[Foundation-l] encouraging women's participation

[Keegan Peterzell]

On Sat, Jun 19, 2010 at 3:29 PM, Milos Rancic <millosh at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> While I would like to see good articles about every episode of
> whatever on Wikipedia, this was not the point.
>
> The point is to make "personal space" on Wikimedia projects. Adding
> features to the profile (now: Special:Preferences) will increase
> number of those who are willing to stay on project.


I can only speak from my experience on the English Wikipedia, so I'll
address this relating to that project:

It will never happen.

We've been through these discussions there before on what is and what is not
acceptable use of the space for social networking.  We have come to the
conclusion that it is not[1] in several different ways[2].  The purpose of
the English Wikipedia, and all Foundation projects for that matter, is to
provide free knowledge in whatever for it comes in, when it's an
encyclopedia or a quote or a sourced document or a book or news.  We also
have determined that we use a collaborative model to build these project.

Therein lies the key: build these projects.  This is accomplished by working
together in a communal manner and this is the "social" networking that we
need, working together on projects with those of the same interest, or even
just wandering around the wikis doing things.  So, to me, these ideas as
features diminishes the interest of maintaining a volunteer, amateur
userbase but one that is dedicated and willing to work together.  Akin to
the HAM radio system, I think.

There was a great TED speech that I need to look up but don't have the time
for at the moment.  The premise of the presentation is that studies have
shown time and time again that things like games, prizes, awards and other
measures of gratitude are only temporary measures to increase motivation.
 The folks that work for you that are the truly motivated ones and believers
in the process do not ask for these rewards.  A pat on the back and a "good
job, thanks for your work because I value it very much" occasionally is the
only true recognition that is needed.  The other fluff only inspires
distraction from the goal because it's creating other little goals which, in
turn, become more important than the end result.

Just my two cents.

1. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:NOT#MYSPACE>
2. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Userpage>

-- 
~Keegan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Keegan