IT Development/Technology committee meetings/Minutes 2015-04-30
Attendees
- Stevie Benton (SB)
- Harry Burt (HB) Chair
- Michael Maggs (MM)
- Charles Matthews (CM)
- Richard Nevell (RN) Minutes
- Joseph Seddon (JS)
Apologies
Meeting began at 18:07
Carol Campbell sent her apologies
Minutes of the previous meeting
There were no objections to the minutes.
Matters arising from the previous minutes, not otherwise covered on this agenda
Actions from previous minutes were reviewed under each agenda item.
Strategy and look forward
CM asked if a date had been provisionally arranged for the technology workshop day. As yet, no date has been settled. MM is interested, but is unaware of other volunteers interested in taking the event forward. He suggested that an in-person conversation is arranged at the volunteer strategy day (25th July - coinciding with the AGM) to plan a way forward. The format of the previous volunteer strategy day was a short presentation by one or two people followed by open-ended discussion. The general understanding is that there will be minimal progress before the volunteer strategy day. JS asked if the event had been budgeted for. MM noted that D'Arcy Myers would have to be consulted on this matter.
Launchpad
HB asked for input on how Launchpad would fit within a broader strategy. CM was of the opinion that there is broad support for the project. MM felt that it could provide a discussion point at the volunteer strategy day, and it would be a good opportunity for feedback.
ACTION: CM to help develop the project further in preparation for the July volunteer strategy meeting
HB suggested setting up the microsite to promote WMUK's previous projects to help stimulate ideas.
ACTION: HB to act as project manager for Launchpad
ACTION: RN to suggest contents of the site to HB
Pending agreement, Emmanuel Engelhart will then be asked to set up the microsite
SB joined the meeting at 18.37
VLE report
CM has prepared a three-year report, outlining the content of the Moodle site and how it might be used to train new editors. A page on dependencies was created, outlining what topics need to be taught first, to allow further topics to be understood. SB thanked CM for the work he has invested in the VLE. He noted that the content is good, but the tech side has presented some problems. CM noted that wiki-Moodle integration was not resolved. The developers are of the opinion that transcluding wiki pages into Moodle would not work, creating a barrier to volunteers creating content for Moodle in a way typical of wikis. SB is keen to use what we have to create a usable version; JS agreed and suggested that even without transclusion there would be an application for the VLE. With Wikisoba (using Javascript) transclusion and single sign on would not be obstacles.
ACTION: HB to see if it is possible to open up self-enrolment onto the VLE
OpenId
Not discussed in the absence of Emmanuel Engelhart
SB left at 19.24
Courses extension
The courses extension is periodically updated by Sage Ross. There are opportunities for localisation for the UK and adaptation for editathons; changes to the code could be proposed. The extension remains a topic of interest. MM suggested it should be a topic of discussion at the Wikimedia Conference, while HB pointed out that development of the tool could feed into Launchpad. It is an opportunity to work with other chapters as they may also want to adapt the courses extension.
JS left the meeting at 19.47
Date of next meeting
Agreed to hold a meeting in w/c 8th June.
AOB
ACTION: RN to ask Richard Symonds whether we can purchase wikimedia.uk (see bug 278)
MM asked everyone to note 25th July would be the strategy day and AGM and would be integral to the charity's activities. Also to share the date with interested parties.
Meeting closed at 19.53