A geonotice is a notice on Special:Watchlist that is displayed only to users who are physically located in some subset of the Earth. The configuration page of geonotices is on Wikipedia:Geonotice/list.json. View the active geonotices and the regions they cover on Wikipedia:Geonotice/Map.
The purpose of geonotices is to announce events that would be of great interest to people in a specific region, but that would not be interesting to most of our readers. The use of targeted messages allows us to scale our communication better; rather than flooding people with multiple messages or avoiding messages entirely, we can display messages only to the people who are most likely to find them useful.
Example uses for targeted messages are: to announce upcoming Wikipedia meetups and local events, for local chapter activities and to advertise mailing lists focused on geographical areas.
Geonotices requested here are only displayed on the watchlist on the English Wikipedia. If you want to target users of all Wikimedia Foundation wikis in a particular geographical area, you can go to meta:CentralNotice to request a geotargeted banner.
No data or personal information is gathered from users to make this notice possible, nor does this notice share any user's personal information with outsiders.
Technical details
editGeonotices are a type of watchlist notice, a type of top of page message similar to a MediaWiki:Sitenotice, MediaWiki:Anonnotice or MediaWiki:Watchlist-messages notice.
The current implementation works by loading the user's latitude and longitude from geoiplookup.wikimedia.org and using a small bit of JavaScript (Geonotice-core.js and Geonotice-list.js) to determine whether or not to display a notice to the user. The location detection is IP address-based, using a lookup system described at wikitech:Geolocation. Currently, MediaWiki:Gadgets-definition specifies the geonotices to be listed at MediaWiki:Gadget-geonotice-list.js (IAdmin-protected), which is turn is updated automatically by User:MusikBot II by synchronizing from Wikipedia:Geonotice/list.json (Sysop-protected).
The "hide" button that is displayed with each message will persistently dismiss that particular message. You can also disable all Geonotices by disabling the Geonotice gadget in your preferences. Geonotices will also be hidden if you have opted to hide all watchlist notices.
Geonotices are currently a candidate to be integrated into MediaWiki proper. One significant open question is how best to allow users to specify the locations of interest for a message. Right now, the location range must be hard-coded in the the JavaScript itself.
Guidelines
edit | This is a low-volume request page. If you're an admin and you want to put up a geonotice, feel free to read the guidance on this page and update Wikipedia:Geonotice/list.json yourself. |
Create request
- To propose a geonotice, simply create a new third level section (using ===) under the "Requests" section, using the boilerplate text below, and follow the instructions in this section.
=== [[Related page name (e.g. meetup page)]] === <syntaxhighlight lang="json"> "begin" : "18 September 2019 00:00 UTC", "end" : "25 September 2019 00:00 UTC", "corners" : [[45, -90], [52, -100]], "text" : "Replace this with your message. You can add [[Wikipedia:Meetup|Wikilinks]] or [https://en.wikipedia.org external links]." </syntaxhighlight> '''Discussion''' * ''User requesting:'' ~~~~
Locations
- Try to be as specific as possible with the location. For example, a Washington, D.C. meetup would not be appropriate to advertise to everyone in the United States. Be aware that the detection is not flawless; due to varying boundaries and the inaccuracies of IP locating, the result cannot be perfect.
- It makes things much easier if you can give us geographic coordinates. The format of the coordinates is [ [latitude, longitude], [latitude, longitude] ]. To identify appropriate bounding boxes, the Flickr API offers a handy reference database - eg/ British Columbia. If in doubt, pick a central point and go a degree or two in all directions. To get a bounding box, you can use http://boundingbox.klokantech.com/ . Drag and drop the yellow handles to position and size your bounding box, then under "Copy & Paste" (at bottom), choose DublinCore. You can include that string in your request.
- For country-wide geonotices, we can target the geonotice to a specific country with something such as
"country": "US"instead of the"corners":specification. The geonotice tool uses ISO 3166 Country Codes. This method is generally more reliable.
Messages
- Messages should be one or two sentences in length, and they should not contain any flashy text or images. It is a good idea to provide at least two options, in case one is deemed inappropriate.
- Messages exceeding four sentences are deemed too large, except in cases where the sentences are short.
- Geonotices should always be used with the understanding that some of the intended audience will be excluded and that some unintended people will be included. As such, the message should be written in a way that would be suitable for display to all users. For example, write "The New York City Wikipedia Meetup will be on August 12" rather than "Hello resident of Long Island...".
- Remember to link the event signup page (where appropriate) in the notice - and please use a wikilink (to Wikipedia, Meta, etc) rather than a URL. External URLs do not always work reliably.
Date range
- Try to post your request at least five days (preferably seven to ten days) in advance. It may take a while for requests to be handled.
Notify geonotice maintainers
- In case there is no feedback in a few days after posting the request, ask User:Redrose64, User:L235, User:the wub, or an administrator to take a look.
Requests
editAdd new requests to the top of this list. Please include coordinates where possible, as this will speed up processing. Note that this page is quite low-traffic - if you've had no response after a day or two, or if it's urgent, please poke the administrators.
"begin" : "2 December 2024 00:00 UTC",
"end" : "9 December 2024 23:59 UTC",
"corners" : [[38.85,-120.5], [36.6, -123.5]],
"text" : "[[Wikipedia:Meetup/San Francisco|Join]] Wikipedians in the Bay Area on December 9 for community, coworking and local organizing"
Discussion
- User requesting: e_mln_e (talk) 10:35, 18 November 2024 (UTC)
"begin" : "16 November 2024 00:00 UTC",
"end" : "19 November 2024 23:59 UTC",
"corners" : [[47.83, -122.24], [47.4, -122.43]],
"text" : "If you are in the Seattle area, consider attending our [[Wikipedia:Meetup/Seattle#Monthly meetup, Tuesday Nov 19 2024 6pm – 8pm (PST)|monthly meetup, Nov 19 2024 6pm – 8pm)]] at Little Odd Fellows in [[Capitol Hill, Seattle|Capitol Hill]]."
As an admin, I will add this to Wikipedia:Geonotice/list.json myself. First time...
- User requesting: Peaceray (talk) 00:48, 16 November 2024 (UTC)
"begin" : "1 November 2024 00:00 UTC",
"end" : "18 November 2024 23:59 UTC",
"corners" : [[35.9925, -114.1308], [32.5295, -124.482]],
"text" : "Everyone is invited to a '''[[Wikipedia:Meetup/San Diego/November 2024|National American Indian Heritage Month]]''' edit-a-thon at the [[San Diego Central Library]]."
Discussion
- User requesting:--RightCowLeftCoast (Moo) 00:55, 23 October 2024 (UTC)
"begin" : "19 October 2024 00:00 UTC",
"end" : "26 October 2024 23:59 UTC",
"corners" : [[35.9925, -114.1308], [32.5295, -124.482]],
"text" : "Everyone is invited to a '''[[Wikipedia:Meetup/San Diego/October 2024 bonfire|pot luck and bonfire]]''' edit-a-thon at [[Shelter Island, San Diego]]."
Discussion
- User requesting: RightCowLeftCoast (Moo) 22:09, 12 October 2024 (UTC)
"begin" : "7 November 2024 00:00 UTC",
"end" : "14 November 2024 23:59 UTC",
"corners" : [[38.85,-120.5], [36.6, -123.5]],
"text" : "[[Wikipedia:Meetup/San Francisco|Join]] Wikipedians in the Bay Area on November 14 for community, coworking, and a research presentation!"
Discussion
- User requesting: e_mln_e (talk) 10:35, 10 October 2024 (UTC)
"begin": "21 October 2024 22:00 UTC",
"end": "23 November 2024 11:00 UTC",
"country": "GB",
"text" : "You are invited to the '''[[m:Wikimedia UK/Events/2024 Community Celebration|Wikimedia UK Community Celebration]]''' on Saturday 23rd November 11am–1pm. Call for lightning talks to showcase what the community has been doing, contact @[[User:Rupal Karia WMUK|Rupal Karia WMUK]]"
Discussion
- User requesting: Rupal Karia WMUK (talk) 10:35, 19 September 2024 (UTC)
- Hi @Rupal Karia WMUK, the page at m:Wikimedia UK Community Celebration 2024 is missing a sign up link. I would also suggest including some info there about the call for lightning talks. the wub "?!" 22:47, 13 October 2024 (UTC)
Done @Rupal Karia WMUK: Richard fixed the sign up link. I've added this notice now, slightly edited as above. the wub "?!" 22:22, 21 October 2024 (UTC)
"begin" : "6 September 2024 12:00 UTC",
"end" : "11 September 2024 14:00 UTC",
"corners" : [[49, -5], [51, -1]],
"text" : "You are invited to an [[Wikipedia:GLAM/RAMM/GLAM-E/Famous Faces of Devon editathon|in-person editathon in Exeter]] on 11 September themed around 'Famous Faces of Devon'"
Discussion
- User requesting: Richard Nevell (WMUK) (talk) 09:33, 6 September 2024 (UTC)
- Done the wub "?!" 13:11, 6 September 2024 (UTC)
- @Richard Nevell (WMUK): Wikipedia:Meetup/Exeter was three months ago. Do you really want it re-publicising? --Redrose64 🌹 (talk) 17:19, 6 September 2024 (UTC)
- It's just the heading that was wrong (I've corrected it now), the notice links to the correct event page. the wub "?!" 18:03, 6 September 2024 (UTC)
- Thank you both, I realised my copy & paste error after the wub had posted the correct message. Richard Nevell (WMUK) (talk) 08:48, 9 September 2024 (UTC)
- It's just the heading that was wrong (I've corrected it now), the notice links to the correct event page. the wub "?!" 18:03, 6 September 2024 (UTC)
"begin" : "8 September 2024 00:00 UTC",
"end" : "29 September 2024 21:30 UTC",
"corners" : [[35.99, -114.13], [32.53, -124.48]], [[Southern California]]
"text" : "Join Wikimedians in '''[[Wikipedia:Meetup/San Bernardino 1|San Bernardino]]''' on Sunday September 29th at the first ever meetup in San Bernardino for Wikipedia!"
Discussion
- User requesting: RightCowLeftCoast (Moo) 01:17, 6 September 2024 (UTC)
- Done the wub "?!" 13:11, 6 September 2024 (UTC)
- @The wub: Thanks! Hopefully our first meetup in the largest county (by area) in the nation will go well. RightCowLeftCoast (Moo) 20:48, 13 September 2024 (UTC)
"begin" : "23 April 2024 09:00 UTC",
"end" : "8 June 2024 16:00 UTC",
"corners" : [[49, -5], [51, -1]],
"text" : "[[Wikipedia:Meetup/Exeter|Join]] the first Exeter Wikimeet on 8th June for a casual chat!"
Discussion
- TatjanaClimate: TatjanaClimate (talk) 08:51, 23 April 2024 (UTC)
- @TatjanaClimate I've added this to the existing UK meetups notice, and in a few other places we normally advertise them such as Wikipedia:Meetup. Would love to join myself, but I'll be at the Hackathon that weekend. the wub "?!" 11:43, 23 April 2024 (UTC)
- Hiya, we've changed the date of the Exeter meet up to 8th of June for various reasons. I've updated the source text above. Thank you! TatjanaClimate (talk) 10:45, 30 April 2024 (UTC)
- I removed it from the UK geonotice for now, will re-add it with the new date in a week or so. the wub "?!" 13:44, 30 April 2024 (UTC)
"begin" : "26 March 2024 00:00 UTC",
"end" : "08 April 2024 00:00 UTC",
"corners" : [[45, -73], [41, -80]],
"text" : "Wikimedians in Upstate New York are invited to watch the total eclipse on April 8 at the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Meetup/Rochester,_NY/Eclipse_2024|University of Rochester]]."
"begin" : ""06 April 2024 00:00 UTC"",
"end" : "04 May 202024 12:00 UTC",
"corners" : westlimit=-5.1; southlimit=52.16; eastlimit=1.87; northlimit=54.4
"text" : "All are welcome at the [[meta:Meetup/Leeds/6|Leeds, UK meetup]] on '''Saturday, 4th May'''. Join other Wikipedians for a coffee and a chat!"
Discussion
- User requesting: Jonathan Deamer (talk) 17:33, 24 March 2024 (UTC)
Request taken by Redrose64. @Jonathan Deamer: The calendar's sure getting crowded: there will be UK meetups every weekend from 14 April until 19 May. So I'll put this up in a couple of weeks time as part of a combined UK geonotice, as we normally do for London and Oxford. --Redrose64 🌹 (talk) 18:29, 24 March 2024 (UTC)
"begin" : "06 March 2024 00:00 UTC",
"end" : "12 March 2024 23:00 UTC",
"corners" : [[47.4394, -122.095551], [47.773647, -122.432694]], <!--DublinCore from boundingbox.klokantech.com: westlimit=-122.432694; southlimit=47.4394; eastlimit=-122.095551; northlimit=47.773647-->
"text" : "You are invited to the [[Wikipedia:Meetup/Seattle#Seattle articles edit-a-thon, Tuesday, March 12 2024 3pm – 7pm (PDT)|Seattle articles edit-a-thon]], Tuesday, March 12 2024 3pm – 7pm. This event is in-person at the [[Seattle Public Library University Branch]]."
Discussion
- User requesting: Peaceray (talk) 21:38, 5 March 2024 (UTC)
"begin" : "03 March 2024 00:00 UTC",
"end" : "10 March 2024 18:00 UTC",
"corners" : [[44.8677, -123.3448], [46.2009, -122.2245]], <!--DublinCore from boundingbox.klokantech.com: westlimit=-123.3448; southlimit=44.8677; eastlimit=-122.2245; northlimit=46.2009-->
"text" : "You are invited to International Women’s Day [[Wikipedia:Meetup/Portland/Jewish Women Artists 2024|Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon: Jewish Women Artists]] on Sunday 3/10. This event is both online and in-person at OJMCHE in Portland, Oregon."
Discussion
- User requesting: Peaceray (talk) 01:44, 29 February 2024 (UTC)
- Done Pharos (talk) 06:01, 5 March 2024 (UTC)
"begin" : "26 January 2024 02:30 UTC",
"end" : "4 February 2024 18:00 UTC",
"corners" : [[33.7529, -84.3218], [37.3681, -75.4001]],
"text" : "Celebrate Wikipedia's 23rd birthday at '''[[Wikipedia:Meetup/NC/Wikipedia Day 2024|Wikipedia Day 2024 in NC]]'''! Stop by the Chapel Hill Public Library Sunday 2/4, 11am - 1pm."
Discussion
- User requesting: Gaurav (talk) 23:35, 25 January 2024 (UTC)
- Done by Pharos. [1]. the wub "?!" 23:26, 2 February 2024 (UTC)
"begin" : "3 February 2024 00:00 UTC",
"end" : "17 February 2024 00:00 UTC",
"corners" : [[35.0064, -114.1308], [32.5295, -121.0038]],
"text" : "Everyone is invited to a '''[[Wikipedia:Meetup/Los Angeles/February 2024|Los Angeles]]''' edit-a-thon at the [[West Hollywood Library]]."
Discussion
- User requesting:--Blervis (talk) 21:59, 7 January 2024 (UTC)
- @Blervis Done, I just tweaked slightly to include the date of the event in the message. the wub "?!" 22:31, 7 January 2024 (UTC)
- Thanks wub! Blervis (talk) 05:32, 11 January 2024 (UTC)
- @Blervis
"begin" : "29 April 2024 00:00 UTC",
"end" : "20 May 2024 23:59 UTC",
"corners" : [[35.0064, -114.1308], [32.5295, -121.0038]],
"text" : "Everyone is invited to a '''[[Wikipedia:Meetup/San Diego/May 2024|Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month]]''' edit-a-thon at the [[San Diego Central Library]]."
Discussion
- User requesting:--RightCowLeftCoast (Moo) 21:40, 21 December 2023 (UTC)
- @The wub: Thanks in advance.--RightCowLeftCoast (Moo) 21:40, 21 December 2023 (UTC)
"begin" : "1 April 2024 00:00 UTC",
"end" : "22 April 2024 23:59 UTC",
"corners" : [[35.0064, -114.1308], [32.5295, -121.0038]],
"text" : "Everyone is invited to a '''[[Wikipedia:Meetup/San Diego/April 2024|National Volunteer Month]]''' edit-a-thon at the [[San Diego Central Library]]. Students seeking community service hours for school requirements will receive two hours for participation."
Discussion
- User requesting:--RightCowLeftCoast (Moo) 21:40, 21 December 2023 (UTC)
- @The wub: Thanks in advance.--RightCowLeftCoast (Moo) 21:40, 21 December 2023 (UTC)
"begin" : "4 March 2024 00:00 UTC",
"end" : "25 March 2024 23:59 UTC",
"corners" : [[35.0064, -114.1308], [32.5295, -121.0038]],
"text" : "Everyone is invited to a '''[[Wikipedia:Meetup/San Diego/March 2024|Women's History Month]]''' edit-a-thon at the [[San Diego Central Library]]."
Discussion
- User requesting:--RightCowLeftCoast (Moo) 21:40, 21 December 2023 (UTC)
- @The wub: Thanks in advance.--RightCowLeftCoast (Moo) 21:40, 21 December 2023 (UTC)
"begin" : "5 February 2024 00:00 UTC",
"end" : "26 February 2024 23:59 UTC",
"corners" : [[35.0064, -114.1308], [32.5295, -121.0038]],
"text" : "Everyone is invited to a '''[[Wikipedia:Meetup/San Diego/February 2024|Black History Month]]''' edit-a-thon at the [[San Diego Central Library]]."
Discussion
- User requesting:--RightCowLeftCoast (Moo) 21:40, 21 December 2023 (UTC)
- @The wub: Thanks in advance.--RightCowLeftCoast (Moo) 21:40, 21 December 2023 (UTC)
- @RightCowLeftCoast Done queued up all of these, I just tweaked slightly to include the date of the events in the messages. the wub "?!" 22:31, 7 January 2024 (UTC)
- @RightCowLeftCoast
"begin" : "8 January 2024 00:00 UTC",
"end" : "29 January 2024 23:59 UTC",
"corners" : [[35.8001, -114.1308], [32.5295, -121.6602]],
"text" : "Everyone is invited to a '''[[Wikipedia:Meetup/San Diego/January 2024|Fred Korematsu Day eve]]''' edit-a-thon at the [[San Diego Central Library]]."
Discussion
- User requesting:--RightCowLeftCoast (Moo) 23:04, 11 December 2023 (UTC)
- @The wub: Thanks in advance.--RightCowLeftCoast (Moo) 23:04, 11 December 2023 (UTC)