Wikipedia:Geonotice

The current implementation works by loading the user's latitude and longitude from geoiplookup.wikimedia.org and using a small bit of JavaScript (Geonotice.js) to determine whether or not to display a notice to the user. Once the possible applications of this feature are better understood, it will be integrated into MediaWiki proper. One significant open question is how best to allow users to specify the locations of interest for a message. Right now, the location range must be hard-set in the software.

The location detection is IP address-based, using a lookup system at geoiplookup.wikimedia.org. To identify appropriate bounding boxes, the Flickr API offers a handy reference database - eg/ British Columbia.

The notice can be persistently dismissed using a hide button that is displayed with the message. It can permanently be hidden by adding

.geonotice { display: none; }

to your CSS file. It will also be hidden if you have opted to hide watchlist notices.

Create request

To propose a geonotice, simply create a new third level section (using ===) under the "Requests" section, using the boilerplate text below, and follow the instructions in this section.

=== [[Related page name (e.g. meetup page)]] ===
'''Locations required:'''
<!-- List the cities/regions to be notified.  Optionally include geo-coordinates - a box
     specifying the corners of the area covered is best, in the form [45,10], [46,12] -->
* 
* 
'''Possible messages:'''
<!-- Only one is necessary, but two is recommended in case one is rejected -->
* 
* 
'''Date range required:'''
<!-- Please give us at least 5 days warning, unless you have an important reason -->
* 
'''Misc info:'''
* ''Reason for requesting:'' 
* ''User requesting:'' <!-- sign here with FOUR tildes -->
'''Discussion'''

Locations

Try to be as specific as possible with the location. For example, a Washington, D.C. meetup would not be appropriate to advertise to everyone in the United States.

Be aware that the detection is not flawless; due to varying region boundaries and the inaccuracies of IP locating, the result cannot be perfect. If, for whatever reason, you need to reach everyone in the target area, request the surrounding areas as well.

For country-wide geonotices, we can target the geonotice to a specific country with something such as country: 'US'. The geonotice tool uses ISO 3166 Country Codes. (see full list)

Messages

Messages should be under three sentences in length, and they should not contain any flashy text or images. It is a good idea to provide at least two options, in case one is deemed inappropriate.

Messages exceeding four sentences are deemed too large, except in cases where the sentences are short.

Geonotices should always be used with the understanding that some of the intended audience will be excluded and that some unintended people will be included. As such, the message should be written in a way that would be suitable for display to all users. For example, write "The New York City Wikipedia Meetup will be on August 12" rather than "Hello resident of Long Island...".

Remember to link the event signup page (where appropriate) in the notice!

Date range

Try to post your request at least five days (preferably seven to ten days) in advance. It may take a while for requests to be handled.

Requests should not be shown for meetups more than 2 months in advance.

Reason requesting

In the case of a meetup, where that page is linked and it is obvious by the message, this is not necessary. If there is possible confusion regarding the reason for the geonotice, please state a clear reason.

Notify geonotice maintainers

In case there is no feedback in a few days after posting the request, ask an administrator to take a look.

Add new requests to the top of this list. Please include a general geographic indication in the header, if this is not already clear. Note that this page is quite low-traffic - if you've had no response after a day or two, or if it's urgent, please poke Andrew Gray (talk · contribs).

Locations required:

• Richmond, Washington DC (there is no DC WTA event this year)

Possible messages:

• You're invited to Wikipedia Takes Richmond, a photo scavenger hunt on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 12:00pm at 804RVA: That Coworking Place. More info!

Date range required:

• Sep 14 -21

Misc info:

• Reason for requesting: announce WTA to local users
• User requesting: Mono 16:49, 2 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Discussion

Locations required:

• Baltimore, Washington DC area (there is no WTA meetup in DC this year)

Possible messages:

• You're invited to Wikipedia Takes Baltimore, a photo scavenger hunt on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 1:00pm at the north side of the Washington Monument in Baltimore. More info!

Date range required:

• Sep 14-21

Misc info:

• Reason for requesting: Announce WTA events to local users
• User requesting: Mono 16:40, 2 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Discussion

Locations required:

• St. Louis area

Possible messages:

• You're invited to Wikipedia Takes St. Louis, a photo scavenger hunt on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 12:30pm at the Historical Society of University City. More info!

Date range required:

• Sep 14 - Sep 21, 2013

Misc info:

• Reason for requesting: Announce WTA events to local users
• User requesting: Mono 16:35, 2 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Discussion

New York City area

Possible messages: You're invited to Wikipedia Takes Brooklyn, a photo scavenger hunt on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at Brooklyn Public Library's central branch by Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.

Date range required: Sep 1 to Sep 7

Misc info:

• Reason for requesting:

Announce WTA event to NYC area contributors. Mono 20:52, 1 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]

•   Done. MikeLynch (talk) 06:09, 2 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Scotland or 2 hour journey time from Glasgow

Possible messages:

• Glasgow Women's library 16th Nov. Whether you are a newbie or someone who likes to help newbies then there'll be a warm weclome for you.

Date range required: Mid October to Mid November

Misc info:

• Reason for requesting:

We haven't run many events in Scotland and a Geonotice will help make sure we have experienced participants.

• User requesting: Jonathan Cardy (WMUK) (talk) 09:24, 23 August 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Discussion

•   Done. 15 Oct - 16 Nov, same area as the Scottish trustee notice. Andrew Gray (talk) 23:26, 27 August 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Locations required:

• San Francisco Bay Area

Possible messages:

• Join Wikipedians in Berkeley for the Berkeley Edit-a-thon on September 21 from 1pm-5pm at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St.

Date range required:

• Now through September 21

Misc info:

• User requesting: SPat ^talk 21:55, 1 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Discussion

(I don't really know much about geonotices, I'd welcome suggestions for alternative messagess)

•   Done. MikeLynch (talk) 05:57, 2 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]

• Wikipedia:Geonotice/Old requests