Test case

In a pilot, a test case is one that helps stress the capabilities of the process or system/services that are being tested. These should be selected for maximum controversy and to follow up decisively on proof of concept progress:

• The prototype Develop Wiki discussion about independent board, alleged Wikimedia corruption, role of Bomis, role of perjury, libel chill, groupthink, actual libel, echo chambers, and so on, could be fully developed as a case of a for-profit or interest group exploiting non-profit status. In the Consumerium Research pilot such claims would help test the guidelines for claiming corruption and subject them to maximum pressure from expert wiki users of the sysop power structure, those prone to try maximum technological escalation. Lawsuits based on that would also perhaps help self-funding.

• The prototype Develop Wiki discussion about Gus Kouwenhoven, Craig Hubley, Fred Bauder, Erik Moeller and Abe Sokolov could easily be developed into a model of what are the reasonable limits of talking about persons in the Research Wiki, and guidelines for claims about people.

• Ending Wikimedia and forcing Bomis to disavow itself of any involvement with Wikipedia would be an excellent test case that would prove the ability of online scrutiny to eventually force changes to some power structure, even a trivial power structure. Since trolls already drove off the former Chief Editor Larry Sanger it seems entirely reasonable that they could actually drive off Wales as well.