[Wikimedia-l] Apparently, Wikipedia is ugly

[Svip]

On 14 July 2012 16:25, Paul Becherer <paul at wmnederland.nl> wrote:

> 2012/7/14 Svip <svippy at gmail.com>:
>
>> Person of ignorance in question:
>> http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/07/on-the-ugliness-of-wikipedia/259747/
>
> The article was an interesting read, and wasn't just about layout; it
> had more to say more about *interface*, which is a more general
> concept. If there's anything that can be done to increase meaningful
> participation by making the interface simpler to use or
> better-looking, then why should we not do that? Because we'd rather be
> left alone in our own tech-savvy we-know-what's-good-for-you bubble?
> Having a simpler, more user-friendly interface doesn't change us into
> Facebook overnight. And if it increases actual participation, then I'd
> be in favor of it.

It is strange to me, that whenever we talk about Wikipedia edit
activity being down, we never discuss the fact that most of the basic
human knowledge articles have already been written.  Most new articles
are either new stuff happening or specialisations.  I don't think an
interface change is going to change that.  I think the crisis
regarding editor participation is overblown.

And I don't think Wikipedia is ugly or lacks user friendliness, which
is the premise of this article.  And I speak from a reader's point of
view.  And we may want to consider if it is really _everyone_ we want
to edit our articles.