Talk:Wikipedia for KaiOS

Terminology
What's a "smart feature phone platform"? When searching for a definition, it seems that only KaiOS folks use this term, so the definition is currently tautological. I suspect it means a "software development kit for applications on feature phones". Nemo 13:09, 11 May 2020 (UTC)


 * Yes, KaiOS were the first and are the only ones using that term, as a way to help people understand how their platform is a bridge between smart phones and feature phones. There are other organisations who have provided access to apps through their platforms e.g Nokia HMD, and the definition encompasses how that differs from smart or feature phones. Our current development plan is for building the app for the KaiOS platform, and the project page reflects the details. Additional details to include the software element for the more technical audience on MediaWiki will be added as we proceed further through the development process. AMuigai (WMF) (talk) 18:10, 12 May 2020 (UTC)

Editing
It is highly miseducational to provide read-only ways to access Wikipedia, which is all about being read-write for the users. Even if the small screen and hard keyboards make it hard to type, users will still be able to correct typos. People did all sorts of things through WAP over 20 years ago, so I refuse to believe that in 2020 such phones need to be read-only: it's a very paternalistic attitude not compatible with the Wikimedia mission.

To avoid problems, it's better to reuse existing editors and skins: they will be better than nothing and much better than a half-baked custom solution. Nemo 13:15, 11 May 2020 (UTC)


 * Thanks for your comment and questions Nemo. We thought about this carefully when designing the first version of the app. With research showing awareness of Wikipedia being at only 23% in India where the majority of KaiOS users are, it would be important to first drive awareness of what Wikipedia is, as a place to gain knowledge, then drive the ability to edit. As users begin to understand how to navigate and use the content, then we will begin to provide interactions to edit in a form factor that fits the phone’s challenges. This decision was guided by the challenges users shared about typing and challenges that new editors face (research summary here). As you put it, we did not want to provide a half baked solution at the first go, and are thinking carefully about this. For example, the point you made about correcting typos is spot on. Our plan to begin allowing editing options will be through structured contributions similar to how the other Wikipedia apps, and the Growth and Translation teams have started to provide for on mobile.
 * Also, users can still edit through the mobile browser so the option to do so on the phone still exists.
 * Please continue to watch our work here, we appreciate your questions and feedback. AMuigai (WMF) (talk) 18:09, 12 May 2020 (UTC)