Regarding SJ Q&A

Just some comments on Task force/Offline/SJ Q&A.

• Do schools represent a good distribution point for Wikimedia content in general?

I would add that one of the best things about wikipedia in third-world schools is self-paced learning - too much education is still done with rote-based learning, and this provides a refreshing difference.

A downside about computers in general in the classroom (touched on by SJ) is the teachers feeling like they are being unempowered - they like firm authority and control, and they feel threatened by computers, particularly information sources like wikipedia. It is the teachers problem - but since they can so easily derail our efforts it must be taken into account.

Not sure if that fits anywhere in our recommendations - but just don't try to bypass the teacher.

• What format would OLPC like the content to be in? XML? OpenZIM?

SJ says :- It would be helpful for "everything" to be available in "a suite of formats". I am not sure I agree - unless these are automated, subsidiary formats from a Master - which I imagine will be XML.

• What content would you like to be available for OLPC, besides Wikipedia?

SJ mentions a featured image collection - I like that.

Cross-linking between different wiki modules is sometimes requested. Not sure how this would be done, but that would be great. I would love to have a bunch of different 'modules' - like (for instance) History, and Africa, and have them interlink. I guess you could just leave everything redlinked - but that is for the XML Parser people to think about.

He mentions wikibrowse - that (corrected) link describes the process that generates their selection - interesting, if you compare it to our IRC discussions.

• Offline editing

Definitely on the wishlist, but I can't see it happening yet. A local collaborative effort on some chosen areas, with a post-project merge, is the only way I see it working.

• Cellphones

He mentions that still privileges the rich. I really think this will go away. America is so behind when it comes to cellphones.