3. Software
development
I am pretty sure it is an evidence to anyone that our software
development is much behind, not because of a lack of great ideas, but
rather of human power.
I would like to see this year a system implemented to collect technical
wishlists from each project; outreach to developer open-source
communities; a well-outlined technical roadmap, with goals, resources
and deadlines. And yeah, results. It might be worth also seeing how the
Foundation could help on the tool server side.
This is the best news I have read all week! Really, really fantastic.
No one has any complaints about the work our devs currently do, the
only problem is the volume (or lack of it).
I would also like to see a dedicated MediaWiki development fund that
people could choose to donate into rather than a general WMF fund. It
is strange how entwined WMF/MW are when MW is extensively used outside
WMF and WMF has no special dedication to only using MW.
There are many large companies and businesses that use MW. It seems to
me a lost opportunity if we don't give them the chance to donate to MW
if they are not prepared to donate to WMF-all funds.
Using software that doesn't receive substantial ongoing improvement
is, in the long term, potentially just as dangerous as some dramatic
unwelcome act (like placing advertisements). While in the latter case
the damage and loss would be fast, in the former, people and
enthusiasm just slowly wear away... like rot.
Good idea.
Are you thinking though, to a fund handled by Wikimedia Foundation, or
by another organization ? 'cause if funds are given to develop features
on MW that are of no special interest to wikimedia projects, it might
conflict with our mission.
Other than that, I certainly believe restricted donations are a good
idea to consider in the future.
7. Chapters
and general assembly
The relationship between chapters and Wikimedia Foundation has improved
over the past year. There are now guidelines for creation, some chapters
have received the permission to use trademarks within certain limits,
several chapters were created etc....
However, it is still not sufficient. My wishlist is that further work be
done to clarify relationships and lines of authority, and that a meeting
be held annually with the chapters. I had hoped this assembly would
occur in winter 2007, but this was delayed. I would like the board to
agree to a meeting with wmf and chapters in spring 2008.
I had an idea that there was going to be some sort of consultation
thing with the chapters (and potential chapters) about what they saw
as their role and relationship to WMF? Did that happen or is it still
planned?
The form has been finalized and handed out to the chapters. All chapters
have answered. Pat did a great job to aggregate results. Results have
been looked at by Sue, Delphine, Frieda, JB, Arne, et al in early
december, in Frankfurt.
I am not sure if aggregated results have been posted yet, but at least
some of the raw forms are on internal.
No precise steps have been formulated yet in answer to the consultation.
I expect it needs to be part of the action plan to be formulated for
february.
Thanks Brianna
Ant