Wikipedia:Version 1.0 Editorial Team/FAQs
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[edit] Why bother with an offline release at all? Wouldn't that be a backward step?
There are many reasons for offline releases, including:
- Many people in the world have easy access to a computer, but not to the internet.
- Many people who have internet access use slow modem connections - on which Wikipedia is frustratingly slow.
- An CD/DVD version can be useful in situations when internet access is difficult, for example on a plane or train, at the summer camp, etc. A paper version can also be useful to browse on the sofa, to have on the kid's bookshelf, or read on the bus to work.
- Once we have established reliable stable versions, free from obscenities, we can produce static releases that are safer for schoolteachers and homeschoolers to use with younger children.
- The very exercise of organising Wikipedia articles has so far appeared to help the community, not hinder it. We believe has helped to switch the emphasis from "more, more articles!" to a focus on improving quality, especially on core topics that had often been very neglected.
The goal of Wikipedia is to make knowledge freely available to the world. At the moment, that knowledge is mainly available to those with a broadband internet connection. This project is helping it reach everybody else.
[edit] What is the team’s first release?
The goal is to release a small test release, Wikipedia:Version 0.5, in early 2007. This release comprises about 2000 articles. It has finished beta testing and is expected to be released in late March, 2007. Version 0.7 is planned for later in 2007.
For a podcast on the situation in early November, 2006, go to Wikipedia:WikiProject WikipediaWeekly/Episode5.
Other subprojects continue. Please see Wikipedia:Version 1.0 Editorial Team#How you can help.
[edit] What about 1.0?
Once early tests such as Version 0.5/0.7 have been published and evaluated, and the team believes a full-sized version can be produced, work on Version 1.0 will begin.
Note: The original page for Version 1.0 Nominations has been suspended, for reasons noted on Version 1.0 Nominations and its talk page.
There might be one or more releases between 0.5 and 1.0.
[edit] What about other types of releases?
There has been much discussion also on smaller, specialised releases, perhaps on Chemistry or The KLF. These would be organised by WikiProjects, with this team simply assisting with the publication.
[edit] How do articles get picked for the releases?
This is done either by members of the Wikipedia:Version 1.0 Editorial Team/Review Team (open to all account holders), or using WikiProject assessments collected by a bot. For reviewing FAQs, see this page.
[edit] What’s going on with article assessments?
Participating Wikiprojects rate articles, such as A Class, B Class and Start. This is part of the Work via Wikiprojects subproject. Please see that talk page.
At least generally speaking, the fact that any given article has received any given assessment is at least not now (August 2006) planned to be the sole factor in determining whether it is or is not included in any given release. One reason is that to do so would give a bias toward material covered by those projects.
[edit] How can I get my project set up to use the bot?
If you are interested in getting your project added to this list, there are these instructions. If you need help, please ask at WVWP.
[edit] This project is so complicated, how can I find where things are?
We're working on a site map, please be patient! Till then, just ask on the talk page.
