CZ:Nomination page/Editorial Council 2011/Peter Schmitt

Since the elections last year the basic situation of CZ has not much changed, but it has become much clearer where CZ stands, and some valuable experience has been gained.

The two most urgent problems are still

• to find a hosting solution that secures the existence of the site (at least for next few years), and
• to attract competent contributors.

The current state of CZ does not help. On the contrary, finding solutions is made difficult by

• the small number of active Citizens,
• the huge gap between the high ambitions and the humble results achieved, and
• the resulting "public" image of the project as little successful or even as a failure.

All this does not make CZ attractive, neither for potential (financial) supporters nor for the experts with whom CZ wants to collaborate.

That is why I am sceptical that presently a relaunch or "great outreach" would make sense. To avoid disappointment we should make sure that all those we invite to join are aware of the situation and are prepared tol work under these conditions or, even better, to help solving our problems.

CZ has to find its own way. To look at WP and imitate what is done there will not help. Copying WP may have one of two effects:

• If successful (on the surface) CZ could attract all those who prefer a place where there is more room for activities then the big and advanced WP, and CZ would become a second WP but always stay the "little brother" -- with the same advantages and disadvantages as WP.
• Or CZ will fail because there is not enough interest in a second version of WP.

Developing CZ on our own ideas may fail, too. If it succeeds CZ will not overtake or beat WP, but it will become a project in its own niche, a project of interest, and a competitor of WP.

(to be continued, perhaps)

See also my general position and some specific suggestions.