Structured Data Across Wikimedia/Newsletter/5

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We published a new project page on Mediawiki.org to reflect the latest developments regarding the Search Improvements project, which will use structured content to give users a more inviting and more efficient way to search and find content on the Wikipedias.
 * Updates on Search improvements

The project considers the current problems that readers and users, especially for Wikipedias in emerging languages, may experience in searching for relevant articles or content. Among the potential causes of this, we identified the current focus of existing search functionalities on article matches, but we also considered linguistic factors and inexperience in using Special:Search as potential obstacles.

We have published the initial mockups of several improvements we are planning to do. Work in this area may include things like stylistic UI improvements to the Special:Search page and creating a quick view panel for each result that shows key information and displays interwiki links related to the result.

As part of the project, we would like to work with an interested contractor to ideate and develop a tool or gadget that experiments with using structured data/content to improve the search experience on one or more Wikipedias. Please contact Sannita if you’re interested in learning more about this opportunity.
 * Improving search experience through a tool/gadget

Project feedback is and will always be welcome. We are especially interested in your ideas, and we are looking forward to hearing from you on the talk page about what you think about the project, and especially about the following open questions:
 * We are looking for your feedback!
 * 1) What do you think about the approaches outlined above?
 * 2) Do any of these changes affect the contribution flow in your opinion? If yes, how?
 * 3) Is the content in quick view helpful to you? If so, how would you use it?

This newsletter will be released only when there are things to discuss or to be announced, and we plan on doing it in the least invasive way for your talk (i.e. through your notifications). If you want it delivered to your talk, let us know.
 * About the newsletter

Let us also know your thoughts on the project's talk page. If you have direct inquiries, you can also refer to my talk page.

Hope to read and see you soon! -- Sannita (WMF) (talk)