Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2009-11-02/News and notes

Several task forces for the strategic planning project are beginning their work, with the first round of task forces being assigned people and questions. The task forces that have begun so far are:

• [http://strategy.wikimedia.org/wiki/Task_force/China_Task_Force Improving performance in China]
• [http://strategy.wikimedia.org/wiki/Task_force/Offline_Task_Force Connecting Wikimedia to those without or with limited Internet access]
• [http://strategy.wikimedia.org/wiki/Task_force/Increase_contributions_from_readers_and_under-represented_groups Increase contributions from readers and under-represented groups]
• [http://strategy.wikimedia.org/wiki/Task_force/Enhance_community_health_and_culture_task_force Enhance community health and culture task force]
• [http://strategy.wikimedia.org/wiki/Task_force/Alliances_and_Partnerships_Task_Force Alliances and Partnerships Task Force]

Many other task forces are still in the planning stage. Task forces are tasked with synthesizing data and information relating to their area, answering a set of broad questions relating to this area and Wikimedia's work, and presenting a few proposals to the strategic planning team. The task force work will take place over the next two months.

Community involvement is still requested for strategic planning. The [http://strategy.wikimedia.org/wiki/Call_for_proposals Call for Proposals] is still open; current proposals can also be rated and discussed. There is also a current call for discussion of some of the [http://strategy.wikimedia.org/wiki/Questions_that_need_answers key questions] that have been developed. Finally, there is also a [http://strategy.wikimedia.org/wiki/To_Do wiki to-do list].

The deadline for registration for Wikimedia Conference Japan is November 11; more information can be found on the conference [http://www.wcj2009.info/index.php?title=Main_Page&uselang=en website]. The conference will be held on November 22, in Tokyo.

Wikimedia Brasil is planning a series of unconferences, on November 18 and 25. The themes are "Building Free Knowledge Through Collaboration," with a sub-theme of "Outreach, Participation and Quality in Wikimedia projects." They are also planning a series of workshops for the general public and Wikipedia volunteers.

So far, community meetups are planned in November for London (Nov. 8); Cambridge (Nov. 14); New York City (Nov. 15); Bangalore (Nov. 22); and Karachi (Nov. 22).

• The log for IRC office hours with Kul Wadhwa has been posted.
• The blog of [http://www.becausewecan.org/Wiki_globe Because We Can] features pictures of the construction of the 3-d puzzle globe that they manufactured for the new Wikimedia Foundation offices.
• Several Wikipedians have put together their own lists of Wikipedians who use Twitter, using Twitter's new lists feature; Ragesoss has put together a list of [http://twitter.com/#list/wikisignpost/wmf-board-and-advisors WMF board and advisory board members], and another list of [http://twitter.com/#list/wikisignpost/wikimedia-workers Wikimedia staff]; while Cbrown1023 has put together a [http://twitter.com/cbrown1023/wiki general list]. Angela also put together a list of [http://twitter.com/#list/wikiangela/wikia-staff Wikia staff].
• Witty lama has put together a help page and guide for cultural sector professionals who want to contribute to Wikipedia (shortcut WP:GLAM).

• Barry Newstead of the Wikimedia strategy project [http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/cs/2009/10/putting_the_open_in_wikimedias.html blogged] about the strategy project, and how it is trying to be open to non-community members.
• The Huffington Post has recognized Sue Gardner, Executive Director of the Wikimedia Foundation, as one of their top 10 [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/29/huffpost-game-changers-wh_n_337129.html?slidenumber=IYkFqRf71RU%3D#slide_image media game-changers] of the year; the top place is determined by reader votes. Her Wikipedia article was consequently nominated for deletion and speedily kept.
• Writing in the The Spectator, James Hannam suggests that there is a "subtle campaign on Wikipedia to overstate the contribution of Islamic sages to scientific scholarship." Hannam highlights the comparative length and specific claims made in articles such as Avicenna, Al-Kindi, Alhazen, Rhazes, Al-Farabi and Geber compared with those of Western thinkers.

• The Simple English Wikipedia has reached {{formatnum:58000}} articles.
• The Ukrainian Wikiquote has reached {{formatnum:1000}} articles with :uk:q:Гарві Мілк.
• The Simple English Wiktionary has reached {{formatnum:12000}} entries.
• The Lithuanian Wiktionary has reached {{formatnum:300000}} articles.
• The Breton Wikipedia has reached {{formatnum:30000}} articles.

• 7 November 2005: 800,000th article created
• 6 November 2006: Intelligence wiki receives media attention
• 5 November 2007: Wikimedia avoids liability in French lawsuit

{{Wikipedia:Signpost/Template:Signpost-article-comments-end||2009-10-26|2009-11-09}}

02 News