Wikigazing

proposal for a "wikigazing" project for large data analysis of [wiki] data

to look for arbitrary features and then figure out what they might mean

to loosely coordinate a group of wikiresearch hackathons around the world

Examples

for instance, [wikigazing might] look at otherwise-smooth curves of X vs Y with noticeable bumps at certain points then name and classify the types of bumps, then look for ways to explain them (separate groups can do the first and last steps)

e.g.: # of wikis in the world, by # of distinct active editors. [there is an exponential dropoff with a peak at 2, then bumps at ~17 and 103] - –SJ talk 

well, like a list of unanswered questions?

do you think about a new software or a special site for this research questions?

in wikipapers there is a list of open questions but it is very plain

http://wikipapers.referata.com/wiki/List_of_open_questions - emijrp • Mon, 1:34 PM

Not exactly. I'm thinking about people who look at data for anomalies, not thinking about questions or explanations, just visualization of large datasets with a sense of when something is out of place in a larger pattern

interesting, like searching for craters using google maps

(or google earth) but what is that software to watch wikidatasets? any idea?

don't know! by-hand visualization?

yeah. but what kind of user will upload the datasets, generate the graphs, and so?

not sure how to put a low barrier without a special software for visualization, integrated in mediawiki for example

anyone can up load an image. with a link to an original file with labelled axes and a caption. the images are all reviewed for "obvious features" - it should be highlighted on the image. the source should mention and link out to the raw dataset but the idea is to gather all sorts of interesting features showing up in otherwise understood or smooth/"normally noisy" data.

i think it is cool

are you going to create a meta: page or so?

hello both! nice to meet you emirjp, As SJ knows, I love the idea too. As the thread already suggests, I imagine that there could be several "modes" of wikigazing. For instance, in addition to the purely exploratory (or sort of topographical) approach inspired by astronomy, there could also be some "grand challenges" or puzzles that nobody understands (this could build off of the wikipapers list of questions). There could also be less-structured collaboration-focused gatherings (the hackathons) with less clearly defined goals, but some processes in place to try to facilitate working together. Imagine a series of wikigazing weekends occurring simultaneously on four or five continents. Aaronshaw (talk) 00:23, 8 August 2013 (UTC)