[Foundation-l] Priorities

Mon Oct 22 16:49:51 UTC 2007

Brian McNeil wrote:
> Florence Devouard wrote:
> 
>> ... I felt I could not say publicly that Wikipedia was one 
>> of the tools to bring peace on Earth because I also know working on our 
>> projects (not only Wikipedia) is somehow becoming increasingly 
>> difficult. We are more numerous, more protective to our 
>> featured-content, less welcoming to our newbies (for technical or social 
>> reasons).
>> How many experts have been driven away by the agressivity of some of our 
>> members ? How many new editors just were discouraged by the difficulty 
>> of editing a table or a template ? How many newbies were blocked because 
>> they just did not understood quickly enough how to use a talk page ?
>> Also, during the year, several cases of online or offline harassment of 
>> contributors were reported. Harassement which came as a result of their 
>> contributions to our projects.
> 
> In trying to do my bit for fundraising I emailed Howard Tayler, a webcomic
> artist asking could he help with my nonexistent drawing skills and make up
> an ad for his site that I'd pay for during part of the WMF fundraiser.
> 
> As an indication that there is indisputably a problem that needs addressed,
> here is the response I got.
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> I use Wikipedia from time to time, and appreciate its value to the growing
> internet community, and to the world at large.
>  
> I will not, however, help them raise money. I am strongly opposed to the
> "anti-webcomics" agenda that has been espoused by a number of prominent
> editors. If the foundation really cared about what these editors write, and
> how they treat other people, it would take steps to curb their behavior.
>  
> This, unfortunately, is a very non-negotiable position on my part, and I'd
> prefer to not argue about it. We'd just be wasting each others' time.
>  
> I appreciate your attempt to raise money for a cause you believe in, and am
> flattered that you'd think of me in connection to it.
>  
> --Howard
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> This issue isn't just costing us contributors; we're losing goodwill and
> fundraising opportunities.
> 
> 
> Brian.

Right....

What is that anti-webcomics" agenda he is talking about ?

Ant