[Foundation-l] Fundraising and site notice

[Peter van Londen]

I think this idea doesn't deserve such an answer, but hey I asked for it:
1) I have not said that it should be the only way of funding, I think it
would help though as one out of the several funding possibilities to
generate the amount of cash, which you envision.
2) Communities have to grow. This was the same with Wikipedia, Wikibooks and
so on. I don't see why a Fanpedia would not grow.
3) Fanstuff is a part of Wikipedia. There are people fully devoted to these
mini-projects, they would move to the new project, even more when they share
the same ideals as we have.
4) I have no idea how much cash it could or would generate. People involved
in Wikia might have an answer though.
5) Until now I have heared answers why it would not work, but not much
answers which say what *would* work to raise to at least 1.5 million per
fundraiser. There are not many acceptable ideas, are there? I see your point
in the necessity of  loads of money, but there must be alternatives for
advertising on all projects.

This is the core of the proposal: we have one project which generates cash
so the other projects can be funded without advertising. It doesn't have to
be fanstuff, but that is popular and will generate a lot of traffic and
therefore money. It might also help keep editors who have a problem with
advertising on the projects.

I still don't understand the problems and would like to ask if we could make
a pilot-project. Let's say on the dutch projects and then see how this would
develop.

Kind regards
Londenp




2007/1/7, Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen at gmail.com>:
>
> Hoi,
> In your assertion that Wikia is doing good with this way of funding, you
> immediately indicate what the problem is with the proposal; it is being
> done and quiet successfully by others (not only Wikia). The problem with
> the proposal is also that in order to benefit from the proposal, the WMF
> has to seriously invest in these projects. It must because this is then
> how we make some of our money. The people who are not interested in the
> "fanstuff" will not be interested in doing this and seriously, why would
> the people who ARE interested in this stuff be willing to work on this;
> the Wikipedia crowd exorcised them into another project? Why should they
> be willing to do profit the WMF, when they can go elsewhere to nice
> established communities..
>
> We know how much money the Foundation needs.. It needs $1.500.000,- at
> this moment in time.. Do you really think the fanstuff proposal will
> make us the money that will be sufficient for the /increased /need for
> money of the Foundation that is the consequence of the growth of its
> projects?? This does not even consider the investments we would like to
> make to make a difference in other ways (administrative for instance) If
> you think the scheme will work for all this, please show us the math.
>
> You explicitly asked for people to consider the proposal.. Sorry, to be
> this dismissive.
>
> Thanks,
>     GerardM
>
>
> Peter van Londen schreef:
> > GerardM and community
> >
> > I do agree with your view. I also think that lack of funds is a serious
> > issue and I don't thank the opposition to have achieved not doing more
> > matching donations this fundraiser.
> >
> > I do disagree with you that there is no serious alternative. There is
> and it
> > is brought up in a separate thread by Teun Spaans (
> >
> http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/foundation-l/2007-January/026545.html
> ).
> > It is a separate project aimed at publishing fanstuff with adds (which
> is
> > now part a popular part of every Wikipedia), so that the other projects
> can
> > do without adds and we still have money to fund all projects and indeed
> > expand on some further ideas.
> >
> > I don't understand that not more persons seem to be willing to judge on
> this
> > idea? I don't care if thorough consideration will have a negative
> outcome,
> > if there would be enough reason no to have a Fanpedia, but it is an
> > alternative!! And until know it seems to be discarded. Please think
> about it
> > and comment on that idea, it is worth considering. It seems that Wikia
> is
> > doing good with this way of funding.
> >
> > Kind regards
> > Londenp
> >
>
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