We've gone a bit off topic into the question of whether we should spend any time on mobile at all, it seems. :)
On Dec 11, 2012 5:11 PM, "MZMcBride" z@mzmcbride.com wrote:
I think I fundamentally agree with your point, but when I consider that there is (for example) no API for adding or removing a category from a
page
(file or otherwise), it seems like a much better investment of finite resources to create such an API and let others build mobile apps that use that API.
Where are these others who will build the apps for us? I'd like to hire them.
Or fix other long-standing categorization issues such as the ability to move/rename categories (https://bugzilla.wikimedia.org/3311). The lack of infinite developer resources really can't be overlooked or overstated here, in my view.
Finite developer resources exist in other areas than API development. I'll be honest; I think a good mobile app will pull in more users and do more good than just making a few API tweaks and hoping something happens.
Note also that the mobile dept is making API improvements as we go along... these things are not exclusive. Rather, our needs drive the API development we do.
One in progress is the GeoData extension which is now collecting coordinates on en.wikipedia.org and once the search back end is deployed will make location-based search a first class citizen instead of relying on tool server hacks and third party services.
-- brion