[Wikipedia-l] what to do with the money?

[Ray Saintonge]

Chuck Smith wrote:

>>Some problems; What are we going to do with all that
>>money? If we can't spend it, would that jeopardize
>>our
>>nonprofit status? I think it would be a step
>>backwards
>>for Wikimedia to become a for-profit organization. 
>>
>
>I think we should hire full-time editors especially
>for the non-English Wikipedias.
>
Until we are very clear about the function of such an editor, this is 
definitely something to be avoided.  It often means that editorial 
policy is then centralized in one person.  That needs to remain in the 
community.  Some short term (say 3 months) editorial contracts might be 
worthwhile when we want to give a boost to a particular language which 
has had very limited activity.  Sometimes, a person to manage and 
organize the transition between Wikipedia and paper could be worthwhile 
in making the paper contents less random.  There are certainly strong 
arguments for a technical person.

>  The English Wikipedia
>had a full-time Larry Sanger to help jump-start the
>Wikipedia, but the other languages (to my knowledge)
>never had such luxuries.  As I said before, I would
>propose Brion Vibber (technical support, non-English
>wikis) and Arno Lagrange (Esperanto Wikipedia editor)
>as full-time employees.  Arno is now trying to start a
>Wikipedia organization in France to be able to legally
>work full-time for the Esperanto Wikipedia.
>
I would avoid speaking of particular individuals, until the general 
issue is settled.

>Also, I've never heard of having too much money as
>being a problem.  I mean, we're a foundation!  Lots of
>foundations have millions of dollars...  We could use
>the money to hold Wikipedia seminars and conferences. 
>We could also use the money to finance other worthy
>educational projects like other foundations do. 
>"Sponsored by Wikimedia"
>
Too much money can be a bigger problem than not enough.  Money 
completely changes the social dynamics.

Ec