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| UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#1
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FAQ and Wiki
Anyone got any thoughts on the ongoing development of the FAQ and the Wiki? It seems that since we have had the Wiki, not much new has gone into the FAQ (I don't think there have been any updates on it in a couple of years now). However reading through some of it tonight a few thoughts struck me: There is growing overlap in content. Although the newer articles are not always better than the older ones. The FAQ has better browsability - the contents page format at the top makes it easier to browse stuff by topic. The article index and the contents by category links on the top of the wiki main page aren't quite as nice. Having said that the category intro pages themselves are quite nice. e.g. http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?...ory:Electrical If one had a page of major topics as per the FAQ, calling up selected interesting category lists, it might work quite well. The Wiki however has better searchability... While its easy for the wiki to refer back to the FAQ - there is no easy way currently to add references the other way. So should be looking at better integrating the two resources? What about importing the better stuff from the FAQ into the wiki, and then trimming the FAQ to become a structured way of linking to wiki articles? Should there be a core of fundamental articles that are kept in the FAQ deliberately to prevent the content being changed or "enhanced" to the point of bloat or cruft? -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ |
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#2
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FAQ and Wiki
John Rumm wrote:
Anyone got any thoughts on the ongoing development of the FAQ and the Wiki? It seems that since we have had the Wiki, not much new has gone into the FAQ (I don't think there have been any updates on it in a couple of years now). However reading through some of it tonight a few thoughts struck me: There is growing overlap in content. Although the newer articles are not always better than the older ones. The FAQ has better browsability - the contents page format at the top makes it easier to browse stuff by topic. The article index and the contents by category links on the top of the wiki main page aren't quite as nice. Having said that the category intro pages themselves are quite nice. e.g. http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?...ory:Electrical If one had a page of major topics as per the FAQ, calling up selected interesting category lists, it might work quite well. The Wiki however has better searchability... While its easy for the wiki to refer back to the FAQ - there is no easy way currently to add references the other way. So should be looking at better integrating the two resources? What about importing the better stuff from the FAQ into the wiki, and then trimming the FAQ to become a structured way of linking to wiki articles? Should there be a core of fundamental articles that are kept in the FAQ deliberately to prevent the content being changed or "enhanced" to the point of bloat or cruft? it works as it is. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. A wiki page with links to each FAQ topic might help. NT |
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#3
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FAQ and Wiki
John Rumm wrote:
Anyone got any thoughts on the ongoing development of the FAQ and the Wiki? It seems that since we have had the Wiki, not much new has gone into the FAQ (I don't think there have been any updates on it in a couple of years now). However reading through some of it tonight a few thoughts struck me: There is growing overlap in content. Although the newer articles are not always better than the older ones. The FAQ has better browsability - the contents page format at the top makes it easier to browse stuff by topic. The article index and the contents by category links on the top of the wiki main page aren't quite as nice. Having said that the category intro pages themselves are quite nice. e.g. http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?...ory:Electrical If one had a page of major topics as per the FAQ, calling up selected interesting category lists, it might work quite well. The Wiki however has better searchability... While its easy for the wiki to refer back to the FAQ - there is no easy way currently to add references the other way. So should be looking at better integrating the two resources? What about importing the better stuff from the FAQ into the wiki, and then trimming the FAQ to become a structured way of linking to wiki articles? Should there be a core of fundamental articles that are kept in the FAQ deliberately to prevent the content being changed or "enhanced" to the point of bloat or cruft? it works as it is. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. A wiki page with links to each FAQ topic might help. NT |
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#5
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FAQ and Wiki
In article ,
Owain writes: I think there is a strong case for 'freezing' wiki articles once 'finished'. Wiki articles are never 'finished', pretty much by definition. -- Andrew Gabriel [email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup] |
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#6
Posted to uk.d-i-y
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FAQ and Wiki
On Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:41:21 +0100, John Rumm wrote:
Anyone got any thoughts on the ongoing development of the FAQ and the Wiki? .... There is growing overlap in content. Although the newer articles are not always better than the older ones. .... What about importing the better stuff from the FAQ into the wiki, and then trimming the FAQ to become a structured way of linking to wiki articles? I think it would be much better from the point of view of the vast majority of of our audience, who are not aware of the historical distinction between, and reason for the separate existence of, the FAQ and the wiki, to roll them both into one. And the One would have to be the wiki since that is what most effort continues to go into. In the past a hurdle to this integration has been that FAQ articles were written by, and in a sense owned by, single individual authors who might not agree with their content being edited and shared in the wiki way. Possibly this could be circumvented by updating equivalent wiki articles to include information they are missing that is present in their FAQ equivelents, and simply dropping the now-redundant FAQ articles. Arguably most of the FAQ articles could do with updating anyway given their age. (I know this seems harsh and disrespectful to the original authors who put in a lot of effort for the communal good, but the DIY FAQ is a there for the good of the community, not the ego of any of its individual members. Sometimes we have to let go and move on. Some may remember that many years ago a uk.d-i-yer used to maintain an archive of selected articles from the group. This was dropped when the individual was no longer able to actively maintain the archive and it would have been a burden on others to continue to host it. And since then the originator's ego has survived and he has continued to contribute, however modestly, to the group!) If we keep the FAQ website I could see a role for it being a friendly introduction to the concept of the ng (maybe a sort of hitch-hiker's guide to the Usenet :-)) and to the wiki itself (as John suggested). And maybe the server could also host files (such as spreadsheets e.g. heatloss calculators) that one wants to refer to from wiki articles but that mediawiki doesn't allow one to store, and which otherwise have to go on other people's servers. However that would depend on there being some mechanism for uploading such files (could we do this Grunff?). I have to say I applaud your committment John in suggesting this and the work you and NT continue to do on the wiki. You'll have noticed that I've been idle on that front for some time. Apologies: I've been cooking up other web sites and projects. Hasta la vista though, hopefully ;-) -- John Stumbles What is a simile like? |
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#7
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FAQ and Wiki
John Stumbles wrote:
On Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:41:21 +0100, John Rumm wrote: Anyone got any thoughts on the ongoing development of the FAQ and the Wiki? .... There is growing overlap in content. Although the newer articles are not always better than the older ones. .... What about importing the better stuff from the FAQ into the wiki, and then trimming the FAQ to become a structured way of linking to wiki articles? I think it would be much better from the point of view of the vast majority of of our audience, who are not aware of the historical distinction between, and reason for the separate existence of, the FAQ and the wiki, to roll them both into one. And the One would have to be the wiki since that is what most effort continues to go into. In the past a hurdle to this integration has been that FAQ articles were written by, and in a sense owned by, single individual authors who might not agree with their content being edited and shared in the wiki way. Possibly this could be circumvented by updating equivalent wiki articles to include information they are missing that is present in their FAQ equivelents, and simply dropping the now-redundant FAQ articles. Arguably most of the FAQ articles could do with updating anyway given their age. (I know this seems harsh and disrespectful to the original authors who put in a lot of effort for the communal good, but the DIY FAQ is a there for the good of the community, not the ego of any of its individual members. Sometimes we have to let go and move on. Some may remember that many years ago a uk.d-i-yer used to maintain an archive of selected articles from the group. This was dropped when the individual was no longer able to actively maintain the archive and it would have been a burden on others to continue to host it. And since then the originator's ego has survived and he has continued to contribute, however modestly, to the group!) If we keep the FAQ website I could see a role for it being a friendly introduction to the concept of the ng (maybe a sort of hitch-hiker's guide to the Usenet :-)) and to the wiki itself (as John suggested). And maybe the server could also host files (such as spreadsheets e.g. heatloss calculators) that one wants to refer to from wiki articles but that mediawiki doesn't allow one to store, and which otherwise have to go on other people's servers. However that would depend on there being some mechanism for uploading such files (could we do this Grunff?). I have to say I applaud your committment John in suggesting this and the work you and NT continue to do on the wiki. You'll have noticed that I've been idle on that front for some time. Apologies: I've been cooking up other web sites and projects. Hasta la vista though, hopefully ;-) John - I agree. Long term, you simply cannot support two versions of things like this. -- Rod Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious onset. Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed. www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org |
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#8
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FAQ and Wiki
John Rumm wrote:
wrote: it works as it is. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. You have not looked at the FAQ for a while then I take it? what you say seems to say each has its pros and cons. I'm not convinced its really a problem, in the sense that its basically self solving. If people like the wiki content, theyll refer others to it, if they like the FAQ, ditto. If they want to contribute to either one, they will... Neither is source is bad, both could be improved... Humour * The Saniflo * Expanding Foam * Gerbils * Evolution * The Self-Uninstalling Gas Water Heater * The Pipe Bending Spring Still classics!  A wiki page with links to each FAQ topic might help. That was a part of one of my ideas - basically an starting point page in the wiki that could lead to FAQ or wiki articles or both as appropriate. That does not help FAQ visitors find the wiki though... I dont see anyone doing anything so far, so wasnt about to suggest linkifying the faq too. Good goal, but unlikely to all happen overnight. NT |
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#9
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FAQ and Wiki
wrote:
John Rumm wrote: wrote: it works as it is. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. You have not looked at the FAQ for a while then I take it? what you say seems to say each has its pros and cons. I'm not convinced its really a problem, in the sense that its basically self solving. If people like the wiki content, theyll refer others to it, if they like the FAQ, ditto. If they want to contribute to either one, they will... Neither is source is bad, both could be improved... A point worth remembering is that a large number of readers find it to the sites without ever coming via the newsgroup. Currently if you find the faq there is nothing there that would also link you to the wiki. (the reverse situation is slightly better). I agree niether is bad, and I was looking at ways they can both be improved. I dont see anyone doing anything so far, so wasnt about to suggest linkifying the faq too. Good goal, but unlikely to all happen overnight. I am not sure it is worth it in the current form - a bit of reorganising to make maintenance simpler in future may pave the way to better linking. -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ |
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#10
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FAQ and Wiki
Owain wrote:
John Rumm wrote: The FAQ has better browsability - the contents page format at the top makes it easier to browse stuff by topic. The article index and the contents by category links on the top of the wiki main page aren't quite as nice. Would the wiki page template allow a header with this info to be placed on each page? So should be looking at better integrating the two resources? I think so. What about importing the better stuff from the FAQ into the wiki, and then trimming the FAQ to become a structured way of linking to wiki articles? What about moving the better stuff from the wiki into the FAQ and using the wiki more as a collaboration tool for generating new FAQ articles? Its possible, but as Andy said, the wiki articles never tend to get finished as such - they reach a point where they "escape" ;-) Should there be a core of fundamental articles that are kept in the FAQ deliberately to prevent the content being changed or "enhanced" to the point of bloat or cruft? I think there is a strong case for 'freezing' wiki articles once 'finished'. I suppose one thing that could ultimately be frozen is an overall structure... -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ |
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#11
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FAQ and Wiki
John Stumbles wrote:
I think it would be much better from the point of view of the vast majority of of our audience, who are not aware of the historical distinction between, and reason for the separate existence of, the FAQ and the wiki, to roll them both into one. And the One would have to be the wiki since that is what most effort continues to go into. So in this scenario the faq would become a set of intro pages and place to host non wiki friendly files - but the all the actual content would be merged into the wiki? In the past a hurdle to this integration has been that FAQ articles were written by, and in a sense owned by, single individual authors who might not agree with their content being edited and shared in the wiki way. Possibly this could be circumvented by updating equivalent wiki articles to include information they are missing that is present in their FAQ equivelents, and simply dropping the now-redundant FAQ articles. Arguably most of the FAQ articles could do with updating anyway given their age. Some certainly... others have done quite well for their age! ;-) If we keep the FAQ website I could see a role for it being a friendly introduction to the concept of the ng (maybe a sort of hitch-hiker's guide to the Usenet :-)) and to the wiki itself (as John suggested). And maybe the server could also host files (such as spreadsheets e.g. heatloss calculators) that one wants to refer to from wiki articles but that mediawiki doesn't allow one to store, and which otherwise have to go on other people's servers. However that would depend on there being some mechanism for uploading such files (could we do this Grunff?). I can see some sense in having a level of moderation in the file upload process (given the spam problems we have had in the past). Perhaps a mechanism where if you want to upload a file you leave a request in a wiki article and a sysop does the actual upload. I can't see it being too onerous since most of the stuff uploaded is graphical anyway, and that can go directly into the wiki. So the occasional spreadsheet, sketchup drawing etc. I have to say I applaud your committment John in suggesting this and the work you and NT continue to do on the wiki. You'll have noticed that I've been idle on that front for some time. Apologies: I've been cooking up other web sites and projects. Hasta la vista though, hopefully ;-) No problem John, your contributions so far are substantial and appreciated! -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ |
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#12
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FAQ and Wiki
On Sun, 19 Apr 2009 04:23:35 +0100, John Rumm wrote:
So in this scenario the faq would become a set of intro pages and place to host non wiki friendly files - but the all the actual content would be merged into the wiki? Yes, otherwise we're back to square one, trying to maintain two separate sets of content. But since people find the FAQ from Google we don't want to lose it altogether, and a 'proper' website does let one do a more friendly-looking site than a wiki, which is nice as an intro. ... I can see some sense in having a level of moderation in the file upload process (given the spam problems we have had in the past). Perhaps a mechanism where if you want to upload a file you leave a request in a wiki article and a sysop does the actual upload. I can't see it being too onerous since most of the stuff uploaded is graphical anyway, and that can go directly into the wiki. So the occasional spreadsheet, sketchup drawing etc. I was thinking of the regular wiki maintainers having login credentials to upload stuff as they wish, with a documented procedure for others to request uploads. .... No problem John, your contributions so far are substantial and appreciated! I lost the will to continue when Cables overtook Central Heating Design in Popular pages ;-( -- John Stumbles What do you mean, talking about it isn't oral sex? |
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#13
Posted to uk.d-i-y
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FAQ and Wiki
John Stumbles wrote:
On Sun, 19 Apr 2009 04:23:35 +0100, John Rumm wrote: So in this scenario the faq would become a set of intro pages and place to host non wiki friendly files - but the all the actual content would be merged into the wiki? Yes, otherwise we're back to square one, trying to maintain two separate sets of content. But since people find the FAQ from Google we don't want to lose it altogether, and a 'proper' website does let one do a more friendly-looking site than a wiki, which is nice as an intro. All the FAQ really needs is page headers or footers pointing to the wiki, and mentioning its updated whereas the faq no longer is. If someone wishes to migrate the faq info to the wiki, great. If not, no problem. NT |
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#14
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FAQ and Wiki
A point worth remembering is that a large number of readers find it to the sites without ever coming via the newsgroup. Currently if you find the faq there is nothing there that would also link you to the wiki. (the reverse situation is slightly better). yes there needs more linking between the two, and links from this newsgroup to the faq and wiki every so often, http://www.diyfaq.org.uk/ http://groups.google.com/group/uk.d-i-y/topics?lnk http://www.wiki.diyfaq.org.uk ok? g |
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#15
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FAQ and Wiki
george (dicegeorge) wrote:
A point worth remembering is that a large number of readers find it to the sites without ever coming via the newsgroup. Currently if you find the faq there is nothing there that would also link you to the wiki. (the reverse situation is slightly better). yes there needs more linking between the two, and links from this newsgroup to the faq and wiki every so often, There are usually some links posted from the group reasonably often... although not to the faq as often any more. http://www.diyfaq.org.uk/ http://groups.google.com/group/uk.d-i-y/topics?lnk http://www.wiki.diyfaq.org.uk http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk works as well - no need for the www. -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ |
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#16
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FAQ and Wiki
On Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:41:21 +0100, in uk.d-i-y John Rumm
wrote: Apologies for coming late to this. Thank you John for bringing the thread to my attention. As you've noticed I haven't been around much for some time, due partly to my wife's health problems. Anyone got any thoughts on the ongoing development of the FAQ and the Wiki? It seems that since we have had the Wiki, not much new has gone into the FAQ (I don't think there have been any updates on it in a couple of years now). Apologies for that, hopefully suggestions in this thread will restore its usefulness, probably in a different way from its current form. However reading through some of it tonight a few thoughts struck me: There is growing overlap in content. Although the newer articles are not always better than the older ones. The FAQ has better browsability - the contents page format at the top makes it easier to browse stuff by topic. The article index and the contents by category links on the top of the wiki main page aren't quite as nice. Having said that the category intro pages themselves are quite nice. e.g. http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?...ory:Electrical If one had a page of major topics as per the FAQ, calling up selected interesting category lists, it might work quite well. This was suggested some time ago... needs someone to do it! The Wiki however has better searchability... The FAQ search could be made much better. It uses basic facilities provided by atomz.com (for free), but better searches are possible within atomz, or there are probably similar from other outfits (Google?) While its easy for the wiki to refer back to the FAQ - there is no easy way currently to add references the other way. So should be looking at better integrating the two resources? YES. The big problem with the wiki is lack of structure, not even a structured index. If the FAQ could be turned into a structured 'front end' to the wiki, I think that would be the best use for it now. What about importing the better stuff from the FAQ into the wiki, and then trimming the FAQ to become a structured way of linking to wiki articles? YES. Wouldn't hurt to use it to freeze some of the better wiki articles into it, possibly integrating articles from different places into a structure. Should there be a core of fundamental articles that are kept in the FAQ deliberately to prevent the content being changed or "enhanced" to the point of bloat or cruft? YES. Basically the wiki is 'work in progress'. A consensus could be taken on articles deemed to be stable and appropriate for the FAQ. I'm happy to transfer ownership of the FAQ domain to a volunteer able and willing to take this task on. Phil |
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#17
Posted to uk.d-i-y
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FAQ and Wiki
On Sun, 19 Apr 2009 04:09:38 +0100, in uk.d-i-y John Rumm
wrote: wrote: John Rumm wrote: wrote: it works as it is. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. You have not looked at the FAQ for a while then I take it? what you say seems to say each has its pros and cons. I'm not convinced its really a problem, in the sense that its basically self solving. If people like the wiki content, theyll refer others to it, if they like the FAQ, ditto. If they want to contribute to either one, they will... Neither is source is bad, both could be improved... A point worth remembering is that a large number of readers find it to the sites without ever coming via the newsgroup. Currently if you find the faq there is nothing there that would also link you to the wiki. (the reverse situation is slightly better). Exactly. I get regular requests for advice via the FAQ. Folk seem to just Google for help, find the FAQ and fire off an email to "The Editor" without bothering to read how to get onto the ng. Of late these are outnumbered by website designers wanting the FAQ to link to their customers, who always seem to have products that make linking "mutually beneficial" (yeah, right). I agree niether is bad, and I was looking at ways they can both be improved. I dont see anyone doing anything so far, so wasnt about to suggest linkifying the faq too. Good goal, but unlikely to all happen overnight. I am not sure it is worth it in the current form - a bit of reorganising to make maintenance simpler in future may pave the way to better linking. YES, it needs a total re-jig using up-to-date management techniques. Phil |
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#18
Posted to uk.d-i-y
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FAQ and Wiki
On Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:28:35 +0100, in uk.d-i-y "george (dicegeorge)"
wrote: A point worth remembering is that a large number of readers find it to the sites without ever coming via the newsgroup. Currently if you find the faq there is nothing there that would also link you to the wiki. (the reverse situation is slightly better). yes there needs more linking between the two, and links from this newsgroup to the faq and wiki every so often, http://www.diyfaq.org.uk/ http://groups.google.com/group/uk.d-i-y/topics?lnk http://www.wiki.diyfaq.org.uk ok? Yes, perhaps someone with a linux system could automate a regular posting. Phil |
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#19
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FAQ and Wiki
Phil Addison wrote:
On Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:41:21 +0100, in uk.d-i-y John Rumm wrote: While its easy for the wiki to refer back to the FAQ - there is no easy way currently to add references the other way. So should be looking at better integrating the two resources? YES. The big problem with the wiki is lack of structure, not even a structured index. If the FAQ could be turned into a structured 'front end' to the wiki, I think that would be the best use for it now. A wiki page that is just that has been talked about for some time. No- ones yet done it. Maybe someone will at some point. It could be its own Contents page, or could be part of the Main Page. An outline draft has been written, and as I've said before if someone wants to post it in .txt format I dont mind making a wiki page of it. NT |
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#20
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FAQ and Wiki
On 18 Apr 2009 12:27:26 GMT, in uk.d-i-y John Stumbles
wrote: On Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:41:21 +0100, John Rumm wrote: Anyone got any thoughts on the ongoing development of the FAQ and the Wiki? ... There is growing overlap in content. Although the newer articles are not always better than the older ones. ... What about importing the better stuff from the FAQ into the wiki, and then trimming the FAQ to become a structured way of linking to wiki articles? I think it would be much better from the point of view of the vast majority of of our audience, who are not aware of the historical distinction between, and reason for the separate existence of, the FAQ and the wiki, to roll them both into one. And the One would have to be the wiki since that is what most effort continues to go into. Not necesarily, if a new FAQ editor emerged..... In the past a hurdle to this integration has been that FAQ articles were written by, and in a sense owned by, single individual authors who might not agree with their content being edited and shared in the wiki way. I think all copyright gets assigned to the FAQ (in the guise of the current editor), so should not be a problem. Of course original contributers are asked for permission when edits are made, where they are still traceable. Possibly this could be circumvented by updating equivalent wiki articles to include information they are missing that is present in their FAQ equivelents, and simply dropping the now-redundant FAQ articles. Arguably most of the FAQ articles could do with updating anyway given their age. (I know this seems harsh and disrespectful to the original authors who put in a lot of effort for the communal good, but the DIY FAQ is a there for the good of the community, not the ego of any of its individual members. Sometimes we have to let go and move on. Some may remember that many years ago a uk.d-i-yer used to maintain an archive of selected articles from the group. This was dropped when the individual was no longer able to actively maintain the archive and it would have been a burden on others to continue to host it. And since then the originator's ego has survived and he has continued to contribute, however modestly, to the group!) If we keep the FAQ website I could see a role for it being a friendly introduction to the concept of the ng (maybe a sort of hitch-hiker's guide to the Usenet :-)) and to the wiki itself (as John suggested). And maybe A vote for making it a wiki front end then. the server could also host files (such as spreadsheets e.g. heatloss calculators) that one wants to refer to from wiki articles but that mediawiki doesn't allow one to store, and which otherwise have to go on other people's servers. However that would depend on there being some mechanism for uploading such files (could we do this Grunff?). We mustn't forget the generosity of grunff in hosting both the FAQ and Wiki. Hope the bandwith is still tolerable grunff? I have to say I applaud your committment John in suggesting this and the work you and NT continue to do on the wiki. You'll have noticed that I've been idle on that front for some time. Apologies: I've been cooking up other web sites and projects. Hasta la vista though, hopefully ;-) Seconded, and also for your own contributions John (S). Phil |
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#21
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FAQ and Wiki
On Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:16:41 -0700 (PDT), in uk.d-i-y
wrote: Phil Addison wrote: On Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:41:21 +0100, in uk.d-i-y John Rumm wrote: While its easy for the wiki to refer back to the FAQ - there is no easy way currently to add references the other way. So should be looking at better integrating the two resources? YES. The big problem with the wiki is lack of structure, not even a structured index. If the FAQ could be turned into a structured 'front end' to the wiki, I think that would be the best use for it now. A wiki page that is just that has been talked about for some time. No- ones yet done it. Maybe someone will at some point. It could be its own Contents page, or could be part of the Main Page. An outline draft has been written, and as I've said before if someone wants to post it in .txt format I dont mind making a wiki page of it. Its pretty old now but I've converted the previously posted doc and pdf files to plain text format http://www.diyfaq.co.uk/beta/FAQ_Pro...e_Contents.txt Phil |
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#22
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FAQ and Wiki
On Mon, 27 Apr 2009 01:40:13 GMT, in uk.d-i-y Phil Addison
wrote: On Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:16:41 -0700 (PDT), in uk.d-i-y wrote: An outline draft has been written, and as I've said before if someone wants to post it in .txt format I dont mind making a wiki page of it. Its pretty old now but I've converted the previously posted doc and pdf files to plain text format http://www.diyfaq.co.uk/beta/FAQ_Pro...e_Contents.txt The doc and pdf are still there too, as http://www.diyfaq.co.uk/beta/FAQ_Pro...e_Contents.doc and http://www.diyfaq.co.uk/beta/FAQ_Pro...e_Contents.pdf They are *much* easier on the eye. Phil |
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FAQ and Wiki
Phil Addison wrote:
On Mon, 27 Apr 2009 01:40:13 GMT, in uk.d-i-y Phil Addison wrote: On Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:16:41 -0700 (PDT), in uk.d-i-y wrote: An outline draft has been written, and as I've said before if someone wants to post it in .txt format I dont mind making a wiki page of it. Its pretty old now but I've converted the previously posted doc and pdf files to plain text format http://www.diyfaq.co.uk/beta/FAQ_Pro...e_Contents.txt The doc and pdf are still there too, as http://www.diyfaq.co.uk/beta/FAQ_Pro...e_Contents.doc and http://www.diyfaq.co.uk/beta/FAQ_Pro...e_Contents.pdf They are *much* easier on the eye. Phil Cheers Phil. OK... there is a issue. Wikicode only supports 4 heading levels, from = to ====, but the document uses 8. I'll code up the parts that only use 4 levels, which is most of it, as and when, but the rest will need to be rejigged one way or another. Some of it I can see easily enough how to do that, so maybe I'll get back when I've done what I can. I dont know when that'll be though. Now we can look forward to a traditional structured 'contents' page! NT |
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