*Registration for the 2025 Wikimedia Hackathon is now open! *
*(with apologies for cross-posting)*
The annual Wikimedia Hackathon
<https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Hackathon_2025> is organized by
the Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/> in
collaboration with Wikimedia User Group Turkey (WMTR)
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Community_User_Group_Turkey> and
will be taking place in Istanbul, Turkey, from May 2nd through May 4th,
2025 at the Renaissance Polat Istanbul Hotel
<https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/istrn-renaissance-polat-istanbul-hote…>
.
The Hackathon is an on-site, in-person event. Those people who cannot
attend the Hackathon in-person will be able to follow some of the program
content online, but should not register using the link provided below. More
information will be provided closer to the event on how to participate
remotely. Registration will be open until mid April 2025, or until we reach
event capacity.
The Hackathon event is free for all* to attend *and each person that
attends the Hackathon is required to register.
- Catering (lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks) will be provided during the
event.
- Covid-related equipment will also be available upon request (e.g. self
test kits and masks).
- We’ll have discounted room codes for those that want to stay at the hotel
venue, to be announced in the coming weeks.
- Check if your passport is up to date and if you will need a visa (or an
e-visa) to travel to Turkey, citizens of most countries can apply for an e-visa
online <https://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa>.
Participants are expected to book their own travel arrangements and
accommodation. However, the Wikimedia Foundation is offering to take care
of travel and accommodation for a limited number of scholars and you will
be able to apply for a scholarship during the registration process.
Scholarship applicants - please note:
-
*Scholarship application and Wikimedia Foundation staff sponsorship will
only be available to request until December 10th, 2024. *
-
Priority will be given to scholars who can mentor or support in areas
of high demand and staff with ambitious or impactful projects.
-
Those that have requested a scholarship or sponsorship will be notified
by mid to late December 2024 about the status of their application.
-
All scholarships provided will adhere to the WMF travel policy
<https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Policy:Scholarship_travel_policy>
guidelines.
*Scholarship to this event will cover:*
-
Roundtrip airfare between your city of residence and Istanbul, Turkey -
arriving on May 1, 2025 and departing on May 5, 2025.
-
Private accommodation at the conference hotel for up to 4 nights
-
Medical Insurance Coverage for any scholars traveling outside of their
home country. (Scholars local to Turkey will need to use their regular
insurance coverage.).
-
Airport transfers between the Istanbul Airport (IST) and the conference
hotel.
-
All meals will be provided for the duration of the event (lunch, drinks,
snacks, and dinner will be provided on event days; breakfast will be
provided by the hotel for guests staying there). In addition, dinner will
be provided on Thursday before the Hackathon officially kicks off.
-
Fees associated with obtaining a visa to travel to Turkey (visa
application fees, and travel to in-person travel visa appointment (if
needed)).
-
Citizens of most countries can apply for an e-visa online
<https://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa>.
*Scholarship to this event will not cover:*
-
Per diem costs on travel days.
-
Ground transportation costs between your residence and home airport.
-
Insurance for your personal possessions.
The Hackathon registration form runs on Pretix (a free, open-sourced
third-party platform that helps organize and manage events) which may
subject your data to additional terms <https://pretix.eu/about/en/privacy>.
For more information on WMF’s privacy and data-handling for the Hackathon,
please read the privacy statement
<https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Legal:Wikimedia_Hackathon_Privacy_Sta…>
.
<https://pretix.eu/wikimedia/hackathon2025>
If you encounter any issues while registering, or have questions about the
registration process, feel free to contact the coordination team at
hackathon(a)wikimedia.org.
Cheers,
Deb
--
deb tankersley (she/her)
developer outreach program management
Wikimedia Foundation
What's the status of the project to create a grammar for Wikitext in EBNF?
There are two pages:
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikitext_Metasyntaxhttp://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Markup_spec
Nothing seems to have happened since January this year. Also the comments on
the latter page seem to indicate a lack of clear goal: is this just a fun
project, is it to improve the existing parser, or is it to facilititate a
new parser? It's obviously a lot of work, so it needs to be of clear
benefit.
Brion requested the grammar IIRC (and there's a comment to that effect at
http://bugzilla.wikimedia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=7
), so I'm wondering what became of it.
Is there still a goal of replacing the parser? Or is there some alternative
plan?
Steve
Hi everyone,
Summary
After a long series of consultations with various teams in the Wikimedia
Foundation, I find myself happy to inform you of the sunset of an API from
the current Wikimedia offerings.
That would be *recommendation-api*, the one powering
*https://<project_domain>/api/rest_v1/#/Recommendation* family of
endpoints, e.g. https://commons.wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/#/ or
https://en.wikipedia.org/api/rest_v1/#/Recommendation.
The codebase of that API resides in
*https://gerrit.wikimedia.org/g/mediawiki/services/recommendation-api
<https://gerrit.wikimedia.org/g/mediawiki/services/recommendation-api>*.
The removal date will be 2025-03-31.
There is some more information below as to why, what and how as well as an
estimation of the impact this is expected to have (minimal to zero). It is
also my intention to proceed with a diff <https://diff.wikimedia.org/> post
explaining our process in more detail.
Intro
Recommendation-api was being used solely by the Wikipedia official Android
application. Given that recently <https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T373611>,
the Android Wikipedia Official application has moved away from using this
API, the SRE team wanted to remove this service from production to focus on
more impactful services. The problem was ensuring that we turn off this API
responsibly so that we do not have a significant impact on users who have
not yet upgraded their apps and do not waste SRE effort on supporting a
service we are moving away from, for more than we need to. A complication
was that the service wasn't anymore owned by anyone, meaning maintenance
(Node.js and Operating System upgrades) had to be carried out by people
that were not acquainted at all with the code base.
Process
To achieve the above goals, a process was jump started by a group of
Principal Engineers in the Foundation (Jon Robson, Moriel Schottlender and
yours truly) collecting data and feedback regarding the remaining usage of
the API as well as the estimated amount of effort that would be needed to
continue maintaining the service vs sunsetting it. Since October, we spoke
to various stakeholders in the Foundation to figure out the best possible
plan, going through a variety of possible paths. We ended up recommending
that the service be sunset at 2025-03-31, a recommendation that was
accepted.
Impact
The service is only accessed by users of the Wikipedia Android application.
Recent versions of it no longer rely on it and there will be zero (0)
impact on users of these. But users with application versions older than 6
months by the time of removal (2025-03-31), will see reduced functionality
in the form of the *Suggested Edits* part of the application no longer
functioning. The rest of the application will continue to function as
usual. We encourage users of versions older than *r/2.7.50504-r-2024-10-01
<https://github.com/wikimedia/apps-android-wikipedia/releases/tag/r%2F2.7.50…>*
to
update.
We wanted to make sure we don't break 3rd party users without giving them a
heads up. Going through access logs and metrics, we identified no valid 3rd
party users. Furthermore, we intend to review traffic/errors to that API 1
month past the cutoff date and evaluate the effectiveness of our solution.
Note
This API should not be confused with another one, also named
recommendation-api
<https://gerrit.wikimedia.org/r/plugins/gitiles/research/recommendation-api/>,
and exposed by LiftWing, under the
https://api.wikimedia.org/wiki/Lift_Wing_API/Reference/Get_content_translat…
endpoint.
The latter is powered by a different codebase and, conflicting naming
aside, has no other relation to the former or this sunsetting.
Regards,
--
Alexandros Kosiaris
Principal Site Reliability Engineer
Wikimedia Foundation
MCS offers software consulting and development services, delivering digital transformation. Our services includes web application development, mobile application development, chatbot development, Data Science & AI Development Services, MVP Development, End-to-End IT Strategy & Consulting and implementation support, intuitive digital solutions, and leveraging the latest technologies.
visit here: https://www.mayuraconsultancy.com
Hello all!
The Search Platform Team usually holds an open meeting on the first
Wednesday of each month. This month is an exception, the team is at an
offsite on February 5th, our office hours are moved to February 12. Come
talk to us about anything related to Wikimedia search, Wikidata Query
Service (WDQS), Wikimedia Commons Query Service (WCQS), etc.!
Feel free to add your items to the Etherpad Agenda for the next meeting.
Details for our next meeting:
Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Time: 16:00-17:00 UTC / 08:00 PST / 11:00 EST / 17:00 CET
Etherpad: https://etherpad.wikimedia.org/p/Search_Platform_Office_Hours
Google Meet link: https://meet.google.com/vgj-bbeb-uyi
Join by phone: https://tel.meet/vgj-bbeb-uyi?pin=8118110806927
Have fun and see you soon!
--
*Guillaume Lederrey* (he/him)
Engineering Manager
Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/>
Hello everyone,
Wikimedia is gearing up to apply as a mentoring organization for Google
Summer of Code 2025
<https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Google_Summer_of_Code/2025>. Currently,
we're crafting a list of exciting project ideas for the application. If you
have any suggestions for projects, please share them by February 28th via
this Phabricator task <https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T384875>.
Good projects can be: low-hanging fruit, risky/exploratory, fun or
peripheral, core development, infrastructure or automation. Learn more
about projects:
-
Defining a project
<https://google.github.io/gsocguides/mentor/defining-a-project-ideas-list.ht…>
Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of mentors for the program:
-
Google Summer of Code
<https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Google_Summer_of_Code/Mentors>
-
What makes a good mentor
<https://google.github.io/gsocguides/mentor/what-makes-a-good-mentor.html>
Timeline
In your role as a mentor, your involvement spans the application period for
the programs, taking place from mid March to early June. During this time,
you'll guide candidates in making small contributions to your project and
address any project-related queries they may have. As the application
period concludes, you'll further intensify your collaboration with accepted
candidates throughout the coding period, which extends from June 2 to
September 8, 2025. Your support and guidance are crucial to their success
in the program.
Guidelines for Crafting Project Proposals
-
Use this task description template
<https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/maniphest/task/edit/form/1/?title=GSoC%20…>
when you propose a project in Phabricator.
-
The task template will include the following for your GSoC project idea:
-
Project title: name of the project
-
Description of project: a detailed summary of the project to complete
(2-5 sentences)
-
Expected outcomes: the overall goal of the project
-
Required skills and/or preferred skills: add skills, specific
technologies, and Phabricator project tags
-
Possible mentor(s): add Phabricator username of each mentor
-
Size of project: will it take 90, 175, or 350 hours to complete
-
Add a rating of difficulty for the project - easy, medium, or hard: this
helps the more inexperienced folks to not get overwhelmed and to
be able to
focus on reviewing easy project ideas
-
Microtasks: links to easy and self-contained tasks on Phabricator
that students can work on to get familiar with the project and
technologies
-
Any other additional information that the interns should know about:
Thank you,
Developer Outreach Team
--
Lani Goto (they/them)
Senior Technical Program Manager
Cost-effective building solutions are transforming the construction industry by offering innovative ways to reduce expenses without compromising on quality, functionality, or sustainability. With rising construction costs and growing environmental concerns, builders, developers, and homeowners are increasingly turning to more efficient, budget-friendly alternatives. These solutions are essential for creating structures that are not only affordable but also durable and energy-efficient.
What are Cost-Effective Building Solutions?
Cost-effective building solutions refer to methods, materials, and technologies that help reduce the overall cost of construction while maintaining the integrity, functionality, and environmental sustainability of the structure. These solutions focus on reducing labor, materials, and operational costs, ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget. They are especially crucial in industries where construction costs can significantly affect the profitability of projects, such as residential housing, commercial buildings, and industrial structures.
The primary aim of cost-effective building solutions is to find ways to streamline the construction process, minimize waste, and improve energy efficiency, all while maintaining a high standard of construction. These solutions can involve using alternative materials, implementing new technologies, or adopting innovative construction methods that reduce the need for costly traditional materials and labor-intensive processes.
Key Elements of Cost-Effective Building Solutions
Efficient Use of Materials: One of the core aspects of cost-effective building solutions is maximizing the use of materials. This involves using fewer resources without sacrificing quality. For instance, prefabricated materials, such as PUF panels or modular systems, allow for quick assembly and minimize waste. These materials are pre-engineered in factories and shipped to construction sites, reducing the need for excessive on-site labor and reducing material wastage.
Modular and Prefabricated Construction: Prefabrication is one of the most significant advancements in cost-effective building solutions. By constructing components of a building in a factory setting, costs are reduced significantly. These components, including walls, floors, and roofs, are produced in controlled environments where quality is easier to maintain. The modules are then transported to the construction site for rapid assembly. This method reduces labor costs and construction time, leading to overall savings.
Energy-Efficient Technologies: Another vital component of cost-effective building solutions is the integration of energy-efficient systems and technologies. From solar panels to high-efficiency insulation materials like PUF sheets, using energy-saving technologies reduces long-term operational costs. Buildings that are well-insulated and energy-efficient require less heating and cooling, thus lowering utility bills. The initial investment in energy-efficient technologies often pays off in the form of reduced energy consumption and lower operational costs over time.
Sustainable Building Materials: The choice of materials plays a significant role in reducing construction costs. Sustainable building materials, such as recycled steel, bamboo, and reclaimed wood, offer cost savings while promoting environmental sustainability. These materials are often more affordable and require less energy to produce, making them ideal for reducing both the upfront and long-term costs of a building. Additionally, many sustainable materials are durable, reducing the need for frequent repairs and replacements.
Labor Efficiency: Labor costs are a significant part of any construction project. By using cost-effective building solutions, such as preassembled modular units, labor efficiency is greatly improved. These solutions minimize the need for specialized labor on-site and reduce the time required for construction. Automated processes and technologies, such as robotic bricklaying and 3D printing, can further reduce labor costs and improve precision, leading to fewer mistakes and less waste.
Design Optimization: A well-designed building can save significant amounts of money. Cost-effective building solutions often involve optimizing the design of the structure to reduce unnecessary complexity. This could mean designing buildings with simpler layouts or choosing designs that make use of readily available, affordable materials. Additionally, using advanced design software allows architects to simulate different building configurations and select the most cost-effective options.
Benefits of Cost-Effective Building Solutions
Reduced Construction Costs: The most obvious benefit of cost-effective building solutions is the reduction in overall construction costs. By using materials that are less expensive or more readily available, and employing efficient construction techniques, developers and homeowners can save a significant amount of money without sacrificing quality.
Faster Completion: Many cost-effective building solutions involve methods that speed up the construction process. For example, prefabricated components are produced off-site and then assembled quickly on-site, reducing the construction time. Faster completion means reduced labor costs, fewer delays, and quicker occupancy, leading to earlier returns on investment.
Lower Operating Costs: By incorporating energy-efficient features, such as high-quality insulation, energy-efficient windows, and renewable energy sources like solar panels, buildings can significantly lower their long-term operating costs. Buildings that are well-insulated require less energy for heating and cooling, reducing the strain on energy bills.
Environmental Impact: Cost-effective building solutions often involve sustainable and eco-friendly materials and construction methods. The use of recycled materials, reduced waste, and energy-efficient technologies helps to lower the environmental impact of construction. These buildings are more sustainable, contributing to reducing carbon footprints and supporting greener building practices.
Long-Term Value: Although the initial costs of implementing cost-effective building solutions may sometimes be higher, the long-term savings in maintenance, energy bills, and durability make them a wise investment. Buildings that are durable and energy-efficient maintain their value over time and require fewer repairs, providing a better return on investment in the long run.
Conclusion
In today’s construction industry, cost-effective building solutions are no longer optional but essential. By adopting innovative materials, technologies, and construction methods, builders can reduce costs while improving efficiency, sustainability, and overall building performance. The focus on reducing material waste, labor costs, and energy consumption ensures that buildings are not only affordable but also eco-friendly and durable. As the demand for affordable housing, commercial spaces, and industrial structures grows, the role of cost-effective building solutions will continue to be vital in shaping the future of construction. By embracing these solutions, builders can create structures that are economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and built to last.
Visit our site :- https://www.maksengineeringcompany.com/brick-mortar-vs-puf-panels/
Microsoft Outlook not opening is a common issue that can disrupt productivity, especially if Outlook is an essential tool for managing emails, calendars, and tasks. This problem can occur for several reasons, including corrupted files, compatibility issues, or software conflicts. Understanding the root cause is essential to resolving the issue effectively. Below is a detailed explanation of why Microsoft Outlook might not open and how to fix the problem.
Common Causes of Microsoft Outlook Not Opening
Corrupted Outlook Data Files:
Outlook stores all its data in PST (Personal Storage Table) or OST (Offline Storage Table) files. If these files become corrupted, it can prevent Microsoft Outlook from opening.
Outdated or Incompatible Add-ins:
Add-ins are third-party plugins that enhance Outlook's functionality. However, outdated or incompatible add-ins can cause conflicts, leading to Microsoft Outlook not opening properly.
Damaged User Profile:
A corrupted user profile within Outlook can prevent the program from launching. This often happens due to improper shutdowns or synchronization errors.
Outdated Software or Updates:
If Outlook or the operating system is not updated, compatibility issues can arise, causing the application to fail during startup.
Conflicts with Other Applications:
Background processes or other software, like antivirus programs, can sometimes interfere with Outlook, resulting in startup issues.
Network Connectivity Issues:
For those using a server-based Outlook account (e.g., Microsoft Exchange), a network problem might cause Microsoft Outlook not to open.
Corrupted Installation:
Problems with the Outlook installation files or a failed update can lead to errors that prevent the program from opening.
Steps to Resolve Microsoft Outlook Not Opening
1. Start Outlook in Safe Mode
If Microsoft Outlook is not opening, starting it in Safe Mode can bypass add-ins and custom settings that may be causing the issue.
Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type outlook.exe /safe and press Enter.
If Outlook opens successfully in Safe Mode, an add-in may be causing the problem. Disable add-ins one by one through File > Options > Add-ins to identify the culprit.
2. Repair Outlook Data Files
Corrupted PST or OST files can often be fixed using the Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST.exe).
Locate the ScanPST.exe tool on your computer.
Run the tool and select the corrupted PST or OST file.
Click "Start" to scan and repair the file.
After the repair is complete, try opening Outlook again.
3. Create a New Outlook Profile
If the user profile is damaged, creating a new one may resolve the issue.
Go to Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles.
Click "Add" to create a new profile and configure your email account.
Set the new profile as the default and check if Outlook opens correctly.
4. Update Microsoft Outlook and Windows
Ensure that both Outlook and your operating system are up-to-date.
Open Outlook (if possible) and go to File > Office Account > Update Options.
Click "Update Now" to install the latest updates.
For Windows updates, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click "Check for Updates."
5. Disable Antivirus or Firewall Temporarily
Some antivirus programs or firewalls can block Outlook. Temporarily disable them to see if it resolves the issue. If Outlook opens successfully, add it to the antivirus exclusion list.
6. Repair Microsoft Office Installation
A corrupted installation can cause Microsoft Outlook not opening issues. Repairing the installation might fix the problem.
Open Control Panel > Programs and Features.
Select Microsoft Office and click "Change."
Choose "Quick Repair" or "Online Repair" and follow the instructions.
Once the repair is complete, try opening Outlook again.
7. Check Network Connectivity
If you're using a server-based account, ensure you have a stable internet connection. A poor connection might prevent Outlook from launching properly.
8. Reset Navigation Pane
Problems with the navigation pane can also prevent Outlook from opening. Reset it using the following command:
Press Windows + R, type outlook.exe /resetnavpane, and press Enter.
This will reset the navigation pane to its default settings.
Preventing Microsoft Outlook Not Opening Issues
Regularly Update Outlook: Keep the application updated to avoid compatibility and performance issues.
Backup Data Files: Periodically back up PST and OST files to prevent data loss due to file corruption.
Limit Add-ins: Only use essential add-ins and ensure they are updated.
Proper Shutdown: Always close Outlook properly to prevent profile or file corruption.
Monitor Third-Party Software: Ensure that antivirus programs and other software do not interfere with Outlook.
When to Seek Professional Help
If none of the above solutions resolve the issue of Microsoft Outlook not opening, it may be necessary to seek professional assistance. Contact your IT support team or Microsoft Support for further troubleshooting. They can help diagnose more complex issues, such as registry errors or advanced server configurations.
Conclusion
Microsoft Outlook not opening can be caused by several factors, ranging from corrupted data files and outdated add-ins to software conflicts and network issues. By identifying the root cause and following the outlined steps, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve the problem. Regular maintenance, such as updating software and creating backups, can help prevent similar issues in the future. For persistent problems, professional assistance may be required to ensure a seamless experience with Microsoft Outlook.
Visit our site :- https://www.contact-phone-number.com/outlook-not-opening/