Wikipedia doesn't need my cash
I have blogged before about why I like to support as many of the small, independent developers that I can. Specifically those who develop software that I actually use. Nothing is really free, and people have taken a lot of time and effort to produce some of the amazing tools I use every day.
Of course, as part of that I review my support regularly. I want to ensure my hard-earned cash is being fairly distributed.
Wikipedia
This is not a small affair by any means. I think it is one of the most visited web sites in the world. That requires quite a chunk of cash to keep the wheels turning.
I enjoy reading Wikipedia, and browsing through articles. I can spend a relaxing thirty minutes on a random topic, and all the other articles that it spawns.
I made the decision to support Wikipedia. I appreciate that I am paying for their infrastructure, as most of the articles are by volunteers like you and I.
Recently I have read that the Mediawiki foundation (the corporate behind Wikipedia) fired their Chief Technical Officer -- he's been there for 20+ years doing (what others say) is an amazing job. On top of that they disbanded an entire team responsible for Community engagement and development.
None of that reads well, but sometimes you have to assume that these massive organisations have a plan for better/different things. I can't react to every boardroom decision I disapprove of.
However, as part of my own research into understanding this "restructure" I discovered more about the financial position of Mediawiki.
A healthy bank balance
It turns out, on reading their financial statements, that Mediawiki have a reserve fund of $290 million. By my calculation, and further verification, that's around 17 months of running costs.
To me that sounds very healthy, and I am not sure many tech companies could claim to run without any further funding for the next year and a half!
Cancelled
I've decided to cancel my monthly donation to the Mediawiki foundation for now. (come back to me when you are down to your last two months of operational costs). There are far more worthy causes I can throw some of my cash towards.