Daniel Mayer wrote:
Wikilabs isn't needed at all due to the existence of Wikicities. After being hosted at Wikicities for some time we can then see if Wikibuilder is 1) a viable idea and 2) if it is something that will fit with our mandate.
I don't think this is a correct summary of the situation. If your statements were true they would beg the question why [[Proposals for new projects]] and [[New project policy]] exist at all on Wikimedia?
The goal of [[Wikibuilder]] would be to spread and promote knowledge of the built environment, a very laudable goal in my opinion. This clearly fits the criteria for proposing a new project under the the umbrella of the Wikimedia Foundation. And [[Wikilabs]], I'm suggesting, would be the perfect place for approved project proposals according to [[New project policy]].
[[Proposals for new projects]] clearly states that "Wikimedia is not a free hosting company for any kind of wikis. If your project doesn't fit the ideals of Wikimedia you are probably better off with a wiki hosting company such a http://wikidev.net or http://www.wikicities.com or hosting it on your own." Wikibuilder clearly fits the ideals of Wikimedia.
At the risk of sounding patronising--I really don't intend this to be--my guess is that you, along with many others involved, have a natural inclination to reject Wikibuilder as not fitting in because it's a not a conventional project along the lines of science or media, hence your comments that Wikicities is the correct venue, in seeming contradiction to [[Proposals for new projects]].
As I suggested in an earlier email an idea like Wikibuilder would benefit greatly from being developed by the Wikimedia Foundation. I doubt a conclusion of viability would ever be reached if Wikibuilder was started on Wikicities. My guess is such a project would languish and I, for one, would be very cautious about the amount of time I dedicated to such an effort (I would sooner see an entirely separate project set up).
And I certainly don't think Wikibuilder needs to be up and running _anywhere_ before a decision can be made with regards to Wikimedia's mandate. A comprehensive proposal is enough to make this decision.
Christiaan