*The Hindu : "India is No.6 in donating to Wikipedia"* http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article1551986.ece (National story)
*Anyone who has used Wikipedia in the last few years would have noted a banner at the top of the page appealing for donations by Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales. One wondered who responded to such requests. Now, the Wikimedia Foundation says that in 2010, India ranked sixth in the list of countries from where individuals have donated amounts to the Wikipedia Foundation.* * * *According to the Foundation, of which Wikipedia is a part, people in India donated more than $193,000 (Rs. 87.33 lakh) in 2010. India is preceded only by the United States with $10,038,417 (Rs. 45.42 crore), Canada with $ 893,470 (Rs. 4.04 crore), Japan with $500,182 (Rs. 2.26 crore), Spain with $ 323,285 (Rs. 1.46 crore) and the United Kingdom with $ 207,157 (Rs. 93.74 lakh). Trailing behind India is Belgium with $162 (Rs. 7,322). These amounts do not include donations made by the country chapters of Wikipedia, which help in local fund-raising. They are purely contributions made by individuals directly to Wikipedia. In fact, India's Wikipedia chapter is in the process of being formed.* * * *“Imagine a website that appears within the top five websites in the world, which runs on just 60 full time employees. Compare it with other top websites. Isn't it great?” said Cherian Tinu Abraham, a Bangalore-based technology professional and Wikipedia administrator. ( http://www.alexa.com/topsites shows Wikipedia as one of top 10 websites.)* * * *Wikipedian [one who writes and edits the pages for Wikipedia unlike readers who merely read the articles] Arun Ram said, “I think the increased contributions from India this year is a welcome development. It is due to the very visible banner campaign on the main page, which had excellent recall amongst users.”* * * *Other factors for India's response include increased awareness with extensive media coverage this year of various (Wikipedia-related) events, visits, and meet ups. Plus, there has been the speculation over an India office.* * * *A look at the number of donors shows that the number of donors from India has been increasing steadily over the past few years. In 2007, India ranked 18 with $12,532 (Rs. 5.67 lakh) from 583 donors. In 2008, it ranked 15 with $38,776 (Rs. 17.55 lakh) from 1759 donors. In 2009, India ranked 16 with $52,156 (Rs. 23.60 lakh) from 2956 donors.* * * *Sreekanth R, a Chennai-based software engineer, who has been using the Wikipedia for six years, said he was motivated to contribute to Wikipedia after seeing Jimmy Wales's appeal in Wikipedia. “I instantly felt like contributing to Wikipedia as it is useful. Anyone can access it for free and there are no advertisements. It is much better than donating to a temple. It selflessly serves more people than anything else I know," he said.* * * *Mr. Abraham, who edits Wikipedia, said that it appeared to him it was more readers than Wikipedia editors who have donated to the Foundation*
Regards Tinu Cherian http://wikimedia.in/wiki/In_the_news
Hoi, As a result from this news item I blogged about it. My take on the news is that one aspect of the funds raised in India is also a sense of ownership is gained in this way. I love to learn if you agree with me. Thanks, GerardM
http://ultimategerardm.blogspot.com/2011/03/fundraising-in-india-ii.html
On 19 March 2011 04:34, CherianTinu Abraham tinucherian@gmail.com wrote:
*The Hindu : "India is No.6 in donating to Wikipedia"* http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article1551986.ece (National story)
*Anyone who has used Wikipedia in the last few years would have noted a banner at the top of the page appealing for donations by Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales. One wondered who responded to such requests. Now, the Wikimedia Foundation says that in 2010, India ranked sixth in the list of countries from where individuals have donated amounts to the Wikipedia Foundation.*
*According to the Foundation, of which Wikipedia is a part, people in India donated more than $193,000 (Rs. 87.33 lakh) in 2010. India is preceded only by the United States with $10,038,417 (Rs. 45.42 crore), Canada with $ 893,470 (Rs. 4.04 crore), Japan with $500,182 (Rs. 2.26 crore), Spain with $ 323,285 (Rs. 1.46 crore) and the United Kingdom with $ 207,157 (Rs. 93.74 lakh). Trailing behind India is Belgium with $162 (Rs. 7,322). These amounts do not include donations made by the country chapters of Wikipedia, which help in local fund-raising. They are purely contributions made by individuals directly to Wikipedia. In fact, India's Wikipedia chapter is in the process of being formed.*
*“Imagine a website that appears within the top five websites in the world, which runs on just 60 full time employees. Compare it with other top websites. Isn't it great?” said Cherian Tinu Abraham, a Bangalore-based technology professional and Wikipedia administrator. ( http://www.alexa.com/topsites shows Wikipedia as one of top 10 websites.)*
*Wikipedian [one who writes and edits the pages for Wikipedia unlike readers who merely read the articles] Arun Ram said, “I think the increased contributions from India this year is a welcome development. It is due to the very visible banner campaign on the main page, which had excellent recall amongst users.”*
*Other factors for India's response include increased awareness with extensive media coverage this year of various (Wikipedia-related) events, visits, and meet ups. Plus, there has been the speculation over an India office.*
*A look at the number of donors shows that the number of donors from India has been increasing steadily over the past few years. In 2007, India ranked 18 with $12,532 (Rs. 5.67 lakh) from 583 donors. In 2008, it ranked 15 with $38,776 (Rs. 17.55 lakh) from 1759 donors. In 2009, India ranked 16 with $52,156 (Rs. 23.60 lakh) from 2956 donors.*
*Sreekanth R, a Chennai-based software engineer, who has been using the Wikipedia for six years, said he was motivated to contribute to Wikipedia after seeing Jimmy Wales's appeal in Wikipedia. “I instantly felt like contributing to Wikipedia as it is useful. Anyone can access it for free and there are no advertisements. It is much better than donating to a temple. It selflessly serves more people than anything else I know," he said.*
*Mr. Abraham, who edits Wikipedia, said that it appeared to him it was more readers than Wikipedia editors who have donated to the Foundation*
Regards Tinu Cherian http://wikimedia.in/wiki/In_the_news
Wikimediaindia-l mailing list Wikimediaindia-l@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l
If the Indian chapter / Foundation will allow donations by Net banking, may be more people can donate.
Not all have credit card / Paypal.
Ravi
On 19 March 2011 04:34, CherianTinu Abraham tinucherian@gmail.com wrote:
*The Hindu : "India is No.6 in donating to Wikipedia"* http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article1551986.ece (National story)
Or may be by depositing donations in Indian chapter / Foundation's bank a/c...
On Sat, Mar 19, 2011 at 6:02 PM, Ravishankar ravidreams@gmail.com wrote:
If the Indian chapter / Foundation will allow donations by Net banking, may be more people can donate.
Not all have credit card / Paypal.
Ravi
On 19 March 2011 04:34, CherianTinu Abraham tinucherian@gmail.com wrote:
*The Hindu : "India is No.6 in donating to Wikipedia"* http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article1551986.ece (National story)
Wikimediaindia-l mailing list Wikimediaindia-l@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l
Ravi,
I concur. That has been my view as well.
Enabling payments through net banking will really see a lot more contributions. If the contribution level is where it is with just credit cards, things will only get better next year.
We should explore ways of enabling net banking transfers for next years fund raiser.
Regards Arun
On 19-Mar-2011, at 6:02 PM, Ravishankar ravidreams@gmail.com wrote:
If the Indian chapter / Foundation will allow donations by Net banking, may be more people can donate.
Not all have credit card / Paypal.
Ravi
On 19 March 2011 04:34, CherianTinu Abraham tinucherian@gmail.com wrote: The Hindu : "India is No.6 in donating to Wikipedia" http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article1551986.ece (National story)
Wikimediaindia-l mailing list Wikimediaindia-l@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l
Hoi, If the Dutch example is something to go by, being able to pay through electronic banking made a big difference in the Netherlands..
However, do you agree with me that being able to contribute to Wikipedia (financially or as an editor) is what it takes to give a sense of ownership? Thanks, GerardM
On 20 March 2011 04:06, Arun Ramarathnam arunram25@gmail.com wrote:
Ravi,
I concur. That has been my view as well.
Enabling payments through net banking will really see a lot more contributions. If the contribution level is where it is with just credit cards, things will only get better next year.
We should explore ways of enabling net banking transfers for next years fund raiser.
Regards Arun
On 19-Mar-2011, at 6:02 PM, Ravishankar ravidreams@gmail.com wrote:
If the Indian chapter / Foundation will allow donations by Net banking, may be more people can donate.
Not all have credit card / Paypal.
Ravi
On 19 March 2011 04:34, CherianTinu Abraham < tinucherian@gmail.com
tinucherian@gmail.com> wrote:
*The Hindu : "India is No.6 in donating to Wikipedia"* http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article1551986.ece http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article1551986.ece (National story)
Wikimediaindia-l mailing list Wikimediaindia-l@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l
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On Sun, Mar 20, 2011 at 12:22 PM, Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen@gmail.com
wrote:
However, do you agree with me that being able to contribute to Wikipedia (financially or as an editor) is what it takes to give a sense of ownership? Thanks, GerardM
I'm not sure that making a financial contribution necessarily gives a sense of ownership.
Several people regularly contribute to charities, for instance. Indians, in particular, contribute to religious charities (eg temple trusts, wakf etc) both in small amounts during visits and in larger sums.
Does that necessarily mean they feel a sense of ownership vis a vis the charity they contribute to? I'm not sure. I think people feel good about giving, but not sure that is a proxy for ownership. Some may, others may not; it may also vary with amount etc.
Best Bishakha
I agree with Bishakha.
People generally contribute money for causes they believe in but not necessarily part of.
Another interesting thing that I came across, while I was doing my background work for this story and talking to prolific editors and Wikipedians, I found out that less than 5 % of them actually donated money to Wikipedia ever. Of course they contribute their valuable time and knowledge to this beautiful project. For different people, it is different way of contributing.
Those who are donating money to Wikipedia are mostly readers, who possibly believe this project is useful for them and mankind. They also donate their money to this project because it is "owned by the public" and not by a company. How many of you would want to donate money to Google search however good it is and indispensable in every day life ?
Regards Tinu Cherian
On Sun, Mar 20, 2011 at 1:02 PM, Bishakha Datta bishakhadatta@gmail.comwrote:
On Sun, Mar 20, 2011 at 12:22 PM, Gerard Meijssen < gerard.meijssen@gmail.com> wrote:
However, do you agree with me that being able to contribute to Wikipedia (financially or as an editor) is what it takes to give a sense of ownership? Thanks, GerardM
I'm not sure that making a financial contribution necessarily gives a sense of ownership.
Several people regularly contribute to charities, for instance. Indians, in particular, contribute to religious charities (eg temple trusts, wakf etc) both in small amounts during visits and in larger sums.
Does that necessarily mean they feel a sense of ownership vis a vis the charity they contribute to? I'm not sure. I think people feel good about giving, but not sure that is a proxy for ownership. Some may, others may not; it may also vary with amount etc.
Best Bishakha
Gerard,
IMHO, someone feeling the need to see the WIkipedia main page or read content everyday and feels something is amiss if they don't, also has a sense of ownership. To have a sense of ownership one doesn't necessary need to contribute content or contribute financially.
I have met many people who have a warm fuzzy feeling for Wikipedia, read content every day in their tea break, who have never considered contributing content or money. They are quite happy with their daily experience of reading.
Surely contribution of content or money is a demonstration of ownership but probably not the only ones.
Regards Arun
On Sun, Mar 20, 2011 at 12:22 PM, Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen@gmail.com
wrote:
Hoi, If the Dutch example is something to go by, being able to pay through electronic banking made a big difference in the Netherlands..
However, do you agree with me that being able to contribute to Wikipedia (financially or as an editor) is what it takes to give a sense of ownership? Thanks, GerardM
On 20 March 2011 04:06, Arun Ramarathnam arunram25@gmail.com wrote:
Ravi,
I concur. That has been my view as well.
Enabling payments through net banking will really see a lot more contributions. If the contribution level is where it is with just credit cards, things will only get better next year.
We should explore ways of enabling net banking transfers for next years fund raiser.
Regards Arun
On 19-Mar-2011, at 6:02 PM, Ravishankar ravidreams@gmail.com wrote:
If the Indian chapter / Foundation will allow donations by Net banking, may be more people can donate.
Not all have credit card / Paypal.
Ravi
On 19 March 2011 04:34, CherianTinu Abraham < tinucherian@gmail.com
tinucherian@gmail.com> wrote:
*The Hindu : "India is No.6 in donating to Wikipedia"* http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article1551986.ece http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article1551986.ece (National story)
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