Word from the Founder
"Word from the Founder" is a four-paragraph statement written by MicroWiki founder Fabian Schneider expressing his admiration for the growth and energy of the MicroWiki community. Written on 18 August 2006, Schneider established MicroWiki on 27 May 2005 in response to the emergence of micronations at Chopticon High School in Maryland, particularly his own Principality of Seraya. However, after making only seven edits that same day, Schneider permanently departed from the wiki. He cited personal circumstances and being unable to focus on MicroWiki as reasons for his departure. Subsequently, MicroWiki remained inactive until September, when several micronationalists—the September influx—coincidentally discovered MicroWiki. The wiki gained momentum with the influx of new users in the following months.
On 18 August, Schneider returned to the wiki and discovered a thriving community had formed. Recognising his lack of an active micronation, Schneider decided to give administrative rights to the most prominent editor Jeffrey II, Prince of Satirocity, effectively making him the de facto owner of the site. However, before relinquishing control, Schneider wrote "Word from the Founder". He also acknowledged his regret at not being able to witness its development firsthand. Schneider concluded the statement by pledging to keep the wiki clean and encouraging its continued growth, though he would not return to editing the wiki again until August 2012. The article for "Word from the Founder" was linked on the main page of MicroWiki between its publication and about 17 November 2010 after MicroWiki moved to an independent domain. It was added to the side bar of MicroWiki in late 2021, where it still remains as of 2023.
Context
Fabian Schneider founded micronational wiki and encyclopedia MicroWiki on 27 May 2005 in response to the Maryland micronations boom at Chopticon High School in Morganza, St. Mary's County, Maryland which he started. He wanted to be able to easily record information on his Principality of Seraya as well as other closely-related micronations. However, after making only seven edits, Schneider permanently departed from the wiki that same day. According to Schneider, he was still "trying to sell others on the idea" when "life happened", and prevented him from focusing on MicroWiki. He later returned to Germany after his exchange year at Chopticon.
After laying dormant, MicroWiki became active in September when the September influx arrived—four micronationalists who coincidentally discovered the wiki around the same time. At least five micronationalists joined in January 2006, followed by six in February, five in March, ten in April and nearly fifteen in May. The most active of these users was Jeffrey II, Prince of Satirocity, who registered an account on 30 April and began making hundreds of edits everyday, reaching 100 edits on 1 May. MicroWiki also reached 100 articles on 9 May.
On 18 August, having enough free time, Schneider returned to the wiki wanting to further develop it. However, he was surprised to see activity and a new community—the MicroWiki sector—had formed. Schneider figured that as he had no active micronation he was thus not qualified to run an active wiki, and found "a person to give admin rights to that could keep it running"—Jeffrey II. Jeffrey II was surprised but gladly accepted, essentially making him the de facto site owner. Schneider then decided that he did not want to give MicroWiki away without leaving a note, and so he wrote "Word from the Founder" on MicroWiki.
Content
"Word from the Founder" consists of four paragraphs—257 words in total—and begins with Schneider welcoming the reader, adding that the whole existence of "Word from the Founder" is "sort of absurd". He alludes to the Maryland micronations boom—calling it a "small micronational hype in Maryland, USA"—and explains why he departed from MicroWiki. Schneider notes that "things have worked out well for it [MicroWiki] and it's not only alive, but growing fast", declaring that "everyone who contributed to this deserves all praise". Schneider writes that he is amazed by the upbeat spirit and energy that editors have invested in the wiki, but adds that he regrets not being able to watch it grow himself. He then writes that the intermicronational community is threatened by only inconsistency and inactivity, stating "Someone once said that as long as something happens – whether bad or good – a community can not die". Schneider concludes "Word from the Founder" with "I will do my best to keep this wiki clean from now on and may it grow – towards the next 100 entries!"
Aftermath
Schneider did not return to editing MicroWiki after writing "Word from the Founder" until August 2012, though he spoke about the wiki to MicroWiki sector micronationalists privately in 2011. The article for "Word from the Founder" was linked on the main page of MicroWiki between its publication and about 17 November 2010 after MicroWiki moved to an independent domain. It was added to the side bar of MicroWiki in late 2021, where it still remains as of 2023.