Talk:Project grants

JStor

Could we consider a subscription, so editors can get behind the paywall. This could be a general good- and they may even give it to at a very reduced rate- it is really needed for reference hunting. Or maybe, we could be enrolled as external students of an existing university.--ClemRutter 22:23, 10 October 2011 (UTC)--82.39.56.27 22:21, 10 October 2011 (UTC)

General subscriptions are unlikely to be funded, the general accepted practice is to use WP:REX which as well as general questions, that page includes a number of helpful Wikimedians that have academic or other database access and can email back search results, including copies of JSTOR articles (for collaborative research purposes). If you have not subscribed to wikimediauk-l, subscriptions is a topic previously discussed but would be worth discussing again. If JSTOR were to offer WM-UK some level of free or discount access this might be useful to share with members in the future. A number of free (limited) subscriptions to various on-line databases have been offered in the past, though not for JSTOR or LexisNexis. Please also remember that most local public libraries will provide free database access and saving up your Wikip/media research topics to check when you are in the library is a great way of using the facilities. --Fæ 08:17, 11 October 2011 (UTC)

I'm going to disagree with Fæ somewhat here. If there are specific reasons why an editor needs an individual Jstor subscription, or any other subscription, then we would be fairly likely to cover the costs of that subscription. However, why an individual subscription is needed rather than using communal subscriptions via libraries and universities would need to be justified. I understand that sharing copies of jstor articles with others goes against the terms and conditions that apply to jstor accounts, so obviously we can't condone that approach - but if other wikimedians can provide referenced information directly in the appropriate Wikipedia articles, then again a degree of justification would be needed as to why an additional account needs to be funded. Mike Peel 23:41, 11 October 2011 (UTC)

I take Mike's point WRT JSTOR, however this would depend on the article. Personally I would be comfortable sharing small extracts for educational purposes, as one might for any research student, but would not share whole papers that are within copyright. I would take a similar approach for extracts from LexisNexis.

JSTOR clarifies this position in the standard T&Cs with the statement [1] "[Permitted Uses] on an ad hoc basis and without commercial gain or in a manner that would substitute for direct access to the Content via services offered by JSTOR, sharing discrete Textual Content or Specimen for purposes of collaboration, comment, or the scholarly exchange of ideas." It is clear that a request through something like WP:REX where a JSTOR user helps in the collaboration to verify an encyclopaedic article fits within the definition of "collaboration" that JSTOR would recognize so long as the article is not re-published in any form.

With regard to out of copyright material from JSTOR, it is clear that JSTOR has no problem with sharing for research purposes but would prefer not to have the material mass uploaded (but does allow for non-systematic uploading). See http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp#TC2. In these situations there is nothing to stop anyone with JSTOR access emailing entire articles from JSTOR to Wikimedians for verification or research purposes or even the non-systematic upload of such out of copyright articles to Wikimedia Commons or other projects. JSTOR (somewhat incorrectly and arbitrarily) defines "Early Journal Content" as "prior to 1923 in the United States or prior to 1870 if initially published internationally" though it would seem perfectly reasonable to assume that the intent of the terminology is to cover out of copyright material. --Fæ 09:23, 14 October 2011 (UTC)

Current status

Hi all, is the microgrant scheme still in operation? cheers, Casliber (talk) 14:27, 19 January 2013 (UTC)

Yes, it's still operating. Many thanks for the update at Microgrants/Core Contest (prizes). Thanks. Mike Peel (talk) 16:12, 19 January 2013 (UTC)

Excellent - it's gaining some momentum. I'll put in a request at the page..... Casliber (talk) 06:34, 20 January 2013 (UTC)

:-) The more micro grant applications the merrier I say - as long as they help push along our mission etc. Let us know if we should be promoting this facility for members more - we're making it a regular feature of the members newsletter to encourage more people to take it up Katherine Bavage (WMUK) (talk) 11:10, 23 January 2013 (UTC)

CDs

I'm quite new to the idea of microgrants, so I was wondering if someone could please advise me. The only information missing from Wikipedia's list of songs recorded by Guillemots is the writing credits for the tracks "Moonlight" and "Pa Moila", which are exclusive to the Japanese edition of the band's EP From the Cliffs. I've scoured the Internet to try to source this information, but I can't find it anywhere. Presumably the best place to cite it would be the liner notes of the CD itself, but the cheapest I can find it is for $22.17 on Amazon, and I'd rather not spend that much on music that I already own. Would this be appropriate for a microgrant application, or is it unlikely to be passed through as it's not a book? Thanks very much. A Thousand Doors (talk) 11:12, 11 May 2013 (UTC)

Hi A Thousand Doors, microgrants aren't restricted to books. For example Microgrants/Photographing of London covers the cost of a volunteer's transport around London to take photographs to upload to Commons. I'm not sure about your particular question, but will try to get details for you. Richard Nevell (WMUK) (talk) 12:54, 14 May 2013 (UTC)

I say go for it - it will be most robust if you link it to your other editing work on a related project perhaps (otherwise one could ask about the significance of plugging this particular gap) - but I can feedback on your application page to help support it being a strong application it if you start one? Always good to see different types of applications. You'll need to be a member to apply - let me know if that's an issue but details of 'how to' are at Membership :-) Katherine Bavage (WMUK) (talk) 14:01, 14 May 2013 (UTC)

Hi A Thousand Doors. Thanks for asking this - it's an interesting question. As Richard says, there's no restriction to books here. However, there is a cost:benefit question - is getting two pieces of information worth $20 of charitable money? It might be easier to simply contact Guillemots to ask them for this information, or to ask around fan sites to find someone that already owns that edition of the CD and can let you know what the liner notes say. Thanks. Mike Peel (talk) 18:52, 14 May 2013 (UTC)

Thanks a lot for the speedy responses, all. I shall give it some more consideration before doing anything else. Thanks again! A Thousand Doors (talk) 19:05, 15 May 2013 (UTC)

Photographing of London - summary

Hi all, I just want to let you know that I wrote summary for this Microgrant as I promised before. Feel free to evaluate it and get me your feedback. I'd like to continue with it till end of August 2013, however it is up to you if you like it or not. Best regards --Chmee2 (talk) 19:54, 21 June 2013 (UTC)

Hi Chmee2. Thanks for the fantastic report - it's great to see that you've uploaded so many high quality photographs! I'm happy to extend the microgrant until the end of August, and would love to see this extended beyond that. I'll note that on the microgrant application page now. Thanks. Mike Peel (talk) 20:43, 2 July 2013 (UTC)