[Wikipedia-l] Revision Control H2G2.com

[Michael R. Irwin]

Stephen Gilbert wrote:
> 
> --- lcrocker at nupedia.com wrote:
> 
> > But again, I think it needs to develop in a
> > centralized way for
> > a while before risking that.  I may be labelled a
> > heretic for
> > saying this, but part of what make Wikipedia great
> > is its /lack/
> > or freedom and universal participation.  Everything2
> > showed us
> > what that devolves into.  We have a central goal
> > here--a narrow
> > focus, and people to keep the masses pointed in the
> > right direction.
> 
> Yeah, I think that's kind of heretical. But you write
> good articles *and* software, so I'll engage in some
> religious tolerance. :)
> 
> Has anyone ever surfed around H2G2.com? Its entries
> seem to be of consistantly better quality than most of
> Everything2, and they have a peer-review system in
> place. I'm going to poke around there a bit and see if
> they have any useful techniques that could be adapted
> to Wikipedia. Fishing out a few new Wikipedians
> wouldn't hurt either.

I browsed around H2G2 a bit.  I agree, the "peer" reviewed 
writing quality seemed good given the starting focus of Life, 
the Universe, and Everthing from "The Hitchhiker's Guide
to the Galaxy".

The "peer" review scheme appears to be a top down controlled
hiearchy.  Essentially they are using site volunteers to reduce 
staff writing/editing workload while retaining all authority
at the top (inhouse paid staff).  Draft or proposed material 
is available in special collaboration or viewing rooms for site
goers who wish to view it.   The proposed material works it way 
upward as it is noticed and approved by the hiearchy. The focus 
is on entertaining material well written in a consistent site style.

In addition to promoting the material, some reviewers can bounce 
the material down the pyramid to a level matching their 
perception of its state of readiness.  There is a garbage collection 
room named the "Flea Market" where abandoned draft work is 
accumulated either automatically or manually for adoption.

I did not see anything that looked easily adaptable to Wikipedia
or wikis in general but I have not created an account and used
their editing and collaboration tools yet.

regards, mirwin