[Bug-gnupedia] Peace In Our Time

[Dan Geiser]

Hi, Everyone,
I apologize in advance for the length of this posting as I was having 
trouble accessing my e-mail today (courtesy of Microsoft).

David Tanzer wrote:

> > > on the email submission, we want the submission to be in xml, right?
>
> > Yes. We need to define an easy structure in XML.
>
> I like the decision to use XML as a submission format.

I can't reiterate this enough but, I truly dislike this idea.  Assuming we 
honestly want to have an open submission policy the easiest thing for me to 
keep in mind when following that policy concept is "Can my Mom do this?".  
Brother, I'll tell you right now my Mom would NOT be comfortable submitting 
an article to an Free Universal Encyclopedia and Learning Resource 
(henceforth known as GNUFUEL) if she had to complete an XML form to do so.  
And I can imagine there's many people around the world who have no idea what 
XML is (and to tell you the truth don't really feel like learning) who could 
still make valuable contributions.

On a related note are we really expecting common people who just want to add 
to the database to generate Digital Signature's to be allowed to do so?  If 
so I really have to disagree as well.  By doing so I believe we are 
unintentionally eliminating people from the submission process.

> The question of the internal structure of the repository is a large issue, 
> but we it shouldn't overshadow the goal of starting the submissions process 
> as soon as possible.

I DO very much agree with this.  I think the number one priority of everyone 
who wishes to participate at this point should be channeling their energies 
to the article submission process.

> Well, if you give space to my community and make all the necessary
> modifications (license, etc) to fit RMS's announcement, I'll agree to
> merge this project with Nupedia.

There seems to be a large point of contention on the subject of keeping 2 
different projects under the GNUFUEL bannerhead, i.e. Nupedia and Gnupedia, 
or merging them right off the bat into one big project.

I personally don't care one way or the other but I haven't really heard any 
arguments which make good points about the validity of one position over 
another.

For those who are resisting the idea of one big project I hope it's not just 
because you prefer the idea of being on the groundfloor of the whole thing.

Jimmy Wales wrote:

> *) Editorial policy (as we are differing already)
> *) Technologies.
>
> We will not be differing on either of those things, which is one
> of the reasons that any meaningful distinction between the two
> should disappear.

Many seem to want Nupedia to stay with their stricter editorial policy even 
though all signs say that Nupedia was getting readu to adopt many of the 
ideas which are currently being bandied about under the Gnupedia label on 
their own accord.

Peace!
Dan Geiser <address@hidden>





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