-----Original Message-----
From: Gordon Joly [mailto:gordon.joly@pobox.com]
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2007 9:46 AM
Subject: RE: [Wikimediauk-l] Editors' exclusion due to privacy
[Snip]
Two points
1) You are representing the views of others, and I am not sure you
have that right. Especially since there are anonymous, and are not
acting as a single body.
2) Wikimedia UK is about sending money to Foundation. One of the
reasons I left (days before the legal incorporation) was that I was
interested in research and education, but the Chapters are primarily
(but not only) about getting the tax back on donations. I can form a
charity called "Wiki Research, Education and Training Ltd" and not
use the trade marks of the foundation. And I could do that in a few
weeks.
It's hard to see either of those as good quality answers.
"Representing" is an unhelpful word here. To note a situation, and comment
that it merits review is not the same as representing anonymous editors per
se. The situation exists, and it's extremely likely that a significant
number of those who would wish to be involved as members will be affected by
it. Drawing attention to a problem or situation is not the same as claiming
to be some form of unelected spokesperson. I've not claimed the latter; I've
only spoken as someone who wishes to be involved, and can conceive that this
will be a barrier for some that should be removed so that Wiki-supporters
valuing online-anonymity in the UK may do so freely without avoidable
exclusion.
With regard to your second point, yes you can, but you didn't, and the
likelihood is others wouldn't either, for similar reasons. Realistically "
in that case set up your own supporting body" is going to exclude most
people too. Very few will set up a body, compared to the many who might
join a pre-existing, already-organized body. In either case both Wikimedia
UK and bona fide dedicated editors lose out.
To recap on the matter as in my previous comment:
Given how many UK-based editors continue to edit
anonymously, the
assumption must be that a significant number of those who would
wish fully
to be members of Wikimedia UK and might contribute well (and wish to) as
members, will avoid doing so to save their anonymity (if this is not
considered carefully), and may, if limited in how much they are permitted to
be involved, feel excluded. If it's unavoidable, then so be it... but it's
definitely worth exploring from a point of view of "how can we help and
involve them as much as possible", not just "why would they care, and why
should we".
I don't think consistently looking for reasons to _justify_
exclusion/suspicion is as helpful a viewpoint as looking for ways to
_support inclusion_ (so far as practical) of one's own
wiki*.org peer group
-- the people who actually write the reference pages which Wikimedia is
intended to financially support -- and some of whom may just want to give
more without feeling excluded.