Language version policy
Not every traveller speaks and understands English, and those that do may still be better served by a travel guide in their native language. We try to support all travellers with Wikitravel versions in many human languages. ContentsMultilingual structure[edit]The goal of this policy is to make Wikitravel guides in multiple languages. To do so, we borrow some of the format from Wikimedia's projects, and some principles that are homegrown.
Multilingual collaboration[edit]By pooling our information, time and resources, Wikitravellers can make great travel guides together. This is true within language communities and across language barriers; the more people work on Wikitravel in whatever language, the better all the guides become.
Technical infrastructure[edit]Our technical infrastructure policy is intended to support all Wikitravel contributors and readers to get the best possible use from the Wikitravel Web site. Each bug report and technical request is important, no matter which language version the bug affects. Starting a new language version[edit]A Wikitravel language version is more than just a MediaWiki wiki. It's a community, a platform for editors to collaborate, and an integral part of Wikitravel as a whole. When launching a new version, we try to get the language version ready for all those roles. New language versions start as Language Expeditions, so that participants can get organized before the new language version starts. Gathering a team[edit]In order to have a new Wikitravel server set up, the Expedition must have the following things:
The first month[edit]After one month, the new language version should have at least a significant portion of these sections of Wikitravel done: They don't have to be identical to the ones on Wikitravel in English, but they should be there. The goal here is to be ready to accept new contributors -- these are the pages people need to get started. If these pages aren't at least partially done after a month, and there's no movement to get them done, the language version will be considered inactive (see below). See also: Wikitravel Shared:How to start a new language version Liaison[edit]The chosen liaison must make a monthly report of at least a few lines in the Liaison reports page, covering developments on that language version. In addition, they must make a report on their own language version's logbook, covering relevant developments on the other language versions. If for some reason the liaison chooses to not participate in Wikitravel any more, the Wikitravellers using the language version have to choose another liaison. All the same criteria for becoming a liaison apply as when the version started. If there's no liaison for the language version, the language version is considered inactive (see below). Inactive versions[edit]If activity on a language version drops to practically none, that language version is inactive. Unless the Wikitravellers on the language version are willing to get it re-started, the inactive language version will be shut down. Database dumps and other data needed to get the language version started on another server will be made available. People are welcome to use that data to start their own projects on another server, of course, as long as they conform with the copyleft that was used to create the data in the first place. Goal or policy changes[edit]Different language versions will have different communities, and they will evolve different ideas about the goals and policies of that language version. The liaison should keep Wikitravel Shared well-informed about any major changes to the goals or policies. If for some reason the goals and policies of the language version diverge so far from the English-language version's goals and policies that they're no longer compatible, it may make sense to separate. As with an inactive language version, the database dumps and other data needed to start a new site will be made available. See also: Language versions of Wikitravel New expeditions[edit]See How to start a new language version, Language Expeditions. See also[edit] |
|