[Foundation-l] Analysis of statistics

[Geoffrey Plourde]

Correct, we have built a system that does not value new users, but rather seeks to get rid of them. Its a pattern I have observed in some businesses as well. Subconsciously, people hate change. While they consciously want new users or wonder why the flow has stopped, their subconscious is busy erecting walls to stop new things/users.




________________________________
From: John at Darkstar <vacuum at jeb.no>
To: Wikimedia Foundation Mailing List <foundation-l at lists.wikimedia.org>
Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2009 2:49:15 AM
Subject: Re: [Foundation-l] Analysis of statistics


> Finally, we can not ignore the potential benefits of large scale
> contributions coming from specific communities, specially from
> educational institutions at all levels. The potential applications of
> Wikipedia to learning environments has been also a matter of research,
> and some authors have shown that direct contribution approaches may
> have negative consequences for both the quality of content and the
> willingness of young authors to continue to contribute if the get
> strictly negative responses to their first revisions. All the same,
> semi-controlled strategies like providing a final version of the
> contribution, may have better effects for both the quality of content
> and maintaining the implication of young contributors. In this regard,
> providing special tools for highlighting these contributions could
> facilitate the work of experienced Wikipedia authors, who could then
> provide more focused comments.
> 

How the new contributors are approached by the community is very
important and it seems like they face a very hostile environment. How
can we change this, both at a human level and with technical solutions?
Is it somehow possible to let newcomers write articles together with
oldtimers until they learn the most basic things? Perhaps it is possible
to make personal sandboxes where they can get some guidance before the
dogfight starts?

John

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