challenges and opportunities in building an indian language community on-line
DESCRIPTION
Presentation readied for Wikipedia editors in India. CIS's workshop, 2013.TRANSCRIPT
Building anIndian Language
communityon-line
Challenges and Opportunities
Context: Wikipedia
Sunday, 6 October 13
The Difference
Participants from related regions and dialects.
Target audience - smaller, sparse.
Contributors - scarce, widely differing.
Varied Competence.
many more...
Sunday, 6 October 13
Rural
Urban
NRI
Sunday, 6 October 13
Understanding theecosystem
It is nothing like the English community.
No magic wand to build it.
Progress is gradual, peaks when necessity and awareness are at their individual peaks.
Sunday, 6 October 13
Understanding theecosystem
Sociocultural aspects.
Health of the community and the project.
Aspects derived from English community.
Extent and utility of UI translation.
Sunday, 6 October 13
Opportunities
Connecting to the roots.
Exploring the unexplored.
Share better understanding.
Add to the overall knowledge of humanity (The most important and priceless).
Sunday, 6 October 13
Opportunities
Contribution to the language content on the web (very important).
Knowledge/Content for those who prefer local language.
Learning.
Improving Skills.
Sunday, 6 October 13
Challenges
Plagiarism
The problem of citations and verifying them.
Weird scenarios.
An instance: Contributors adding their own biographical page!
... and more.
Sunday, 6 October 13
ChallengesStubs.
Content that is not up to the mark.
Editing madness.
Bots.
Lack of consensus whilst lesser participation.
Dealing with sensitive sociocultural scenarios.
Sunday, 6 October 13
Challenges
Argumentative individuals, anonymous editors, time wasters and trouble makers.
Sunday, 6 October 13
Take away for trainers
Promote culture of volunteering. Involves:
Identifying resourceful people.
Motivating individuals to take up tasks based on their strengths.
The collective.
Sunday, 6 October 13
Take away for trainers
Asserting importance of Leadership skills, Skills to resolve disputes.
Good reasoning.
Neutral Point of view.
Firm, assertive yet friendly approach.
Knowing when to get into argument.
Sunday, 6 October 13
Take away for trainers
Pushing contributors to not be protective.
Understanding collaborative flow of work.
Being nice to others.
being open to feedback and changes.
Sunday, 6 October 13
Take away for trainers
Look for all-rounders.
yet, ensure distribution of tasks through discussion.
COTD or COTW can help.
Virtual community place can help.
Sunday, 6 October 13
Take away for trainers
Being assertive about Ethics.
Sunday, 6 October 13
The last mile
Spread WikiCulture.
Organic is better.
Enthusiasm overrides challenges, technical hurdles.
Good luck!
Sunday, 6 October 13
