On Saturday 26 October 2002 08:57 am, Elian wrote:
Erik Moeller <erik_moeller(a)gmx.de> writes:
Besides, in both cases, I really don't see
what the big deal is.
The big deal is: Do you see Wikipedia as a bunch of separate language
projects which don't need a common frontpage or do you see it as a
multilingual united project?
We are a multilingual project, but we aren't at the "multilingual _unified_
project" stage yet. However, we are moving in that direction. When we do
become such a project by combining the separate encyclopedia databases and
wikis into one encyclopedia database and one wiki that is just organized by
language, then it would make perfect sense to have one page for the whole
project. A static front page for a wiki also sends the wrong message in
general (this is different and IMO much more harmful than having a protected
wiki front page).
So as we continue to work on the eventual layout of a unified multilingual
front page for the whole project and work towards a multilingual Phase IV, we
should implement the browser language "sniffer and redirect" idea.
The next thing we could do is enhance the language sniffer idea with the
previous suggestion for a HTML heading frame that allows for enhanced
interlanguage navigation for anybody entering through
www.wikipedia.org.
Then by the time Phase IV rolls out we should have a pretty neat and very
useful multilingual front page, a combined Recent Changes, search, random
page function and login all at
www.wikipedia.org. We could even write-up a
multilingual press release stating "Wikipedia goes fully multilingual".
www.wikipedia.org is very important and valuable real estate. We should work
towards the best use for it and not do anything too hastily.
Patience grasshopper.
-- Daniel Mayer (aka mav)