[Wikipedia-l] Please change the embarrassing donations message

Tue Oct 7 23:38:00 UTC 2003

> >"We are trying to make
> > Wikipedia faster and more responsive. You can help by making a 
>donation."
> > I hope this satisfies your concerns.
>
Please please reword the donation line on the pages. It is disastrous in 
terms of PR. We know we have a problem on wiki right now, but the current 
wording highlights the flaws in a way that is never done in PR. Rule number 
1: NEVER EVER EVER draw attention to your failings.

At present what it is implies is ''wiki has a problem. Wiki isn't working 
right. We need money to fix it. If we don't get it, it isn't going to work 
right.

It implies
1. That wiki is flawed;
2. We are /trying/ to fix it, but trying doesn't mean we will succeed.
3. That wiki is in so much difficulty it has to beg for money to make itself 
usable.

PR people would hang themselves in shame if they were responsible for 
sending out such a message.

The message should be spun positively, not negatively. What it should say 
is,

Wiki's phenomenal growth requires constant upgrading of technology to give 
you the best service possible. Giving that service requires funding. You now 
can donate money to help your wikipedia remain the fastest growing 
encyclopædia on the internet. For more information, see [[Wikipedia 
donations]].

That wording, trimmed down and tightened as necessary, sends a different 
message to our current message.

1. Wiki is a phenomenal success;
2. We need funds to continue that success;
3. You can help /your/ wiki stay ahead of the rest.

It is positive, not negative, motivational not begging. It tells people 
'join in our success', not 'we are trying to fix our problems but badly need 
money'.

Please change the current cringe-enducing message.

JT

_________________________________________________________________
The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE* 
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail