User talk:Ijon

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I wanted to give you a Barnstar

FDC special barnstar

This is to recognize your great support in making the first round of the FDC a success!

Thanks!

Jan-Bart (talk) 21:24, 15 November 2012 (UTC)

Global dev charts

Hi Asaf,

Just out of curiosity and to double check at [1] and [2], the data does refer to Kenya and not Kazakhstan (as the legend says when you mouse over it)? (Might be a bug to file with the people behind the tool...). –Bence (talk) 22:45, 12 January 2013 (UTC)

Thanks, this was a mistake in preparing the graphs (a mouse slip - Kazakhstan is right above Kenya in the country list) that went unnoticed (because the data is similar, I guess). The graphs are correct now (same links). Asaf Bartov (WMF Grants) talk 05:39, 15 January 2013 (UTC)

Targeted invitations to contribute

I'm interested in Haitham's work on Geo-targeted Editors Participation... let me know how I can help. –SJ talk  19:30, 1 February 2013 (UTC) (I want to see this happen on all languages...)

So do I. :) We'll see how this first pilot goes. I'll keep you in the loop. Asaf Bartov (WMF Grants) talk 20:26, 1 February 2013 (UTC)

bankrolling

Moin Asaf, I find your idea that "bankrolling" implies some sort of normative/exclusivity claim quite fascinating (if I got your position right). Looking over material I have at hand, its use across these pieces (in English) only suggests sufficiency but not exclusive necessity (as would be required to say co-financing would meaningfully contrast with bankrolling). Example: If Reuters says whereby richer northern European nations bankroll southern ones they consider indisciplined, the news agencies text does not imply that these southern countries don't raise any revenue whatsoever on their own. If you enjoy semantic arguments - in a strictly free time capacity - I would be delighted to look at your material suggesting otherwise :), best regards --Jan eissfeldt (talk) 08:24, 4 February 2013 (UTC)

Sure, bankroll does not necessarily mean "wholly fund". It just means "fund". And when you say WMF bankrolls something without acknowledging there are other sources as well (as would be indeed obvious to the point of not needing mention in the example you give above), one could get the impression WMF is wholly funding it. That was the impression I wanted to prevent, and you are correct that I should not have said we don't bankroll it but merely that we co-fund it. Asaf Bartov (WMF Grants) talk 21:28, 4 February 2013 (UTC)

Helping WebCite

WebCite – WebCite is attempting to raise money for in order to continue providing services that Wikipedians use. Many Wikimedia users are concerned: WebCite. Some believe that its best to provide WebCite with a large grant rather than having the WMF take it over completely: WebCite#WebCite_can_apply_for_a_grant. Philippe recommended speaking to you. WebCite seeks to raise $50,000 by the year. I don't believe that they could raise over $5,000 without publicity or aid from major donors. Is it possible for WebCite to apply for a grant of about $45,000? --Michaeldsuarez (talk) 02:21, 18 February 2013 (UTC)

(this was answered months ago at the Webcite talk page.) Asaf Bartov (WMF Grants) talk 15:51, 17 June 2013 (UTC)

Hey Asaf. I've tried to keep the conversation going at the bottom of WebCite with a question/request for you please contact the tech staff about a particular related issue. You might have seen the notification already, but I'm not sure if they work here on Meta or not. Best. Biosthmors (talk) 20:23, 26 August 2013 (UTC)

Thanks, I did notice. Someone from Tech will be responding soon. Asaf Bartov (WMF Grants) talk 23:56, 26 August 2013 (UTC)

Video Tutorials

Mr. Bartov, I just wanted to let you know that the discussion page for my proposed flow funding project has been updated, and I'd really appreciate if you could take another look at it. I really feel like I have a lot to contribute to Wikimedia. Thank you for your time, and I hope to hear from you soon. --Jackson Peebles (talk) 05:00, 15 March 2013 (UTC)

Pinging in here as well, I made some comments on the talk page. Thanks, West.andrew.g (talk) 14:03, 15 March 2013 (UTC)

Request for Input

Asaf, thanks for all of your hard work on the flow funding initiative. Now, I'm not trying to canvass (hence putting this in public; the last thing I need is someone to think that I'm not being transparent), but my WMF Grant Discussion is stagnating, and I was hoping that you could throw in some comments of your own, if you'd be interested.

Thanks, and I hope all is well! --Jackson Peebles (talk) 17:15, 28 March 2013 (UTC)

Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games submission

Hi Asaf. I have created a submission. I have never created a participation proposal before, so I am very unsure about how to go about it and how the process works. Any advice or assistance that you can give me would be gratefully appreciated. Hawkeye7 (talk) 21:14, 12 April 2013 (UTC)

Hi, Hawkeye7! Just like it says in the instructions (step 4), the next thing you need to do is e-mail participation AT wikimedia DOT org with a link to your new proposal. This would reach the person running the Participation Support Program, which indeed used to be me, but has recently changed to be Siko Bouterse. See the rest of those instructions for what happens then. Our Grants Administrator, Ms. Winifred Olliff, will support you through the process as needed. Beside that e-mail, just be sure to watch the proposal's talk page and response if/as necessary. Cheers! Asaf Bartov (WMF Grants) talk 23:14, 12 April 2013 (UTC)

Xhosa Wikipedia Challenge?

Is it possible that we would have a Xhosa version of the Wikipedia Challenge, like Setswana Wikipedia Challenge 2011? PiRSquared17 (talk) 19:23, 23 April 2013 (UTC)

Yes, it is possible, but unlikely. The Setswana Wikipedia Challenge was not a success in terms of bootstrapping a Setswana editing community; TNWP today has less than one active editor. Even the winner of the Challenge is not an active editor. We therefore very much doubt the model can work, as done previously.

It is conceivable that with some changes and slightly better starting conditions, a Wikipedia Challenge may produce better results. For example, one thing we've learned from the Setswana challenge is that it would require at least one Xhosa editor to do some preparatory work on the Xhosa Wikipedia -- importing templates, setting up some categories, etc. -- and to interact with the contestants as they contribute content. If such an editor, with sufficient motivation, can be found (and we don't seem to have one at the moment), we might consider running another Wikipedia Challenge. Asaf Bartov (WMF Grants) talk 19:57, 25 April 2013 (UTC)

Discussion on Xhosa Wikipedia Challenge vs Setswana Wikipedia Challenge

Thank you for raising such a good question PiRSquared17 more so that there are some folks out there since that end of Wikimedia Conference 2013 in Milan who where proposing that the Xhosa Wikipedia must be shutdown due to certain reasons they stated to the podium.I like it that the Head of South Global Relations Mr Bartov is totaly against the idea of which i beleive he stands firm to his thoughts to support African Wikipedians at all times.I solemly want to emphasise that indeed it's possible to host such a challenge with the Xhosa Wikipedians as Asaf Bartov (WMF Grants) has stated.However adding more on Asaf's comment on a well said matter,its an absolute truth that indeed Setswana Wikipedia was not a successful project due to the poor results as highlited http://stats.wikimedia.org/EN/SummaryTN.html, with relation to the stated results,i want to bring it to your attention that there are many reasons why we have such poor readings within the Tswana Wikipedia Page of which are:

• Poor understanding of the Translation Toolkit.
• Lack of interest in Wikipedia projects from Volunteers.
• Lack of Funds to support a group of active volunteers to run their community outreaches.
• Poor work ethics as a volunteers on Wikipedia.
• There is great need to encourage and motivate current active Volunteers so they understand their purpose as Wikipedians.

Above is just a few list i can highlight as some of the entities that make our page to have such poor results.The very person who is active in the page currently is also the very same person who won the Setswana Wikipedia Challenge Asaf point of correction.Allow me to say Wikipedia volunteerism is a demanding task because you find that most of the time Wikipedians here dont work on Wikipedia as Full time volunteers,infact most of the volunteers are students and workers therefore it need someone who is focused and eager to contribute to Wikipedia projects no matter the circumstances thats why some members are so inactive.I believe when Oscar came to mentor us before the challenege there was a huge turnup of contestants,i have tried to bring callings to each one of them from the malling group but none of them turned up for my seminars,only a few for that matter.Futhermore volunterism also is a choice as some state hence some folks may decide quit contributing to Wikipedia as i have seen it hapening here.Basing much on my efforts i want to believe that i am honestly trying to keep up well with my contribution to Wikipedia,it is through my hardwork and i have ran many community outreaches and recruted volunteers but now the choice lies upon them even though some decide not to contribute if they are no longer intrested there is nothing we can do because the choice lies within them.Futhermore it also gives me so much presure because of the many projects that i currently work on as an active wikipedian such as the current Wikimedia_Botswana project, http://wikimania2013.wikimedia.org/wiki/Submissions/The_Impact_of_GLAM_Institutions_Outreach_Educational_Programmes_in_Botswana and also having to work on our many stubs,templates and categories etc on our wikipedia page becomes a huge workload for me alone.Thats exactly why service delivery is delayed because they are so many things to do and am just alone to do them without anyone whilling to assit me from the same language.Wikipedia challenges are vital in helping to grow Wikipedia for instance Orange Botswana has now enabled free access of Wikipedia on mobiles to every user with a smartphone or supporting model,i mean these are great improvemnet strategies which the intending chapter (Wikimedia Botswana) is trying to implement as a way of trying to show people the importance of Wikipedia in their lifes.Now to the foundation,if atleast you could draw better strategies of running such challenges,i will be so greatfull to see Wikipedia growing in some parts of the wolrd.Personaly i like working for Wikipedia as an active editor therefore am going to continue contributing and working for Wikimedia Foundation regardles of the number of volunteers who are whilling to work with me,my interest can not be deteriorated by folks who are not serious about this movements unless they dont belong to it CORRECT ME IF AM WRONG.That is why i was able to make it to this years Wikimania 2013 again,it is also through my hard work and deligence on working for the foundation as a volunteer campus Ambassador right in Botswana. — The preceding unsigned comment was added by Oarabile Mudongo (talk) 15:57, 2 May 2013 (UTC)

Please check your email

Asaf, I sent you an email directly on May 6. I'm still waiting for a reply on Wikimedia-l to the question that I first asked on April 29. Would you or someone in Grants please respond to that? See http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2013-April/125555.html and http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2013-April/125575.html. Thanks. --Pine^✉ 18:21, 8 May 2013 (UTC)

Hi. I do check my e-mail. Your questions are not quite the most important thing we need to get done right now, so they will be answered as soon as time permits. We have not forgotten. Asaf Bartov (WMF Grants) talk 18:36, 8 May 2013 (UTC)

Start a newsletter subpage :-)

... and turn on email notifications for it!

Happy summer. I left a note on Grants talk:Start. –SJ talk  17:58, 1 June 2013 (UTC)

Good idea! And thanks for the comment; Siko has addressed it now, and we are indeed about to announce some renaming. Stay tuned! :) Asaf Bartov (WMF Grants) talk 15:51, 17 June 2013 (UTC)

Wikisource User Group

Hi! Thanks for your interest in the Wikisource User Group, to get things moving, Aubrey and me we were thinking of doing these tasks and hopefully you can give us a hand too :)

• Translate this WsUG invitation (thanks to Aarti for writing it!) into the languages you know
• The invitation is meant to be delivered to this list of wikisourcerors, check if we should add someone else!
• Read the new version of the WsUG page, and, if you feel like, add your thoughts about what should we do as a group on the talk page.

What do you think it's the first priority as a group of wikisource users, and what would you like to see accomplished? We'd very much like to understand what wikisourcerors want :-) --Micru (talk) 14:37, 19 July 2013 (UTC)

Re: Scale down needed

(no reason to discuss this here; moved to the grant discussion page) Asaf Bartov (WMF Grants) talk 17:43, 24 July 2013 (UTC)

Updating the WEF board member list

Asaf, I noticed there have been a couple of edits to the WEF grant since it was approved; the main purpose of the edits was to get the board member list accurate (Jami Mathewson had left the board some time before the grant was approved). However, technically the rubric at the top of the page says we should get your agreement before making the edits. I assume you're fine with correcting the board member list? I see jbmurray and Pjthepiano are disagreeing about how to characterize Annie Lin as a board member (e.g. "Annie Lin -- ex-WMF employee"). I'd prefer to see her listed without qualification, since we're not characterizing any other board member by prior experience. Can you just formally let me know that it is OK to edit the version you approved to change

• Jami Mathewson, Wikimedia Foundation appointee currently supporting the Wikipedia Education Program in the United States and Canada

to

• Annie Lin

Thanks. I'll post a note at the grant talk page too, so Jon Murray and PJ can chime in here if they want to. Mike Christie (talk) 16:38, 24 July 2013 (UTC)

Vague budget approved

The WLM debacle, which you've just approved, sends a signal to all applicants to build in 10% for "unforeseen expenses". Is this now to be normalised? It's not transparent, as the Board's objectives require. I'll be suggesting it to all applicants.

What does €10,000 in "technical support" amount to?

The calendars are charged at €9,000. How many? What proportion of the total cost of calendars is this subsidising?

Tony (talk) 07:43, 26 July 2013 (UTC)

Tony, your sensible commentary would be ever so much easier to benefit from if you refrained from sensationalism and emotive language. The WLM grant is not a "debacle", and your disagreement with the applicants, or with my decision, is not a good reason to use inflamed language. I ask you again to please refrain from this in the future. Asaf Bartov (WMF Grants) talk 20:19, 30 July 2013 (UTC)

To your questions:

Yes, we encourage grantees to build a buffer (of not more than 10% usually) for unforeseen and miscellaneous expenses. It is in everyone's interest that this amount be available to the grantees should the need arise (as it often does), rather than requiring urgent communications and additional wires from the US (involving a significant bureaucratic burden in some jurisdictions). Please remember this is not "money you can do whatever you want with" -- the grantee is accountable for every last cent of the reserve/buffer, just like the other budget line items, and has to keep receipts etc., again just like every other item. Unused buffers are then either remitted or retained for approved use, or, in the case of repeat grantees, deducted from a future grant. Asaf Bartov (WMF Grants) talk 20:19, 30 July 2013 (UTC)

The 10,000 Euros in technical support are explained on the grant (e.g. they are payment for a contractor to migrate and maintain the Erfgoedbot necessary for the competition). Asaf Bartov (WMF Grants) talk 20:19, 30 July 2013 (UTC)

You are correct that we were not given details about the amount of calendars and the degree of subsidy. This might have been a good thing to be concerned about in a grant proposal to a less experienced group, but in the context of this group, I was far more concerned about the total expenditure than about frugality in specific items. I trust this team to have calculated this line item frugally. The value of printing and shipping calendars at all, mind you, is far from obvious to me, and I would welcome looking into that as well, as part of the general evaluation of WLM's impact that I'm looking forward to; alas, that evaluation will not be available before next year. Asaf Bartov (WMF Grants) talk 20:19, 30 July 2013 (UTC)

WikIftar needs quick response

Hi Asaf, I made a grant request Grants:Belayet Hossain/WikIftar Dhaka 2013. The event based on Muslim Ramandan month and there only 10 days left of this month before Wikimania. So I have very short time to arrange that event which is depends on this grant. Could you help me to get a quick grant for my event?--Bellayet (talk) 14:08, 26 July 2013 (UTC)

I have initiate this issue at WMBD mailing list as well at Bangla Wikipedia village pump for the community discussion. Though google translation tool is not perfect, you can use the tool to read the Bangla Wikipedia discussions in English.--Bellayet (talk) 17:53, 27 July 2013 (UTC)

A2K

Hi Asaf, As you said, you are in charge of the grant you may look into this matter. I hope A2K/CIS has already informed you/WMF about this. I don't know who keeps track of the work and progress of A2K. May be CIS has the full authority over this, and there is no point telling you, i don't know. I don't have any question to you but you may have a look at these discussions, this, this (if possible go through other discussions on that page) and this, and if you are the consent person you may pitch in, if required. Also you may see this, this. I was involved in few discussions and I am sorry if you too find my tone rhetoric. I just wanted wmf to know this. I do not intend to take part in this anymore. So if you have any question ask me here instead. But seriously i don't have time for this, and I'll be busy for a long while. Thanks. -- ɑηsuмaη «Talk» 14:42, 12 August 2013 (UTC)

Wikimedia LGBT / User Group

Please see this discussion regarding User Group status. Thank you! --Another Believer (talk) 15:43, 22 August 2013 (UTC)