Presentation readied for Wikipedia editors in India. CIS's workshop, 2013.

1. Building an
Indian Language
community
on-line
Challenges and Opportunities
Context: Wikipedia
Sunday, 6 October 13

2. The Difference
Participants from related regions and dialects.
Target audience - smaller, sparse.
Contributors - scarce, widely differing.
Varied Competence.
many more...
Sunday, 6 October 13

3. Rural
Urban
NRI
Sunday, 6 October 13

4. Understanding the
ecosystem
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

5. Understanding the
ecosystem
Sociocultural aspects.
Health of the community and the project.
Aspects derived from English community.
Extent and utility of UI translation.
Sunday, 6 October 13

6. 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

7. 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

8. Challenges
Plagiarism
The problem of citations and verifying them.
Weird scenarios.
An instance: Contributors adding their own
biographical page!
... and more.
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9. Challenges
Stubs.
Content that is not up to the mark.
Editing madness.
Bots.
Lack of consensus whilst lesser participation.
Dealing with sensitive sociocultural scenarios.
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10. Challenges
Argumentative individuals, anonymous
editors, time wasters and trouble makers.
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11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. Take away for
trainers
Being assertive about Ethics.
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16. The last mile
Spread WikiCulture.
Organic is better.
Enthusiasm overrides challenges, technical
hurdles.
Good luck!
Sunday, 6 October 13

17. Contact
hpnadig@gmail.com
Sunday, 6 October 13