Wikinews:Water cooler/proposals/archives/2017/April

Hidden space for discussion

I was wondering, is there a group (if not, should we create a group) where editors can share, or ask their locations for improvising original reports? For example, if there is a ComicCon on New York, "I can ask if there is any editor in New York or will be visiting New York during <insert time range>?" Or update others, like, "I will be in Bengaluru during <insert time range>. Ping me if anyone wants me to cover any event." Or, "is there any editor in Glasgow? There is a <insert event name here>. Will it be okay to get some first hand photos from the scene?" We can not neglect privacy, and therefore, this group should not be publicly accessible.
acagastya 20:55, 2 April 2017 (UTC)

@Acagastya: http://wikinewsie.org/ has served that function been is offline at the moment. —Justin (koavf)❤T☮C☺M☯ 16:49, 3 April 2017 (UTC)

@Koavf:, @Acagastya: wikinewsie.org email seems to be fine atm. There may be a problem with the journalists workspace, or it might be a problem with me; not sure. --Pi zero (talk) 17:18, 3 April 2017 (UTC)

Hm, it didn't load the first time but it slowly loaded the second. —Justin (koavf)❤T☮C☺M☯ 17:28, 3 April 2017 (UTC)

Hypothetical scenario: If I want to ask the accredited reporters if anyone will be in New York, to cover an event, let's say ComiCon, what should I do?
acagastya 17:39, 3 April 2017 (UTC)

Existing Water cooler subpages

We have "Policy", "Proposals", "Technical", "Assistance", and "Miscellaneous" as existing subpages; they are becoming less populated nowadays. What to do with them? --George Ho (talk) 00:53, 20 March 2017 (UTC)

@George Ho: I agree with your tacit suggestion that we merge some or all of these. —Justin (koavf)❤T☮C☺M☯ 00:58, 20 March 2017 (UTC)

On s:en:Wikisource:Scriptorium, they have separate pages but transclude them into one. It's good for archiving individual threads but it displays everything in one place. Thoughts? —Justin (koavf)❤T☮C☺M☯ 00:59, 20 March 2017 (UTC)

Hmm... don't mind the changes, but "Assistance" can be merged into "Miscellaneous". Right? --George Ho (talk) 01:20, 20 March 2017 (UTC)

There's no need to merge them. The current arrangement has worked for many years, and I'd oppose placing institutional barriers in the way of later expansion. We certainly don't intend to try not to grow larger than we are now. Quite the contrary --Pi zero (talk) 01:39, 20 March 2017 (UTC)

Hmm... Seems two against one. I favor whatever changes are made. However, if that's not a consensus, and consensus is necessary, how else do we attract comments? "Requests for comment" doesn't exist in Wikinews; subpages are less visited. This leaves us with Meta-wiki, whose community grows hostile toward Wikinews. Nevertheless, Meta-wiki is our long shot. Thoughts? --George Ho (talk) 01:52, 20 March 2017 (UTC)

@George Ho: We can wait a moment and see if anyone else responds. —Justin (koavf)❤T☮C☺M☯ 01:56, 20 March 2017 (UTC)

It's a huge, momentous decision. Not something we're gonna be doing without lots of deliberation and heavyweights weighing in. It's also pointlessly changing project infrastructure. Pardon if I'm somewhat abrupt (though honestly I'm mostly holding back, as I have no desire to offend either of you); over the past twelve hours (presumably since sometime in the morning on Monday in Australia) we've averaged about two submissions per hour. --Pi zero (talk) 11:39, 20 March 2017 (UTC)

I agree with Pi zero (t · c · b) that there's no need to merge them.   — Jeff G. ツ 17:12, 2 April 2017 (UTC)

Though not a heavyweight, I also agree a merger is not needed. Jusdafax 08:33, 14 April 2017 (UTC)

After reading the news about Wikitribune at the Miscellaneous subpage, Koavf, I wonder whether you can switch to no on this proposal. If so, I'll switch to "withdrawn". Thoughts? --George Ho (talk) 09:18, 26 April 2017 (UTC)

@George Ho: It's not really necessary, since the community is against it. But sure. I'm still for it. —Justin (koavf)❤T☮C☺M☯ 16:38, 26 April 2017 (UTC)

Proposal withdrawn. --George Ho (talk) 16:40, 26 April 2017 (UTC)

Proposal: Add Central America region to Main Page

I see North and South America, with the colored maps indicating their regions, but Central America is not included as a region on the Main Page. The sidebar does include C.A. as one of 8 regions, but the Main Page proper lists only 7. I propose we include Central America on that list. Thanks. Jusdafax 08:26, 14 April 2017 (UTC)

@Justdafax: Good catch. I've added Central America at the fold of the main page and, while I'm at it, Antarctica, which is after all a continent. I also added Antarctica to the sidebar. --Pi zero (talk) 11:03, 14 April 2017 (UTC)

Many thanks, I appreciate the timely response. Good call on Antarctica as well. Jusdafax 21:00, 14 April 2017 (UTC)