A more complex the user interface may make it harder it is to attract new editors
There may be friction against gaining new editors from the user interface of the MediaWiki software, but I think the greatest barrier to participation by new editors is the hostile, drama-filled environment on many controversial topics on Wikipedia. My evidence for that is the decline in "unsustainable fashion"
in the number of Wikipedian administrators, who presumably for the most part are people who know how to use Wikimedia software. Too many of best contributors (people who look up facts in reliable sources and edit articles for better readability) on Wikipedia feel attacked and that their time is wasted. I know a lot of dedicated hobbyists who quietly work on their hobby-related subjects putting together great articles, but on any subject that is controversial, and for which looking up reliable sources takes some effort, Wikipedia is becoming a war zone and is not improving in quality.
Comments
A more complex the user interface may make it harder it is to attract new editors
There may be friction against gaining new editors from the user interface of the MediaWiki software, but I think the greatest barrier to participation by new editors is the hostile, drama-filled environment on many controversial topics on Wikipedia. My evidence for that is the decline in "unsustainable fashion"
http://strategy.wikimedia.org/wiki/Story_of_Wikimedia_Editor...
in the number of Wikipedian administrators, who presumably for the most part are people who know how to use Wikimedia software. Too many of best contributors (people who look up facts in reliable sources and edit articles for better readability) on Wikipedia feel attacked and that their time is wasted. I know a lot of dedicated hobbyists who quietly work on their hobby-related subjects putting together great articles, but on any subject that is controversial, and for which looking up reliable sources takes some effort, Wikipedia is becoming a war zone and is not improving in quality.
http://strategy.wikimedia.org/wiki/Strategic_Plan/Movement_P...
http://strategy.wikimedia.org/wiki/Strategic_Plan/Movement_P...