[Foundation-l] Transparency

[Florence Devouard]

Robert Rohde wrote:
> On Jan 9, 2008 3:16 PM, Andrew Whitworth <wknight8111 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> I would disagree. In general, many members of the sister projects have
>> a strong sense of disconnect and disenfranchisement when it comes to
>> the WMF. This is especially true of the smaller projects and the
>> smaller non-english projects. The lines of communication are virtually
>> non-existant for these small projects. If it appears that the only
>> time the WMF cares about a small project is when something is wrong
>> and "action" needs to be taken.
> 
> <snip>
> 
> While it may be worse for small and non-english projects, I think many
> participants in many of the larger projects also feel disconnected with
> WMF.  Project participants are usually there because they enjoy creating
> something, but from the point of view of project participants the WMF is
> almost never directly involved in creating anything.  The
> WMF mostly provides a behind-the-scenes service to keep the servers running,
> and many people would be perfectly happy if the WMF never, ever got
> involved in the governance of individual projects.  When the WMF does get
> involved, many participants wonder: "Why are you messing with MY work."
> 
> Frankly, the WMF needs better communication all around.
> 
> As I write that, it occurs to me that there isn't even a clear point of
> contact for project participants who want to contact the Foundation with
> questions or requests.  As far as I know, there is no prominent page
> anywhere that amounts to "Instructions on Contacting the Foundation for
> Help", so when "Foundation Issues" come up people are mostly left to guess
> on what to do.  Eventually very experienced hands get a sense of when to A)
> call the office, B) post to foundation-l, C) email Jimbo/Anthere/Brion,
> etc., but as far as know there isn't any place that actually tries to
> explain best practices for interacting with the Foundation.
> 
> -Robert Rohde

---------> Wikicouncil ?

Ant

(this said, I wish I knew when and why we disappointed Ramir)