Look at the data: http://fundraising.wikimedia.org/ongoing/index.php/2006-02/
Conclusions:
1. This notice is not an effective means at raising funds. 2. Having this notice up outside of the fund drives may have a serious negative impact on the fund drives. The next time it says, "Wikimedia needs your help" the new instinctive reaction is, "Oh, they're always asking for money". 3. If the individuals who maintain this notice insist on having it up all the time, then, again, just look at this data: http://fundraising.wikimedia.org/ongoing/index.php/2006-01/
The conclusion here is that Jimmy's personal appeal is FAR FAR more effective at raising funds.
Therefore: if enough people are insisting on keeping this notice up, AT LEAST change the link back to Jimmy's personal appeal until we find something else that is even more effective. Not doing so is only going to have a negative impact on long term fundraising for Wikimedia.
The personal appeal is well written, sincere, and effective. The general fundraising page leaves a lot to be desired. Also, we should set it up so that people can sign up for ongoing monthly donations, e.g. $10 taken out of my PayPal account or credit card each month.
Also, the notice itself, stating, "Pleas read founder Jimmy Wales personal appeal" is far more attractive to the majority of nonregistered wikipedia users.
There is a comment on http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=MediaWiki:Anonnotice&action=hi... by mav stating "(de-link month-old appeal as promised and replace with 'Your [continued donations] keep Wikipedia free!')"
I don't know where or to whom this was promised, and I can assure you that the majority of nonregistered users don't either.
-d
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