Wiki Content

[richmondesi]

Hey guys,

As you all know, we have an extensive yet ever growing wiki. What you may not know is that it was the first wetshaving specific wiki anywhere on the web . Unlike most other fora in the wetshaving world, B&B is not affiliated with any profit centers of any kind. The site administration, moderators, and wiki team all do a great job working on a volunteer basis.

We'd like to encourage all the membership to contribute content to the wiki. There are some who don't believe that the wiki is the best tool for teaching, and I'm not interested in having that debate. Rather, I'd like to introduce a couple of reasons why it is valuable.

Unlike posts and threads, the wiki is dynamic and can be changed and updated as needed. This makes it ideal for being the centralized place for basic, objective information for new members and veterans seeking additional information. Additionally, reference material will be centralized making the information more readily accessible. That's not to mention the fact that there are several experts here whose knowledge can be documented and used even when they are not online.

Even with the most elaborate, detailed, and accurate wiki would leave some questions unanswered and the wiki will never replace the various boards. However, it can (and should) be a valuable adjunct to the boards.

You do not have to be a member of the Wiki Team to contribute content. It is open to all members, and no contribution is too small.

The Wiki Team does generate content, but we are mostly facilitators. If you need help with wiki code, or any other issue, contact one of us and we'll be happy to help in any way possible.

Thanks!

 

[blackfoot]

If I am capable, anyone is.

 

[dpmtherrien]

Thanks, that's nice to know. I'm sure many members didn't know that, and thought that it was just reading info.

 

[soapbox]

You do not have to be a member of the Wiki Team to contribute content. It is open to all members, and no contribution is too small.

The Wiki Team does generate content, but we are mostly facilitators. If you need help with wiki code, or any other issue, contact one of us and we'll be happy to help in any way possible.

Well said, Paul. I'd love to help folks get comfortable adding and editing content on the wiki. Editing is really easy, most of the time.

If I am capable, anyone is.

Ain't that the truth. Oh stop being so modest, and get back to the photography and the Gem articles.

 

[blackfoot]

Well said, Paul. I'd love to help folks get comfortable adding and editing content on the wiki. Editing is really easy, most of the time.



Ain't that the truth. Oh stop being so honest, and get back to the photography and the Gem articles.

FTFY.

 

[soapbox]

FTFY.

Wow, that's two self-effacing posts in a row!

 

[blackfoot]

Wow, that's two self-effacing posts in a row!

Us gods have to remain humble.

 

[richmondesi]

Ok, let's try not to derail this thread. We need more wiki content... Clowns, we're good on

 

[blackfoot]

Ok, let's try not to derail this thread. We need more wiki content... Clowns, we're good on

Sorry.

 

[DougK]

I'm not sure if I'm expert enough in any area of wetshaving to contribute any knowledge directly, but in non-internet life I'm a technical writer, so if you need some editorial help, I'd be willing to pitch in that way as time permits.

 

[blackfoot]

I'm not sure if I'm expert enough in any area of wetshaving to contribute any knowledge directly, but in non-internet life I'm a technical writer, so if you need some editorial help, I'd be willing to pitch in that way as time permits.

Experts are not necessary. In fact, what I have done is gather what information I can, and then post a thread asking the membership to chime in. This collective knowledge is what I put in. However, the offer for editorial help may be very handy as well.

 

[soapbox]

Ok, let's try not to derail this thread. We need more wiki content... Clowns, we're good on

Very fair statement. Hard to suppress my clownishness.

I'm not sure if I'm expert enough in any area of wetshaving to contribute any knowledge directly, but in non-internet life I'm a technical writer, so if you need some editorial help, I'd be willing to pitch in that way as time permits.

The wiki does lack an overall style. There are personal accounts, basic outlines, and I try to write in a (relatively dry) wikipedia-type style. I'd like to see some editing not for content, but rather for style. It also requires very little knowledge of a specific topic.

More pedantically, there's plenty of simple editing that's also beneficial.

Lastly -- and perhaps dangerously -- there's very little referenced content. While some of the content may be "known" to be true, I'm an academic, and it ain't true unless it's referenced somewhere, or "proven" by numerical analysis. I'd like to see some information cited.

But! The most important thing about the wiki is the content. And if you don't plan on spending 100 hours on the wiki, adopt an article that either doesn't exist, or has one or two sentences. Better to have imperfect and non-cited information than no information at all.

Experts are not necessary. In fact, what I have done is gather what information I can, and then post a thread asking the membership to chime in. This collective knowledge is what I put in. However, the offer for editorial help may be very handy as well.

People are willing to help, plus they love to "hear" themselves "talk!" Seek out people who know something about the topic, or post a "general call" thread. People will flood in.

And really lastly, Google does a good job of cataloging the information on the forums.

use the

site:badgerandblade.com

specifier in your Google search and you'll get results specific to the web site.

Lastly, don't post copyrighted content. Don't post any without attribution. If you get information from somewhere that you are allowed to use, be sure to footnote/attribute it. The difference between scholarship and plagiarism is a reference.

 

[richmondesi]

Excellent points, Jesse.

We could definitely stand to do a lot of editing for style.