OfflineCite

OfflineCite is a proposed Wikimedia project designed to enhance the verifiability and depth of Wikipedia content by creating a centralized platform for managing offline sources. The project aims to bridge the gap between traditional offline references and online encyclopedic content. Key features of OfflineCite include:

• Source Capture System: Tools for digitizing relevant sections of offline sources, including a mobile app for easy capture in libraries and archives.
• Metadata Management: A comprehensive system for recording bibliographic information and tagging for easy categorization and retrieval.
• Integration with Wikipedia: Seamless linking between Wikipedia articles and OfflineCite entries, with an API for easy access across Wikimedia projects.
• Collaborative Verification: A peer review system to ensure the accuracy and relevance of captured sources, promoting community-driven quality control.
• Copyright Compliance: Clear guidelines and tools for ensuring adherence to copyright laws and fair use principles.
• Advanced Search and Discovery: Functionality for finding relevant sources and a recommendation system based on article content and existing citations.

This is a proposal for a new Wikimedia sister project.

OfflineCite
Status of the proposal
Status	under discussion
Details of the proposal
Project description	OfflineCite is a proposed Wikimedia project aimed at capturing, managing, and providing access to offline reference materials for Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. It will allow users to digitize relevant sections of offline sources, manage metadata, and seamlessly integrate these references into Wikipedia articles. This project will enhance the verifiability and transparency of Wikipedia content while preserving valuable offline sources. As part of Wikimedia, OfflineCite will benefit from the existing community infrastructure, technical resources, and global reach, while also contributing to the overall mission of free knowledge dissemination.
Is it a multilingual wiki?	One multilingual wiki
Potential number of languages	The project will support multiple languages to accommodate sources and users from various linguistic backgrounds
Proposed tagline	Bridging offline sources with online knowledge
Proposed URL	https://offlinecite.wikimedia.org (proposed)
Technical requirements
New features to require	OfflineCite will require new features beyond standard MediaWiki software: Image capture and processing system for digitizing source materials Advanced metadata management system Integration API for seamless connection with Wikipedia articles Mobile app support for on-the-go source capture Enhanced search functionality for finding relevant sources Collaborative verification system for quality control Additional MediaWiki extensions may be needed for: Specialized image handling and display Advanced search capabilities
Development wiki	Not yet established, but a development wiki in Wikimedia Labs would be beneficial for the project's technical development and testing.
Interested participants
User:Sinuhe20

OfflineCite will be developed as a multilingual platform, supporting sources and users from various linguistic backgrounds. The project will require specialized technical features beyond standard MediaWiki software, including image processing capabilities, advanced metadata management, and mobile app support.

By providing a structured system for incorporating offline sources, OfflineCite will not only improve the quality and reliability of Wikipedia articles but also contribute to the preservation and accessibility of important reference materials. This project represents a significant step forward in Wikimedia's mission to provide free, verifiable knowledge to the world.

As the project develops, it will rely on community participation for source contribution, verification, and ongoing improvement of the platform. OfflineCite has the potential to become an invaluable tool for the Wikimedia community, researchers, and knowledge seekers worldwide.

Proposed by

• Sinuhe20

Alternative names

• CiteOffline - Emphasizes the offline nature of the citations.
• SourceArchive - Highlights the archival aspect of offline sources.
• ReferenceLibrary - Suggests a comprehensive collection of offline references.
• SourceShelf - Conveys the idea of physical books and resources.
• CiteRepository - Indicates a centralized repository for offline citations.
• PrintCite - Focuses on printed sources and their citations.
• CiteVault - Suggests a secure place for storing offline sources.
• SourceLibrary - A familiar term indicating a collection of offline sources.
• ReferenceArchive - Emphasizes the archival nature of the project.
• CiteCollection - A straightforward name for a collection of citations.
• AnalogCite - Highlights the analog nature of offline sources.
• SourceFinder - Suggests a tool for discovering offline sources.
• SourceCache - Indicates a storage space for offline references.
• CiteSource - A simple and clear name for the project.

Related projects/proposals

While OfflineCite offers a unique approach to managing offline sources for Wikimedia projects, there are some existing projects and proposals that share similar goals or functionalities:

Existing Wikimedia Projects

• Wikisource - A free library of source texts that have been published elsewhere. While Wikisource focuses on full texts, OfflineCite aims to capture specific citations and excerpts, which do not necessarily fall under copyright law.
• Wikimedia Commons - A repository of freely usable media files to which anyone can contribute. While Commons hosts a wide variety of media, including scanned documents, OfflineCite specifically focuses on managing and integrating citations from offline sources into Wikipedia articles.

Related Proposals and Initiatives

• CiteSnap - A similar proposal that also includes functionality for archiving online content.
• WikiCite - An initiative to build a bibliographic database based on Wikidata. OfflineCite differs by focusing on offline sources and providing direct access to digitized excerpts.
• WikiJournal - Currently hosted in Wikiversity, WikiJournal is a project where authors can write their works directly online. These works undergo independent scholarly peer review before being officially published in the journal. While WikiJournal focuses on creating new, peer-reviewed content, OfflineCite aims to manage and integrate existing offline sources into Wikipedia articles.
• The Wikipedia Library - An open research hub that provides active Wikipedia editors with access to vital reliable sources, including paywalled materials, through partnerships with dozens of publishers. While The Wikipedia Library focuses on providing access to digital resources, OfflineCite aims to digitize and manage offline sources that are not readily available online.

External Projects with Similar Goals

• Internet Archive Scholar - While not a Wikimedia project, it aims to provide free access to scholarly articles and books, sharing OfflineCite's goal of improving access to sources.
• JSTOR - A digital library of academic journals, books, and primary sources. OfflineCite differs by focusing on community-driven content and integration with Wikipedia.

OfflineCite distinguishes itself from these projects by:

• Focusing specifically on offline sources and their integration with Wikipedia articles
• Providing a platform for community-driven digitization and verification of sources
• Offering direct access to relevant excerpts rather than full texts
• Emphasizing the preservation of offline materials that might not be available elsewhere online
• Creating a specialized system for managing citations and their metadata

While OfflineCite shares some similarities with existing Wikimedia projects, it aims to fill a unique niche by providing a dedicated platform for managing and verifying offline sources used in Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects.

Domain names

Here are some suggested web addresses where the OfflineCite project could be hosted:

• OfflineCite on Wikimedia - A dedicated subdomain within the Wikimedia Foundation's domain, ideal for integration with other Wikimedia projects.
• OfflineCite.org - A standalone domain that could serve as the primary site for the project, providing information and resources.
• OfflineCite at Wikimedia - A subdirectory under the main Wikimedia site, offering a centralized location for project details and access.
• Wikicite.org/OfflineCite - If the Wikicite project is expanded, this could serve as a section dedicated to OfflineCite.
• OfflineCite on Wikimedia Commons - A page on Commons to host images and resources related to the project.

These addresses would provide accessible entry points for users interested in contributing to or learning more about OfflineCite.

People interested

• (Sinuhe20 (talk) 13:43, 28 August 2024 (UTC))

Community Engagement

Engaging the Wikimedia community is crucial for the success of OfflineCite. The following strategies should be employed:

• Outreach Programs: Conduct outreach to Wikipedia editors, librarians, and academics to raise awareness about OfflineCite and its benefits.
• Workshops and Training: Offer workshops and training sessions on how to use OfflineCite, capture offline sources, and integrate them into Wikipedia articles.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Establish channels for community feedback, including surveys and discussion forums, to continuously improve the platform.

Potential Challenges

While OfflineCite aims to provide significant benefits, several challenges may arise:

• Copyright Issues: Navigating copyright laws and ensuring compliance when digitizing and sharing offline sources.
• Quality Control: Maintaining high standards for the accuracy and relevance of submitted sources through community verification processes.
• Technical Limitations: Addressing potential technical challenges related to image processing, storage, and integration with existing Wikimedia infrastructure.

Future Expansion

OfflineCite has the potential for future growth and expansion:

• Integration with other Wikimedia Projects: Explore opportunities to integrate OfflineCite with other Wikimedia initiatives, such as Wikisource and The Wikipedia Library.
• Internationalization: Develop localized versions of OfflineCite to cater to different languages and cultures, enhancing global participation.
• Partnerships with Libraries and Archives: Establish collaborations with libraries and archives to facilitate access to offline sources and promote the project.