on 6/23/07 3:39 AM, David Goodman at dgoodmanny@gmail.com wrote:
I see a structure--a cellular structure of groups that only sometimes interact. If the group is reasonably small, under 50 or so--of whom in general 5 to 10 will actually be active, and if the interfaces between the groups are kept limited and channelized, the organization can continue. The cells I have in mind are he Wikiprojects. Many of them work really well to maintain order in their work (I'm thinking particularly of Chemistry) and are reasonably hospitable to adequately informed newcomers. But they work only incidentally with the other groups. they appear in the general forums when something of critical concern to them appears, but otherwise they leave the rest of the wiki alone. Look at most of the admin candidates--they have each of them contributed substantially only within a scope of a few pages. When the become admins, they do a little general activity, but most remain fairly limited even in that. They are like the country members, who come to the capitol only on special occasion.
David,
Another area to think about are the frustratingly complex processes of conflict appeal and resolution; both within the various Projects and in the encyclopedia as a whole. As it is now a newbie, in particular, doesn't stand a chance.
Marc