On 05/03/2008, Dan Rosenthal swatjester@gmail.com wrote:
Some would contest whether that's a smart idea.
Some being who, Dan - you? If you then why not just say that.
Do we want WMF to be the "Red Cross for information"? Or just the glorified web-host? It seems to me the community has implicitly accepted the Red Cross route, because the Foundation has massively expanded and professionalised (not to mention moved across the country) without uproarious complaint. The glorified web-host wouldn't need to do these things.
To say of Wikimedia "this is an internet site" is a big disservice to volunteers. "An internet site" is only the beginning of what it is.
If you disagree that there are huge benefits from face-to-face meetings, that have no virtual substite, then I suppose nothing would convince you on that point.... but it is utterly remarkable and worthwhile and necessary. Not every month. But from time to time.
I am grateful and pleased that the Foundation takes its commitment to being a worldwide organisation seriously. It really shows respect for the community. That's necessarily going to mean more travel than other not for profits that don't have such a global angle.
And while the Foundation has a big travel budget, it's still a small fraction of the total budget, which is dominated by Acceptable Tech Stuff.
Brianna