I think this idea doesn't deserve such an answer, but hey I asked for it: 1) I have not said that it should be the only way of funding, I think it would help though as one out of the several funding possibilities to generate the amount of cash, which you envision. 2) Communities have to grow. This was the same with Wikipedia, Wikibooks and so on. I don't see why a Fanpedia would not grow. 3) Fanstuff is a part of Wikipedia. There are people fully devoted to these mini-projects, they would move to the new project, even more when they share the same ideals as we have. 4) I have no idea how much cash it could or would generate. People involved in Wikia might have an answer though. 5) Until now I have heared answers why it would not work, but not much answers which say what *would* work to raise to at least 1.5 million per fundraiser. There are not many acceptable ideas, are there? I see your point in the necessity of loads of money, but there must be alternatives for advertising on all projects.
This is the core of the proposal: we have one project which generates cash so the other projects can be funded without advertising. It doesn't have to be fanstuff, but that is popular and will generate a lot of traffic and therefore money. It might also help keep editors who have a problem with advertising on the projects.
I still don't understand the problems and would like to ask if we could make a pilot-project. Let's say on the dutch projects and then see how this would develop.
Kind regards Londenp
2007/1/7, Gerard Meijssen gerard.meijssen@gmail.com:
Hoi, In your assertion that Wikia is doing good with this way of funding, you immediately indicate what the problem is with the proposal; it is being done and quiet successfully by others (not only Wikia). The problem with the proposal is also that in order to benefit from the proposal, the WMF has to seriously invest in these projects. It must because this is then how we make some of our money. The people who are not interested in the "fanstuff" will not be interested in doing this and seriously, why would the people who ARE interested in this stuff be willing to work on this; the Wikipedia crowd exorcised them into another project? Why should they be willing to do profit the WMF, when they can go elsewhere to nice established communities..
We know how much money the Foundation needs.. It needs $1.500.000,- at this moment in time.. Do you really think the fanstuff proposal will make us the money that will be sufficient for the /increased /need for money of the Foundation that is the consequence of the growth of its projects?? This does not even consider the investments we would like to make to make a difference in other ways (administrative for instance) If you think the scheme will work for all this, please show us the math.
You explicitly asked for people to consider the proposal.. Sorry, to be this dismissive.
Thanks, GerardM
Peter van Londen schreef:
GerardM and community
I do agree with your view. I also think that lack of funds is a serious issue and I don't thank the opposition to have achieved not doing more matching donations this fundraiser.
I do disagree with you that there is no serious alternative. There is
and it
is brought up in a separate thread by Teun Spaans (
http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/foundation-l/2007-January/026545.html ).
It is a separate project aimed at publishing fanstuff with adds (which
is
now part a popular part of every Wikipedia), so that the other projects
can
do without adds and we still have money to fund all projects and indeed expand on some further ideas.
I don't understand that not more persons seem to be willing to judge on
this
idea? I don't care if thorough consideration will have a negative
outcome,
if there would be enough reason no to have a Fanpedia, but it is an alternative!! And until know it seems to be discarded. Please think
about it
and comment on that idea, it is worth considering. It seems that Wikia
is
doing good with this way of funding.
Kind regards Londenp
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