Wikimania:Information Desk

• London
• Programme
• FAQs
• Travel
• Accommodation
• Hotel Transport
• Venue
• Hackathon
• Information Desk
• Emergencies

/Archive 1

Welcome to the Information Desk.

If you have any questions about Wikimania 2014, or this site, feel free to ask them here. To add a new question, please, click here.

Please refer to the FAQ before actually asking.

There is a Wikimania Facebook group that may be able to give you quick responses as well.

Memorial for User:Cindamuse and others

We recently lost User:Cindamuse, a well-loved contributor to Wikipedia. Will there perhaps be some moment or some display in connection with the conference where we can honor those who have left us in the preceding year? BD2412 (talk) 18:33, 15 April 2014 (UTC)

+1, great idea. Thanks. Mike Peel (talk) 18:35, 15 April 2014 (UTC)

Another editor we have recently lost is User:Wadewitz. BD2412 (talk) 14:50, 27 May 2014 (UTC)

In addition to the above, according to w:Wikipedia:Deceased Wikipedians, those who have passed away since the last Wikimania conference also include:

Jackson Peebles

Timothy Perper

Poocat9

Ig2000

Arksoul

These are only en:Wikipedia editors; other-language wikis maintain their own lists. A single comprehensive list would be best for commemoration of these contributors. BD2412 (talk) 15:04, 27 May 2014 (UTC)

Is this the best place to be posting about this? It is personally important to me that there be an appropriate memorial for these contributors, including editors with whom I have had the honor of working in the past. Cheers! BD2412 (talk) 02:10, 8 June 2014 (UTC)

I think this page is as good as any. Perhaps users are reluctant to reply because they don't know what to suggest, or because it's a sensitive subject, or both. Personally, I think asking for a acknowledgement of these people and what they brought to the movement in the opening or closing ceremonies would be a good idea. CT Cooper · talk 16:03, 10 June 2014 (UTC)

I would suggest either a dedicated bulletin board, or a memorial program (a brief slideshow, perhaps) during the ceremonies, or both. BD2412 (talk) 18:07, 25 June 2014 (UTC)

Alert Jimbo, and ask him to make this a regular part of his annual presentation? Pigsonthewing (talk) 18:02, 21 July 2014 (UTC)

I'll give that a try. BD2412 (talk) 17:07, 23 July 2014 (UTC)

Discussion of this proposal can be found at en:User talk:Jimbo Wales/Archive 167#Wikimania memorial for editors we have lost. Cheers! BD2412 (talk) 19:44, 24 July 2014 (UTC)

One of the best memorials I can think of would be getting something they were interest in one of the WMF entities made as good as possible for that entity and adding some sort of "In Memoriam" template to it or its talk page. Maybe some time or room or meeting for memorial collaboration could be scheduled? John Carter (talk) 20:32, 23 July 2014 (UTC)

"Wiki village"

Hello, I've read that Wikimania 2014 will have a "wiki village" for affiliates and other organizations. What's the details? Will they be permanent, or held only for a specific day or hour? Who can an organization apply for one? What is required for it? Thank you very much, NaBUru38 18:45, 15 April 2014 (UTC)

The Community Village page has details of this.

When shall I get the Visa recommendation letter?

Good day, I wrote twice to the address visas@wikimedia.org about a letter of recommendation for a visa with the reasons why it is necessary for me as soon as possible. But no one answered. Maybe I did not write back? I see, not only do I have similar problems, and I hope someone will help us. Thanks in advance--Хомелка (talk) 16:32, 10 June 2014 (UTC)

I don't recognise your user name and can't see anything in the queue from anyone with a similar real name. Please try emailing again and cc-ing me (chris.mckennawikimedia.org.uk), remembering to include your full name, home address and passport number. Chris McKenna (WMUK) (talk) 15:02, 12 June 2014 (UTC)

Just sent a letter again. Thanks for intervention--Хомелка (talk) 15:37, 12 June 2014 (UTC)

I'm also waiting for the same

Hi, I wrote thrice to the address visas@wikimedia.org but yet not received the recommendation letter. The British Embassy (Kathmandu Nepal) needs sufficient time to process my visa. When are you sending the recommendation letter? To whom shall I ask this?--Ganesh Paudel (talk) 04:55, 11 June 2014 (UTC)

I have personally sent you two copies of the invitation letter to Wikimania, which as explained is the recommendation letter for a visa. I have also noted twice that you need to contact wikimania14scholarshipswikimedia.org directly for the other documents you requested, and that all documents will be sent electronically. Chris McKenna (WMUK) (talk) 15:02, 12 June 2014 (UTC)

Session registration

Will attendees be registering in advance for the various sessions of the conference schedule? If so, will this be possible online, or will it be done as part of the on-site registration? I think that those unable to arrive much in advance should have the same attendance opportunities as anyone more local. How has this been managed at previous Wikimanias? Thanks for reading. -- Trevj (talk) 10:43, 11 June 2014 (UTC)

As far as I'm aware, there has never been advanced registration for sessions at Wikimania. Once one is through the main registration process, they are free to attend whatever sessions they like, and I've observed that some people don't decide which sessions they're going to attend until a few hours or even a few minutes before they're due to start. CT Cooper · talk 14:03, 11 June 2014 (UTC)

Thanks very much for sharing this information from previous sessions. Cheers. -- Trevj (talk) 08:29, 17 June 2014 (UTC)

Photography choice lanyards

AdaCamp and Open Source Bridge have a three-colour lanyard scheme to indicate whether participants are OK with being photographed, require being asked first, or don't want to be photographed at all. Will Wikimania please consider adopting this system? Please read the AdaCamp post, which explains why a no-photography-by-default policy makes a safer space for women. Thank you. — Scott • talk 13:07, 27 June 2014 (UTC)

@Edsaperia: Any thoughts? I'd have pinged Stuart Prior as well but he doesn't appear to have an account on here. — Scott • talk 21:26, 6 July 2014 (UTC)

I think our plan was to use "No Photo" stickers on lanyards. Will consider expanding this to include an "ask" option. EdSaperia (talk) 22:40, 6 July 2014 (UTC)

OK, thanks. I believe feedback from a similar system trialled at AdaCamp was that photographers sometimes found it hard to see lanyard stickers, hence the colour system. Cheers, — Scott • talk 12:25, 7 July 2014 (UTC)

Update: we're going with the option of having "No Photo" stickers on lanyards. See Volunteers/Photography#Photo_Permissions for details, it also mentions what to do if a photo is accidentally taken of somebody wearing a "No Photo" sticker.. - Lawsonstu (talk) 14:26, 5 August 2014 (UTC)

Problems with site interface

I have two problems with the site interface, which I have reported (verbally) to both HJ Mitchell and Fabian Tompsett, some weeks ago.

1. At Special:Preferences, I deliberately have "Always use a secure connection when logged in" deselected. This setting is not respected: I'm always taken to https://wikimania2014.wikimedia.org/wiki/
2. When I visit this site, some "forceHTTPS" cookies are set, not just for this site, but also for many others, including: login.wikimedia.org mediawiki.org commons.wikimedia.org meta.wikimedia.org The effect of these is that I cannot visit even English Wikipedia without being made to use https, which causes a number of tools and browser features to stop working. The only fix is to log out, clear all cookies, and log in again.

Please could this issue be addressed? Also please notify me of messages left here by leaving a note at en:w:User talk:Redrose64. --Redrose64 (talk) 09:04, 2 July 2014 (UTC)

Programme and approved submissions

Hello. I see several blank votes at the submission review, but a lot of submissions at the programme. Does is mean that the rest of submissions were rejected? Ralgis (talk) 18:40, 2 July 2014 (UTC)

Getting from Heathrow to Thistle Barbican Hotel

Hello. I would like to know where can I find a guide explaining how to get from LHR to Thistle Barbican Hotel (the hotel, not the venue). I find the "Transport" section confusing and not very clear. Is it possible to make a guide like this one, with options, fares and suggestions? London is very expensive (especially for those coming from outside Europe and the US, like me) and getting some advice regarding what is convenient would be very helpful. Thanks in advance, -Mel 23 (talk)

The cheapest way of getting from Heathrow to Central London, though not often the quickest, is via the London Underground. The nearest station to your hotel appears to be Old Street. To get there on the London Underground catch the Piccadilly Line (dark blue colour) from Heathrow to Kings Cross St. Pancras, then catch the Northern Line (black colour) from Kings Cross St. Pancras to Old Street. Information about fares can be found here. The journey I've described should cost £5.70 with cash payment (current adult fares).

I hope that helps, but if you need further help then please ask. I agree that the page could give much more detail. If I find time, I might add some more detail. CT Cooper · talk 11:29, 6 July 2014 (UTC)

Improving information about how to get from A to B is on our list of tasks to do and quite high up the priority list, so don't despair it will get better. For example, I'm in the process of sorting photos that illustrate the routes between the hotel, station and Barbican centre that should go live towards the end of this week. Chris McKenna (WMUK) (talk) 08:19, 7 July 2014 (UTC)

FYI, going only by Tube will take an hour and involve humping your suitcase up and down several flights of stairs. Using the Heathrow Express will cut the journey time in half and be way less tiring. It costs £21 (plus another £2.20 when you get onto the Tube network at Paddington), but is absolutely worth it when you've just made a long journey from across the world! — Scott • talk 11:38, 13 July 2014 (UTC)

I couldn't disagree more. The tube stations at the airports are suitcase friendly and most other tube stations have escalators, so while I accept carrying a suitcase around the Underground isn't always pleasant, particularly during rush hour, it's do-able for most travellers and the savings are worth it for those on a tight budget. It's fair enough for any guide to mention the Heathrow Express as an option in a neutral fashion. However, I have to say though, that for a fifteen minute train ride, £21 each way is daylight robbery as far as I'm concerned, and I would never encourage anyone to use it purely out of principle. Particularly given that, the operator, Heathrow Airport Holdings seem to be taking advantage of tourists and other visitors who are unaware of other options and/or desperate to get to their destination after a long flight. Crossrail will bring in some much needed competition, but that won't be open for Wikimania. CT Cooper · talk 19:18, 14 July 2014 (UTC)

I have a similar situation except that I arrive at Gatwick. Eclecticology (talk) 03:31, 13 July 2014 (UTC)

Gatwick is a bit further out from central London than Heathrow, so it doesn't have a direct link to the tube. Trains from Gatwick Airport train station will take you to London Victoria: see the National Rail website for train times, and you can either get a regular train or the special Gatwick Express which is quicker but more expensive.

From London Victoria you can take the tube on the Circle line (the yellow one) eastbound to the Barbican station. There are often engineering works at the weekends so it's best to check the Transport for London website (TFL) before travelling. - Lawsonstu (talk) 17:09, 13 July 2014 (UTC)

@CT Cooper, Lawsonstu: I've started Hotel Transport in an attempt to get all this information into a clear an easy to understand place for the majority of Wikimania attendees. I've been pulling some information from London/Transportation, the hotel website, Venue#Getting to the Barbican, what you've provided above and the Tube map. As I'm not a Londoner I don't know everything about the TfL network, but I was thinking we should try to get everyone to the same underground station if they're travelling from Kings Cross St Pancras so they don't get confused. Old Street and the Barbican are almost the same distance from the hotel - which one do you think would be better to send people to? I'd also appreciate your help in working on that page (and anyone else reading this!) Thehelpfulone 23:39, 13 July 2014 (UTC)

@Chris McKenna (WMUK): I thought I'd ping you too, so you can add your photos directly to the new Hotel Transport page. Thehelpfulone 00:40, 14 July 2014 (UTC)

Thank you for writing this. I will give it a look over and prepare it for translation shortly. CT Cooper · talk 19:18, 14 July 2014 (UTC)

You're welcome! I've made a few more tweaks to the page to try to add some detail for Gatwick - but pricing and timings between regular trains and Gatwick Express actually could be similar depending on what time of day you're arriving etc - have you had any experience using it? Thehelpfulone 00:39, 15 July 2014 (UTC)

No unfortunately not. The Gatwick Express goes the wrong way for me. CT Cooper · talk 02:13, 15 July 2014 (UTC)

Thank you all, you are great! Mel 23 (talk) 22:35, 19 July 2014 (UTC)

See also voy:Wikimania 2014 London Guidebook on Wikivoyage. Pigsonthewing (talk) 18:05, 21 July 2014 (UTC)

Telecommunications

Each year we typically have a page for Telecommunications to help people get setup with GSM SIM cards or telecom options. We don't have one yet it seems? Unless it's hidden away in a corner? Here's an example from Hong Kong, last year that lays out some info for newbies on GSM SIM cards, 3G providers, best plans, etc. [1] -- Fuzheado (talk) 17:26, 21 July 2014 (UTC)

See United Kingdom#Telephone on Wikivoyage. Pigsonthewing (talk) 17:58, 21 July 2014 (UTC)

Oyster cards?

Local Londoners and staff: do you recommend folks get an Oyster card right away after landing at the airport, whether or not you're taking the Tube to the city? Are we likely to be using transit and Oyster-friendly services if we are staying five days there? Not sure how many of the activities are away from the Barbican, whether you'll have shuttle buses or whether our own Oysters will be needed. Thanks! -- Fuzheado (talk) 16:04, 23 July 2014 (UTC)

All the programmed activities are happening at the Barbican, and many of the hotels (including the one for WMF scholarship recipients) are within walking distance so you will only be using public transport to/from the airport and if you want to do any touristy things while you are here. If you are using public transport at all within London then an Oyster card is definitely recommended over paper tickets. Chris McKenna (WMUK) (talk) 09:59, 24 July 2014 (UTC)

Ticket refund/cancelation/sale

Hi, I had planned to attend and really looked forward. Waited until recently to book my ticket to ensure that I could attend as my work is unpredictable. However, the day after I booked I realised that I no longer will be able to attend. Can it cancel the ticket and get refund? If not, can I sell it to someone else fully understanding that they will get my nametag? --Rxnd (talk) 21:42, 25 July 2014 (UTC)

I found a page on Eventbrite to ask for a refund. I did so just now and it said that the request will go to the organiser. Lets see what happens. --Rxnd (talk) 21:46, 25 July 2014 (UTC)

Hi Rxnd

If you do not get a reply please email me John.Cummings at Wikimedia.org.uk, tickets paid for by Paypal may take a little longer to refund but should still be the same or next day. --John Cummings (WMUK) (talk) 20:38, 28 July 2014 (UTC)

Workshops/Meetings

How do you select which of one the many workshops/meetings you have throughout the day?

What do you mean, select? You're free to go to the ones which look more interesting or useful for you :) --Elitre (talk) 11:04, 30 July 2014 (UTC)

Is there a minimum age for the conference?

If I'm under 16 can I attend? Do I need a supervising adult to come with me?

Yes you can attend. There is no minimum age for the conference. However, if you plan to stay overnight, you must be accompanied by an adult. - Lawsonstu (talk) 18:11, 4 August 2014 (UTC)

Wikipedia books

Will the WMF table or others have Wikipedia books like "Wikipedia- The Missing Manual" on sale?--Dthomsen8 (talk) 13:23, 31 July 2014 (UTC)

Library cards

Will library cards be available for the very fine library at the center?--Dthomsen8 (talk) 13:25, 31 July 2014 (UTC)

Have you looked at London#Our Libraries Jonathan Cardy (WMUK) (talk) 10:37, 1 August 2014 (UTC)

Just what I wanted.--Dthomsen8 (talk) 14:16, 1 August 2014 (UTC)

late arrival at the opening ceremony — chances to get in anyway?

Hello, due to my transport schedule I will arrive at the venue at around the time the opening keynote will start. I was wondering if I could get in the event despite the registration desk will be closed at that time, as I will bring the registration summary with me. If this isn't possible, I'd like to know if another attendee could register on my behalf so that s/he could give me the badge to enter once I make it at the Barbican. Hope I made myself clear, thank you in advance! --ESM (talk) 14:52, 31 July 2014 (UTC)

Technology for presenters

Hi all, for presenters, can you give some details on what we can expect, and also what facilities you have for helping present/project?

1. Are all rooms equipped with projection from laptops or an existing computer in the room?
2. If so, what is the connector? HDMI? VGA 15 pin? Do we need to bring our own dongles, or does the tech crew there have some to borrow?
3. Are all the sessions being recorded, and do we need to stand at a podium for speaking into a microphone?
4. Are there going to be timekeepers/moderators to make sure sessions are flowing and time is allocated properly?
5. Are there hashtags for each session, or just one global hashtag? What is the desired global hashtag?

Thanks! -- Fuzheado (talk) 14:25, 2 August 2014 (UTC)

I can answer a couple of these. 4) Yes, there will be a volunteer present in each room with this role. 5) The global hash tag is #wikimania2014

I'm pretty sure the answer to your first question is yes, and the connector is HDMI, but someone else will have to confirm that. - Lawsonstu (talk) 09:42, 3 August 2014 (UTC)

All the Frobisher Rooms have at least one projector, I'm not sure about the other rooms but I'll check. The projectors all have VGA connectors but they may have HDMI also, again I'll check. Chris McKenna (WMUK) (talk) 17:10, 4 August 2014 (UTC)

Urgent help , need to cancel scholarship and flights

I was hospitalised. Who should I address? Thanks in advance. Ori (talk) 05:41, 3 August 2014 (UTC)

Hi Ori, I've pinged Ellie Young who should be able to help with this. I hope you get better soon! Thehelpfulone 08:21, 3 August 2014 (UTC)

Lightning Talks?

Are there any Lightning talk sessions at the conference, or what is the best way to do brief ad-hoc topics, or last minute topics for folks whose submissions were not accepted? -- Fuzheado (talk) 13:46, 3 August 2014 (UTC)

Good questions. I want to know, too.--Dthomsen8 (talk) 18:54, 3 August 2014 (UTC)

Sadly, the organizers have said there are no plans for lightning talks. On the Facebook group [2]: "we're not doing lightning talks this year, but there are lots of discussions and interactive sessions where people will have a chance to talk about their projects, and lots of breakout areas where people can give demos." -- Fuzheado (talk) 04:47, 4 August 2014 (UTC)

PDF to download?

Hi, I was looking for a PDF with all the info I'll need once in London (from transportation to venue maps to programme and so on). Will there be one? Thanks. --Elitre (talk) 13:35, 4 August 2014 (UTC)

I think I'm right in saying there will be a PDF of the programme which includes a venue map (pinging @EdSaperia: and @Stuart Prior (WMUK):). - Lawsonstu (talk) 15:53, 4 August 2014 (UTC)

Wikimania 2014 talks/discussions on Wikipedia's civility/sexism problems?

Some of us would like to know the days, times and weblinks for all Wiki-civility/sexism talks/discussions at Wikimania 2014. Best, Jim Siduri Jim-Siduri (talk) 19:15, 5 August 2014 (UTC)

The programme should contain everything one needs to know. I would suggest looking under the Diversity tracks for sessions which cover this issue. CT Cooper · talk 19:32, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

Streaming

At the wikipedla local commmunity-space Lokal K in Cologne we want to watch the Opening, hoping it will be streamed live. I did not find any information wether that will happen and how to locate that stream. Does anyone know about a stream-broadcast? --Superbass (talk) 17:07, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

I've been told that there are no plans to stream normal sessions live, though recordings of sessions will be uploaded online very quickly after the sessions are over. I don't know whether the opening ceremony will be any different. CT Cooper · talk 19:26, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

Unfortunately I've just been informed by a reliable source that livestreaming is off due to the pull out of a sponsor. CT Cooper · talk 22:05, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

Any idea where recorded talks will be found? Da5nsy (talk) 15:56, 8 August 2014 (UTC)

Livestreaming of the main stage is happening, they found another way to do it! - Lawsonstu (talk) 21:18, 8 August 2014 (UTC)

Where and when to "check in"?

I have a three day conference + opening ceremony registration, completed and paid online - one thing isn't yet completely clear to me: I have the registration summary printed out, where and when do I bring it at the conference to get the badge etc.? Is the "Welcome Reception" in Foyer -1 at Thursday 18:00 the right time and place, or should one do this earlier (where, exactly)? Is it possible to "check in" already earlier in the afternoon, say at 14:00? Gestumblindi (talk) 20:15, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

Absolutely, you're welcome to check-in at any time during the day in the Lower Foyer, particularly since it's likely the registration desks will get very busy just before the opening ceremony. Your ticket won't allow access into the Hackathon events, and lunch is being provided only for Hackathon attendees, but other than that, the venue is open to all. CT Cooper · talk 22:27, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

Are scholarship recipients admitted to the Opening Ceremony?

I have received a scholarship, but have not seperately registered for the Opening Ceremony. I had hoped to attend with my wife. We have been in London for a few days, and I have not been able to access the email associated with my account/registration. We are going to the Please advise how I should proceed. BD2412 (talk) 12:32, 7 August 2014 (UTC)

There isn't a separate ticket for the opening ceremony – it's an addition to the standard ticket for the three day conference. As far as I'm aware, scholarship recipients should have been able to register for a ticket including the opening ceremony free of charge. All I can suggest is going to the registration desk in the Lower Foyer (-1), where they should be able to help you out. CT Cooper · talk 14:13, 7 August 2014 (UTC)

Done, thanks. (Live from the hotel computer at the Thistle City Barbican, from the only Wikipedian at Wikimania who doesn't have a laptop or device from which to edit). Cheers! BD2412 (talk) 22:22, 7 August 2014 (UTC)

Major A/V problems in Auditorium 1

The afternoon sessions in Auditorium 1 were significantly delayed because of major A/V problems. It took us 40 minutes to try and get a laptop set up to present (we eventually gave up, borrowing someone else's machine) and AFAIK the same problem affected other speakers in the morning as well speakers in later sessions in the afternoon in the same room. The issue is mostly for presenters using Macs but we also had PC users on Linux having issues with the VGA connection (we tried a bunch of different adapters and machines, but that didn't solve the problem). I'll be presenting again in Auditorium 1 this afternoon at 3pm and I'd like to hear if this problem has been addressed or I should try and borrow someone else's laptop. DarTar (talk) 08:29, 9 August 2014 (UTC)

Hi, there have been no problems in Auditorium 1 this morning (using Macs), but I will check with the engineer. - Lawsonstu (talk) 10:38, 9 August 2014 (UTC)

Certificate of participation

Hello! Where can I request a certificate that I participated of the event?

I missed a few days of college for being on Wikimania and my University agreed to let me go if I could provide a simple proof that I went to the conference. So, I just need a certificate to state that I was there. I sent mail to 'helpwikimanialondon.org', but got no response yet.

I really need that for they don't think that I missed for no reason... can somebody help me please?—Teles «Talk to me˱_{M @ C S}˲» 00:03, 17 August 2014 (UTC)

Solved. Thanks.—Teles «Talk to me˱_{M @ C S}˲» 20:54, 18 August 2014 (UTC)