[Foundation-l] Re: Google Techtalk

[Gerard Meijssen]

Nicolas Weeger wrote:

>>I would like to state one more point, finally. Just like all of you, I
>>have never received a single Euro for anything I have done for Wikimedia
>>or its projects. I am doing all this in my spare time, with often very
>>little public appreciation, and the primary goal to help the projects
>>along. I believe that it is of paramount importance that in a volunteer
>>organization, rather than following a strict chain of command, we need
>>to work in a fashion where volunteers feel empowered to make a positive
>>difference.
>>    
>>
>
>Aren't you being paid by a partner to work on Wikidata?
>
>  
>
>>Erik
>>    
>>
>
>Regards
>Nicolas Weeger
>
Hoi,
The fact is that Erik will be paid when he delivers the software. This 
contract is explicitly outside of the Wikimedia Foundation and it has 
been from the start. It has been outside of WMF with the prior knowledge 
of Jimbo. This is just to make clear that the fact that Erik was willing 
to write the Wikidata and Ultimate Wiktionary has nothing to do with the 
WMF. The fact that he was willing to do this for so little money would 
be the one thing that associates it with the charitable goals of the 
Foundation.

I know it is wrong to suggest that Erik gives precendence to the 
developement of Wikidata and Ultimate Wiktionary. He has indicated to me 
that his position as an officer of the WMF may interfere with his role 
as the developer for Wikidata and Ultimate Wiktionary. So to make clear 
where his priorities are, he indicated that it would be important for me 
to find people who want to take up the work that needs to be done after 
the initial work on UW.

I am horrified with the recent events; the two people that have inspired 
me most are having a damaging public fight. I love Anthere for the 
inspiring talk she gave in Rotterdam, to me it was the single most 
inspiring event for me. She spoke about the need for having information 
and infrastructure for countries in Afrika and Asia. And UW will help. I 
love Erik for the inspiration that he gave me, his ideas on Wikidata 
were basic and enabled the idea of Ultimate Wiktionary. The 
collaboration with Erik is going well; you may appreciate that for me 
the moment for UW to be available to the public cannot come soon enough :)

There are some fundamental differences in the opinions on how to 
proceed. My problem is that in essence we all want the same result and 
we lose sight of what we aim for. Our aim is that we make good 
information free for all. Individuals and companies, volunteers and 
professionals can all play a part in that. Essential is that we 
cooperate and use algorithms that work for such a diversified group of 
people.

Thanks,
    GerardM