Grants talk:PEG/Smallbones/Congressional Cemetery QRpedia Project

The project seems to be really well planned and the budget / effect proportion is pretty good. I am only a bit worry that it is just one person behind the project. Will you be able to handle everything alone? What about Wikimedia DC support? Polimerek (talk) 10:08, 22 June 2012 (UTC)

Thanks for the submission. You mention that the first steps will be going on during Wikimania and a visit to the Cemetery will be offered to the attendees. Since you're able to do it, do you have any contacts with Wikimedia DC and why the application is requested by a single person? Furthermore, what is the current availability of the information at the Cemetery that you aim to replace by introducing QR codes? Else, the project is fine to me. Best regards.--Kiril Simeonovski (talk) 23:15, 22 June 2012 (UTC)

Sometimes one person working alone can do some great things, e.g. I believe many Featured Articles are essentially written first by one editor before going through "the system" to improve, get criticism, comments, etc. Partly that is the explanation here. I'm really serious about getting this QR code organization to the point where one or a few people can pull off a project, together with a cooperating group (who are needed to give permission to post the codes on the property). So that's one explanation why I've been keeping my cards close to the vest. And now you are "the system" to give criticism, etc.! Another possibilty is just that I'm a very careful person with money, and I didn't really want to be in the position of having somebody say - "You're spending too much of our money given the benefit to Wikipedia."

But more seriously, I have to say that I have benefited from discussions with and examples from other folks, I just didn't think that they should be held responsible for my decisions on this project. Mr John Cummings of Monmouthpedia provided great inspiration (I tried to encourage him as well, but frankly I thought he'd never be able to pull off such a huge project) and after it became clear that he was bringing it to fruition, I peppered him with questions, which he answered fully. Pigsonthewing, and several other people at QRpedia have also been very helpful, as have comments from Lori Lee and the GLAM mailing list. I still have to get some more help from the GLAM mailing list on translations, though the Congressional Cemetery articles tend to be well translated in many cases already. Also see en:WT:QR for some discussions - this is a place we should focus a few more of the related talk on QR projects, to get this type of thing really going.

In filing this request I came upon the "Do you need help from our Communications Dept. for press releases" comment. I have written them and gotten back some useful information on the form of the press release, etc. and the suggestion to work with Nicholas Michael Bashour of the DC chapter (who I already know - but haven't quite yet adressed this PR help with directly yet).

So in short (and seriously): I'm the kind of guy who edits Wikipedia at night in his underwear and am a bit shy contacting people. I should have given more recognition to the folks who have helped me on this. I need a bit of work on this side of my organizing projects. But 90% of the organizing on this project is already done. The press releases and the tour still need some work, but I know where to get some help. The QR codes themselves are 98% done - just placing them this week is all that's left. It will all get done!

Thanks for the comments - going through the application and comments have really focused my ideas on this, and have let me know what I need to work on. Smallbones (talk) 23:19, 24 June 2012 (UTC)

And re: the current Cemetery information system. They've got a very good web site, which I've relied on in updating some of the articles. They've also got perhaps a dozen printed and illustrated signs, and printed maps to carry around, as well as about 6 sites with a "call this telephone number for more information" signs. My feeling is that these are fairly expensive for them, and the QR codes are a good alternative. In some cases the multiple signs may clash, but only in getting space near the grave. This may be the case for the J. Edgar Hoover grave, which also has an FBI Employees Association marker. If I can't find an appropriate space, I won't place the QR code, and if I fail in this I have no doubt that the Cemetery will remove the QR code. Smallbones (talk) 23:30, 24 June 2012 (UTC)

Just wanted to say that Wikimedia DC is willing and able to provide User:Smallbones with logistic support and help in any way he needs. This is an important project and I think it has the added benefit of not only building a positive relationship with government institutions in DC, thus making it easier to carry out similar projects in the future, but it also sets a precedence for Wikimedia organizations and Wikimedians in the US for working with bureaucratic institutions. Thus, we are ready to provide help, advice and support should User:Smallbones need it.    AutoGyro (talk) 14:07, 25 June 2012 (UTC)

Thanks to both for your comments. This sounds great if Wikimedia DC can offer a full support for this particular project.--Kiril Simeonovski (talk) 02:14, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

Thanks for the mention I've been happy to support this project, albeit remotely, from England, and am happy now to state my support for this application. Furthermore, I've installed QRpedia in several historic locations, as a solo activity (such as this project at Moor Street Station). Teamwork is great, but sometimes we just need one person to "JFDI". It will be good to have an example of such as case in the USA, to inform and inspire other American volunteers, who may do likewise in additional locations. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 13:56, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

Question

I wonder why WM Washington DC or other US Chapters canot provide at least partial funding for this, relatively small scale project? Did you ask them? --Victoria (talk) 08:06, 3 July 2012 (UTC)