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#615

From: Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen@...>
Date: Wed Mar 3, 2010 9:29 am
Subject: Mobile use of Wikipedia

meijg

Hoi,
Many people say that mobile access to the Internet is the way for the future. As actions speak louder then words, I am really happy to inform you that the localisations for Hausa and Swahili are now life. Remember, it took only the localisation of some 25 messages to accomplish this !! I would specifically want this done for Wolof, Igbo and Yoruba as well.

As I mentioned on my blog there were some 66 languages that had the most traffic in Februari 2010. Given that there are fewer days in Februari it is more special then the most traffic in Januari :) Many African languages were among the 66.

While I am happy with the success of the Hausa localisation, its main page is so poor that we could not reuse parts of it to build a mobile main page. Remember this can be static text, but what we have now is not good enough, who can help?

For the mobile mail page for Swahili I am liasing with MuddyB for a mobile main page.. the URL is http://sw.m.wikipedia.org

Action speaks louder then words, <grin> I do my best to get the actions heard about mobile MediaWiki at http://ultimategerardm.blogspot.com/search/label/mobile </grin>
Thanks,
GerardM

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#616

From: Casey Brown <lists@...>
Date: Tue Mar 2, 2010 8:59 pm
Subject: Re: [Wikimediaindia-l] Update on Mobile MediaWiki

On Sun, Feb 21, 2010 at 9:14 AM, Gerard Meijssen
<gerard.meijssen@...> wrote:
> So, this is an easy one... help us get more traffic, make Wikipedia better
> accessible in your language.

Another note:  you can even adjust your wiki's settings so that all
mobile users are automatically redirected to the mobile interface.
(If you don't, they probably will never find it.)  The code is on the
help page at Meta-Wiki:
<http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mobile#Redirecting_users>

--
Casey Brown
Cbrown1023

Reply | Messages in this Topic (3)

#617

From: Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen@...>
Date: Wed Mar 24, 2010 9:23 am
Subject: The imminent Usability improvements

meijg

Hoi,
After a long time of development, the software that brings much improved usability is scheduled to go live around the end of April, the beginning of May. This will mark a big change in the MediaWiki software. I expect that as a consequence the composition of the "most used" messages will change. This means that for those languages that have not localised the messages associated with the usability initiative the quality of the user experience will suffer.

While the benefits of the new software are obvious, it means that many people will need to adjust to the new software. For people who speak English it will be relatively easy but it is realistic that the people who do not speak English will suffer.

It is for this reason that I urge everyone on behalf of the teams of both the usability initiative and translatewiki.net to help us in a drive to have at least 100 languages completely ready by the time of my birthday .. May 7. I love surprises so I would not mind if I get more then I ask for :)

When you finish the usability localisation for your language please let us know.. ping, mail, tweet.. We need the stimulus of your success.
Thanks,
GerardM

http://translatewiki.net/w/i.php?title=Special:Translate&group=ext-ui-0-all
http://ultimategerardm.blogspot.com/2010/03/robbing-peter-to-pay-paul.html

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#618

From: "greenman_ian" <helloe@...>
Date: Sun May 30, 2010 7:03 pm
Subject: African Wikipedia and Wiktionary progress

I've written another update on the progress of African language Wikipedias and
Wiktionaries.

Mostly slow progress, but a few languages starting to move:
http://www.greenman.co.za/blog/?p=715

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#619

From: "One of The Kids" <rasfeqade@...>
Date: Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:49 am
Subject: Good news, Bad news

First the good news:

Amharic wikipedia, where I've been a bureaucrat for years, has recently seen a relative explosion in activity and popularity among Amharic speakers. I am happy to say that everything there seems to be going amazingly smoothely, with many new articles, new users and admins, and building an encyclopedia in Amharic is apparently a lot of fun for everyone involved.

Now the bad news.

English wikipedia.

I spent all day yesterday being lectured repeatedly by editors who indicate their care for neutrality, by announcing openly on their homepages that they want all religion to be destroyed. This lecturing took place on two articles about books considered sacred canon within Christianity and Judaism: "Book of Daniel", and "Genesis creation narrative" (formerly "myth").

These self-described atheist editors clearly do not consider Christianity or Judaism legitimate. So after they demand sources to be provided, no amount of sources evidencing that there is such a thing as a Christian or Jewish viewpoint disputing their handpicked "scholars" theories will ever be sufficient for them to see past their own noses that there are povs other than their own.

They are effectively making English wikipedia assume the very same role that the famous Council of Nicea played -- by acting as a body that determines whose beliefs and sacred texts are "heresy" or "fringe", and whose are okay and endorsed for readers to believe. Why can't there be more strongly worded policies to protect against this blatant usurpation of neutrality and point of view?

Jesus Christ is quoted in Matthew 24:15 as stating that the Book of Daniel refers to future events in the last days, and he commands all those who call themselves his followers, to watch vigilantly for those prophecies.

This POV, right or wrong, is still widespread among his followers. But these militant atheist editors have proclaimed that doctrine a "fringe" heresy, and have instead fully endorsed the hypothetical interpretation first proposed by Flavius Josephus, that it refers not to the last days, but to events that had already occurred in the 2nd century BC. (This is only one school of thought, but definitely not the only interpretation of Daniel.)

Even worse, on the Genesis Creation narrative article, even though I have found abundant evidence that some scholars dispute the arbitrary categorization of Genesis as "mythology", and provided ample quotes to that effect, their opinion has not only been ruled incorrect by these same editors, but unmentionable. They only want their own books mentioned and endorsed as "neutral", that say Genesis is a myth, and Daniel is a false writing, and all the books that disagree are declared unmentionable, because all religious POVs and interpretations to them are so illegitimate, they should not even be presented -- or if so, in only the most scoffing manner. Because these self-described atheist editors dominate these Bible articles, they have driven off many a less persistent editor who objects to this obvious travesty, and they have done everything they can to drive me from the talkpages including threaten me with banning.

If I dare say that this attitude strikes me as anti-religious bigotry, I will surely be banned for "name calling", because they are allowed to dish it out -- but I'm not, because they can't take it.

I have tried alerting Jimbo Wales to what's going on, and while there on his talkpage, I see that supporters of every kind of sexual degeneracy and illegal pornography that is a common feature of European culture, are basically running riot, and openly promoting whatever they wish without fear on English wikipedia. This behaviour often seems to be tolerated and winked at on wikipedia, but questioning it or objecting to it does not seem to be so tolerated, and meanwhile pointing out that some people in the world do take the Bible seriously is definitely not tolerated like this other stuff is.

Ethiopians are 99% religionists (mostly devout Christian or Muslim) who usually get along with each other despite their different beliefs, and therefore in the eyes of these intolerant atheist bigots, I suppose the entire population are all therefore illegitimate and none of their views count; and they should all stop listening to their own priests and imams, and instead start listening to these foreign scholars who drily assert (without a shred of proof mind you) that their sacred books are false and mythological, and that no other POV counts worthy of a fair mention.

Ethiopians and Africans in general look to English wikipedia as a test case for what could go wrong, because it is the oldest and largest wikipedia by far. And it seems to have gone very, very wrong; especially tolerance for anything but extreme militant "liberalism" POV pushing seems to be going right out the window there, along with all its much vaunted claims to "neutrality". I seriously doubt the Amharic wikipedia will ever look like that, as long as it is controlled by genuine Amharic speakers. But the view of English wikipedia is not going to be a pretty one as I'm sure you can imagine.

And when Africans ask about wikipedia and what it can potentially be used for, I'm bound to point out to them the examples of English wikipedia, that it can be used as a cultural weapon of activist propaganda directly opposed to everything they firmly believe, while masquerading itself as a "neutral" authority.

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#620

From: Ras Feqade <rasfeqade@...>
Date: Fri Jul 9, 2010 3:09 pm
Subject: One African's Opinion on the BIBLE...

"The Lion of Judah has prevailed
Haile Selassie I, Elect of God
King of Kings of Ethiopia

WE IN ETHIOPIA HAVE ONE OF THE OLDEST VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE, but however old the version may be, in whatever language it might be written, the Word remains one and the same. It transcends all boundaries of empires and all conceptions of race. It is eternal.

No doubt you all remember reading in the Acts of the Apostles of how Philip baptised the Ethiopian official. He is the first Ethiopian on record to have followed Christ, and from that day onwards the Word of God has continued to grow in the hearts of Ethiopians. And I might say for myself that from early childhood I was taught to appreciate the Bible and my love for it increases with the passage of time. All through my troubles I have found it a cause of infinite comfort.

"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" who can resist an invitation so full of compassion?

Because of this personal experience in the goodness of the Bible, I was resolved that all my countrymen should also share its great blessing and that by reading the Bible they should find truth for themselves. Therefore, I caused a new translation to be made from our ancient language into the language which the old and the young understood and spoke.

Today man sees all his hopes and aspirations crumbling before him. He is perplexed and knows not whither he is drifting. But he must realise that the Bible is his refuge, and the rallying point for all humanity. In it man will find the solution of his present difficulties and guidance for his future action, and unless he accepts with clear conscience the Bible and its great Message, he cannot hope for salvation. For my part I glory in the Bible."

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#621

From: Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen@...>
Date: Tue Jul 13, 2010 9:58 am
Subject: Bright future ahead

meijg

Hoi,
Wikimania Gdansk has come and gone. It was awesome as ever. This time the big announcement is that as a consequence of the strategy goal to almost double our traffic we will work hard to become relevant where we are not. One of the things the WMF can do is work on the technical language issues that impede the growth of our projects.. I have often mentioned the characters that are used in Lingala and, there is now a time where the WMF wants to know about this and will seriously do what it can to come to technical solutions.

Let me be clear, things that a community does will need to be done by a community; things like writing articles, organising themselves, localising at translatewiki.net. The things that go beyond what can be asked of a community are now very much open for consideration. There is an active interest at this moment in time to solve Unicode and font issues for instance.

As you may know the CLDR or Common Locale Data Repository is also important for every language not only for MediaWiki but also for Open Office. It is really important to have this information collected and available. <grin> this is certainly something that a "meta" community like ours can work on..

So bombard the WMF with the TECHNICAL issues that inhibit a language.. They are involving themselves in off line readers but in the end they work on the technology, they do not provide the tools ... (horses for courses)
Thanks,
Gerard

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#622

From: Casey Brown <lists@...>
Date: Tue Jul 27, 2010 4:25 pm
Subject: Wikimedia mailing lists for African chapters in discussion

Two new mailing lists were recently created for discussing the
possibility of  Wikimedia chapters[1] in Kenya[2] and South Africa[3].

If you're in Kenya or South Africa and want to see a chapter started,
or if you're just interested in joining in on the discussion, please
subscribe to the lists!

[1]http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_chapters
[2]https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediake
[3]https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaza

--
Casey Brown
Cbrown1023

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#623

From: Erik Moeller <Eloquence@...>
Date: Tue Aug 10, 2010 4:09 pm
Subject: Please help test geolocation

xirzon

Hello all,

we're experimenting with geolocation tools. For the purpose of
supporting the coordination of meetups and events, we want to add
functionality that will make it easy to run banners in a particular
region (e.g. a city and surrounding area).

To do so, we need to license a database that will allow us to look up
a person's presumed location based on their IP address. Before we do
so, we want to gather some reports from around the world about the
quality of the information provided.

To help out, please visit:
http://www.maxmind.com/app/mylocation

And then report your results at:
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/MaxMindCityTesting

Thanks for any and all help,

Erik
--
Erik M�ller
Deputy Director, Wikimedia Foundation

Support Free Knowledge: http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Donate

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#624

From: Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen@...>
Date: Thu Nov 4, 2010 7:26 pm
Subject: (Maybe) introducing Mifos and asking for your help

meijg

Hoi,
Mifos is an initiative of the Grameen Foundation that provides a solid footing for organisations who are involved in micro financing. The aim of the Grameen foundation is that everyone has access to credit at affordable rates. The Mifos initiative supports the administration of the microfinance industry. It is Open Source and it is used in many countries both in Asia and in Africa.

At translatewiki.net we support Mifos with its internationalisation and its localisation. A great amount of work has already gone in making this software ready. As the next release of the software is imminent, we are looking for people who can help us with localisation in the languages of Africa, India.

The rally that is needed to make the software ready for use has started and there are signed books to be won for the people who help us make a difference.

In my blogpost you find more details and background information. http://ultimategerardm.blogspot.com/2010/11/mifos-localisation-rally-sprint-at.html

Please forward this e-mail if you think you know someone who can help make Mifos relevant for micro finance organisations near you.
Thanks,
GerardM aka Gerard Meijssen

Reply | Messages in this Topic (5)

#625

From: Tobias Eigen <tobiaseigen@...>
Date: Thu Nov 4, 2010 10:20 pm
Subject: Re: (Maybe) introducing Mifos and asking for your help

Hi Gerard,�

This is interesting and has great potential - thanks for sharing. I would welcome a post about this on the Kabissa blog, to feature in next Tuesday's Kabissa Gong Gong monthly member newsletter.

Also, take a look at Kabissa Connections, a project idea of ours that recently won a Netsquared challenge. I'd be interested in seeing how this project could perhaps be of use to Mifos, as well as to localization projects targeting African languages. I also would be open to localizing the Kabissa platform into more languages besides English - perhaps French first but then also other languages spoken in Africa.�

Warm regards,�

Tobias

On Thu, Nov 4, 2010 at 8:26 PM, Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen@...> wrote:

�

Hoi,
Mifos is an initiative of the Grameen Foundation that provides a solid footing for organisations who are involved in micro financing. The aim of the Grameen foundation is that everyone has access to credit at affordable rates. The Mifos initiative supports the administration of the microfinance industry. It is Open Source and it is used in many countries both in Asia and in Africa.

At translatewiki.net we support Mifos with its internationalisation and its localisation. A great amount of work has already gone in making this software ready. As the next release of the software is imminent, we are looking for people who can help us with localisation in the languages of Africa, India.

The rally that is needed to make the software ready for use has started and there are signed books to be won for the people who help us make a difference.

In my blogpost you find more details and background information. http://ultimategerardm.blogspot.com/2010/11/mifos-localisation-rally-sprint-at.html

Please forward this e-mail if you think you know someone who can help make Mifos relevant for micro finance organisations near you.
Thanks,
�� GerardM aka Gerard Meijssen

Reply | Messages in this Topic (5)

#626

From: "greenman_ian" <helloe@...>
Date: Fri Feb 11, 2011 1:05 am
Subject: Update on African language Wikipedias

I've posted another update on how the African language Wikipedias are doing:
http://www.greenman.co.za/blog/?p=802

Been some good activity, and another two languages reaching 1000 articles.

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#627

From: "Waldir" <waldir@...>
Date: Fri Feb 11, 2011 12:02 pm
Subject: CLDR 2.0

Hey everyone.

As you probably know already, the data submission period for Unicode's locale
database (CLDR) is now open. I've been submitting data for my locake, kea
(kabuverdianu, for Cape Verde), and suggest you to do the same for your
languages. Here's the announcement:
http://unicode-inc.blogspot.com/2011/02/unicode-consortium-announces-opening-of.\
html

Cheers,
Waldir

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#628

From: "Waldir" <waldir@...>
Date: Fri Feb 11, 2011 12:17 pm
Subject: Re: (Maybe) introducing Mifos and asking for your help

Hi, Gerard,

Maybe you could help on this: Some of the Mifos messages are kind of ambiguous.
The talk page at http://translatewiki.net/wiki/Translating_talk:Mifos has
several threads with translators trying to figure out the meaning of some of
these messages.

Do you have any contact with the guys behind Mifos? their help would be greatly
appreciated. Otherwise, we won't be able to fully translate the messages.

Cheers,
Waldir

--- In afrophonewikis@yahoogroups.com, Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen@...>
wrote:
>
> Hoi,
> Mifos is an initiative of the Grameen Foundation that provides a solid
> footing for organisations who are involved in micro financing. The aim of
> the Grameen foundation is that everyone has access to credit at affordable
> rates. The Mifos initiative supports the administration of the microfinance
> industry. It is Open Source and it is used in many countries both in Asia
> and in Africa.
>
> At translatewiki.net we support Mifos with its internationalisation and its
> localisation. A great amount of work has already gone in making this
> software ready. As the next release of the software is imminent, we are
> looking for people who can help us with localisation in the languages of
> Africa, India.
>
> The rally that is needed to make the software ready for use has started and
> there are signed books to be won for the people who help us make a
> difference.
>
> In my blogpost you find more details and background information.
>
http://ultimategerardm.blogspot.com/2010/11/mifos-localisation-rally-sprint-at.h\
tml
>
> Please forward this e-mail if you think you know someone who can help make
> Mifos relevant for micro finance organisations near you.
> Thanks,
>        GerardM aka Gerard Meijssen
>

Reply | Messages in this Topic (5)

#629

From: Siebrand Mazeland <s.mazeland@...>
Date: Fri Feb 11, 2011 12:21 pm
Subject: Re: Re: (Maybe) introducing Mifos and asking for your help

Several Mifos people hang out in IRC channel #mediawiki-i18n on Freenode. You can also reach that channel by using the translatewiki.net webchat at https://translatewiki.net/wiki/Special:Webchat.

User with a nick that looks like "meonkeys" is one of out primary contacts.

Siebrand

Van: Waldir <waldir@...>
Beantwoorden - Aan: <afrophonewikis@yahoogroups.com>
Datum: Fri, 11 Feb 2011 12:17:32 -0000
Aan: <afrophonewikis@yahoogroups.com>
Onderwerp: [afrophonewikis] Re: (Maybe) introducing Mifos and asking for your help

Hi, Gerard,

Maybe you could help on this: Some of the Mifos messages are kind of ambiguous. The talk page at http://translatewiki.net/wiki/Translating_talk:Mifos has several threads with translators trying to figure out the meaning of some of these messages.

Do you have any contact with the guys behind Mifos? their help would be greatly appreciated. Otherwise, we won't be able to fully translate the messages.

Cheers,
Waldir

Reply | Messages in this Topic (5)

#630

From: Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen@...>
Date: Fri Feb 11, 2011 12:23 pm
Subject: Re: Re: (Maybe) introducing Mifos and asking for your help

meijg

Hoi,
Yes we have a contact with the Mifos developers, particularly "meonkeys" can be found regularly on the #Mifos and the #mediawiki-i18n IRC channels.
Thanks,
Gerard

On 11 February 2011 13:17, Waldir <waldir@...> wrote:

Hi, Gerard,

Maybe you could help on this: Some of the Mifos messages are kind of ambiguous. The talk page at http://translatewiki.net/wiki/Translating_talk:Mifos has several threads with translators trying to figure out the meaning of some of these messages.

Do you have any contact with the guys behind Mifos? their help would be greatly appreciated. Otherwise, we won't be able to fully translate the messages.

Cheers,
Waldir

--- In afrophonewikis@yahoogroups.com, Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen@...> wrote:
>
> Hoi,
> Mifos is an initiative of the Grameen Foundation that provides a solid
> footing for organisations who are involved in micro financing. The aim of
> the Grameen foundation is that everyone has access to credit at affordable
> rates. The Mifos initiative supports the administration of the microfinance
> industry. It is Open Source and it is used in many countries both in Asia
> and in Africa.
>
> At translatewiki.net we support Mifos with its internationalisation and its
> localisation. A great amount of work has already gone in making this
> software ready. As the next release of the software is imminent, we are
> looking for people who can help us with localisation in the languages of
> Africa, India.
>
> The rally that is needed to make the software ready for use has started and
> there are signed books to be won for the people who help us make a
> difference.
>
> In my blogpost you find more details and background information.
> http://ultimategerardm.blogspot.com/2010/11/mifos-localisation-rally-sprint-at.html
>
> Please forward this e-mail if you think you know someone who can help make
> Mifos relevant for micro finance organisations near you.
> Thanks,
> GerardM aka Gerard Meijssen
>

Reply | Messages in this Topic (5)

#631

From: dzo@...
Date: Wed Mar 9, 2011 10:47 pm
Subject: Fw: [ILAT] Developing Wikipedias in indigenous languages of Mexico

bisharat_dot...

FYI, this initiative may be of interest as an "allied" effort. It would be of
interest to share ideas on strategies and experiences.

Don



Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From:         Rudy Troike <rtroike@...>
Sender:       Indigenous Languages and Technology <ILAT@...>
Date:         Wed, 9 Mar 2011 11:22:56
To: <ILAT@...>
Reply-To:     Indigenous Languages and Technology <ILAT@...>
Subject: [ILAT] Developing Wikipedias in indigenous languages of Mexico


Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2011 09:15:09 -0700
From: Leigh Thelmadatter <osamadre@...>

I'm involved with a project among Wikimedia M�xico, Red Nacional de J�venes
Ind�genas, ed de Comunicadores Boca de Polen and the Escuela Nacional de
Antropolog�a e Histor�a (affiliated with INAH) to develop and promote the
creation and maintenance of Wikipedias in the various indigenous languages of
this country. We have an informal agreement with the Instituto Nacional de
Lenguas Indigenas, but are working on formalizing it. Essentially, it will
involve not only training and encouraging speakers of these languages to
write articles, but also to develop keyboards, operating systems and
interfaces with Wikipedia in the target languages. For most of the languages,
the first main challenge is to come up with a writing system, as many do not
have a standard and many, like Mixteco, have a number of dialects.

Anyone who might be interested in this project are welcome to look at
Wikimedia M�xico's page at
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_M%C3%A9xico  and especially the
minutes of the last meeting on 4 March here
(in Spanish)
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_M%C3%A9xico/Lenguas_de_M%C3%A9xico/Minu\
ta_4_de_marzo_de_2011

Or feel free to contact me. There's a very good chance we will need some
expert linguistic advice!

Leigh

Darn! The organization is not involved with indigenous languages in Mexico. Im involved with a project among Wikimedia M�xico, Red Nacional de J�venes Ind�genas, ed de Comunicadores Boca de Polen and the Escuela Nacional de Antropolog�a e Histor�a (affiliated with INAH) to develop and promote the creation and maintenance of Wikipedias in the various indigenous languages of this country. We have an informal agreement with the Instituto Nacional de Lenguas Indigenas, but are working on formalizing it. Essentially, it will involve not only training and encouraging speakers of these languages to write articles, but also to develop keyboards, operating systems and interfaces with Wikipedia in the target languages. For most of the languages, the first main challenge is to come up with a writing system, as many do not have a standard and many, like Mixteca, have a lot of dialects.

Anyone who might be interested in this project are welcome to look at Wikimedia M�xico's page at http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_M%C3%A9xico and especially the minutes of the last meeting on 4 March here (in Spanish) http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_M%C3%A9xico/Lenguas_de_M%C3%A9xico/Minuta_4_de_marzo_de_2011

Or feel free to contact me. Theres a very good chance we will need some expert linguistic advice!

Leigh

> Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2011 22:00:04 -0700
> From: rtroike@...
> Subject: Foundation for Endangered Languages newsletter
> To: UAESL-L@...
>
> Click on this link:
>
> http://www.ogmios.org/ogmios/Ogmios_043.pdf

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#632

From: dzo@...
Date: Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:05 pm
Subject: Re: [ILAT] Developing Wikipedias in indigenous languages of Mexico

bisharat_dot...

What you say is true. Wikipedia was conceived in terms of an encyclopedia in
everyone's language.

In practice however an effort to get a localized version requires a significant
effort. If there are strong national and language community groups to back it
up, then that works in your favor.

In addition there may be an uphill struggle with Wikimedia if an effort falters.
My impression from discussions about African language Wikipedias is that there
is a line of thinking among some that it is better to delete Wikipedia editions
that are showing no activity than to outreach to try to encourage activity.

The case of most African language Wikipedias (dubbed at one point "Afrophone
wikis") is somewhat different than that of most indigenous languages of, say,
the Americas, but the issues encountered by them and views expressed about their
development may be of interest - see the Afrophonewikis Yahoogroup (via
yahoo.com - I don't have the URL handy).

HTH

Don


Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From:         Neskie Manuel <neskiem@...>
Sender:       Indigenous Languages and Technology <ILAT@...>
Date:         Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:38:55
To: <ILAT@...>
Reply-To:     Indigenous Languages and Technology <ILAT@...>
Subject: Re: [ILAT] Developing Wikipedias in indigenous languages of Mexico

Weytk,

Wikipedia is a great place to put knowledge that you want the world to
know, and it is 100% localizable into any language.

On a related note. There is this wikipedia page that lists all of the
language regulators

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_language_regulators

I saw that the Secwepemc Language Authority wasn't on there, so I put
it on there.  I would suggest someone take some time to add your
language authority to the list.  =)

On Wed, Mar 9, 2011 at 10:22 AM, Rudy Troike <rtroike@...> wrote:
>
> Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2011 09:15:09 -0700
> From: Leigh Thelmadatter <osamadre@...>
>
> I'm involved with a project among Wikimedia México, Red Nacional de Jóvenes
> Indígenas, ed de Comunicadores Boca de Polen and the Escuela Nacional de
> Antropología e Historía (affiliated with INAH) to develop and promote the
> creation and maintenance of Wikipedias in the various indigenous languages of
> this country. We have an informal agreement with the Instituto Nacional de
> Lenguas Indigenas, but are working on formalizing it. Essentially, it will
> involve not only training and encouraging speakers of these languages to
> write articles, but also to develop keyboards, operating systems and
> interfaces with Wikipedia in the target languages. For most of the languages,
> the first main challenge is to come up with a writing system, as many do not
> have a standard and many, like Mixteco, have a number of dialects.
>
> Anyone who might be interested in this project are welcome to look at
> Wikimedia México's page at
> http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_M%C3%A9xico  and especially the
> minutes of the last meeting on 4 March here
> (in Spanish)
>
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_M%C3%A9xico/Lenguas_de_M%C3%A9xico/Minu\
ta_4_de_marzo_de_2011
>
> Or feel free to contact me. There's a very good chance we will need some
> expert linguistic advice!
>
> Leigh
>
>
> Darn! The organization is not involved with indigenous languages in Mexico. 
Im involved with a project among Wikimedia México, Red Nacional de Jóvenes
Indígenas, ed de Comunicadores Boca de Polen and the Escuela Nacional de
Antropología e Historía (affiliated with INAH) to develop and promote the
creation and maintenance of Wikipedias in the various indigenous languages of
this country. We have an informal agreement with the Instituto Nacional de
Lenguas Indigenas, but are working on formalizing it. Essentially, it will
involve not only training and encouraging speakers of these languages to write
articles, but also to develop keyboards, operating systems and interfaces with
Wikipedia in the target languages. For most of the languages, the first main
challenge is to come  up with a writing system, as many do not have a standard
and many, like Mixteca, have a lot of dialects.
>
> Anyone who might be interested in this project are welcome to look at
Wikimedia México's page at 
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_M%C3%A9xico  and especially the
minutes of the last meeting on 4 March here (in Spanish)
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_M%C3%A9xico/Lenguas_de_M%C3%A9xico/Minu\
ta_4_de_marzo_de_2011
>
> Or feel free to contact me. Theres a very good chance we will need some expert
linguistic advice!
>
> Leigh
>
>> Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2011 22:00:04 -0700
>> From: rtroike@...
>> Subject: Foundation for Endangered Languages newsletter
>> To: UAESL-L@...
>>
>> Click on this link:
>>
>> http://www.ogmios.org/ogmios/Ogmios_043.pdf
>
>



--
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http://neskiemanuel.ath.cx
Tel: (250) 679-2821
SIP: mac@...
Skype: neskiemanuel
Twitter: @neskiem
Identi.ca: http://identi.ca/neskie

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#633

From: Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen@...>
Date: Sun Mar 27, 2011 8:55 am
Subject: South Africa has a Wikimedia chapter

meijg

Hoi,
I just learned from Twitter that the South African chapter has been approved. This is quite a joyful occasion because chapters are the preferred organisational format for the Wikimedia Foundation to support its projects in a country. If anything the Indian way of promoting their projects is the example for supporting the native languages. In SA it is particular Afrikaans that is doing well.

I know there is talk of a Kenian chapter, I have no details at this time of its status.
Thanks,
GerardM

Reply | Messages in this Topic (2)

#634

From: Jon Harald S�by <jhsoby@...>
Date: Sun Mar 27, 2011 2:08 pm
Subject: Re: South Africa has a Wikimedia chapter

jhsoby

The Kenyan chapter is alive and very active with its Wikipedia for schools project, and in the final stages of getting approval I think, though Abbas or anyone olse from there could give a better description of course. I was actually expecting WMKE to be approved before WMZA, but doesn't turn out that way. Anyways, congratulations to South Africa from Tanzania! :-)

2011/3/27 Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen@...>

�

Hoi,
I just learned from Twitter that the South African chapter has been approved. This is quite a joyful occasion because chapters are the preferred organisational format for the Wikimedia Foundation to support its projects in a country. If anything the Indian way of promoting their projects is the example for supporting the native languages. In SA it is particular Afrikaans that is doing well.

I know there is talk of a Kenian chapter, I have no details at this time of its status.
Thanks,
�� GerardM

--

mvh

Jon Harald S�by

Reply | Messages in this Topic (2)

#635

From: "greenman_ian" <helloe@...>
Date: Sun May 15, 2011 2:28 am
Subject: African language Wiktionaries

I've posted an update on the progress of the African language Wiktionaries -
http://www.greenman.co.za/blog/?p=842

With one dubious exception, not much to report :)

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#636

From: Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen@...>
Date: Wed May 18, 2011 8:10 am
Subject: WebFonts for the Ethiopic script

meijg

Hoi,
I am happy to inform you that at translatewiki.net we now support WebFonts. What is of special interest to this list is that we now support the Ethiopic script as well. We expect that this will become available at all the Wikis of the Wikimedia Foundation..

As many more languages need specific fonts to do well, Lingala comes to mind, I would like you to propose freely licensed fonts that fix font issues and identify the languages that will benefit.

These fonts will become first available at translatewiki.net so you can test it out localising for these languages :)
Thanks,
Gerard

http://ultimategerardm.blogspot.com/2011/05/mwhack11-font-support-for-amharic-and.html

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#637

From: dzo@...
Date: Thu Nov 10, 2011 12:10 am
Subject: Fw: Request from an administrator at the English Wikipedia

bisharat_dot...

FYI...

------Original Message------
From: Martin Benjamin
To: African Languages
ReplyTo: Reply to Comment
Subject: [African Languages] Request from an administrator at the English...
Sent: Nov 7, 2011 09:34

Martin Benjamin posted in African Languages. Martin Benjamin 9:34am Nov 7
Request from an administrator at the English Wikipedia. Can any Luganda speakers
a) confirm the language, and b) give a one sentence explanation of what it is
about?: "We have an article in what I believe is Luganda. The article is
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esigalyakagolo - if you could get someone to look
at it and decide if you want it. We have no idea what it is about - I think I
know one word 'kitabo' means book - and if nothing is done with it, it will be
deleted. If you do want it, we'll work out how to transwiki it. Good luck with
the Luganda Wikipedia." Esigalyakagolo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org This article is written in a language other than English. If it
is intended for readers from the com... View Post on Facebook � Edit Email
Settings � Reply to this email to add a comment.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#638

From: "Outi" <outi.sane@...>
Date: Tue Feb 21, 2012 9:00 pm
Subject: NEWS! First spellcheckers for Diola Fogny and Diola Kasa done!

SPELLCHECKERS IN 2 SENEGAMBIAN LANGUAGES DONE!


In Vox Humanitatis we started to gather people in different language
groups a couple of years ago. Now I am so happy to inform all of you
that the first  versions of the spellcheckers for Senegambian
languages Diola Fogny (dyo) and Diola Kasa (csk) are done! Fogny
spellchecker has almost 20 000 entries  and Kasa has more than 15 000
entries. Spellcheckers are working in Firefox now.

The road to get these spellcheckers has been really hard but also
great fun. It needed great devotion from the Vox Humanitatis Diola
Fogny team and Diola Kasa team. Also the practical coding part was
essential. It was done by Kevin Scannell from University of Saint
Louis, USA.


The whole article AND the links:
http://eng.i-iter.org/content/news-first-spellcheckers-diola-fogny-and-diola-kas\
a-done-subject-african-languages

Greetings:
Outi San� from Vox Humanitatis. :)
outi.sane@...

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#639

From: dzo@...
Date: Fri Apr 27, 2012 4:52 pm
Subject: Re: Wikipedia to be free on mobiles in Africa, Middle East - SciDev.Net

bisharat_dot...

Pete, Brenda, all,

Don't overlook the African language editions of Wikipedia. The options are not just English on Wikipedia or English on alternative wikis. And content in African languages won't be swamped with content from elsewhere. It can potentially can reach more people (indirectly as well as directly), as well as link local international knowledge in different ways.

There seems to be enormous latent potential in African language Wikipedias to develop content (translated original) relating to health, agriculture, and a range of topics relevant to basic education. I would propose that they should figure in any education for development, development communication, or curriculum development program that uses the Internet in Africa.

Don

Don Osborn, PhD

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

From: "Pete Cranston" <pete.cranston@...>

Sender: pete.cranston@...

Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:08:22 GMT

To: Web2ForDev Discussion Group<web2fordev@...>

ReplyTo: "Web2ForDev Discussion Group" <web2fordev@...>

Cc: <ednahkaramagi@...>

Subject: [web2fordev] Wikipedia to be free on mobiles in Africa, Middle East - SciDev.Net

Hi

African online content is, and always has been, swamped by content from elsewhere, so I agree absolutely with Brenda

FarmAfriPedia is an prototype African agricultural Local Content wikipedia, led by Ednah Karamagi from WOUGNET. The site only has sample content at the moment but WOUGNET are adding more of the content they have captured with communities in Uganda. I think it is the kind of online resource that might make wikipedia both more relevant and more engaging for ordinary people. http://farmafripedia.ikmemergent.net

There is also an article about the project in this month's newsletter from FAO Dimitra (Gender, rural women and development) http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/dimitra/pdf/dim_21_e.pdf

Cheers

Pete

Pete Cranston

Skype:petecranston

Twitter: @petecranston

+ 44 7917 390133

From: brendazulu2002@... [mailto:brendazulu2002@...]
Sent: 16 April 2012 11:28
To: Web2ForDev Discussion Group
Subject: [web2fordev] Wikipedia to be free on mobiles in Africa, Middle East - SciDev.Net

There is need for Africa to create its content and add it to Wikipedia for them to benefit from it.

Africa should upload content to the web as right now Africa is busy downloading content which should not be the case.

regards

Brenda Zulu

On 12 April 2012 23:41, Giacomo Rambaldi <grambaldi@...> wrote:

FYI

Giacomo

Wikipedia to be free on mobiles in Africa, Middle East - SciDev.Net

Millions of people in Africa and the Middle East will be able to benefit from free, unlimited access to the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia through their mobile phone, starting later this year. The scheme targets the region's 70 million customers of the mobile network provider Orange, who will be given free access to Wikipedia on their internet-enabled 'smart' phones.

You are receiving this message because you are a member of the community Web2ForDev Discussion Group.

A reply to this message will be sent to all members of Web2ForDev Discussion Group.

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--
Brenda Nglazi Zulu

Africa Interactive Media

Founder/Partner
P.O Box 32295
Lusaka
Zambia
+260 977 891431

brendazulu2002@...
brendazulu2002@...

http://brendait.blogspot.com

You are receiving this message because you are a member of the community Web2ForDev Discussion Group.

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Reply | Messages in this Topic (3)

#640

From: Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen@...>
Date: Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:31 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Wikipedia to be free on mobiles in Africa, Middle East - SciDev.Net

meijg

Hoi,

I really like this thread, so much so that I used its content in a blogpost [1]. There is much information that is encyclopaedic in farming. There is much basic information in biology, geography, botany that is foundational to agriculture.

I do like the notion that agriculture can drive people to African Wikipedias. The process of getting these projects approved can be realised in a fairly short period of time. When you are serious about this, I am happy to help out.

Thanks,

GerardM

[1] http://ultimategerardm.blogspot.com/2012/04/is-agriculture-must-have-wikipedia-zero.html

On 27 April 2012 18:52, <dzo@...> wrote:

Pete, Brenda, all,

Don't overlook the African language editions of Wikipedia. The options are not just English on Wikipedia or English on alternative wikis. And content in African languages won't be swamped with content from elsewhere. It can potentially can reach more people (indirectly as well as directly), as well as link local international knowledge in different ways.

There seems to be enormous latent potential in African language Wikipedias to develop content (translated original) relating to health, agriculture, and a range of topics relevant to basic education. I would propose that they should figure in any education for development, development communication, or curriculum development program that uses the Internet in Africa.

Don

Don Osborn, PhD
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
From: "Pete Cranston" <pete.cranston@...>
Sender: pete.cranston@...
Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:08:22 GMT
To: Web2ForDev Discussion Group<web2fordev@...>
ReplyTo: "Web2ForDev Discussion Group" <web2fordev@...>
Cc: <ednahkaramagi@...>
Subject: [web2fordev] Wikipedia to be free on mobiles in Africa, Middle East - SciDev.Net

Hi

African online content is, and always has been, swamped by content from elsewhere, so I agree absolutely with Brenda

FarmAfriPedia is an prototype African agricultural Local Content wikipedia, led by Ednah Karamagi from WOUGNET. The site only has sample content at the moment but WOUGNET are adding more of the content they have captured with communities in Uganda. I think it is the kind of online resource that might make wikipedia both more relevant and more engaging for ordinary people. http://farmafripedia.ikmemergent.net

There is also an article about the project in this month's newsletter from FAO Dimitra (Gender, rural women and development) http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/dimitra/pdf/dim_21_e.pdf

Cheers

Pete

Pete Cranston

Skype:petecranston

Twitter: @petecranston

+ 44 7917 390133

From: brendazulu2002@... [mailto:brendazulu2002@...]
Sent: 16 April 2012 11:28
To: Web2ForDev Discussion Group
Subject: [web2fordev] Wikipedia to be free on mobiles in Africa, Middle East - SciDev.Net

There is need for Africa to create its content and add it to Wikipedia for them to benefit from it.

Africa should upload content to the web as right now Africa is busy downloading content which should not be the case.

regards

Brenda Zulu

On 12 April 2012 23:41, Giacomo Rambaldi <grambaldi@...> wrote:

FYI

Giacomo

Wikipedia to be free on mobiles in Africa, Middle East - SciDev.Net

Millions of people in Africa and the Middle East will be able to benefit from free, unlimited access to the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia through their mobile phone, starting later this year. The scheme targets the region's 70 million customers of the mobile network provider Orange, who will be given free access to Wikipedia on their internet-enabled 'smart' phones.

You are receiving this message because you are a member of the community Web2ForDev Discussion Group.

A reply to this message will be sent to all members of Web2ForDev Discussion Group.

Reply to sender | Unsubscribe

--
Brenda Nglazi Zulu
Africa Interactive Media

Founder/Partner
P.O Box 32295
Lusaka
Zambia
+260 977 891431

brendazulu2002@...
brendazulu2002@...

http://brendait.blogspot.com

You are receiving this message because you are a member of the community Web2ForDev Discussion Group.

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Reply | Messages in this Topic (3)

#641

From: Tobias Eigen <tobiaseigen@...>
Date: Sat Apr 28, 2012 8:54 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Wikipedia to be free on mobiles in Africa, Middle East - SciDev.Net

Thanks, Gerard! Would you be willing to crosspost this post to the Kabissa blog? Would love to share it with the grassroots organizations in the Kabissa network.

Cheers,

Tobias

On Apr 28, 2012 12:32 PM, "Gerard Meijssen" <gerard.meijssen@...> wrote:

�

Hoi,
I really like this thread, so much so that I used its content in a blogpost [1]. There is much information that is encyclopaedic in farming. There is much basic information in biology, geography, botany that is foundational to agriculture.

I do like the notion that agriculture can drive people to African Wikipedias. The process of getting these projects approved can be realised in a fairly short period of time. When you are serious about this, I am happy to help out.

Thanks,
� � �GerardM

[1]�http://ultimategerardm.blogspot.com/2012/04/is-agriculture-must-have-wikipedia-zero.html

On 27 April 2012 18:52, <dzo@...> wrote:

�

Pete, Brenda, all,

Don't overlook the African language editions of Wikipedia. The options are not just English on Wikipedia or English on alternative wikis. And content in African languages won't be swamped with content from elsewhere. It can potentially can reach more people (indirectly as well as directly), as well as link local international knowledge in different ways.

There seems to be enormous latent potential in African language Wikipedias to develop content (translated original) relating to health, agriculture, and a range of topics relevant to basic education. I would propose that they should figure in any education for development, development communication, or curriculum development program that uses the Internet in Africa.

Don

Don Osborn, PhD
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
From: "Pete Cranston" <pete.cranston@...>
Sender: pete.cranston@...
Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:08:22 GMT
To: Web2ForDev Discussion Group<web2fordev@...>
ReplyTo: "Web2ForDev Discussion Group" <web2fordev@...>
Cc: <ednahkaramagi@...>
Subject: [web2fordev] Wikipedia to be free on mobiles in Africa, Middle East - SciDev.Net

Hi

�

African online content is, and always has been, swamped by content from elsewhere, so I agree absolutely with Brenda

�

FarmAfriPedia is an prototype African agricultural Local Content wikipedia, led by Ednah Karamagi from WOUGNET. The site only has sample content at the moment but WOUGNET are adding more of the content they have captured with communities in Uganda. I think it is the kind of online resource that might make wikipedia both more relevant and more engaging for ordinary people. http://farmafripedia.ikmemergent.net

�

There is also an article about the project in this month's newsletter from FAO Dimitra (Gender, rural women and development) http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/dimitra/pdf/dim_21_e.pdf

�

Cheers

�

Pete

�

Pete Cranston

Skype:petecranston

Twitter: @petecranston

+ 44 7917 390133

�

From: brendazulu2002@... [mailto:brendazulu2002@...]
Sent: 16 April 2012 11:28
To: Web2ForDev Discussion Group
Subject: [web2fordev] Wikipedia to be free on mobiles in Africa, Middle East - SciDev.Net

There is need for Africa to create its content and add it to Wikipedia for them to benefit from it.

�Africa should upload content to the web as right now Africa is busy downloading content which should not be the case.

regards

Brenda Zulu

On 12 April 2012 23:41, Giacomo Rambaldi <grambaldi@...> wrote:

FYI

Giacomo

Wikipedia to be free on mobiles in Africa, Middle East - SciDev.Net

Millions of people in Africa and the Middle East will be able to benefit from free, unlimited access to the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia through their mobile phone, starting later this year. The scheme targets the region's 70 million customers of the mobile network provider Orange, who will be given free access to Wikipedia on their internet-enabled 'smart' phones.�

You are receiving this message because you are a member of the community Web2ForDev Discussion Group.

A reply to this message will be sent to all members of Web2ForDev Discussion Group.

Reply to sender | Unsubscribe

--
Brenda Nglazi Zulu
Africa Interactive Media�

Founder/Partner�
P.O Box 32295
Lusaka
Zambia
+260 977 891431

brendazulu2002@...
brendazulu2002@...

http://brendait.blogspot.com�

You are receiving this message because you are a member of the community Web2ForDev Discussion Group.

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Reply | Messages in this Topic (3)

#642

From: "bisharat_dot_net" <dzo@...>
Date: Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:09 pm
Subject: April 2012 African language Wikipedia update

bisharat_dot...

FYI: April 2012 African language Wikipedia update (on the Neverness blog)
http://www.greenman.co.za/blog/?p=953

Reply | Messages in this Topic (3)

#643

From: Samuel Klein <meta.sj@...>
Date: Sun Apr 29, 2012 4:08 pm
Subject: Re: April 2012 African language Wikipedia update

sjekjr

That's really useful!� Thank you for compiling it.�� SJ

On Sun, Apr 29, 2012 at 9:09 AM, bisharat_dot_net <dzo@...> wrote:

�

FYI: April 2012 African language Wikipedia update (on the Neverness blog) http://www.greenman.co.za/blog/?p=953

--
Samuel Klein� � � � � identi.ca:sj �� w:user:sj � � � � �+1 617 529 4266

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#644

From: Samuel Klein <meta.sj@...>
Date: Sun Apr 29, 2012 4:13 pm
Subject: Re: April 2012 African language Wikipedia update

sjekjr

That is, thanks to Ian Gilfillan for the work and to you for passing it on :)��

On Sun, Apr 29, 2012 at 12:08 PM, Samuel Klein <meta.sj@...> wrote:

That's really useful!� Thank you for compiling it.�� SJ

On Sun, Apr 29, 2012 at 9:09 AM, bisharat_dot_net <dzo@...> wrote:

�

FYI: April 2012 African language Wikipedia update (on the Neverness blog) http://www.greenman.co.za/blog/?p=953

--
Samuel Klein� � � � � identi.ca:sj �� w:user:sj � � � � �+1 617 529 4266

--
Samuel Klein� � � � � identi.ca:sj �� w:user:sj � � � � �+1 617 529 4266

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