[Foundation-l] The WikBack

[simonpedia]

That's great, thanks Steve,

You mean I won't have to search through (what is it on this silo's monthly
threads today?) 35 conversations to have 1.

Can I just make some notes, starting at the board's FAQ's as it might make
clear why elists like this are defunct, or least unwieldy.
http://www.wikback.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=faq

1. Two email addresses is a nice idea. The one I use for WMF lists, for
example, is a 'furphy' Each one set up for when (not if) the spam starts to
becoming overwhelming, as it is on this thread, due to its supposed level in
the WMF list hierarchy. Hopefully as OpenID matures this won't be necessary.

2, "One of the key benefits of the discussion board format is that it
enables commonly asked questions to be answered once, for the benefit of
all". Amen; so long as everyone sticks to the subject, which is rarely the
case. Every successful board I've come across needs moderators who move
comments into the right forum or define the subject, so a dog's breakfast is
nipped before it starts. I do hope you've got some professionals here. It
seems you do. But if a mistake is made or a post is sloppy, it's got to be
corrected early on, rather than allowing it to stand, as yu have on the
thread I mention on Point 4. It enables "the process" to work.

3. Polls? Great! Policy; if a member doesn't vote (say three times), they
are invited to leave.

4. Would you give some consideration as to how we start linking between a
meta, foundation, or any wiki (talk) page and its thread on the forum. i.e.
How linkages are made to and from a group's threads, not just from a wiki
page's domain. This really is the key to improving understanding around WMF
pages - it's the process (of not being able to find the right group) that's
rooted, not the people. I.e. It's rudderless
http://www.wikback.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1800#Post18
00  

The general forum is where all the work is done, intros and direction being
the major work load. So a meta Reference desk forum, which is linked to, and
from, all (common language) sites would be a good way at helping people get
orientated. This presupposes a link from a common meta reference desk for
all projects, not one desk for each. 
Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Reference_desk

There's quite a few things to be considered about designing a forum
interface, and no one around here has the best experience of what works or
not. How about the Foundation springing for a competition, say $500? Here =
http://contests.sitepoint.com/
It might also help one tool-centric global community to understand the
culture of another.

5. Can we think sustainable from day 1, rather than 'panhandling for
pennies' later? If this forum is designed well and gets the same amount of
support as WMF has in building libraries, this is going to be the most
visited grouping of forums on the Web. I exaggerate, NOT. You can feel the
tension reading through this antiquated thread's archives (and 4 years of)
watching virtual ping pong between wiki talk pages. So can we come to some
agreement on the amount of investment required to do it well, and whether in
time it will be supported by the public purse or private ones. I don't care
which, but there's a different strategy required for each.

Hooly Dooly!

......................................................
The WikBack, a discussion website I started a week ago as an alternative
to wikien-l, already has over 100 members and a post volume greater than
that of wikien-l.

Since WMF-related topics are starting to come up, I have added a
separate forum for them.  Please consider joining.

http://www.wikback.com

The site is noncommercial and advertising free.  I am paying the hosting
fees and other expenses out of my own pocket.

Steve Dunlop/UninvitedCompany

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