One problem with notability--and there's no easy answer--is that notability has context. To take an example that's relevant to this audience, there are developers and others involved with open source who are considered "notable" within open source communities who have never been mentioned in mainstream media. And certainly not printed media. But they're mentioned in blogs relevant to a narrow audience.
Similar situations happen with respect to geography. Maybe someone has appeared a number of times in a local newspaper and may even be considered notable on a local basis for some activity. Maybe they're a star on their high school football team. Should they be notable in the context of Wikipedia? I dunno. I've read some good debates on the topic and all I know is that it's really hard to think of universal rules.
Similar situations happen with respect to geography. Maybe someone has appeared a number of times in a local newspaper and may even be considered notable on a local basis for some activity. Maybe they're a star on their high school football team. Should they be notable in the context of Wikipedia? I dunno. I've read some good debates on the topic and all I know is that it's really hard to think of universal rules.