On Thu, Jan 3, 2013 at 6:25 PM, Noopur <noopur.raval@gmail.com> wrote:

The same question could be asked of any collective with a Wikipedia related goal. However, it could also be asked if in the Wikiverse (which supremely thrives on the value of collaborative work), it is inappropriate or redundant to form new collaboratives (like MediaWiki group or other specific focus groups) that are outside the purview of chapters or the Foundation for that matter. My hunch is that the formation of such any formal/informal group of this nature is welcome as long as it does not enter into trademark conflicts with existing entities. However, it beats me why there would be a need to consolidate a new collective within a chapter if there is no apparent need indicated by the group itself.

I am just wondering whether the ideal approach would be to propose the nature of support that the chapter can extend in stead of wondering why the group has not been merged or started by/within chapter members. This would probably also mislead enthusiastic Indian Wikipedians who are not chapter members to understand that they must streamline all their activities with existing formal entities.

Best,
Noopur

On Thu, Jan 3, 2013 at 6:05 PM, Srikanth Ramakrishnan <srik.ramk@wikimedia.in> wrote:

Noopur,
Thank you for your response,
However, you still haven't answered my question on what benefit a User Group has over Chapter SIG.

The Chapter was set up to help promote and streamline Wikimedia related activities in India.
We have been asked by affcom and your response would greatly help us understand why direct affiliation is really necessary.

It is more important to see what the long term benefits of this would be rather than to just create it because the option exists.
--

On Sat, Dec 29, 2012 at 5:46 PM, Noopur <noopur.raval@gmail.com> wrote:

Hey Srikanth,

Just weighing in since I also happen to be supporting this process. Perhaps a little background is necessary to know why MediaWiki groups have been started as an initiative. Also copying Quim since he might be able to shed more light on this issue. As I understand from the proposal page, this is a part of the new direction taken by the Foundation since the "narrowed focus..." It was suggested that more impetus be given to help build and support technical volunteer groups just like all cities and countries have their Wikipedia, Commons and other communities of interested volunteers.

I am also witness to an IRC conversation where possibilities of setting up local groups versus national were considered. As the highlighted in the discussion, I believe that it would be best for volunteers to work in local proximal groups (like MediaWiki group - Ahmedabad for instance) also with a language focus possibly (like several gadgets have been added to Gujarati Wikipedia as a run up to the group and so on). I believe the MediaWiki India mailing list which hopes to link up communities across the country is up and running now. As far as I understand forming specific interest groups doesn't require a formal identity or does not encroach upon other parallel entities' activities or privileges.

Just trying to fill the gaps since you might not have the background on MediaWiki groups conversations. Maybe Quim can correct me if I a mistaken.

Best,
Noopur

On Sat, Dec 29, 2012 at 5:24 PM, Srikanth Ramakrishnan <srik.ramk@wikimedia.in> wrote:
Hi Harsh,
I have a few questions.
Was there any specific reason to go for a Separate MW Group? Is it due to legal/trademark issues or funding?
I'm sure that those two could be sorted if it were taken up by the Chapter similar to an SIG model.

On Fri, Dec 14, 2012 at 3:08 PM, Harsh Kothari <harshkothari410@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear friends,

This is to inform you all about the creation of the first MediaWiki group in India. For the past several days, I’ve been speaking to Quim Gil, Sumana and Yuvi Panda. I was informed about the setting up of local groups in different countries for technical contributors. With encouragement from all of them and with help from Noopur I submitted a proposal for the formation of MediaWiki Group Ahmedabad. This proposal has been endorsed by 7 people so far.

For those who might be interested in setting up similar groups, I think a Wikitech mailing list for India is being set up and personally, I would be happy to help you write a proposal for your community. I think it’s a great idea because with the help of this technical group we intend to make good technical infrastructure and editing environment for Gujarati Wikipedia easier to contribute to.

I have already ported HotCat and Popups(on the way) on Gujarati Wikipedia. Please have a look at the areas we want to collaborate on:

Areas of collaboration:

Localize Gadgets for Gujarati Wikipedia and Wikisource

Create New Gadgets and extensions

Bug solving for Gujarati Wikipedia and WikiSource and also other MediaWiki related Bug solving for all Indian languages

Translate into Gujarati Language, i.e http://translatewiki.net/

Wikidata

You can read the proposal here: https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Groups/Proposals/Ahmedabad

Your endorsements, improvements and feedback are welcome at the wiki
page. Thank you!

Harsh Kothari

PS: see also http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Groups/Proposals

---
Harsh Kothari
Research Fellow,
Physical Research Laboratory(PRL).
Ahmedabad.

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Srikanth Ramakrishnan
Member of the Executive Committee
Wikimedia Chapter [India]

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Srikanth Ramakrishnan

Member of the Executive Committee

Wikimedia Chapter [India]