2023:Program/Technology/9SP8MX-Improving user experience for the English Wikipedia's copyright cleanup scene

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Title: Improving user experience for the English Wikipedia's copyright cleanup scene

Speakers:

Chlod

I’m Chlod Aidan Alejandro, a Wikimedian since 2019 and a college student from the Philippines. First and foremost, I’m a software developer and I spend much of my time developing tools for both editors and developers and making maintenance work easier for editors. I got into the thick of editing around early 2020, where I began as a counter-vandalism editor on the English Wikipedia. Wishing to improve user experience on tools for editors, I decided to toss my hat into the ring as a tool developer using my background in software and web development. Nowadays, I maintain a bot and numerous templates, tools, software libraries, and userscripts on Wikimedia sites, and I intend to keep pouring my technical knowledge into the project and its community. Besides working on tools, I write articles on the English Wikipedia about things related to the Philippines, my home country, and typhoons. I’m also part of the Wikimedia Foundation’s organization communications translators group, serving as a Tagalog translator.

Pretalx link

Etherpad link

Room: Room 311

Start time: Fri, 18 Aug 2023 10:00:00 +0800

End time: Fri, 18 Aug 2023 10:20:00 +0800

Type: Lecture

Track: Technology

Submission state: confirmed

Duration: 20 minutes

Do not record: false

Presentation language: en

Abstract & description

Abstract

A look at the past, present, and future of the user experience of copyright cleanup editors on the English Wikipedia. Hear about improvements to existing tools used by copyright cleanup editors and a newly-developed tool specifically for facilitating copyright work on the English Wikipedia.

Description

The copyright cleanup scene has long had a lack of automation and tooling that has made it hard for editors to process years-long backlogs of on-wiki copyright violations, on top of having to scan through recently-flagged copyright violations. This has led to burnout among long-time cleanup editors, who have performed manual work in the area for years, and reluctance from newer editors, who find getting involved in the process too daunting.

This first part of the lecture aims to be a re-introduction of the long-standing tools used in the copyright cleanup project, an update on recent (or planned) improvements to existing tools, and an introduction to a newly-developed tool specifically for helping editors find and address copyright issues: Deputy. Meant to be a tool for all editors and not just those already involved in copyright cleanup, it’s a step in making work in the area much more palatable for newcomers and much easier for those already in the field. The second (and more technical) part of the lecture narrates the story of its development and includes a look at its features and a summary of the feedback and response to the new tool.

Further details

Qn. How does your session relate to the event themes: Diversity, Collaboration Future?

The first part focuses on promoting the hard work done by the English Wikipedia’s copyright cleanup project and involved tool developers. This, and the whole presentation in general, aims to invite more editors to help out in the area and help clear out its backlogs, ensuring that Wikipedia content stays truly free for future generations.

The second part of the presentation aims to tell the story of the tool’s development and relevant roadblocks encountered. In addition, it aims to provide info on the effect of the tool in the space. The goal here is to inform other developers and programmers on things to keep in mind when starting out (for newcomer developers) or spark a discussion on ways to improve the current developer experience.

Qn. What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?

Some experience will be needed

Qn. What is the most appropriate format for this session?

• Onsite in Singapore
• Remote online participation, livestreamed
• Remote from a satellite event
• Hybrid with some participants in Singapore and others dialing in remotely
• Pre-recorded and available on demand