Connect/IdeaLab

IdeaLab is an incubator for people to share ideas to improve Wikimedia projects and to collaboratively develop them into plans and grant proposals. Inspire Campaigns are month-long events that are a part of IdeaLab, and serve to focus attention on a specific theme for ideas.

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Welcome to IdeaLab

Hey folks, welcome to the community space for IdeaLab on Connect. I'm Jethro, and I maintain IdeaLab (and the Inspire Campaigns associated with them). You are welcome to use this space to:

introduce yourself,
ask questions about IdeaLab,
seek others to help build and implement new ideas for Wikimedia projects, or
offer advice or guidance to others with questions about how to develop and idea for our projects and implement it.

Thanks for dropping by, and feel free to ping me if you have questions. I JethroBT (WMF) (talk) 23:31, 15 June 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Wikimedia Foundation staff do?
Staff are here to check out ideas that have been submitted as grant proposals. Some WMF collaborators also endorse, help out with Ideas, or create their own from time to time. WMF collaborators may also serve as advisors on ideas or subsequent projects.

I need help with my idea. Can I ask for help from Wikimedia Foundation staff?
It depends. General questions about IdeaLab and how to use it are always welcome here on Connect, or you can contact I JethroBT (WMF) who maintains this space.

For direct involvement and review of your project, while staff occasionally endorse or assist individual ideas, we're not as active or available as other members of the IdeaLab community. Staff will get involved with your idea once it has moved into the grant proposal stage.

If you have an idea that does not need funding, staff may be able to provide advising support to provide some guidance on how you might consider implement your idea. The good news is that IdeaLab is full of skilled Wikimedians from all around the world looking to engage with others. Meet them here.

I'm excited about my idea and want to develop it. Where do I go from here?

After you start developing your idea, it's a good idea to get some support from the IdeaLab community. Volunteers, endorsements, and discussion within the community can help make your idea happen, and is also a factor when making funding decisions for Wikimedia Foundation grants. You can also find potential volunteers for your idea here.

Some ideas are about changing project policies or guidelines. In many projects, this is achieved through discussion, often through a process called Requests for Comments. You can learn about Requests for Comments from the community here.

What type of Grant is right for me?

Some ideas in IdeaLab can be expanded into either Rapid or Project Grants. You can use the "Expand your idea" section at the bottom of each idea page, but make sure to read the guidelines and criteria for Rapid or Project Grants first. It's also a good idea to look at previous grant proposals for inspiration and examples.

Are there any tools to help me plan and implement my Idea?

Yes! Phabricator is a great tool to manage tasks and coordinate support with your idea, especially if it is related to a feature request, software development, or tool building. See this page to get started.

Grant Proposal

Hi, I'm Carl a Wikipedia Projects Contributors and I wish I would help you by proposals about the implementation and the sharing of knowledge by Wikimedia in my country. I disposed to help you everytime. Carl Zona (talk) 07:49, 22 June 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Members at a Glance

All Members

Need some help with your Idea?

Here, you can view IdeaLab members who share interests in certain types of projects, or who have relevant experience to your idea. If you'd like other IdeaLab members to be able to find your name here, then add your profile to one of the categories listed below, which are organized by interest and experience:

Why Critics are not welcome?

why there only two options "endors" and "join"? why not "critics"? (Idot (talk) 06:36, 22 July 2018 (UTC))[reply]

Concerns and criticism are best discussed on the discussion page of an idea. Concerns usually merit a response, clarification, or discussion around changes, and the best place for this is the discussion page. Furthermore, ideas that are controversial have attracted people to become critical on the main page in a disruptive manner with the intent to dissuade the idea creator from improving the idea and to drive them away from the campaign entirely. This kind of behavior is unacceptable, and its impact is much worse when it is prominently displayed on the idea page itself. I JethroBT (WMF) (talk) 08:59, 22 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Wow!!!!Winged Blades of Godric (talk) 09:20, 22 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]
if an idea IS WRONG why it should be supported and applied anyway? isn't it an ABSURD?! the changes should not make the current situation WORSE! (Idot (talk) 10:29, 22 July 2018 (UTC))[reply]

First, ideas are not implemented merely because they exist in an Inspire Campaign and have endorsements. it is a drafting space. Second, notions of "wrong" and "absurd" vary amongst editors, and usually this is not a particularly helpful way to think about ideas. If there's a specific idea you are concerned about, let me know and I will review it. Finally, sometimes, I do sometimes remove ideas from campaign because they're not related to the campaign or Wikimedia projects, or they are attempts to disrupt the campaign in some way. I do not remove ideas because someone considers it wrong without any other explanation or context. I JethroBT (WMF) (talk) 10:44, 22 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Concerns and criticism are best discussed on the discussion page of an idea I JethroBT (WMF) (talk) 08:59, 22 July 2018 (UTC)

the endorce should be on the discussion page - too (Idot (talk) 10:32, 22 July 2018 (UTC))[reply]

Endorsements will remain on the idea pages. Please read this explanation for the rationale. I JethroBT (WMF) (talk) 10:44, 22 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

it is WRONG! endorcemnet on the idea page will lead to false positive (Idot (talk) 10:50, 22 July 2018 (UTC))[reply]

@Idot: This convention has been in place for some years now and has not led to any inappropriate ideas being implemented, so I am unconcerned with this assumption. I JethroBT (WMF) (talk) 12:50, 22 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Photo uploading needs improvement

Make it easier to upload photos. Your system is lame. Difficult to navigate and constantly dealing with bots trying to remove your work.

Without more specific details about your circumstances, I'm not sure there is much I can do to help or direct you, but IdeaLab and the processes and policies around image uploading are . Images uploaded to Wikimedia Commons have to have an appropriate license compatible with our projects (CC-BY-SA 4.0 or public domain images are common) and there must be sufficient information about the creator and source of the image itself. For images on other projects, there can be some variation on these guidelines, such on English Wikipedia where some images are permitted under specific Fair Use criteria. I JethroBT (WMF) (talk) 23:58, 29 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

An observation on (EN) Wikipedia dominance

I find it interesting that most of the suggestions concern the Wikipedia projects -- in distinction with Wiktionary, Wikimedia Commons, Wikisource, etc. -- if not specifically the English Wikipedia. Does this mean the other Wikimedia projects have healthy communities? Or are the members of those communities intimidated by the prominence of the English Wikipedia? -- Llywrch (talk) 00:27, 4 August 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Question on visibility (2018)

Its been 3 months or there about and I don't see even one view for my proposal (Grants:IdeaLab/Logout tool). Did I list it wrong or fail to follow through with some part of the process, or is it just that the idea lab is dead? TomStar81 (talk)

@TomStar81: Yes, for some reason the infobox Template:Probox/Idealab did not appear and was replaced with Template:Navbox instead, which basically prevented it from being visible on the pages it ought to be. The former template is normally supposed to appear by default, and contains some parameters that allow the page to appear on IdeaLab or Inspire Campaigns. I've just now adjusted it, and will look into this issue further. I JethroBT (WMF) (talk) 20:22, 17 September 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Well that explains alot. Hopefully this'll get my idea back in the game. Thanks for looking into this, I appreciate it. TomStar81 (talk) 20:34, 17 September 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Follow-ups in near future? (2020 > 2021 > 2022)

This looks like a super interesting activity. Any chance of Follow-ups in near future? Zblace (talk) 06:32, 29 October 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Hi I JethroBT (WMF) ! Yesterday on Meta-Wiki 20 I got reminded of these resources and came across my question here... I know you are busy with transition of Grants>Funding work but is IdeaLab still something usable as an infrastructure to direct new people with project ideas? --Zblace (talk) 10:07, 20 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Hi Z, while there are no Foundation staff actively curating or monitoring IdeaLab, the space is still operational from a technical standpoint. People can still create idea pages in this space and use them to get feedback on an idea from their community or from relevant Foundation staff before launching it into a grant proposal or some other means of implementation. FYI, the work of maintaining this space used to be my job -- with important support from a few others -- until I transitioned to supporting specific grant programs and other Foundation initiatives. I agree there is definite value in this space, and that we could do a better job of communicating that out to interested volunteers. I JethroBT (WMF) (talk) 22:33, 21 November 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@Zblace and I JethroBT (WMF): I totally agree with the comments above; I think this whole concept looks highly useful. I would like to ask if we can please think of ways to make this available as an active current resource? very itnerested in any ways, ideas, etc that might enable us or help us to do so. --Sm8900 (talk) 17:10, 10 June 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Wikisheets

Wiki Sheets logo

A project to develop spreadsheets for Wikipedia and Wikimedia. So the data would be there and the graph can be updated by other people or automatically like FRED graphs are automatically updated. Instead of having to make graphs using 3rd party apps like Numbers for Apple, only that person can update that graph and re-upload it as of now. Wikideas1 (talk) 06:28, 19 September 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Maps
Graphs
Tables
Databases, .CSV file types

Add yourself

I JethroBT (WMF)

Hi, I'm Jethro! I maintain IdeaLab. What ideas do you have about Wikimedia Projects?

Harej (WMF)

Associate Product Manager, Wikimedia Cloud Services. I want to hear about your ideas for improving Wikimedia's software and technology

Parveen Bhadoo

Hi, I'm Parveen Bhadoo! I am a Volunteer Editor of wikipedia, Just discovering Wikipedia for a change.

Abdullah Naveed

Hello my name is Abdullah. I am an amateur writer and editor. Been editing for Wikipedia for over 5 years now. Hope to contribute more to this community

Sunnysinghnitb

I love contributing to open-source projects and to Wikipedia to help people acquire knowledge for free.

Shypoetess

I am a Volunteer Editor, Coordinator of the Hindi Branch of The Wikipedia Library and am actively involved Outreach targeted at decreasing the Gender Gap.

pandeyasish

I am a Volunteer Editor of wikipedia, I also contribute in Hindi language translations

Jamie Tubers

I'm a long term wikimedian, both online and offline. Founder-member of the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria. I coordinate outreach activities in Nigeria. For Inspire Campaign, I am coordinating an Instagram contest, to improve awareness of Wikipedia in Nigeria.

Mvolz

Eyitayo Alimi

I am a Software Engineer and a Wikimedian from Nigeria. I have over 7 years experience of voluntary building developer and tech communities from Google to Facebook, Wordpress and Wikimedia group in Nigeria. My major role includes striking partnership deals with incubators around town so we won't pay for meetup spaces and canvasing for gender balance within the tech space in Africa.

Blossom Ozurumba

Designing, creating, writing, shooting, storytelling, like no one else. I volunteer to improve Igbo language content via Igbo Wikimedians User Group.

Owula kpakpo

Hi, I'm Justice! I am a Digital Strategist, Photographer and a part time blogger. I volunteer for Wikimedia Ghana User Group as the social media lead.

Daylen

I'm a high school student in Vancouver and have been editing the English Wikipedia for over two years. I also edit Wikivoyage and the Commons. If you need assistance with anything, just leave a message on my talk page. Even if I don't know the answer, I can likely refer you to someone who does.

B20180

th.wikipedia (Admin), Thai language sister projects (Admin), Wikimedia Commons. I have some skill about graphic design.

Danidamiobi

I'm a 21 year old Wikimedia community builder at the University of Ilorin. Coding since 14, I am passionate about open knowledge and idea design. I do branding graphics, shirt printing, animation, social media management, web development. I make Wikimedia better because it first did the same to me.

BamLifa

Hey folks! I'm a free software & free culture enthusiast. I'm advocating for free sharing of the knowledge in the DRCongo. I also promote Kiwix software to allow everybody to access the world knowledge. Don't hesitate to get in touch with me to talk about free sharing of knowledge, be it coding or not

Tirab

Hi everyone. I love the idea of helping people acquire knowledge for free. I would like Wikipedia to be as error free as possible and for everyone in the world to contribute even if it just one piece of information that they might know. I am based in South Africa. I have been actively contributing to Wikipedia for the last few years. Any questions please don't hesitate to leave them on my talk page

Preciousayara

Hi everyone. I'm interested in making the English Wikipedia as error-free as possible too so that the free knowledge that is shared would be the best quality. I'm a content developer based in Nigeria.

sidheeq

Delhi Based Journalist,India. I have been a Wikipedian since 2007 and contribute to the English Wikipedia. And active contributor in Malayalam Wikipedia. Also contributing to Hindi and Urdu Wikipedia. Also Commons,Wikibooks, Wikiquote and Wiktionary.

Le JyBy

Academic Computer Scientist with some research and implementation projects about collaborative production and validation of documents (e.g. pedagogical videos, but not only).

Touzrimounir

Hi, I'm Mounir from Tunisia! I am a wikimedian from Tunisia,I like the idea of helping people acquire knowledge for free .

Caleidoscopic

Hi everybody, I´m a bolivian wikimedian, we have so much to work in .

Seudodata

Hi. I'm an activist for free sharing of knowledge and would love to see Wikipedia in the 36 official languages of my country: Bolivia. I love translation tools and am ready to help in translations from and to English and Spanish

Sambhav2612

Hi, I'm an undergraduate from New Delhi, India. I manage 3 diverse and collaborative regional product-based technical communities and have a great motivation to put Wikipedia in use in the rural areas of India through widespread and large-scale educational initiatives.

AMIT SHUKLA

Hello! My name is AMIT SHUKLA , I am a bhopal college student and information technology . I have been editing Wikipedia English for a short space of time. I am still an apprentice and I seek to become better as time goes by. I am mostly interested in South African Biographies as I think they are not celebrated enough on the internet.

thinkadoodle

Hi! I love Wikipedia. I tend to use it first when I have a question on my mind about some topic in history, medicine, maths, religion, the sciences, etc. I wish I had more time to work on Wikipedia.

Uzoma Ozurumba

Hello! My name is Uzoma! I volunteer to edit and add content in Igbo Language platforms through Igbo Wikimedians User Group

Gopavasanth

Hi, I am Gopa Vasanth, I would love to here and share my Ideas to Wikimedia foundation, I mainly Contribute to Mediawiki projects and Mediawiki Extensions

Hopewell Ayanda

Hello! My name is Hopewell Ayanda! I am South African, I love helping people when I have the means to do so, I also love I.T and Hip Hop music. I am enthusiastic for entrepreneurship

Nnanna Kalu

Hi, I am Nnanna Kalu, I would love to share my Ideas with Wikimedia foundation, I mainly Contribute content in Igbo language.

Bhuvana_Meenakshi

Hey, Bhuvana from India interested in bridging the needs of women developers in all Open Source communities and interested in exploring the tech stuff on Wiki

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Sm8900

really interested to join the discussionjs here.

Shahadusadik

Hello! My name is Sadik Shahadu. A certified Wikipedia trainer, Co-founder and Executive Director for the Dagbani Wikimedians User Group.

AYM8818

Hello! My name is Aliyu Yusuf, also known as Aliyu Shaba. I'm a dedicated translator on Hausa Wikipedia, proficient in both content creation, programming, graphic design, and photography. I have extensive experience as an editor across multiple Wikimedia platforms, including Wikimedia Meta, Wikidata, Wikimedia Incubator, Wikimedia Commons, TranslateWiki, and Wikipedia. I'm passionate about contributing to these Wikimedia sister projects and leveraging my skills to enhance the accessibility and diversity of knowledge. It's a pleasure to be here among fellow enthusiasts and advocates for open knowledge and collaboration.