On Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 1:19 PM, Andreas Kolbe jayen466@gmail.com wrote:
This is paid Wikipedia editing and paid Wikipedia-based PR work, leveraging a Wikimedia UK directorship. It looks terrible.
Take coverage like this article here:
http://vox.gi/local/5634-gibraltarpedia-on-the-road-to-success.html
"The enthusiasm and conviction radiating from both the Min. for Tourism, Neil Costa and Clive Finlayson who came up with the idea of marketing Gibraltar as a tourist product through Wikipedia which the Ministry for Tourism has embarked upon, leaves one without a doubt that the venture will truly be a success."
As things stand, we can look forward to Wikimedia UK directors getting involved in a long string of similar for-profit Wikipedia-based marketing campaigns, all conducted with the apparent seal of approval of Wikimedia UK.
I say that as someone who thought Monmouthpedia was a great and pioneering project that offered educational value consistent with the WMF mission. But Wikimedia UK directors cannot be seen to be in the business of tourism marketing, and be seen to be offering themselves for sale to the highest bidder.
Anyone who engages in paid on-wiki marketing efforts for their private clients should ipso facto be excluded from WMUK board membership, join the ranks of paid editors, and perform their work under the watchful eyes of the community, without the shelter of WMUK.
Andreas
Leaving out the Jimbo bit, why does anyone disagree with Andreas? Ok, you can modify the 'string of UK directors', but the basic principles?
I didn't use to have to change the address when sending from Gmail.