[Tagging] I am reverting an edit to the "Names" page on the Wiki -- where to discuss that topic

[stevea]

My turn to say Thank You to you, Georg.  Thank you for reminding that "talk" mailing-lists (like this) and wiki pages (and THEIR Talk/Discussion pages, but on the specific topic of that wiki page) are communication channels which are "close to OSM," figuratively speaking.  (OSM-based Tasking Managers act like this, too).  These have relatively "low bars of entry" (for we who are already OSM Contributors).

Then, there are communication channels which are "farther away:"  social media, Slack, other proprietary / non-open / require more severe license agreements.  Importantly, one reason a sizable number of people do not use these "other" methods is because they are less "open," (OSM's first name).  This is not to disparage or discourage the use of these "other" methods, but better explains some motivations for why widely dispersed communication in OSM can challenge us.  People have all sorts of reasons for using the communication channels we use, there are natural language differences (in our worldwide project) and more.

If you haven't already started to incorporate that OSM has no "all points bulletin" / "everybody will read this" sort of platform within it, AND that we speak / read / use a variety of languages, doing so goes a long way to remembering that "wide" communication can both take a while and may not even "flow outside of" your own local language community.  These awarenesses can be frustrating (at first) but there do seem to be ways that "important topics do elevate" (to their correct / appropriate venues).  Not always, though, so if you think something you've said needs a nudge, it can't hurt to say so (emphasizing that "this seems to need wider exposure").  But not very often, really, it seems.

And I already feel like I'm saying too much (taking too long) in the tagging list, so I'll end it here.

In short:  use the wiki (especially Talk/Discussion pages, as appropriate) if you can.  Wiki works and it isn't going away anytime soon.  Yes, there are other communication venues, but they don't include everybody.  Neither do wiki, but wiki are quite broad.


> On Aug 20, 2022, at 1:38 AM, Georg <georg2016 at nurfuerspam.de> wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> Fri Aug 19 2022 22:58:04 GMT+0200 by Frederik Ramm
> 
>>> you did not even bring this up on the wiki talk page
>> 
>> The wiki talk page of the "Names" page is not the place where the OSM
>> community decides how to use names though, that's why I believe that a
>> discussion - at least - here is warranted.
> 
> here – the tagging mailing list - is also not where OSM community
> decides, but just one more discussion place that is as much/little
> authoritative like the wiki talk pages 🙂
> 
> 
> 
> Fri Aug 12 2022 14:02:11 GMT+0200 by Mateusz Konieczny
> 
> > 2) important issues can be discussed with a wider community,
> > not just with a tiny minority using wiki talk pages
> 
> While I consider the wiki users (and thus the talk pages) being one of
> the biggest minorities we have – because virtually all OSM editors know
> and use the wiki, so talk pages are literally in front of their eyes – I
> do agree that we shall discuss that matter in a wider community, e.g. by
> bringing the topic up also here in the tagging mailing list and other
> communication channels.
> 
> IMHO we shall have the main discussion points in wiki talk pages,
> because a very big share of OSM editors will already have the means to
> participate there (browser, network access to the wiki, and an account)
> while slack, mailing lists, etc are not so "nearby" OSM and thus add
> more often additional hurdles to participate than the wiki.
> 
> Best regards,
> Georg