Re: [Wikitech-l] MediaWiki Homepage Redesign

[Antoine Musso]

Le 16/12/13 21:53, Brena Monteiro a écrit :
> Yes! That's the idea. Identify what content is fundamental to put on the
> homepage. Some people agreed that the contents of the homepage needs to be
> directed to new users. And I wonder:
> 
> Which content will do new users love MediaWiki? Or what will arouse
> interest in using and contribute immediately?

Hello,

Whenever I hunt for a new software I expect the following on the main page:

 - software prerequisites (in our case PHP / Mysql)
 - screenshots
 - a list of the most important features
 - a download link
 - dates of last releases
 - step-by-step tutorial to install

Additional useful links:
 - bug utility
 - support forum / mailing list / IRC channel
 - online demo

cheers,

-- 
Antoine "hashar" Musso


___
Wikitech-l mailing list
Wikitech-l@lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikitech-l

Re: [Wikitech-l] MediaWiki Homepage Redesign

[Quim Gil]

On 12/16/2013 10:59 AM, Chad wrote:
> I'm not sure either. I'd rather just see bold edits to the homepage
> that make it look nicer.
> 
> This is a content thing, not a software design thing imho.
> 
> If interested users can't edit the homepage on mw.org, we can
> fix that easily too.

"make it look nicer", heh. :)  The mediawiki.org homepage needs more
than that.

When you want to improve something complex, it is good to know what you
want to improve, why, and how. Brena is working on the answers to these
basic questions in order to propose a plan. Bold edits might lead you to
a good solution by chance, but the chances of failing, delaying, and
wasting energy unnecessarily are high.

From a technical point of view, bold edits are not that simple in a
homepage that is pulling 35 templates, 21 of them exclusive to
Main_page. Any significant change probably involves editing/creating
wikitext, graphics, HTML, and CSS sitting in different places. I'm not a
designer, but as a content editor I would also welcome a plan agreed
before jumping there.

From a social point of view, bold edits to the homepage of a popular
community site are only productive when you know where you are heading,
the community is aware as well, and there is consensus. The chances of
someone asking 'Why are you doing this?' before reverting are just too
high, unless you limit yourself to polish non-challenging details.

-- 
Quim Gil
Technical Contributor Coordinator @ Wikimedia Foundation
http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/User:Qgil

___
Wikitech-l mailing list
Wikitech-l@lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikitech-l

Re: [Wikitech-l] MediaWiki Homepage Redesign

[Brena Monteiro]

Yes! That's the idea. Identify what content is fundamental to put on the
homepage. Some people agreed that the contents of the homepage needs to be
directed to new users. And I wonder:

Which content will do new users love MediaWiki? Or what will arouse
interest in using and contribute immediately?

Regards,

Brena Monteiro
+55 27 98109 0123
@monteirobrena 
Reflexões Brenianas 
___
Wikitech-l mailing list
Wikitech-l@lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikitech-l

Re: [Wikitech-l] MediaWiki Homepage Redesign

[Chad]

On Mon, Dec 16, 2013 at 10:44 AM, Isarra Yos  wrote:

> On 16/12/13 12:14, Brena Monteiro wrote:
>
>> Like Quim said, right now we are preparing the Design Document[1] and all
>> collaboration is welcome.
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>> [1] https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/User:Monteirobrena/OPW/Design_Document
>>
>> Brena Monteiro
>> +55 27 98109 0123
>> @monteirobrena 
>> Reflexões Brenianas 
>>
>>
> I apologise if I'm being daft here, but why exactly is a design document
> needed for this (or for)? It is good that you're working on it, of course,
> but I'm also a bit confused.


I'm not sure either. I'd rather just see bold edits to the homepage
that make it look nicer.

This is a content thing, not a software design thing imho.

If interested users can't edit the homepage on mw.org, we can
fix that easily too.

-Chad
___
Wikitech-l mailing list
Wikitech-l@lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikitech-l

Re: [Wikitech-l] MediaWiki Homepage Redesign

[Isarra Yos]

But what makes it good? What does 'solidify thinking' mean?

-I

On 16/12/13 18:54, Brandon Harris wrote:

A) it's a good exercise to learn with;
B) it's good practice to make them for all projects, regardless of size, I only 
to help solidify one's thinking.

We should do LESS designing in code, not more.

Snt frm my iPhne


On Dec 16, 2013, at 10:44 AM, Isarra Yos  wrote:


On 16/12/13 12:14, Brena Monteiro wrote:
Like Quim said, right now we are preparing the Design Document[1] and all
collaboration is welcome.

Best regards,

[1] https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/User:Monteirobrena/OPW/Design_Document

Brena Monteiro
+55 27 98109 0123
@monteirobrena 
Reflexões Brenianas 

I apologise if I'm being daft here, but why exactly is a design document needed 
for this (or for)? It is good that you're working on it, of course, but I'm 
also a bit confused.

-I

___
Wikitech-l mailing list
Wikitech-l@lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikitech-l

___
Wikitech-l mailing list
Wikitech-l@lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikitech-l



___
Wikitech-l mailing list
Wikitech-l@lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikitech-l

Re: [Wikitech-l] MediaWiki Homepage Redesign

[Brandon Harris]

A) it's a good exercise to learn with;
B) it's good practice to make them for all projects, regardless of size, I only 
to help solidify one's thinking.  

We should do LESS designing in code, not more. 

Snt frm my iPhne

> On Dec 16, 2013, at 10:44 AM, Isarra Yos  wrote:
> 
>> On 16/12/13 12:14, Brena Monteiro wrote:
>> Like Quim said, right now we are preparing the Design Document[1] and all
>> collaboration is welcome.
>> 
>> Best regards,
>> 
>> [1] https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/User:Monteirobrena/OPW/Design_Document
>> 
>> Brena Monteiro
>> +55 27 98109 0123
>> @monteirobrena 
>> Reflexões Brenianas 
> 
> I apologise if I'm being daft here, but why exactly is a design document 
> needed for this (or for)? It is good that you're working on it, of course, 
> but I'm also a bit confused.
> 
> -I
> 
> ___
> Wikitech-l mailing list
> Wikitech-l@lists.wikimedia.org
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikitech-l

___
Wikitech-l mailing list
Wikitech-l@lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikitech-l

Re: [Wikitech-l] MediaWiki Homepage Redesign

[Isarra Yos]

On 16/12/13 12:14, Brena Monteiro wrote:

Like Quim said, right now we are preparing the Design Document[1] and all
collaboration is welcome.

Best regards,

[1] https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/User:Monteirobrena/OPW/Design_Document

Brena Monteiro
+55 27 98109 0123
@monteirobrena 
Reflexões Brenianas 



I apologise if I'm being daft here, but why exactly is a design document 
needed for this (or for)? It is good that you're working on it, of 
course, but I'm also a bit confused.


-I

___
Wikitech-l mailing list
Wikitech-l@lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikitech-l

Re: [Wikitech-l] MediaWiki Homepage Redesign

[Brena Monteiro]

 heck, I wrote half
> of a
> > > proof
> > > of concept) but shot it down because the idea totally sucked.
> >
> > I think I agree with your conclusion, but based on my assumptions. It
> > would be useful to know why you think it sucked.
> >
> > Alright, not on Gerrit. Where?
> >
>
> https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Gadgets_2.0 ?
>
> --
> Amir Elisha Aharoni · אָמִיר אֱלִישָׁע אַהֲרוֹנִי
> http://aharoni.wordpress.com
> ‪“We're living in pieces,
> I want to live in peace.” – T. Moore‬
>
>
> ------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2013 00:40:24 +0530
> From: Amanpreet Singh 
> https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=amanpreet.iitr2...@gmail.com>
> >
> To: 
> wikitech-l@lists.wikimedia.org<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=wikitech-l@lists.wikimedia.org>
> Subject: [Wikitech-l] Bug Fixing: #21481
> Message-ID:
>  esn+ujxyity...@mail.gmail.com<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=esn%2bujxyity...@mail.gmail.com>
> >
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Hi, I am new to wikimedia,
>
> I want to start bug fixing for wikimedia so I have started from this
> annoying little bug
>
> https://bugzilla.wikimedia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=21481
>
> Can somebody guide me from where to start and search for fixing this bug,
>
>
> --
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2013 11:57:36 -0800
> From: Quim Gil 
> https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=q...@wikimedia.org>
> >
> To: 
> wikitech-l@lists.wikimedia.org<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=wikitech-l@lists.wikimedia.org>,
> Heather Walls
> 
> https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=hwa...@wikimedia.org>
> >
> Subject: Re: [Wikitech-l] MediaWiki Homepage Redesign
> Message-ID: 
> <52aa1530.1000...@wikimedia.org<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=52aa1530.1000...@wikimedia.org>
> >
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Hi Brena!
>
> We have already discussed in person (remotely) but here goes a public
> reply as well.
>
> On 12/02/2013 11:47 AM, Brena Monteiro wrote:
> > Hello everyone,
> >
> > I'm selected to participate of OPW and I will work at MediaWiki Homepage
> > Redesign project in which Quim and Heather are my mentors.
>
> Yes!
>
> To anybody interested: the goal is to have a proposal to replace the
> current mediawiki.org homepage by March 10 (end of Brena's OPW
> internship). Ideally this proposal will consist on a wiki page that can
> just be copied and pasted.
>
> The steps to get there are described at
>
> https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/User:Monteirobrena/OPW#Deliverables
>
> Your feedback is welcome. We also want to identify reviewers willing to
> pay special attention to this project, contributing feedback and helping
> to reach decisions. If you are interested, please step in.
>
> > My first activity is identify the main problems at current homepage. I'm
> > watching the page: "Requests for comment/MediaWiki.org Main Page tweaks"
> > [1] and I would like to emphasise that all collaboration is welcome.
>
> After a chat yesterday between Brena, Heather and myself, we agreed that
> the next step is to agree on a design document.
>
>
> https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/WMF_Project_Design_Review_Process#Design_Document
>
> We need to deal with one wiki page only (an important wiki page, but not
> as complex as the user interface of a full application), but still this
> document will be important to define what we want to do, and why.
>
> Then mockups. Then wiki implementation. Trying to sign off each phase
> reaching community consensus.
>
>
> For those willing to get involved now, at
>
> https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/User_talk:Monteirobrena/OPW#Design_document
>
> I just created topics to discuss the renaming of
> https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/User:Monteirobrena/OPW and set up its
> right scope...
>
> ... and also the actions to close officially
>
> https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Requests_for_comment/MediaWiki.org_Main_Page_tweaks
> after integrating the relevant details to the design document.
>
> Most of the communication will happen around those wiki pages. Brena
> will use this list for announcements and wider requests for feedback.
> You can also find us on #mediawiki IRC.
>
> --
> Quim Gil
> Technical Contributor Coordinator @ Wikimedia Foundation
> http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Us

Re: [Wikitech-l] MediaWiki Homepage Redesign

[Quim Gil]

Hi Brena!

We have already discussed in person (remotely) but here goes a public
reply as well.

On 12/02/2013 11:47 AM, Brena Monteiro wrote:
> Hello everyone,
> 
> I'm selected to participate of OPW and I will work at MediaWiki Homepage
> Redesign project in which Quim and Heather are my mentors.

Yes!

To anybody interested: the goal is to have a proposal to replace the
current mediawiki.org homepage by March 10 (end of Brena's OPW
internship). Ideally this proposal will consist on a wiki page that can
just be copied and pasted.

The steps to get there are described at

https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/User:Monteirobrena/OPW#Deliverables

Your feedback is welcome. We also want to identify reviewers willing to
pay special attention to this project, contributing feedback and helping
to reach decisions. If you are interested, please step in.

> My first activity is identify the main problems at current homepage. I'm
> watching the page: "Requests for comment/MediaWiki.org Main Page tweaks"
> [1] and I would like to emphasise that all collaboration is welcome.

After a chat yesterday between Brena, Heather and myself, we agreed that
the next step is to agree on a design document.

https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/WMF_Project_Design_Review_Process#Design_Document

We need to deal with one wiki page only (an important wiki page, but not
as complex as the user interface of a full application), but still this
document will be important to define what we want to do, and why.

Then mockups. Then wiki implementation. Trying to sign off each phase
reaching community consensus.


For those willing to get involved now, at

https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/User_talk:Monteirobrena/OPW#Design_document

I just created topics to discuss the renaming of
https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/User:Monteirobrena/OPW and set up its
right scope...

... and also the actions to close officially
https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Requests_for_comment/MediaWiki.org_Main_Page_tweaks
after integrating the relevant details to the design document.

Most of the communication will happen around those wiki pages. Brena
will use this list for announcements and wider requests for feedback.
You can also find us on #mediawiki IRC.

-- 
Quim Gil
Technical Contributor Coordinator @ Wikimedia Foundation
http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/User:Qgil

___
Wikitech-l mailing list
Wikitech-l@lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikitech-l