2010/9/21 Kerryn McKay kerryn@africancommons.org:

Hi David

This sounds fab and thanks to you and Derryn for creating buzz to both for Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Chapter process.

This translation-slash-training initiative might also be good to look at as the Chapter is being finalised - we had mentioned at the workshop that there could be some 'first' initiative coupled with a public launch.  Perhaps there is the possibility to do training and translation sprint exercise with the Mamelodi school kids and to get some funding to do this.  Funding for the logistics it takes (getting the learners a decent internet connection** for the day, assisting the Wikipedia 'volunteers' who would train and mentor on the day with transport and some prep fees etc). ** although the teacher says they have internet access, any bets that it is very poor and will crash with learners simultaneously getting online.  We've had this experience even at the pretty well-supported Cida City Campus in Joburg city centre. Connection kept dropping during the Wikipedia Training Academy!!

These are ideas at this point, but I know that Delphine and Bence were open to local Wikipedians proposing an initiative which the Foundation might be happy to support in some way.

Indeed, this is definitely the kind of initiative that the Foundation may want to support. At the top of my head (please bear with me, those are really at the top of my head and might make no sense at all), I'm thinking: - expenses for wikip/medians who would need to travel to do the workshop - rental of equipment if needed - printing of brochures/posters to adverise the workshop

etc.

Cheers,

Delphine

Thanks Nhlanhla!

I'm now waiting in excited anticipation for their offers to volunteer ;-)

Regards,

David

2010/9/22 Nhlanhla Mabaso nmabaso@gmail.com:

Hi David

You have just reminded me of how, during a Software Freedom Day celebration, some people started an initiative to translate software into local slang (tsotsitaal). Some of them are on this list and have a good command of Sepedi. Maybe they can assist.

Nhlx

2010/9/21 Delphine Ménard notafishz@gmail.com

...

2010/9/21 Kerryn McKay kerryn@africancommons.org:

...

Hi David

This sounds fab and thanks to you and Derryn for creating buzz to both for Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Chapter process.

This translation-slash-training initiative might also be good to look at as the Chapter is being finalised - we had mentioned at the workshop that there could be some 'first' initiative coupled with a public launch.  Perhaps there is the possibility to do training and translation sprint exercise with the Mamelodi school kids and to get some funding to do this.  Funding for the logistics it takes (getting the learners a decent internet connection** for the day, assisting the Wikipedia 'volunteers' who would train and mentor on the day with transport and some prep fees etc). ** although the teacher says they have internet access, any bets that it is very poor and will crash with learners simultaneously getting online. We've had this experience even at the pretty well-supported Cida City Campus in Joburg city centre. Connection kept dropping during the Wikipedia Training Academy!!

These are ideas at this point, but I know that Delphine and Bence were open to local Wikipedians proposing an initiative which the Foundation might be happy to support in some way.

Indeed, this is definitely the kind of initiative that the Foundation may want to support. At the top of my head (please bear with me, those are really at the top of my head and might make no sense at all), I'm thinking:

• expenses for wikip/medians who would need to travel to do the workshop
• rental of equipment if needed
• printing of brochures/posters to adverise the workshop

etc.

Cheers,

Delphine

~notafish

NB. This gmail address is used for mailing lists. Personal emails will get lost. Intercultural musings: Ceci n'est pas une endive - http://blog.notanendive.org

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WikimediaZA mailing list WikimediaZA@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaza

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WikimediaZA mailing list WikimediaZA@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaza

Hi all,

Sounds like a promising idea. As Kerryn and Delphine note, if you all are up for developing a grant around this concept. We would be happy to consider it for a grant (see http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Index) as we still have funding.

I would encourage you to think about the potential for "scale" in your outreach. This might involve some media work around the event or a "train the trainer" approach for teachers.

Kind regards, Barry

On 09/21/2010 11:20 PM, David Richfield wrote:

Thanks Nhlanhla!

I'm now waiting in excited anticipation for their offers to volunteer ;-)

Regards,

David

2010/9/22 Nhlanhla Mabasonmabaso@gmail.com:

...

Hi David

You have just reminded me of how, during a Software Freedom Day celebration, some people started an initiative to translate software into local slang (tsotsitaal). Some of them are on this list and have a good command of Sepedi. Maybe they can assist.

Nhlx

2010/9/21 Delphine Ménardnotafishz@gmail.com

...

2010/9/21 Kerryn McKaykerryn@africancommons.org:

...

Hi David

This sounds fab and thanks to you and Derryn for creating buzz to both for Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Chapter process.

This translation-slash-training initiative might also be good to look at as the Chapter is being finalised - we had mentioned at the workshop that there could be some 'first' initiative coupled with a public launch. Perhaps there is the possibility to do training and translation sprint exercise with the Mamelodi school kids and to get some funding to do this. Funding for the logistics it takes (getting the learners a decent internet connection** for the day, assisting the Wikipedia 'volunteers' who would train and mentor on the day with transport and some prep fees etc). ** although the teacher says they have internet access, any bets that it is very poor and will crash with learners simultaneously getting online. We've had this experience even at the pretty well-supported Cida City Campus in Joburg city centre. Connection kept dropping during the Wikipedia Training Academy!!

These are ideas at this point, but I know that Delphine and Bence were open to local Wikipedians proposing an initiative which the Foundation might be happy to support in some way.

Indeed, this is definitely the kind of initiative that the Foundation may want to support. At the top of my head (please bear with me, those are really at the top of my head and might make no sense at all), I'm thinking:

• expenses for wikip/medians who would need to travel to do the workshop
• rental of equipment if needed
• printing of brochures/posters to adverise the workshop

etc.

Cheers,

Delphine

~notafish

NB. This gmail address is used for mailing lists. Personal emails will get lost. Intercultural musings: Ceci n'est pas une endive - http://blog.notanendive.org

---

WikimediaZA mailing list WikimediaZA@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaza

---

WikimediaZA mailing list WikimediaZA@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaza

That sounds like a great idea.

I think the next step is for those interested to begin serious contemplation of this project, and how to take it further ito what is needed, implementation, stakeholders/ wikipedians involved and timing.

There are two options for timing: one would be to do the project now (ie before the end of the school year) but that means it needs to happen pretty quickly as schools (currently on holiday) will be going back in a week from now into the final term and teachers will be under pressure to get through the remaining curricula etc in time for November/ early December final exams.

Alternatively, the other option would be to wait until early next year when schools have opened up again after the December holidays.

There was the idea to have this happen whilst the Chapter is being incorporated - which should occur in the first quarter of 2011 if there are no set-backs - as this could that add some street-cred to the Chapter being established in the local context. Of course, the initiative is not just about the publicity as it has a solid education and development aspect to it. But it would help strengthen the message that could be spread by the media to corporates (potential funders?), and the public (potential wikimedians and volunteers) to see that there is activity already underway.

Food for thought. :)

Kerryn

* * * * KERRYN MCKAY director, The African Commons Project

email me at: kerryn@africancommons.org phone me: +2711 486 0211, cell: +27 82 334 6165, skype me: kerrynmac

On Fri, Sep 24, 2010 at 12:06 AM, Rasivhetshele Nesengani <rasi@mzanzi.co.za

wrote:

Hi All

I would be happy to look at the specification of how much bandwidth they might require/need. One might also find that the current internet connection may be sufficient if we implement some open source bandwidth management software.

regards Rasi

David Richfield wrote:

...

Hi all,

At Software Freedom Day I got some schoolkids from Mamelodi interested in the project, and they tried their hands at translating some English text into the Sepedi wikipedia incubator. They were very eager, and were intensely debating which word to use for which concept. We didn't get much done: only a paragraph or two, but I spoke to their computer studies teacher, and they have a computer lab with internet access, and she's willing to open it up for us on a Saturday, and the kids said they'd be happy to come in on a Saturday for the project. I still have to hear from her again, and I'll keep you all in the loop as things develop.

I'm happy to go there and facilitate, but if you have experience of this kind of thing, or know Sepedi, or have a clear idea of what the most urgent, achievable or useful articles would be, please help!

I've got a picture or two that I'll post later.

Regards,

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WikimediaZA mailing list WikimediaZA@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaza

2010/9/28 Ian Gilfillan wikimediaza@greenman.co.za:

David Richfield wrote:

...

At Software Freedom Day I got some schoolkids from Mamelodi interested in the project, and they tried their hands at translating some English text into the Sepedi wikipedia incubator.  They were very eager, and were intensely debating which word to use for which concept.  We didn't get much done: only a paragraph or two, but I spoke to their computer studies teacher, and they have a computer lab with internet access, and she's willing to open it up for us on a Saturday, and the kids said they'd be happy to come in on a Saturday for the project.  I still have to hear from her again, and I'll keep you all in the loop as things develop.

I'm happy to go there and facilitate, but if you have experience of this kind of thing, or know Sepedi, or have a clear idea of what the most urgent, achievable or useful articles would be, please help!

Great, that sounds very hopeful. If the students can remain active that may be enough to get the project bumped up to official status. Have you spoken to Mohau, or has he got hold of you? He's been keeping the Sepedi Wikipedia going almost single-handedly, and may know his way around best. He's on this list, but that's no guarantee he saw or read the mail. I've made the subject more descriptive to help :)

There's a list of "articles every Wikipedia should have" at http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/List_of_articles_every_Wikipedia_should_have but I'd ignore it, and just let the students be guided by their interest rather than try and force them to write "important" articles. I'm not sure getting someone to write about Verdi or Sarah Bernhardt is the way to go :)

More general things I'd suggest focusing on include getting people to register and log in rather than just edit anonymously (according to the tracker at http://toolserver.org/~pathoschild/catanalysis/?cat=0&title=wp/nso&w... no one has edited while logged in this month) and to be aware of interwiki language links.

Great suggestions, thanks for the input. I guess my next actions are:

* Call Gatang Comprehensive School up to re-establish contact with the teacher. * Contact Mohau (what are his details?)