[Wikimedia-l] Editor retention (was Re: "Big data" benefits and limitations (relevance: WMF editor engagement, fundraising, and HR practices))

[Steven Walling]

On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 5:03 AM, Fred Bauder <fredbaud at fairpoint.net> wrote:

> With respect to welcoming and assisting new users on the English
> Wikipedia where there is a bewildering volume of varied activity by new
> and experienced users it might be helpful if we had a recent changes
> options that showed only edit by new editors with less than say 100 edits
> that could be monitored. Newbie helpers could then welcome, comment,
> compliment, or otherwise assist the new user. Obviously access to such a
> recent changes option by those looking for trouble could also be used in
> ways that would discourage the new user. Perhaps access could be limited
> to only flagged newbie helpers.
>

These aren't power tools like what vandalfighters have in Huggle or
Twinkle, but I would check out the two following feeds of new editor
activity, if you want to give this kind of task a try:

-- 
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Contributions&contribs=newbiewhich
shows newbie edits of all sorts
-- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:FeedbackDashboard which shows the
positive, negative, and just plain confused comments by new editors who
have at least clicked the edit button once. This one in particular needs
attention from thoughtful, experienced contributors.

Steven