Fwd: [Wikimedia-l] Preparing a proofreading contest for Wikisource's 10th aniversary

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Adam Morgan

18 Nov 2013 18 Nov '13

9:13 p.m.

On 11 November 2013 at 12:45:31 Richard Nevell < richard.nevell(a)wikimedia.org.uk> wrote:

...

Hi everyone, If there are volunteers interested in taking the lead on this, Wikimedia

...

are prepared to provide prize(s) and people outside the UK would be eligible. It's encouraging to see discussion about how to make the competition work. Richard

Well, I have a rough page set up for this at Wikisource:- http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Wikisource:Tenth_Anniversary_Contest I just need to know what Wikimedia UK is expecting here and what I should write for the prize(s) information. The initial idea was to award an e-reader to the winner (one that can read EPUBs, like a Kobo, which Wikisource produces directly). On the Wikisource mailing list some have said that this will put off entrants because those that lag behind, or don't join on, the first day have no incentive to continue. Amazon vouchers were suggested. There are possibilities for alternative prizes on top of just the straight winner (such as best in day/week, best on a particular text, etc). So, what sort of prizes does WMUK have in mind and are there any opinions on the prize-winning system (which does depend on the number of prizes). Also, is there anything WMUK can do to help promote this? The contest is supposed to start this Sunday (the project launched on 24 Nov 2003). Some extra notes: This is, again, a bit late notice and arranged in a hurry. I think it will work but, if nothing else, it will at least provide experience for any later competitions (such as the 2015 en.ws anniversary). The original idea was for just a week-long contest; currently I've set it for a full month but I'm thinking of splitting the difference at a fortnight. I've arranged for ten texts to form the competition, covering a few different areas and interests; most were already on Wikisource to start with but remain unfinished or unstarted. I've added some very basic guidance to the page, hopefully this makes sense to non-Wikisourcers but I would appreciate someone checking it. - Adam

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Richard Nevell

20 Nov 20 Nov

10:37 a.m.

I like your idea of the e-reader - a Kobo seems a good choice - and perhaps preferable to Amazon vouchers. If we scale down from an ereader for the overall winner, smaller prizes for the best of the week sounds like a nice idea. I'm not sure what thiese could be though, assuming that is a category which goes ahead. In terms of promoting the competition, WMUK has a blog and a Facebook page where it can be mentioned. Other chapters might pick up the Facebook post and share it. On 18 November 2013 21:13, Adam Morgan <wikisorcery(a)gmail.com> wrote:

...

On 11 November 2013 at 12:45:31 Richard Nevell < richard.nevell(a)wikimedia.org.uk> wrote:

Hi everyone, If there are volunteers interested in taking the lead on this,

Wikimedia UK

are prepared to provide prize(s) and people outside the UK would be eligible. It's encouraging to see discussion about how to make the competition

work.

Richard

Well, I have a rough page set up for this at Wikisource:- http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Wikisource:Tenth_Anniversary_Contest I just need to know what Wikimedia UK is expecting here and what I should write for the prize(s) information. The initial idea was to award an e-reader to the winner (one that can read EPUBs, like a Kobo, which Wikisource produces directly). On the Wikisource mailing list some have said that this will put off entrants because those that lag behind, or don't join on, the first day have no incentive to continue. Amazon vouchers were suggested. There are possibilities for alternative prizes on top of just the straight winner (such as best in day/week, best on a particular text, etc). So, what sort of prizes does WMUK have in mind and are there any opinions on the prize-winning system (which does depend on the number of prizes). Also, is there anything WMUK can do to help promote this? The contest is supposed to start this Sunday (the project launched on 24 Nov 2003). Some extra notes: This is, again, a bit late notice and arranged in a hurry. I think it will work but, if nothing else, it will at least provide experience for any later competitions (such as the 2015 en.wsanniversary). The original idea was for just a week-long contest; currently I've set it for a full month but I'm thinking of splitting the difference at a fortnight. I've arranged for ten texts to form the competition, covering a few different areas and interests; most were already on Wikisource to start with but remain unfinished or unstarted. I've added some very basic guidance to the page, hopefully this makes sense to non-Wikisourcers but I would appreciate someone checking it. - Adam _______________________________________________ Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l(a)wikimedia.org http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WMUK: http://uk.wikimedia.org

-- Richard Nevell Wikimedia UK +44 (0) 20 7065 0753 Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT. United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects). *Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.*

Craig Franklin

11:37 a.m.

Hi, I am the person referred to earlier that suggested offering a number of smaller prizes rather than one big prize, and suggesting that an eReader is probably not a great offering in this circumstance. This was in the context of WMAU fundinga prize for the competition. The full posting is here: http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaau-l/2013-November/003874.html I don't know about the UK, but I know that in Australia anyone that wants an eReader can get one cheaply at a discount department store. I think it would be far more effective an incentive to give out gift certificates instead, that way the winner can spend them on whatever they like. But, I'm still not seeing any strategy for promoting this to the wider community. As it is, as far as I can tell the only entrants will be Wikisource regulars and maybe curious people poached from other WM projects. If there was a strategy for pitching this to the general public as a recruitment drive I could see a link to movement goals which might justify spending money, but I don't see that this is a focus. The excitement of the tenth anniversary shouldn't lead to us spending money without first having a good business plan and justification. Cheers, Craig On 20 November 2013 20:37, Richard Nevell <richard.nevell(a)wikimedia.org.uk>wrote;wrote:

...

On 11 November 2013 at 12:45:31 Richard Nevell < richard.nevell(a)wikimedia.org.uk> wrote:

Hi everyone, If there are volunteers interested in taking the lead on this,

Wikimedia UK

are prepared to provide prize(s) and people outside the UK would be eligible. It's encouraging to see discussion about how to make the competition

work.

Richard

Well, I have a rough page set up for this at Wikisource:- http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Wikisource:Tenth_Anniversary_Contest I just need to know what Wikimedia UK is expecting here and what I should write for the prize(s) information. The initial idea was to award an e-reader to the winner (one that can read EPUBs, like a Kobo, which Wikisource produces directly). On the Wikisource mailing list some have said that this will put off entrants because those that lag behind, or don't join on, the first day have no incentive to continue. Amazon vouchers were suggested. There are possibilities for alternative prizes on top of just the straight winner (such as best in day/week, best on a particular text, etc). So, what sort of prizes does WMUK have in mind and are there any opinions on the prize-winning system (which does depend on the number of prizes). Also, is there anything WMUK can do to help promote this? The contest is supposed to start this Sunday (the project launched on 24 Nov 2003). Some extra notes: This is, again, a bit late notice and arranged in a hurry. I think it will work but, if nothing else, it will at least provide experience for any later competitions (such as the 2015 en.wsanniversary). The original idea was for just a week-long contest; currently I've set it for a full month but I'm thinking of splitting the difference at a fortnight. I've arranged for ten texts to form the competition, covering a few different areas and interests; most were already on Wikisource to start with but remain unfinished or unstarted. I've added some very basic guidance to the page, hopefully this makes sense to non-Wikisourcers but I would appreciate someone checking it. - Adam _______________________________________________ Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l(a)wikimedia.org http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WMUK: http://uk.wikimedia.org

Richard Nevell

12:36 p.m.

In the UK ereaders are about £50, which isn't too expensive, but is a reasonable value for a prize. Amazon vouchers are more flexible though. As far as drawing people in is concerned, a central notice for Wiki Loves Monuments worked well and involved a lot of people who had never uploaded photos before. Would that be worth considering here? Richard On 20 November 2013 11:37, Craig Franklin <cfranklin(a)wikimedia.org.au>wrote;wrote:

...

wrote:

On 11 November 2013 at 12:45:31 Richard Nevell < richard.nevell(a)wikimedia.org.uk> wrote:

Hi everyone, If there are volunteers interested in taking the lead on this,

Wikimedia UK

are prepared to provide prize(s) and people outside the UK would be eligible. It's encouraging to see discussion about how to make the competition

work.

Richard

Well, I have a rough page set up for this at Wikisource:- http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Wikisource:Tenth_Anniversary_Contest I just need to know what Wikimedia UK is expecting here and what I should write for the prize(s) information. The initial idea was to award an e-reader to the winner (one that can read EPUBs, like a Kobo, which Wikisource produces directly). On the Wikisource mailing list some have said that this will put off entrants because those that lag behind, or don't join on, the first day have no incentive to continue. Amazon vouchers were suggested. There are possibilities for alternative prizes on top of just the straight winner (such as best in day/week, best on a particular text, etc). So, what sort of prizes does WMUK have in mind and are there any opinions on the prize-winning system (which does depend on the number of prizes). Also, is there anything WMUK can do to help promote this? The contest is supposed to start this Sunday (the project launched on 24 Nov 2003). Some extra notes: This is, again, a bit late notice and arranged in a hurry. I think it will work but, if nothing else, it will at least provide experience for any later competitions (such as the 2015 en.wsanniversary). The original idea was for just a week-long contest; currently I've set it for a full month but I'm thinking of splitting the difference at a fortnight. I've arranged for ten texts to form the competition, covering a few different areas and interests; most were already on Wikisource to start with but remain unfinished or unstarted. I've added some very basic guidance to the page, hopefully this makes sense to non-Wikisourcers but I would appreciate someone checking it. - Adam _______________________________________________ Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l(a)wikimedia.org http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WMUK: http://uk.wikimedia.org

_______________________________________________ Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l(a)wikimedia.org http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WMUK: http://uk.wikimedia.org

Charles Matthews

12:51 p.m.

On 20 November 2013 12:36, Richard Nevell <richard.nevell(a)wikimedia.org.uk>wrote;wrote:

...

As far as drawing people in is concerned, a central notice for Wiki Loves Monuments worked well and involved a lot of people who had never uploaded photos before. Would that be worth considering here? Yes: given the "I would never have considered looking on Wikisource"

comment which is fairly standard, on other sister projects, it would make sense. Twitter, obviously. Charles

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Adam Morgan
Charles Matthews
Craig Franklin
Richard Nevell