feel you will bring to the committee that makes you
a uniquely qualified candidate?
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me and/or the
committee as a whole. We are happy to chat or have a phone call with anyone
about our work if this helps them decide to apply. Please distribute this
call among your networks, and do apply if you are interested!
Regards,
Kirill Lokshin
Chair, Affiliations Committee
Hello everybody,
Normally in our community we used to send angry emails when we were not
happy with how things are going, and we were not sending enough emails of
satisfaction and encouragement. I don't know who started it, but the "what
is making you happy this week" series might be one of the best social
achievements our movement has reached.
To continue on that line I would like to tell you what made me happy this
week, but about Katherine Maher, our current leader. In particular about
this video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8BuyKmjy7Rw
If you haven't watched it, do it now and get to know Katherine. I think we
as a community don't deserve a leader like her, at least not yet. The
reason is because she's way more advanced than us at seeing how the world
is going and what is there to be done about it.
We can have as many Strategy Talks as we want, but as long as we as a
community are not ready to rally to put ourselves behind Katherine and
fully support her with her mission, it will be all for nothing.
The way I perceive Katherine is a charismatic leader full of light, but her
light is not reaching us fully because we are not giving her enough power
yet. I want to invite all of you as individuals to reflect upon this and
ask yourself if you are as ready as me to support Katherine for the
personal benefit and the whole movement benefit.
I have never done this before but allow me some tolerance to speak on
behalf of the community. Not because I have been elected but because I love
it so much and I want the best for it. So if I were to speak on behalf of
the community I would tell this to Katherine: stop having so much patience
with us.
There was a time when patience was good and necessary, but not anymore. Set
yourself free and do as you please, because I see no possible harm in your
intentions. Don't be afraid about going too fast. The community needs
challenges to grow and if you don't bring them forward, we will not grow
enough to face the world of tomorrow, or today, or yesterday.
We are behind in our progress because of you, Katherine. We need that you
bring to the table ALL what you can do, but you need to do it wisely, and
you lack a bit of that too.
So my advice is to challenge us, but ask first wise people in the movement
first. There are a few of them, but they do exist: Andrea Zanni, Asaf
Bartov, even Délphine (never meet her properly) are clear examples of wise
people. Over time and with practice you will be able to find more, and in
the end you will be wise enough to enlighten us all.
In my more than 10 years in the movement and my particular involved in
leadership, I could have never imagined that we would be so lucky to find a
leader like Katherine. When by chance she was here in Belgium, I live in
Leuven, I asked to meet her. Of course it was not possible, but I use the
opportunity to tell her what I wanted to in that meeting: Katherine, I love
you, not in a romantic way, but the way you are as a person, don't be
afraid if others cannot see you for who you are, you are just great the way
you are.
In a past Conference I brought some gifts to people I cared about, but I am
lucky that I won't be attending this Wikimania (only the Wikidata
conference this year). I feel lucky because I will not have to bring a gift
for Katherine, the only person who was deserved my admiration this year,
and it would be too hard to pick an appropriate gift for her... The Moon?
The stars? They are hard to transport, anyway.
Please forgive me for my ramblings. I just think that Katherine is great
and that she deserves more emails like this one.
Cheers,
Micru
Apologies if you've already seen this -- looks like it was mentioned in the
media report but I haven't seen it posted otherwise. There is a new report
out from the Internet Monitor project at the Berkman Klein center that may
be of general interest:
"Analyzing Accessibility of Wikipedia Projects Around the World"
https://cyber.harvard.edu/publications/2017/04/WikipediaCensorship
Abstract:
This study, conducted by the Internet Monitor project at the Berkman Klein
Center for Internet & Society, analyzes the scope of government-sponsored
censorship of Wikimedia sites around the world. The study finds that, as of
June 2016, China was likely censoring the Chinese language Wikipedia
project, and Thailand and Uzbekistan were likely interfering intermittently
with specific language projects of Wikipedia as well.
However, considering the widespread use of filtering technologies and the
vast coverage of Wikipedia, our study finds that, as of June 2016, there
was relatively little censorship of Wikipedia globally. In fact, our study
finds there was less censorship in June 2016 than before Wikipedia’s
transition to HTTPS-only content delivery in June 2015. HTTPS prevents
censors from seeing which page a user is viewing, which means censors must
choose between blocking the entire site and allowing access to all
articles. This finding suggests that the shift to HTTPS has been a good one
in terms of ensuring accessibility to knowledge.
The study identifies and documents the blocking of Wikipedia content using
two complementary data collection and analysis strategies: a client-side
system that collects data from the perspective of users around the globe
and a server-side tool to analyze traffic coming in to Wikipedia servers.
Both client- and server-side methods detected events that we consider
likely related to censorship, in addition to a large number of suspicious
events that remain unexplained. The report features results of our data
analysis and insights into the state of access to Wikipedia content in 15
select countries.
-- Phoebe
--
* I use this address for lists; send personal messages to phoebe.ayers <at>
gmail.com *
Attention Everyone (and please spread the word):
Early Bird Registration is Open for Wikimania 2017. This discount pricing
ends on July 10th so don’t delay!
https://wikimania2017.wikimedia.org/wiki/Registration
Draft Program for the Conference is Now Up!
https://wikimania2017.wikimedia.org/wiki/Programme
Deadline for Accommodation at the Headquarters hotel is June 22. See below!
Wikimania 2017 will be held August 9-13, 2017 in and around the Le Centre
Sheraton Montréal <https://wikimania2017.wikimedia.org/wiki/Venue>, in
Montréal,
Canada <https://wikimania2017.wikimedia.org/wiki/Montr%C3%A9al> The venue
will host most of the conference, hackathon, meetups, and pre-events. Most
of the WMF personnel and scholarship recipients will be housed there as
well. Those that submitted accepted talks for the program have been
notified and the agenda will be finalized in the next few weeks.
We would like to encourage all speakers and attendees to register early and
book their flight and travel as soon as possible. It is going to be a
very popular, busy summer in Canada this year because of the 150th
Anniversary
of Canada and the 375th Anniversary of Montréal.
If you wish to stay at the headquarters hotel and take advantage of our
discounted rate, the deadline is June 22. After that prices will be higher
and availability throughout the city limited. There is also a secondary
property close by that is holding rooms for us as well. See:
https://wikimania2017.wikimedia.org/wiki/Accommodation
If you have any questions with regard to the conference, please contact :
wikimania-info(a)wikimedia.org
We h
ope you can join us in Montréal this summer!
Ellie Young, WMF Events Manager
on behalf of the Wikimania ‘17 Organizing Team