Wikipedia Task Force: Reader Conversion

[netmouse]

I have been selected to participate in the Wikipedia task force to increase contributions from readers and under-represented groups. In other words, to convert wikipedia readers to editors.

I have posted a few of my pet theories as to why people are discouraged from or disinterested in editing wikipedia on my wikipedia strategic planning user page. I welcome discussion there or here about why you or people you know choose not to edit wikipedia.

Comments

[foms.livejournal.com]

That's an excellent thought. If there were an announcement line at the top of each editing page (preferably in an unusual colour) telling people that, no matter what they do, the version that they saw when they clicked the "edit this page" link can be recovered in about 15 seconds, it would likely go a long way toward alleviating newbie hesitancy. It would probably annoy the experienced users and would probably come to annoy the very people who needed it in the first place but that's a risk of moving the balance in favour of friendliness toward people who otherwise might not use or help the resource.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

well, and the technology could very well be capable of discerning that a user is a first-time editor and just show that message if your IP or user ID has not previously edited wikipedia.

There are a number of things it might be good to show in a "so this is your first time editing?" message.