User talk:Buster7/Sandbox-A Recruiting Project

Recruiting retirees and invalids/Genesis:3/16

From: Jimbo's talk and on 3/21 from front Page

The Wikimedia Foundation can reach out to retirees in retirement homes and to patients in hospitals for assistance in editing Wikipedia. Many retirees and invalids have large amounts of time, knowledge, and expertise, and a continuing desire to be contributing to society. However, I suspect that many of them, having been raised in the first half of the twentieth century, have a very different set of ethics than those of people born in the last half, and that they would have a low threshold of tolerance for some of the ethical standards of Wikipedia. I am referring to standards of content and standards of behavior.

Their involvement with Wikipedia can offset, to some degree, the influence of corporate editors. They (retirees and invalids) would likely find Wikipedia a more welcoming environment, if its standards were more compatible with their ethics (that is to say, the ethics of retirees and invalids). Otherwise, corporate editors might claim that Wikipedia is a "failed project" in need of a "management change" according to their standard of business ethics (that is to say, the business ethics standards of corporate editors).
—Wavelength (talk) 19:06, 14 March 2012 (UTC) and 00:29, 15 March 2012 (UTC)

This is a thoughtful suggestion. Retirees, perhaps looking to keep brains active, could be a useful resource, and get an interest for themselves. NewbyG ( talk) 08:39, 15 March 2012 (UTC)

As a self-identified retiring editor, I am sure that wikipedia editing has maintained my mental capacity, certainly moreso than other Internet sites that I could be availing myself of. This is a wonderful proposal for both Wikipedia and for the new retired editors. It would offset the meme that WP is edited by "14 year old high school students." If Editor Wavelength persues this further, I would be happy to assist.```Buster Seven Talk 12:31, 15 March 2012 (UTC)

Seems like an interesting idea to me too; that would be a great section of the population to have on board. The Blade of the Northern Lights (話して下さい) 05:51, 17 March 2012 (UTC)

Recruiting retirees and invalids

From:Buster talk and on 3/21 from Front Page

This is in response to your recent post at User talk:Jimbo Wales. I am posting this message here because that talk page has high visibility, and is more likely to attract the attention of someone who might misuse the information I provide.

At http://www.retirementhomes.com/, there is a search engine for retirement homes in many countries, and search results provide contact information. At http://www.hospitalsworldwide.com/, there is a search engine for hospitals in many countries, and search results provide contact information.

You might wish to assist by contacting retirement homes and hospitals. If you plan to use e-mail, I recommend that you have a separate e-mail address, specifically for sending the same message to a large number of retirement homes and hospitals.

You might wish to search for online videos about editing Wikipedia, and link to them in your message. You can search from Wikipedia:List of online reference desks#Directories of educational videos.

This is about as far as I wish to pursue this, but I have added your talk page to my watchlist, and I will watch for your response to this post.
—Wavelength (talk) 19:29, 16 March 2012 (UTC)

Thanks for your idea and the concern for safeguarding the resulting effort. I will start by composing an introductory letter for distribution to facilities, [[first, in Chicagoland just in case a visit will speed the learning curve. It may take a few weeks. ```Buster Seven Talk 22:19, 16 March 2012 (UTC)

I have created User:Buster7/Sandbox-A Recruiting Project as a repository for communication etc. ```Buster Seven Talk 03:35, 17 March 2012 (UTC)

Thank you for your enthusiasm. I would be interested in reading any progress report(s) you might wish to provide, at your convenience, on your talk page or on mine. If you do not wish to do so, then that is all right, too.

I am willing to proofread your sandbox page and to recommend changes, if you wish.

—Wavelength (talk) 06:02, 17 March 2012 (UTC)

I am compleely open to your input and participation...in fact I'm looking forward to it. I'll let you know via progress reports whats goin' on. At this point I'm just looking down the road a bit and gathering some belongings at the Sandbox for what will probably be a long trip. Ive been aching for some positive project to do so this is it. BTW, while I am a 4 year WP veteran, I am not real good with tools, etc. At best I'm a cut-n-paste kind of guy that can follow the directions on the box. In that regard, I am probably like most of the retirees. Question: Has there been any previous WP sanctioned project to outreach to retiree's specifically?? Also. I want to e-mail Jimbo to get his input and thoughts and maybe an early roadmap. Since our connection happened at his talk, it seems appropriate to include him in early brainstorming. Feel free to proofread/input/change the Sandbox as you see fit. I sense that you are NOT a "It has to look this way and be done by next week" kind of guy. I'm sure we will get along. ```Buster Seven Talk 10:22, 17 March 2012 (UTC)

I am unaware of any previous Wikipedia-sanctioned project to reach out to retirees specifically. There might be something relevant at http://outreach.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page. Your desire to e-mail Jimbo for his thoughts seems appropriate. I am planning to post my proofreading comments at User talk:Buster7/Sandbox-A Recruiting Project. I am not a person who is impatient for quick action, but my gender is undisclosed. User:Wavelength|Wavelength]] (talk) 19:36, 17 March 2012 (UTC)

Introduction

• The User page is currently just a collection of thoughts, concepts, statements, etc. from various places on and off Wikipedia. The idea is to use them to create an introduction letter (or "sales pitch) to RL retiree facilities that may be willing to allow a RL presentation. Somethiong along the lines of.... Retired? Looking for something worthwhile to do with your precious time? Become a Wikipedia Editor and change the Future (and yours), one edit at a time.
• New editors over 60 would more than likely NOT be vandals or troublemakers. Civility is most likely second nature to most of them. They are not 12 yr old pranksters. Their "young whipper-snapper" days are far behind them.
• Joining Wikipedia could not be easier. Just log in and get started.
• Editing Wikipedia may be the answer to the Question..."Now what? I don't have my job, my friends are all gone, I've finished my wifes Honey-Do list. Now What?" ```Buster Seven Talk 05:20, 18 March 2012 (UTC)

Presentation

• Wikipedia:Workshop
• talked to Wilmette and Evanston Liraries. Both have 100 seat auditoriums and alot of foot traffic. (1000 patrons per day)
• informative, educational (Basic stuff--User page, talk page, be Bold, AGF, Civility, Welcome Page, Log-in, etc.)...for the non-tech head. The Tech guys and galls will find their own way 'out of the newbie box'.
• Powerpoint w/ some youTube stuff re:Wikipedia
• WP is imbedded deep in the bedrock of the Internet. It will last a lifetime. It will survive after ALL of us are dust. It is ingrained in everyone's daily life (if they use a computer, smart phone, notebook, etc.)

Things to do

• Contact Jimbo  Done
• with a copy to Wavelength.
• Contact the Foundation for support and guidance  Done Philleppe replied. He will advise and pass on message to someone that knows more about RR.
• Put together a RL presentation. My first idea is to go over my User page, on a large screen with a pointer, with an audience and explain most of the operations on that page. Explain the talk page and what its for. Maybe get a few volunteers to actually Log-In and create a new account. Go over the User page again. Do a random article edit. (Most new editors get into trouble because they wnat to create an article about Aunt Matilda before they can even crawl around WikiWorld.)
• Contact AARP Bulletin for new article and any old articles pertaining to retirees and Wikipedia.