[WikiEN-l] Re: Experiment on new pages

Wed Dec 7 13:56:22 UTC 2005

Anthony DiPierro wrote:
> On 12/7/05, The Cunctator <cunctator at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>>On 12/6/05, Anthony DiPierro <wikilegal at inbox.org> wrote:
>>
>>>On 12/6/05, The Cunctator <cunctator at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>On 12/5/05, Jimmy Wales <jwales at wikia.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>But preveneting anons from creating new pages is a different matter, and
>>>>>it seems a worthy time to make an experiment of it.
>>>>
>>>>Don't call it an experiment if it's not. If it is an experiment, then
>>>>there should be clear conditions for its start and finish, and clear
>>>>methods for taking measurements from it. Just admit that it's a policy
>>>>change and move on.
>>>>
>>>>Unless you're willing to state an end date for this. Or *at a minimum*
>>>>start collecting good data on the effects of the change.
>>>>
>>>>I have some other ideas for experiments, by the way, if anyone's
>>>>interested in actually trying things to make Wikipedia better.
>>>
>>>I think these comments are way over the top.  Jimmy *is* interested in
>>>actually trying things to make Wikipedia better.  You may not agree
>>>with the methods, but to call into question his motives is
>>>inappropriate.
>>
>>I think if you ask Jimbo, he'll say it's perfectly appropriate for me
>>to question his motives.
>>
>>In fact, a clear sign of a dysfunctional society is one in which
>>questioning authority is considered inappropriate.
> 
> 
> Your comment at the end wasn't even just questioning, it was accusing.
>  But anyway, I'm not sure I agree with you that a functional society
> must constantly question the motives of everyone voluntarily given any
> power.  I'd even question just how much "authority" Jimmy does have. 
> He has authority over how to spend the money donated to the foundation
> (so long as he does so for charitable purposes), and not a whole lot
> more.

Actually... not willing to play on words here, but since the topic has 
been discussed a lot amongst ourselves, I will more exactly say :

Jimbo has the authority over how to spend the money donated to the 
foundation, within the budget voted by the board (and a certain 
percentage of excess to allow smooth management).

In short, to take an example : Jimbo can decide to hire someone to 
say... take care of seeking grants... but only IF a budget including the 
salary and charges amounts for the employee has previously been agreed 
upon by the board in the budget.

As a matter of urgency, he could naturally take the decision to hire 
that person and use the funds in the "reserve" to do so... but may have 
to break the contract if the spending is not approved at the next budget 
by the board.

Ant