I would like to say something. I don't wish to alienate the old board neither do many others. Yes ok, there were issues and we were all disappointed with the lack of noticeable advances, however, I think that we should simply move on from that. If those who took part previously wish to work together with us in making this chapter I see no reason why they cannot. I think that whilst our board deal with the company and charity status, the rest of us can get on with stuff that doesn't require us to be a company. Lets get some brain storming going, and lets not hold back with ideas. Lets just see what idea we have build on them and see where it takes us. I know that David gerard was working on a wikipedia for schools project. I'm unsure where that is in terms of progress. Any other long term ideas that we can get started on? _________________________________________________________________ Get all your favourite content with the slick new MSN Toolbar - FREE http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/111354027/direct/01/
2008/9/8 joseph seddon life_is_bitter_sweet@hotmail.co.uk:
I know that David gerard was working on a
wikipedia for schools project. I'm unsure where that is in terms of progress.
It's not mine, it's Andrew Cates' (User:BozMo) (cc'ed). It's going strong :-) It's pretty much the best practical realisation yet of "let's write an encyclopedia for people in poor countries who really need one." 2008 edition coming soon.
(Andrew, please join this list and comment! WMUK pushing the Schools Project is the sort of thing it'd be great for.)
- d.
I think that its not just one for people in poor countries. I think stable versions of the encyclopedia could be used in many schools within the UK. Versions could even be tailor made for various curriculum.> I know that David gerard was working on a> > wikipedia for schools project. I'm unsure where that is in terms of> > progress.> > > It's not mine, it's Andrew Cates' (User:BozMo) (cc'ed). It's going> strong :-) It's pretty much the best practical realisation yet of> "let's write an encyclopedia for people in poor countries who really> need one." 2008 edition coming soon.> > (Andrew, please join this list and comment! WMUK pushing the Schools> Project is the sort of thing it'd be great for.)> > > - d. _________________________________________________________________ Get all your favourite content with the slick new MSN Toolbar - FREE http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/111354027/direct/01/
2008/9/8 joseph seddon life_is_bitter_sweet@hotmail.co.uk:
I think that its not just one for people in poor countries. I think stable versions of the encyclopedia could be used in many schools within the UK. Versions could even be tailor made for various curriculum.
It's based on the English National Curriculum, so certainly. The point is, SOS Children put this together as an encyclopedia specifically for their *own* schools in poor countries. They're not just doing something they think might somewhat fit the idea, they're actually using it as a real encyclopedia.
- d.
I think that its not just one for people in poor countries. I think stable> > versions of the> > encyclopedia could be used in many schools within the UK. Versions could> > even be tailor> > made for various curriculum.> > > It's based on the English National Curriculum, so certainly. The point> is, SOS Children put this together as an encyclopedia specifically for> their *own* schools in poor countries. They're not just doing> something they think might somewhat fit the idea, they're actually> using it as a real encyclopedia.
Do you think that WMUK would be able to help? _________________________________________________________________ Discover Bird's Eye View now with Multimap from Live Search http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/111354026/direct/01/
2008/9/8 joseph seddon life_is_bitter_sweet@hotmail.co.uk:
It's based on the English National Curriculum, so certainly. The point is, SOS Children put this together as an encyclopedia specifically for their *own* schools in poor countries. They're not just doing something they think might somewhat fit the idea, they're actually using it as a real encyclopedia.
Do you think that WMUK would be able to help?
Certainly in publicity and lending the good name of Wikimedia locally.
- d.
It's based on the English National Curriculum, so certainly. The point> >> is, SOS Children put this together as an encyclopedia specifically for> >> their *own* schools in poor countries. They're not just doing> >> something they think might somewhat fit the idea, they're actually> >> using it as a real encyclopedia.> > > Do you think that WMUK would be able to help?> > > Certainly in publicity and lending the good name of Wikimedia locally.>
Anyway technically? _________________________________________________________________ Win New York holidays with Kellogg’s & Live Search http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/111354033/direct/01/
2008/9/8 joseph seddon life_is_bitter_sweet@hotmail.co.uk:
Do you think that WMUK would be able to help?
Certainly in publicity and lending the good name of Wikimedia locally.
Anyway technically?
If there's something they need WMUK can do!
It's largely worked on by the Wikipedia 1.0 wikiproject on en:wp.
- d.
Do you think that WMUK would be able to help?> > >> Certainly in publicity and lending the good name of Wikimedia locally.> > > Anyway technically?> > > If there's something they need WMUK can do!> > It's largely worked on by the Wikipedia 1.0 wikiproject on en:wp.
Prehaps working the WP:1.0 people would be a good start? _________________________________________________________________ Get all your favourite content with the slick new MSN Toolbar - FREE http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/111354027/direct/01/
On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 10:17 PM, David Gerard dgerard@gmail.com wrote:
2008/9/8 joseph seddon life_is_bitter_sweet@hotmail.co.uk:
It's based on the English National Curriculum, so certainly. The point is, SOS Children put this together as an encyclopedia specifically for their *own* schools in poor countries. They're not just doing something they think might somewhat fit the idea, they're actually using it as a real encyclopedia.
Do you think that WMUK would be able to help?
Certainly in publicity and lending the good name of Wikimedia locally.
I didn't even know this project existed! As a schoolteacher myself, i really should get involved.
Theresa
David Gerard wrote:
2008/9/8 joseph seddon life_is_bitter_sweet@hotmail.co.uk:
I think that its not just one for people in poor countries. I think stable versions of the encyclopedia could be used in many schools within the UK. Versions could even be tailor made for various curriculum.
It's based on the English National Curriculum, so certainly. The point is, SOS Children put this together as an encyclopedia specifically for their *own* schools in poor countries. They're not just doing something they think might somewhat fit the idea, they're actually using it as a real encyclopedia.
I am on the advisory board of a newly funded BECTA project (called the Schools Open Source Project) that would probably be able to make real use of this. The committee sits next on Oct 9th.
I'm also connected (in a lose way) to Schoolforge UK who may also be interested.
I'm also the service manager for a national advisory service with respect to open source software in HE and FE (not open content, but there are overlaps). It's unlikley that HE will be interested in this, but I imagine some FE colleges would.
I can't, personally, commit resources to the development of this. However, I will gladly act as an evangelist for such a worthy project.
Ross
2008/9/8 joseph seddon life_is_bitter_sweet@hotmail.co.uk:
I think that its not just one for people in poor countries. I think stable versions of the encyclopedia could be used in many schools within the UK. Versions could even be tailor made for various curriculum.
Absolutely. A lot of schools have very restricted internet access and block pretty much every site under the sun, sometimes including Wikipedia (or so I'm led to believe, the schools in my local area don't have it blocked, but I'm told others do), so being able to hand out an offline version to such schools would be very handy.
On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 10:30 PM, Thomas Dalton thomas.dalton@gmail.com wrote:
2008/9/8 joseph seddon life_is_bitter_sweet@hotmail.co.uk:
I think that its not just one for people in poor countries. I think stable versions of the encyclopedia could be used in many schools within the UK. Versions could even be tailor made for various curriculum.
Absolutely. A lot of schools have very restricted internet access and block pretty much every site under the sun, sometimes including Wikipedia (or so I'm led to believe, the schools in my local area don't have it blocked, but I'm told others do), so being able to hand out an offline version to such schools would be very handy.
However, handing out an offline version will give some schools who currently do not block Wikipedia a reason to do so :-( It's something to think about.
On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 10:30 PM, Thomas Dalton thomas.dalton@gmail.com wrote:> > 2008/9/8 joseph seddon life_is_bitter_sweet@hotmail.co.uk:> >> I think that its not just one for people in poor countries. I think stable> >> versions of the> >> encyclopedia could be used in many schools within the UK. Versions could> >> even be tailor> >> made for various curriculum.> >> > Absolutely. A lot of schools have very restricted internet access and> > block pretty much every site under the sun, sometimes including> > Wikipedia (or so I'm led to believe, the schools in my local area> > don't have it blocked, but I'm told others do), so being able to hand> > out an offline version to such schools would be very handy.> > However, handing out an offline version will give some schools who> currently do not block Wikipedia a reason to do so :-( It's something> to think about.
I would imagine that most kids in school would only get a small amount of time to edit wikipedia in school. I gather most kids who edit, edit from home. I think in terms of children's learning it would be advantageous to them. It may even get more kids involved in wikipedia in their later schooling years. I think that it would be easy to tailor articles for GCSE student's. Seen as GCSE's arnt exactly the most complex thing. I would say that the net gain by helping these kids, would outweigh any loos in editing time they would get from wiki. Also I do not think that it would result in too many further blockings. We could get in touch the education authorities of each county and discuss with them directly. Perhaps even specifically targeting those that block wikipedia. That would be the best damage limitation approach and increase the net gain from this.
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2008/9/9 Theresa Knott theresaknott@gmail.com:
However, handing out an offline version will give some schools who currently do not block Wikipedia a reason to do so :-( It's something to think about.
It's a very cut-down selection - 4000-odd articles and pictures. Mind you, that fills a DVD. (This gives you some idea how HUGE Wikipedia actually is. I still can't really say I have my head around its size, though I can quote numbers as well as anyone.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_CD_Selection http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Press_releases/SOSChildrenUK2007 http://schools-wikipedia.org/
- d.
Okay, David, I have joined this mail list. Thank you for the invitation.
For background, the 2007 Schools Wikipedia is a big success: it was distributed via (amongst others) the "hole in the wall" project for rural Indian kids, the Shuttleworth fundation to South Africa Schools, SOS Children offices in India, Pakistan and Southern Africa, various local Wikipedians who burned copies for local schools and its listed all over the place (e.g. local and state gov sites etc). It even had distributers in Australia and New Zealand. We given thousands of free downloads (we have moved this to Amazon's download service), and mailed just under two thousand DVDs on request to all over the world. Schools are running it on intranets and even running mirrors on school websites (google for "2007 schools wikipedia selection"). We do not have an accurate user count but are fairly confident it is well over a million users.
Even the online copy (which wasn't really the point) is rapidly moving up Alexa and will soon be the leading "checked content from Wikipedia online" site. Offline that's been us for quite a while.
The 2008/9 version will be available for general view for final checks next week and for download and DVD two weeks after this. The article list has gone up to 5400 articles with about 2000 added and 600 removed from the 2007 version as more relevant articles for kids have reached adequate quality thresholds. Pretty much all of them have been updated to more recent versions since the 2007 version. They will still be sorted by curriculum topics with some portal pages for curriculum subjects added. Still this will be free by any route. We might skip "Torrent" which wasn't a great success.
That do for now?
Andrew
On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 9:55 PM, David Gerard dgerard@gmail.com wrote:
2008/9/8 joseph seddon life_is_bitter_sweet@hotmail.co.uk:
I know that David gerard was working on a
wikipedia for schools project. I'm unsure where that is in terms of progress.
It's not mine, it's Andrew Cates' (User:BozMo) (cc'ed). It's going strong :-) It's pretty much the best practical realisation yet of "let's write an encyclopedia for people in poor countries who really need one." 2008 edition coming soon.
(Andrew, please join this list and comment! WMUK pushing the Schools Project is the sort of thing it'd be great for.)
- d.
2008/9/9 Andrew Cates Andrew@soschildren.org:
Okay, David, I have joined this mail list. Thank you for the invitation.
[snip]
That do for now?
Excellent stuff. Anything WM UK can do to help once we're up and running? Distributing it to UK schools, obviously, but anything else?
Thomas,
I am sure that WM UK could help. Please excuse my stupidity and give me a little while to work out exactly who is on WM UK before I suggest more.
Clearly, any kind of contacts with technical or schools journalists would be good: we will send out review copies (probably on USB drives). WMF are supporting the launch with quotes etc.
Andrew
On Tue, Sep 9, 2008 at 11:10 AM, Thomas Dalton thomas.dalton@gmail.com wrote:
2008/9/9 Andrew Cates Andrew@soschildren.org:
Okay, David, I have joined this mail list. Thank you for the invitation.
[snip]
That do for now?
Excellent stuff. Anything WM UK can do to help once we're up and running? Distributing it to UK schools, obviously, but anything else?
Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_UK http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l
I am sure that WM UK could help. Please excuse my stupidity and give me a little while to work out exactly who is on WM UK before I suggest more.
There are no official members yet since it's still in the planning stage. We have a list of interested people at http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_UK_v2.0
Clearly, any kind of contacts with technical or schools journalists would be good: we will send out review copies (probably on USB drives). WMF are supporting the launch with quotes etc.
Liaising with the press is certainly something WM UK could do.
On Tue, September 9, 2008 16:07, Thomas Dalton wrote:
Liaising with the press is certainly something WM UK could do.
Actually, it is something that we *already* do, and have done successfully for a long time. sfaiaa both David and I get daily calls and emails from the press and respond in a timely manner to them and continue to do so.
(We also get an absolute ton of spam which, once a newer WMUK is actually running I will be *very* happy to direct to someone else!)
A 'WMUK' currently exists, but the people who have done the work over the past 2½+ years (and who actively welcomed questions and comment rather than saying <quote>"You have no right to demand anything of the volunteers doing the hard graft in getting this set up. We accept and welcome the involvement of anyone that is interested, but it is your responsibility to get involved."</quote>) have realised that a new team without the history closely associated with their efforts is now required.
Regards
Alison
2008/9/9 Alison Wheeler wikimedia@alisonwheeler.com:
On Tue, September 9, 2008 16:07, Thomas Dalton wrote:
Liaising with the press is certainly something WM UK could do.
Actually, it is something that we *already* do, and have done successfully for a long time. sfaiaa both David and I get daily calls and emails from the press and respond in a timely manner to them and continue to do so.
Both our numbers are in way too many media directories and are likely to stay there. (Both as "WMUK" and "UK volunteer contact for WMF"; journalists don't care about the distinction, just as long as the person on the other end is helpful and quotable.)
I've already said to Thomas I'm quite happy to continue to have my number (07733 223 584! There it is!) bandied about the whole Internet (you'd be surprised how few crank calls I get ... the last one was when someone Rickrolled me by phone several weeks ago) - though I'm currently in a Volunteerism Addiction Denial Phase so unlikely to put my head on the block for the new board as such ;-) So WMUK2 should have a chair willing to answer silly calls (always a good idea) and say the same standard phrases over and over.
- d.
It might be worth just getting a seperate PAYG sim and a cheapy fone.
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 18:10:49 +0100> From: dgerard@gmail.com> To: wikimediauk-l@lists.wikimedia.org> Subject: Re: [Wikimediauk-l] Long Term Projects> > 2008/9/9 Alison Wheeler wikimedia@alisonwheeler.com:> > On Tue, September 9, 2008 16:07, Thomas Dalton wrote:> > >> Liaising with the press is certainly something WM UK could do.> > > Actually, it is something that we *already* do, and have done successfully> > for a long time. sfaiaa both David and I get daily calls and emails from> > the press and respond in a timely manner to them and continue to do so.> > > Both our numbers are in way too many media directories and are likely> to stay there. (Both as "WMUK" and "UK volunteer contact for WMF";> journalists don't care about the distinction, just as long as the> person on the other end is helpful and quotable.)> > I've already said to Thomas I'm quite happy to continue to have my> number (07733 223 584! There it is!) bandied about the whole Internet> (you'd be surprised how few crank calls I get ... the last one was> when someone Rickrolled me by phone several weeks ago) - though I'm> currently in a Volunteerism Addiction Denial Phase so unlikely to put> my head on the block for the new board as such ;-) So WMUK2 should> have a chair willing to answer silly calls (always a good idea) and> say the same standard phrases over and over.> > > - d.> > _______________________________________________> Wikimedia UK mailing list> wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org> http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_UK%3E http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l
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On Tue, September 9, 2008 18:20, joseph seddon wrote:
It might be worth just getting a seperate PAYG sim and a cheapy fone.
"I do this" and have a separate mobile, though it doesn't stop people tracking down my other numbers too. Unlike David I occasionally get calls from the, um, "tinfoil hat brigade" though.
Alison
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1
David Gerard wrote:
2008/9/9 Alison Wheeler wikimedia@alisonwheeler.com:
On Tue, September 9, 2008 16:07, Thomas Dalton wrote:
Liaising with the press is certainly something WM UK could do.
Actually, it is something that we *already* do, and have done successfully for a long time. sfaiaa both David and I get daily calls and emails from the press and respond in a timely manner to them and continue to do so.
Both our numbers are in way too many media directories and are likely to stay there. (Both as "WMUK" and "UK volunteer contact for WMF"; journalists don't care about the distinction, just as long as the person on the other end is helpful and quotable.)
I've already said to Thomas I'm quite happy to continue to have my number (07733 223 584! There it is!) bandied about the whole Internet (you'd be surprised how few crank calls I get ... the last one was when someone Rickrolled me by phone several weeks ago) - though I'm currently in a Volunteerism Addiction Denial Phase so unlikely to put my head on the block for the new board as such ;-) So WMUK2 should have a chair willing to answer silly calls (always a good idea) and say the same standard phrases over and over.
David is a highly active member of Comcom in his own right, and regularly corresponds on behalf of the foundation as well...
- -- Cary Bass Volunteer Coordinator
Your continued donations keep Wikipedia running! Support the Wikimedia Foundation today: http://donate.wikimedia.org Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Phone: 415.839.6885 x 601 Fax: 415.882.0495
E-Mail: cary@wikimedia.org
Both our numbers are in way too many media directories and are likely to stay there. (Both as "WMUK" and "UK volunteer contact for WMF"; journalists don't care about the distinction, just as long as the person on the other end is helpful and quotable.)
I've already said to Thomas I'm quite happy to continue to have my number (07733 223 584! There it is!) bandied about the whole Internet (you'd be surprised how few crank calls I get ... the last one was when someone Rickrolled me by phone several weeks ago) - though I'm currently in a Volunteerism Addiction Denial Phase so unlikely to put my head on the block for the new board as such ;-) So WMUK2 should have a chair willing to answer silly calls (always a good idea) and say the same standard phrases over and over.
David is a highly active member of Comcom in his own right, and regularly corresponds on behalf of the foundation as well...
Indeed. As I understand it, that pre-dates the founding of WM UK v1.0 even, and I'm sure it will continue long after it's winding up. If the decision falls to me, I'm happy for David to continue as a non-trustee press contract for v2.0 if he's happy to do it. I expect the new chair will end up answering a fair few calls as well. I've been thinking much the same as Seddon, a cheap "official" phone may be a good idea - it would allow for an appropriate voice mail message and makes reimbursing the chair for phone expenses far easier.
2008/9/9 Cary Bass cary@wikimedia.org:
David is a highly active member of Comcom in his own right, and regularly corresponds on behalf of the foundation as well...
"What's your title?" "*Volunteer* UK media contact." They always leave that bit out ... but I haven't grievously embarrassed the Foundation in three or four years, so I expect I'll keep the job ;-)
- d.
2008/9/9 David Gerard dgerard@gmail.com:
2008/9/9 Cary Bass cary@wikimedia.org:
David is a highly active member of Comcom in his own right, and regularly corresponds on behalf of the foundation as well...
"What's your title?" "*Volunteer* UK media contact." They always leave that bit out ... but I haven't grievously embarrassed the Foundation in three or four years, so I expect I'll keep the job ;-)
Well thats your story. We never did find out what the heck the sun was going on about with regards to their article on our [[List of big-bust models and performers]].
At 18:10 +0100 9/9/08, David Gerard wrote:
2008/9/9 Alison Wheeler wikimedia@alisonwheeler.com:
On Tue, September 9, 2008 16:07, Thomas Dalton wrote:
Liaising with the press is certainly something WM UK could do.
Actually, it is something that we *already* do, and have done successfully for a long time. sfaiaa both David and I get daily calls and emails from the press and respond in a timely manner to them and continue to do so.
Both our numbers are in way too many media directories and are likely to stay there. (Both as "WMUK" and "UK volunteer contact for WMF"; journalists don't care about the distinction, just as long as the person on the other end is helpful and quotable.)
I've already said to Thomas I'm quite happy to continue to have my number (07733 223 584! There it is!) bandied about the whole Internet (you'd be surprised how few crank calls I get ... the last one was when someone Rickrolled me by phone several weeks ago) - though I'm currently in a Volunteerism Addiction Denial Phase so unlikely to put my head on the block for the new board as such ;-) So WMUK2 should have a chair willing to answer silly calls (always a good idea) and say the same standard phrases over and over.
- d.
David,
Please keep up the good work. I would miss your dulcet tones on Radio 4...
Gordo
2008/9/9 Thomas Dalton thomas.dalton@gmail.com:
Clearly, any kind of contacts with technical or schools journalists would be good: we will send out review copies (probably on USB drives). WMF are supporting the launch with quotes etc.
Liaising with the press is certainly something WM UK could do.
My phone number was on the 2007 press release, though I got no calls. Obviously we can be a bit more proactive this year since we have a good idea it'll be a popular item.
- d.
Andrew Cates wrote:
Thomas,
I am sure that WM UK could help. Please excuse my stupidity and give me a little while to work out exactly who is on WM UK before I suggest more.
Clearly, any kind of contacts with technical or schools journalists would be good: we will send out review copies (probably on USB drives). WMF are supporting the launch with quotes etc.
Andrew,
I think my mail went to the list before you arrived so I'll mention a few potential points for collaboration here (sorry to duplicate for everyone else). I'll let someone else tell you about WM UK, I'm very new here.
With respect to "contacts with technical or schools journalists". I'm not a journalist (although I have a small number of connections in that area and have already forwarded your mail to a couple that may be interested).
Instead I would like to highlight a few of my day job activities as they are relevant to the WIkimedia Schools project and, potentially, to WM-UK.
Here in the UK there is an new project funded by BECTA [1] to collate materials relating to open source for UK Schools (not open content, but I think the overlap is strong enough in this case). The project is callend Schools Open Source Project and is only a couple of months old. They do not have a public site yet.
I'm a member of their advisory committee and would be happy to make them aware of your work at the next meeting (Oct 9th). I'm thinking they would be an excellent vehicle to raise awareness of your work in UK schools.
I'm also the service manage of OSS Watch [2], a JISC [3] funded national advisory service to UK Higher and Further Education sector. Most of our activites are related to IPR management and open source project sustainability. However, I think we would be able to spin the open source angle of your work to make it suitable for our audience (we already carry a case study on MediaWiki so it would be a good complement to that).
I doubt HE would be very intested in your work, but I'm pretty sure some of the FE colleges would be.
OSS Watch would be really happy to commission an article about your project (and any other similar work using open source software). If you are interested please contact us via info@oss-watch.ac.uk mentioning that I suggested you contact our content editor to discuss our requirements and payment schedule (you can copy some of this email of course).
NB others with good writing skills and an idea for a case study are welcome to propose it to info@oss-watch.ac.uk (perhaps someone would like to do something as a fund raiser for set-up costs of WM-UK).
Furthermore, we are always looking for decent giveaways for conferences and the like. Would you be in the position to sell us a number of the USB keys pre-loaded with the 2008 version?
Finally, do you have any case studies or similar materials that you use to promote your work? We'd be very happy to carry them on our website.
If we may be able to do to help in some other way please feel free to contact us via info@oss-watch.ac.uk.
Of course, I'm hanging around here until I figure out if we can help WM UK too, so I'll be watching any plans that emerge here.
Ross
[1] http://www.becta.org.uk/ [2] http://www.oss-watch.ac.uk [3] http://www.jisc.ac.uk
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