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We are seeking CanalWorld Wiki contributors


Paul C

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We are planning to launch a CanalWorld "Wiki" website as a complimentary and integrated addition to the forum site. The wiki site will contain a wide spread of factual information about canals, boating, technical topics and inland waterways in general. This will greatly enhance and in time replace the existing Forum FAQ area.

The long term aim is to open up the ability to contribute to a wide number of people.

Initially, we are seeking a number of CanalWorld Wiki "Contributors" to help with providing, developing and reviewing content for the Wiki in a test area, before we integrate it into the main site and make it public.

The initial areas are loosely defined as follows:

  • General Boating
  • Electrical Systems
  • Other Boat Systems
  • Waterways History
  • Other (?)

Please note, no previous wiki experience is required as the wiki editor and tools are easy to use, and there is an abundance of documentation on the web already. We are using MediaWiki software, which is the same software which Wikipedia.org uses. All that's required is enthusiasm and an amount of time to produce articles, or oversee/review others' content.

If you are interested in contributing this cause, please PM me stating you are interested in becoming involved; and which areas you are interested in.

 

Thanks

 

Paul

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  • General Boating
  • Electrical Systems
  • Other Boat Systems
  • Waterways History
  • Other (?)
  • Pump out
  • Cassette

 

I also, more seriously, wonder if there is scope for geographical entries (canal descriptions, places of interest along the way) or whether the team thinks that these have been more than adequately covered elsewhere.

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Pump out

Cassette

I also, more seriously, wonder if there is scope for geographical entries (canal descriptions, places of interest along the way) or whether the team thinks that these have been more than adequately covered elsewhere.

Yes to all three
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So, what should be covered? For example, the first subject which sprang to my mind was "Gardner engines", on which I could write from a historical though not technical perspective. But there's lots about them on the internet already. Might this not also be true of just about any waterways-related topic?

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I can see a reasoned/balanced article on pump out vs cassette having a place on the wiki. Of course, reaching a consensus is more difficult than first appears!


So, what should be covered? For example, the first subject which sprang to my mind was "Gardner engines", on which I could write from a historical though not technical perspective. But there's lots about them on the internet already. Might this not also be true of just about any waterways-related topic?

 

There's always going to be overlap with other website's content but it shouldn't really hold back the inclusion of relevant articles. "What should be covered?" is an interesting topic/question in itself, something worthy of discussion/debate.

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"What should be covered?" is an interesting topic/question in itself, something worthy of discussion/debate.

Guess what, that's why I asked it.

 

So, is this intended to build into a kind of reference section which will be part of the Canal World web site?

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How will this be different to the usual discussion that happens here?

 

It depends on the subject matter of course, but let's take for instance "Typical boat fresh water systems". A description of various tank types (Stainless/Plastic/Built-in), various pump types (Jabsco/Whale, Centrifugal/Diaphragm), various pipe systems (JG.Screwfix etc), the purpose of an accumulator, how to set the pressure of an accumulator etc.

 

Think of it as an expanded FAQ section where it's easier to find entries, the entries are in one place, and the entries can be updated forever as knowledge increases, new models become available and so on.

 

Tony

So, is this intended to build into a kind of reference section which will be part of the Canal World web site?

Yes.

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So, is this intended to build into a kind of reference section which will be part of the Canal World web site?

Yes, that's exactly how I see it.

 

So for instance, rather than having 6 pages of peoples opinions one why toilet type it best as might reasonably happen on the forum and is obviously very welcome to continue to take place on here, you would have a single page listing really fairly concise pros-and-cons of various types, from which someone unfamiliar can refer to and get a basic understand of the option. After which they can either make more sense of existing opinions and or start there own thread to talk about how to apply the content in the wiki to their own toilet needs. The two work hand in hand, and the wiki works much as Wikipedia does.

 

With regard to the region/canal topics, Wikipedia itself has reasonable articles on areas of the country and of each canal and a pictorial layout of the canal, and we might choose not to duplicate that verbatim or otherwise.

However we might well have a page on each canal which make reference to the existing wiki page but then has a lot more boat/canaluser specific information about the canal and or area.

 

 

 

Daniel

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I can't say I find the idea very appealing. I don't mind putting up pictures and descriptions on the forum and then letting people ask questions and add to what I wrote. I don't claim to know everything or to have answered all the questions when I write things which is why I find the interaction so valuable

 

I have no desire to become a CWDF 'expert' with my own wiki, that feels far too pompous

 

Richard

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I can't say I find the idea very appealing. I don't mind putting up pictures and descriptions on the forum and then letting people ask questions and add to what I wrote. I don't claim to know everything or to have answered all the questions when I write things which is why I find the interaction so valuable

 

I have no desire to become a CWDF 'expert' with my own wiki, that feels far too pompous

 

Richard

 

I'm with him. I'm guessing that Nicknorman has already offered his electrical and electronic knowledge, and I can't compete with that!

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Great idea, effectively move all the interesting stuff elsewhere and leave the forum to immigration, the EU and how to avoid paying your way as a boater type subjects.

 

I agree with Richard and actually think it will kill the forum stone dead in a matter of a few months.

 

Ed to add, sorry for being so blunt.

Edited by MJG
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I can't say I find the idea very appealing. I don't mind putting up pictures and descriptions on the forum and then letting people ask questions and add to what I wrote. I don't claim to know everything or to have answered all the questions when I write things which is why I find the interaction so valuable

 

I have no desire to become a CWDF 'expert' with my own wiki, that feels far too pompous

 

Richard

 

Have a look at the existing Forum FAQ area, even the best threads on each topic (I assume the threads there were manually selected) are a complete mess, with eg 6 page long lengthy conversation/debate on technical topics. The wiki format imposes a bit more structure, encourages thought to be put into the article, makes it much more easily searchable, yet still allows contributions from multiple people not just one person's view of a topic. Of course its early days yet, but in theory the wiki can provide a much more useful and usable source of information.

 

I don't think it will adversely affect forum traffic - there will always be a demand for people to say what they want, in the way they want and the forum allows this a bit more easily than a wiki.

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As I understand Wikis the point of them is that they can be edited by anyone.

 

Given the divergence of opinions about, well, everything on here isn't there a risk of the 'correct' facts changing on a daily basis?

 

Surely you mean hourly.

 

Sorry, in my opinion, a recipe for disaster.

 

But as with all these new ideas if it is not tried we will not know if it works and I suppose the wiki can always be deleted.

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Shouldn't there be a section on engines on the list?

Or do they fall under 'other boat systems'?!

 

A lot is still to be finalised, so if there's a need for an "engine" specialist, we can have one. Indeed, feel free to suggest other areas of specialisation where particular people's input is advnatageous. The list was an only-slightly-refined first guess at what areas we might wish to cover.

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Great idea, effectively move all the interesting stuff elsewhere and leave the forum to immigration, the EU and how to avoid paying your way as a boater type subjects.

I agree with Richard and actually think it will kill the forum stone dead in a matter of a few months.

Ed to add, sorry for being so blunt.

For once I have to agree.....

 

All that will happen is the wiki will be edited by the minute.....and if it's locked down its not a wiki!

 

Surely it's better to have open discussion......maybe the effort should be put into a better search system? I think the forum is a dynamic wiki as it is.....

 

Sorry guys but that's my view.....

 

Cheers

 

Gareth

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And a section for leisure moments for rainy days. I once had a big book entitled (Things for boys and girls to do), like making things, paper planes, building with playing cards, playing Ludo, Snakes and ladders and knitting, Happy families ect, all innocent stuff you understand, despite the title. unsure.png Doctors and nurses could be permitted if supervised.

Edited by bizzard
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I wonder whether anybody will actually read it?

 

Looking at many threads on here folks don't (bother) to do any research - they just lob in a question.

May be that actually searching through threads is not easy on a mobile phone / whatever or is it too much effort or another reason?

 

Nor only would a wiki condense topics but would be a lot easier to search.

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Great idea, effectively move all the interesting stuff elsewhere and leave the forum to immigration, the EU and how to avoid paying your way as a boater type subjects.

 

I agree with Richard and actually think it will kill the forum stone dead in a matter of a few months.

 

Ed to add, sorry for being so blunt.

I disagree. I think the wiki will receive a brief flurry of interest, after which it will become the domain of a few hacks, while the main forum will continue to discuss (ad nauseam) pumpout or cassette, why are my newish batteries goosed, how far does a CCer have to move, Smartgauge or amp hour counter, what is meant by "satisfy the Board" or "reasonable in the circumstances", 2/7/14 days, expensive washbasins with funny shaped bows on Ebay etc. etc.

 

In short, nothing will really change.

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I disagree. I think the wiki will receive a brief flurry of interest, after which it will become the domain of a few hacks, while the main forum will continue to discuss (ad nauseam) pumpout or cassette, why are my newish batteries goosed, how far does a CCer have to move, Smartgauge or amp hour counter, what is meant by "satisfy the Board" or "reasonable in the circumstances", 2/7/14 days, expensive washbasins with funny shaped bows on Ebay etc. etc.

 

In short, nothing will really change.

 

 

The only item on your list that would be covered in a wiki is the first.

 

Oh, and the second...!

Ok, and the fourth :D

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