Wikiversity:Motto contest/Round 6

This is a summary of the final round, round 6, of the Motto_contest

The slogan portion of the contest is complete. It is suggested that the motto contest last until May 12.

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We completed round 5 of the motto and slogan contests on January 16, 2007.

Round 6 of the contests, how to select amongst tied finalists and choose specific phrasings from finalist groupings, started January 27, 2007. Round 6 was discussed in this colloquium post: Motto and slogan contests: selecting amongst tied finalists. Finalist groups were selected per the discussion there.

The finalist groups selected are the "open/free learning community" group for the motto contest and "set learning free" group for the slogan. The two most popular alternatives from within each finalist group are presented below in round 6.

Goals
We need to create and select:
 * 1) a Wikiversity motto
 * 2) a short description (for use with the Wikiversity logo on sister Wikimedia projects)
 * 3) a slogan

There are two contests, using the same options, to choose phrases to fulfill these three roles

The motto contest fulfills two purposes, choosing:
 * A Wikiversity motto, which is a general phrase that conveys the mission of Wikiversity (or part of the mission), which may be inspiring or appeal to a general principle. This purpose emerged in the course of various of the options proposed and selected in rounds 1-3 of this contest.


 * A "short description," which is a short phrase that describes a Wikimedia project briefly. This was the original purpose of the motto contest. The "short description" will be listed with our logo (see our logo contest) and project name on Wikimedia sister projects. Here are some Wikimedia logo-name-motto examples:

Here are logo-name-motto examples the Wikiversity logo finalist and some of the motto finalists:

The slogan contest is for choosing a descriptive phrase to be listed at the top of our main page just under "Welcome to Wikiversity."

We are now into Round 6 of the selection process. The selection process is summarized at the end of this page.

Round 6
Please list your support and comments below.

We will select the motto and slogan with majority support, if there are not many negative comments. If there is strong opposition, we will revise alternates.

Motto Finalist: "Open/free learning community" group
The winning motto of round 6 is "open learning community".

Summary of final round of slogan contest: To be added soon (8/5/07).

A discussion string that summarizes issues is in the Colloquium archives (link to be corected soon):  Motto and slogan contests: discussion of outcomes. Feel free to add comments there or to continue adding comments and support statements in the motto contest section below.

The motto contest fulfills two purposes as discussed in the goals section above. Please list your support of one option. Please comment especially on the use of an article ("the" vs "a/an"):

a. Open learning community / An open learning community
Variants:
 * a1. Open learning community
 * a2. An open learning community
 * a3. The open learning community
 * a4. A/The community of open learning

Support/Oppose:
 * . Given that the slogan will have free in it, open could be used here. Sort of like the split between free software and open source software.  Right now we need more people, so having an "open" to all motto would be helpful in setting ourselves apart from other free university content providers that have rescrivite access.--Rayc 21:20, 28 January 2007 (UTC)
 * I like the idea of promoting "open-ness" in the context of learning over "freedom" - both are good of course, but "open" seems more educational. I agree with Reswik below that the motto should not include the indefinite article on sister projects - it somehow lessens the impact. Cormaggio beep 10:29, 1 February 2007 (UTC)
 * I still strongly support this option (a1) - it is in line with both OpenCourseWare and Open Educational Resources (the two major movements to date), and, as long as we equate openness with freedom (in our "about" pages), we can have the best of both mottos. :-) Cormaggio talk 18:02, 3 May 2007 (UTC)
 * This makes you think of a large, accsesible place, wich would make more people interested, plus is less punchy than using freedom. Jaques13 20:52, 13 Febuary, 2007
 * - I like this one. --HappyCamper 16:56, 14 February 2007 (UTC)
 * - "Open learning community" is best. Even adding the definite article (the) would suit the purpose.  The indefinite article diminishes the strength of the motto, implying that it is just one of many such "open learning communities". Pnguyen 16:33, 20 February 2007 (UTC)
 * - This one feels best. alikona 18:33, 20 February 2007 (UTC)
 * good choice, avoids subtle differences in understanding what exactly "free" entails sebmol ? 07:30, 22 February 2007 (UTC)
 * - "Free" sounds like we're somehow advertising the site... like a gimmick. "Open" much better reflects the goals and concept of Wikiversity. I also am in favor of the definite article, "the".Alexandermiller 22:25, 22 February 2007 (UTC)
 * - "open" sounds more inviting and is more likely to encourage others to join in - also like the sound of community and learning is an active process so gets closer to the idea of collaboration --Vannin 04:06, 25 February 2007 (UTC)
 * - "The open learning community" corresponds with wikipedia's "The free encyclopedia", and here the emphasis should probably be more on open than on free. --82.211.247.19 15:43, 8 March 2007 (UTC)
 * Openness is essential to our mission but is far from enough. Many schools are open to participation but none allow the flexibility and participation that our project allows. I'm afraid that the term gives people the wrong idea about what we're building and makes us seem much less radical and important than, in fact, we are. —mako 01:47, 9 March 2007 (UTC)
 * - a2 sounds nice, "open" is better than "free". 65.95.137.212 22:22, 4 April 2007 (UTC)
 * - my favorite is a3 because the word "the" makes Wikiversity sound important. I like this motto because a lot of sites have free things, but very few are open and let you edit the site. --68.4.21.14 22:05, 5 April 2007 (UTC)
 * - I saw someone somewhere had something like "Open Learning for Open Minds". I really liked that.  Although I think I'm getting in a bit late on the deciding bit --Jacob Walker 05:58, 6 April 2007 (UTC)
 * -- I like the motto but what about "a community of open learning" instead of open learning community, somehow to me it sounds more personal or something. it changes the feeling of the statement. as far as the slogan, i agree with benjamine it needs to show the flexibility and the building aspect. the  picture i have is one brain standing on top of another, and another on top of that. or one thought on top of another and so on.  what is a good slogan for showing the building of knowledge step by step? --Bobbiwarrior 07:55, 16 April 2007 (UTC)
 * "The open learning community" is ok with the word "The" in it. I think this would be better with just three words "The open university"??? I know I'm late here as usual. Sikandar.sio 12:10, 20 April 2007 (UTC)
 * - a1 McCormack 11:59, 25 April 2007 (UTC)
 * a3 - I like "The open learning community"... tells you what Wikiversity is as well as what it's about, concise, fits with other wikimedia mottoes and is easy to remember without clashing with other terms in popular use. Editor at Large 22:49, 27 April 2007 (UTC)
 * a3 -The idea of applying the Open Source and Free Software analogy to the Wikiversity project motto and slogan is excellent. Also, the motto and slogan should complement each other by including ideas associated with the concepts "open" and "free."  An effective motto/slogan combination was suggested as follows:
 * Motto : "The Open Learning Community,"
 * Slogan:  "Where Learning is Free."
 * The motto whould suggest Wikiversity is open to group collaboration or collective efforts, while maintaining the fundamental ideas behind an Open Education Resource.
 * The slogan also suggests Wikiversity is economically free (ex. no cost to the public), and maintains freedom from political or social restrictions (ex. Wikiversity is Public Domain). College Student 1 May 2007


 * Agree with a1 &/or a2 or a3. I agree with the general reasoning by "College Student" above, except to go with "set learning free" which is the slogan the community is supporting. --Reswik 13:50, 2 May 2007 (UTC)
 * a3 - Because it's not just another open learning community, its THE open learning community. Khullah 15:16, 2 May 2007 (UTC)
 * a1, a2, or a3, with strongest support for a2 or a3. A3, as per 82.211.247.19 and others - corresponds to Wikipedia's precedent. It seems to me that using an article (a, an, or the) gives the project more context. --Remi 05:42, 3 May 2007 (UTC)
 * Sounds nice to me. It would surely jibe with the recently selected motto. ZerWorld 16:47, 3 May 2007 (UTC)
 * What university couldn't call themselves "open learning community"?
 * This point does not seem valid. Most universities are not open. Most universities advocate use of proprietary copyrighted materials and have a series of barriers to entry and participation. --Reswik 14:49, 12 May 2007 (UTC)


 * I like "open" more than free because free implies to me free of charge and wikiversity is certainly more than that. A3 is best in my opinion. A1 is fine.--(pethr) 19:18, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
 * Open sounds like "freely accessible by everyone" while free stands more like "at no cost". In this case, "open" will be more suitable. a3 is similar to Wikipedia's motto and sounds beautiful. → Gökhanmsg 19:26, 22 May 2007 (UTC)
 * The word learning implies that something has taken place post cerebral consumption. This word should be replaced with Education.  Wikiversity: An Open Education Community. Or variance of. Either way... GREAT IDEA WIKIPEDIA! -- (anonymous contribution) 21:03, 1 June 2007
 * A3 definately! It' simple, clear, wikipedia-like, and nicely descriptive. --EVC 19:40, 8 June 2007 (UTC)
 * I have been a wiki reader for a long time, and I like the implications of a2. This is an (as in one of several) open community, specifically focused on education. I prefer the term open over the term free, as free carries too many connotations in various societies worldwide. Also, open can be translated conceptually to other languages more easily than free. "An Open Education Community" captures what I feel are the essential points: this community is one of several working in concert, this one focuses on education, and all of them are open to everyone. While the others come close, this one seems to me to be the only one that captures all of that in a simple phrase. --Obereon
 * A3, as it invokes ideas of Wikipedia (The free encyclopedia/The open learning community). It sounds more grouped with the other wikimedia projects and sounds more defined. The "Open" also covers the idea behind the Software Libre/Software Gratis argument, with the education not only being free but also there for people to change and improve, which is the aim of a wiki.Cslashb 21:17, 9 July 2007 (UTC)

a.2 Open education
Pro/Contra
 * in line with Open educational resources and let's be community without sloganizing the word community. --Rogerhc 06:56, 21 February 2007 (UTC)
 * Our slogan should describe wikiversity. And if we are a community, then our slogan should include that, because it describes us. Alexandermiller 22:28, 22 February 2007 (UTC)
 * It is just two words but you knows straight away what Wikiversity is about.charlieCLC
 * Nice and simple. CloudNine 14:55, 28 March 2007 (UTC)
 * Leaves alot to the person, alowing them to wonder if this project is only general education topics, when this place has much more --Xora 19:29, 3 April 2007 (UTC)
 * I don't like this because it gets straight to the point too quickly and it should at least have an "an" or "the" at the beginning. --Fruit Boy 22:16, 5 April 2007 (UTC)
 * I think you missed a great opportunity with "Open Minds" Steve 02:42, 22 April 2007 (UTC)
 * "Open education" is a semi-specific term, and seems to state what Wikiversity is about rather than what it is. Wikipedia is not "free encyclopedic content", it is "the free encyclopedia anyone can edit". I think Wikiversity needs a slogan more along these lines to draw people in and let them know what the project is. Editor at Large 22:46, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

b. Free learning community / A free learning community
Variants:
 * b1. Free learning community
 * b2. A free learning community
 * b3. The free learning community
 * b4. A/The community of free learning

Support/Oppose:
 * . I like both options. But, given the use of "free" in the slogan options, I think going with "free in this context is more harmonious. Because of space/length issues, I think on sister project main pages we can suggest using "free learning community" without the article "a." But, I think we can use "a free learning community," on our pages. --Reswik 18:50, 27 January 2007 (UTC) Changing support to "open learning community" only. I support the reasoning by "College student" above. --Reswik 13:47, 2 May 2007 (UTC)
 * I think this is the best motto.
 * . I like this option. I don't like open learning community because its meaningless. Most "open" education projects don't allow you to modify their "content" so in a sense those communities are not free neither is their "content".Chrismo 14:28, 20 February 2007 (UTC)
 * . Given that the word "free" seems to be the theme of brother/sister projects (The Free Encyclopedia, etc.), this will give a sense of continuity. Also, as mentioned above, just because it's "open" doesn't mean that it's "free" to edit. - NDCompuGeek 15:48, 22 February 2007 (UTC)
 * I like the image that "Free Learning Community" instills in me. For many hundreds of years learning has not been free or available to the community at large, Wikiversity changes all that.  Jeepday 02:47, 25 February 2007 (UTC)
 * Wikimedia projects have a long tradition of identifying with the term "free" and free content in particular. Openness implies access. That's a necessary but insufficient quality for what we are trying to build here. We should emphasize freedom because we want to point to the ability to edit and take control of education content and to connect to a concept for which we have definitions — and not just some vague concept of openness. —mako 01:41, 9 March 2007 (UTC)
 * Open has a connotation of two-way communication, exchange, where people talk back and forth. The term free has a connotation of giving and sharing, where you have something and give it away for nothing. I feel that Wikiversity is more on the free side, because it's more of a tutor-student relationship (like the rest of Wikipedia, by the way), where the flow goes mostly one way. In addition, the word free has a more activist and radical tone. For instance, revolutionary movements call for freedom, not for openness. Open seems, I dunno, passive, natural. The free option also has the advantage of linking to the rest of the Wikipedia mottos: the free encyclopedia, the free dictionary, and so on. Of the three free options, I hesitate between b1 and b3. For consistency's sake I vote for option b3. The free learning community.  ruijoel 10:12, 12 March 2007 (UTC)
 * I think free should be in there because all the other projects have free in their motos, and I like being a little more uniform. --Devourer09 01:11, 14 March 2007 (UTC)
 * Free makes sense. --Teemu 22:29, 25 March 2007 (UTC)
 * Free better than Open because Open learning doesn't necessarily mean Free. Learning should not just be OPEN (which could mean to anyone... who can afford it), but indeed, it should be FREE (to anyone who wishes to learn). -- Lalvarado 04:14, 28 March 2007
 * Free like the other Wikimedia wikis. Free speech: libre. Free beer: gratis. Free learning community: both. ; ) WODUP 05:35, 29 March 2007 (UTC)
 * Sounds better than "Open", per Ruijoel above. Titoxd(?!?) 08:35, 23 April 2007 (UTC)
 * How about "Free learning"? Because Learning, education, knowledge is free here, avaliable to everyone that wants it. -- (Anon. contrib) 15:03, 27 April 2007
 * Focus too much on economic state. Open learning gives that feeling, but it's not that direct. It just does'nt sound reliable. Khullah 15:21, 2 May 2007 (UTC)
 * Almost all universities can call themselves "open", but how many can call themselves "free"?--Chris 22:28, 11 May 2007 (UTC)
 * This point does not seem valid. Most universities are not open. Most universities advocate use of proprietary copyrighted materials and have a series of barriers to entry and participation. --Reswik 14:50, 12 May 2007 (UTC)


 * There is no reference to the individual, it doesn't refer to the exchange of knowledge nor the gain of understanding; more that there is a 'free community' which seems withdrawn from the concept of active education -found in the name 'wikiversity'. In addition to the comment made by Khullah on ambiguity of 'free', we learn something everyday without having to pay for it; 'free' doesn't suggest that 'wikiversity' is unique, but merely an extention of daily life.Sam
 * b1 is the best for me. --R.szalecki 13:28, 3 August 2007 (UTC)

Slogan Finalist: "Set learning free" group
The winning slogan of round 6 is "set learning free".

Summary of final round of slogan contest: The Wikiversity slogan is a phrase for listing at top of main page with "Welcome to Wikiversity". "Set learning free" had 68% of the positive support statements in round 5. There were 30 support statements for "set learning free". "Knowledge is free" had 4 in support and "Because knowledge should be free" had 10 in support. The latter 2 options had 3 comments each against use. "Set learning free" had no statements against. As for the wording of "set learning free" vs "learning set free" - a few more people preferred "set learning free".

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The slogan can be a short sentence or phrase - for listing at top of main page with "Welcome to Wikiversity". Please list your support for one option of this group. Please comment on the use of grammatical variants (such as "setting..." or "where knowledge..."):

a. Set learning free
Variants: Support/Oppose:
 * a1. Set learning free
 * a2. Learning set free
 * - Elatanatari 21:21, 28 January 2007 (UTC)
 * - "Knowledge isn't free all the time, but it is it is here." This slogan applys to us while the other one seems to be a general statment. I would suppport the other one if "where" was included.--Rayc 21:23, 28 January 2007 (UTC)
 * This latter comment is a fair one. I think there is something about: "Welcome to Wikiversity. Set learning free" that makes it sound like we're giving an order. ;-) Can we modify the wording of individual slogans to make them fit better (ie friendlier) with that usage, or has that process already been and gone? (sorry) Cormaggio beep 10:36, 1 February 2007 (UTC)
 * Yes, please suggest here modifications of the wording such as "setting learning free" or "where we set learning free" -- Reswik 12:54, 1 February 2007 (UTC)


 * "learning set free" - (an alternate wording by GeorgeG, moved here from title line of this sub-section - 18:50, 3 February 2007)
 * - this one is cool :-) --HappyCamper 16:56, 14 February 2007 (UTC)
 * - "Learning set free" is my favorite form. On the other hand, "setting learning free" has a nice sentiment but sounds terribly awkward. "We set learning free" would also be ok. The original "set learning free" does have a nice, strong decisive feel to it though. Dmclean 14:32, 20 February 2007 (UTC)
 * - "Learning set free" - it just rings! also it is somewhat more proper because it lacks the action of setting free, focuses on "Learning" as the primary action, and clearly states that Learning has indeed been "set free".  Pnguyen 16:30, 20 February 2007 (UTC)
 * "Learning set free" creates an impression that we've done it already rather than what we want people to do - may not be accurate but it sells much better -- Sebmol 07:31, 22 February 2007 (UTC)
 * a1. Set learning free I like this because it only stays free as long as we continue support it. Jeepday 02:47, 25 February 2007 (UTC)
 * This sounds very active and constructive --Vannin 04:07, 25 February 2007 (UTC)
 * I support a1 - "Set learning free" for two reasons 1. The website in its current form is highly vacuous and needs considerable inputs from all sides to be complete 2. The title calls for all users not just to use this site as a learning tool but to add content to it as well -- Chrisiyer 13:45, 26 February 2007
 * 'Set learning free' engages the reader and lets them know that they need to be active.--charlieCLC
 * Im also for 'Set learning free'. I like that it emphasises the need for community.--Oddity 03:47, 8 March 2007 (UTC)
 * a1 'Set learning free' --Michael Billington (talk • contribs) 09:11, 13 March 2007 (UTC)
 * I like this one more because it is an imperative sentence. I think it will help people get more inspired to do something. --Devourer09 01:14, 14 March 2007 (UTC)
 * Set learning free - it states the mission, emphasises the need for action and shows what we aim to do. Brilliant! Chrisfow 17:35, 18 March 2007 (UTC)
 * This one has my vote. It clearly dictates what we are here to do, emphasises that we are here for the primary purpose of serving others and gleaning knowledge and finally it is a far more enthusing motto than any of the others. -Heptzul
 * Set Learning Free: Herein lies motivation in a small package; setting the verb first begs the question of "Who?", and implies the otherwise unstated community focus--Nanolove 20:06, 25 March 2007 (UTC)
 * don't know if I can say pro or contra, but I like this one.--Alnokta 10:11, 2 April 2007 (UTC)
 * - I have to agree with this one mostly because it's much more better than the other two, no other arguments. --Somefilename
 * I like it. It somes it up, dosn't leave much to question and it is creative/catchy. --Xora 19:32, 3 April 2007 (UTC)
 * - a2 sounds pretty good to me. 65.95.137.212 22:24, 4 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Learning set free is quite dynamic, yet not forceful; it feels like a... blossoming, so that it includes the openness of other choices; - just can't figure why Set learning free doesn't 'entice' me as much. --Vajrallan 17:55, 6 April 2007 (UTC)
 * I agree with Heptzul. This slogan is definitve and clear, plus it has the advantage of sounding and looking better (aesthically) than the others. No problems with "Learning Set Free", but If it were me, it'd definitely be "Set Learning Free". --Xicreative 21:15, 9 April 2007 (UTC)
 * I like a1. Nuff said. L3th4l 17:32, 10 April 2007 (UTC)
 * I like this motto cause its simple to remember and positive meaning. --Annalemesos 02:29, 12 April 2007 (UTC)
 * - I LIKE IT --blaksheep 18:07, 23 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Creative, simple, short. Perfect choice. EdBoy002 20:44, 23 April 2007 (UTC)
 * -- Taku 06:49, 25 April 2007 (UTC)
 * -- I think both a1 and a2 are fine; a1 probably works a bit better for the main page top. For use with "Welcome to Wikiversity" at the top of the main page: for "set learning free," I think "setting learning free" sort of works grammatically, though just "set learning free" with the right sort of punctuation/layout could work. For "learning set free," I think "where learning is set free" or something like that could work.  --Reswik 00:28, 28 April 2007 (UTC)
 * I would be happy about either winning. But 'a' is better than 'b'. -- (Anon. contrib) 06:14, 28 April 2007
 * They both sound good, but I think a1 has a better ring to it.Sssmokey519 00:24, 29 April 2007 (UTC)

b. Knowledge is free
Support/Oppose:
 * . I like a. and b. I lean towards the variant "where knowledge is free" as it works well with "Welcome to Wikiversity" at the top of the main page. --Reswik 18:50, 27 January 2007 (UTC) Change support to a. (above) only. --Reswik 00:19, 28 April 2007 (UTC)
 * . What about "wikiversity is diversity" or "diversity is(or also) free" . --User:theg [in pedia
 * I like b. a lot! If anything I think it should be that. --User:Vermishis
 * No knowledge is free by any standard. Any information obtained on any level has come as a result of some work or other. -Heptzul
 * Same as Heptzul. -fattony_4001
 * Type of good - but wouldn't "Free Knowledge" be better? Steve 02:40, 22 April 2007 (UTC)
 * - doesn't actually describe the site, is just a grand statement. "Knowledge is free" could apply for Wikipedia, Wikiquote, Wiktionary, and all the rest of the Wikimedia projects. Titoxd(?!?) 08:32, 23 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Yes, i think free knowledge is the one i like most. We live in the information society, some say, knowledge nowadays is a key to prosperity, power and even wealth. Free knowledge is a very powerful statement that represents the altruistic ideals of wikipedia. -- (Anon. contrib) 14:58, 27 April 2007

c. Because knowledge should be free
Support/Oppose:
 * This slogan flows the best if you ask me after the heading "Wikiversity, because learning should be free." To me this slogan is a great reminder that wikiversity is not only striving to be free for those of us who are spending hundreds on college educations, but to those who don't have the hundreds to spend across the globe! I would really like to see this slogan become the recognized description of Wikiversity. --Dancewiththewind 17:09, 1 February 2007 (UTC)
 * - As much as you should not begin sentences with "because", I feel that this gives Wikiversity more of a purpose than the other suggestions - we are filling a gap that does not exist, rather than just being another place to do the same thing as you can elsewhere. Xenon 23:41, 11 February 2007 (UTC)
 * This is by far my favorite slogan. I suppose it really strikes a cord with me because I'm acquiring a ridiculous amount of debt going to school and pursuing my passion for knowledge. Knowledge is not free for me, its actually quite expensive. This slogan just has a good vibe. The other slogans just seem like they belong in a trendy commercial, they seem like cheesy catch-phrases that shouldn't be attached to a community that was built to pursue this age old goal of spreading knowledge for knowledge's sake. -- Djdoobwah24 23:45, 28 February 2007
 * I agree with the above the others sound rather commercial. This one doesn't and therfore seems more in keeping with the idea behind Wikiversity. -- Anon. 09:20, 2 March 2007
 * I like this one because it sound very wikian and the other sound too commercial -- Comperr 14:51, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
 * This slogan encapsulates the purpose of Wikiversity without seeming truncated -- SeanTater 16:20, 7 March 2007 (UTC)
 * I don't think there should be any "should" in it. The wikiversity should be the place where it just is. --82.211.247.19 15:40, 8 March 2007 (UTC)
 * . I like this slogan, because it reflects on the fact that it is incomplete, but improving. --Freiberg 00:06, 14 March 2007 (UTC)
 * . I love this motto, because the man is trying to keep me down by charging me for my education. -- PrideXC 04:59, 23 March 2007 (UTC)
 * I agree with the above. In some sense it's POV to say that it should be free; better just to say what we do.  It's also slightly cliche to open a slogan with the word because, and moreover a briefer slogan is typically better (slash more to my taste). 151.201.118.24 03:44, 30 March 2007 (UTC)
 * Clio 04:44, 11 April 2007 (UTC)
 * --Granpire Viking Man 15:26, 14 April 2007 (UTC) I like this one because it at least it sounds a little more lighthearted, which is one of the reasons that I like wikiversity.
 * , same reasoning as above section. Titoxd(?!?) 08:33, 23 April 2007 (UTC)