Comments on: Commercialization of wikis http://wikiangela.com/blog/commercialisation-of-wikis/ Angela Beesley Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:24:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Seven Lions » Blog Archive » Just How Important was that Bill Gates Guy, Anyway? - writing, research, art and digital media http://wikiangela.com/blog/commercialisation-of-wikis/comment-page-1/#comment-26726 Seven Lions » Blog Archive » Just How Important was that Bill Gates Guy, Anyway? - writing, research, art and digital media Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:54:59 +0000 http://wikiangela.com/blog/commercialisation-of-wikis/#comment-26726 [...] criticize der Wiki (or open source) with educated and accurate points.  I think the appeal of the sucker map and also the attempts at various people to throw Wiki on something and therefore expect it to [...] [...] criticize der Wiki (or open source) with educated and accurate points.  I think the appeal of the sucker map and also the attempts at various people to throw Wiki on something and therefore expect it to [...]

]]> By: David Gerard » Blog Archive » Wikimedia UK. http://wikiangela.com/blog/commercialisation-of-wikis/comment-page-1/#comment-8546 David Gerard » Blog Archive » Wikimedia UK. Tue, 01 May 2007 17:48:50 +0000 http://wikiangela.com/blog/commercialisation-of-wikis/#comment-8546 [...] Never use the word "crowdsourcing." (courtesy Angela) [...] [...] Never use the word "crowdsourcing." (courtesy Angela) [...]

]]> By: Angela Beesley http://wikiangela.com/blog/commercialisation-of-wikis/comment-page-1/#comment-6108 Angela Beesley Thu, 15 Mar 2007 21:17:17 +0000 http://wikiangela.com/blog/commercialisation-of-wikis/#comment-6108 I think there was enough commercialization of open source software already that people understand it's ok to make a profit from this. I hope that users find value in what sites like Wikia are providing even though that service is supported by advertising. I expect they wouldn't be writing there otherwise, and they certainly have alternative options if they do object. We try to discourage a sense of individual ownership of Wikia wikis and instead promote the idea that every wiki is community owned since it's that community who determines the content and policies for their own sites, and I think that helps. “Commercialized Wikis" would be a useful discussion, though it might not be formally accepted as one for Wikimania since we're trying to move the focus back to Wikimedia projects this year as opposed to wikis in general. Instead, I'd suggest either an unofficial off-schedule discussion at Wikimania, or something at the other wiki conference, WikiSym. I think there was enough commercialization of open source software already that people understand it’s ok to make a profit from this. I hope that users find value in what sites like Wikia are providing even though that service is supported by advertising. I expect they wouldn’t be writing there otherwise, and they certainly have alternative options if they do object. We try to discourage a sense of individual ownership of Wikia wikis and instead promote the idea that every wiki is community owned since it’s that community who determines the content and policies for their own sites, and I think that helps.

“Commercialized Wikis” would be a useful discussion, though it might not be formally accepted as one for Wikimania since we’re trying to move the focus back to Wikimedia projects this year as opposed to wikis in general. Instead, I’d suggest either an unofficial off-schedule discussion at Wikimania, or something at the other wiki conference, WikiSym.

]]> By: Jon http://wikiangela.com/blog/commercialisation-of-wikis/comment-page-1/#comment-6107 Jon Thu, 15 Mar 2007 21:01:43 +0000 http://wikiangela.com/blog/commercialisation-of-wikis/#comment-6107 Angela, Interesting post! I'm always curious how "commercialized" wikis are percieved by the wiki world. Sometimes I wonder if any Wikipedians regard sites like ValueWiki and Wikia as sellouts for profiting off opensource software. Are we growing fat earning our ad clicks off the backs of unpaid writers? Or are we simply providing a useful free service that our members happily appreciate? Has Wikia ever encountered any static from the MediaWiki community for running ads and going for-profit? I do feel ValueWiki is developing faster being for-profit. Wikipedian democracy is often a very slow process! On the other hand, Wikipedia obviously benefits from a great communal sense of common purpose. People feel greater attachment to a community they directly control. I wonder if it's a little trickier to cultivate this feeling in a for-profit Wiki. How do we get past this? Do we lose our "street cred" by being for-profit? Would be curious to know how/if these issues affect Wikia. Jon P.S. - I wonder if "commercialized Wikis" would be a useful discussion group at Wikimania? Angela,

Interesting post!

I’m always curious how “commercialized” wikis are percieved by the wiki world. Sometimes I wonder if any Wikipedians regard sites like ValueWiki and Wikia as sellouts for profiting off opensource software. Are we growing fat earning our ad clicks off the backs of unpaid writers? Or are we simply providing a useful free service that our members happily appreciate?

Has Wikia ever encountered any static from the MediaWiki community for running ads and going for-profit?

I do feel ValueWiki is developing faster being for-profit. Wikipedian democracy is often a very slow process!

On the other hand, Wikipedia obviously benefits from a great communal sense of common purpose. People feel greater attachment to a community they directly control. I wonder if it’s a little trickier to cultivate this feeling in a for-profit Wiki.

How do we get past this?

Do we lose our “street cred” by being for-profit? Would be curious to know how/if these issues affect Wikia.

Jon

P.S. – I wonder if “commercialized Wikis” would be a useful discussion group at Wikimania?

]]> By: WikiAngela » Why openness matters and new wiki magazines http://wikiangela.com/blog/commercialisation-of-wikis/comment-page-1/#comment-6011 WikiAngela » Why openness matters and new wiki magazines Tue, 13 Mar 2007 21:14:40 +0000 http://wikiangela.com/blog/commercialisation-of-wikis/#comment-6011 [...] Also at SXSW: Evan Prodromou on the commercialization of wikis. [...] [...] Also at SXSW: Evan Prodromou on the commercialization of wikis. [...]

]]> By: Evan Prodromou http://wikiangela.com/blog/commercialisation-of-wikis/comment-page-1/#comment-6010 Evan Prodromou Tue, 13 Mar 2007 20:45:25 +0000 http://wikiangela.com/blog/commercialisation-of-wikis/#comment-6010 Hi, Angela! I think a podcast of the talk is going to be on the SXSW site soon; watch here: http://2007.sxsw.com/coverage/podcasts/ . My point about a "healthy ecology" is that diverse ways of supporting wikis is probably good for the entire wikisphere. Commercial projects are going to develop in different ways than personal or non-profit projects; everybody gets a chance to learn from each other. A monolithic wiki world -- with only Wikimedia wikis, for example -- wouldn't have as much innovation or development. It just wouldn't be as fun. Hi, Angela! I think a podcast of the talk is going to be on the SXSW site soon; watch here: http://2007.sxsw.com/coverage/podcasts/ .

My point about a “healthy ecology” is that diverse ways of supporting wikis is probably good for the entire wikisphere. Commercial projects are going to develop in different ways than personal or non-profit projects; everybody gets a chance to learn from each other. A monolithic wiki world — with only Wikimedia wikis, for example — wouldn’t have as much innovation or development. It just wouldn’t be as fun.

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