Joe: FAQ or Wiki?
 

Joe, I tend to dislike repetition. I see people asking the same questions over and over and over again. I'll admit I just told someone to click the "Search The Forums" button and then come back with something more specific. However, I've given thought to a FAQ or something similar. Similar? Well, I just became a beta tester for some kinda new Wiki-type software. That approach could work here with many people adding and editing. What do you think?

BTW, the software I'm looking at can be found at: http://www.jot.com

I really know nothing about Jotspot just yet so I'm more just wondering what you think about the overall idea of something FAQ-related. And of course, this should not require you putting in extra time. I'd be willing to assume "ownership" of any project--within your suggested parameters.

I'd love to help moderate the Wiki if you do in fact set it up. I use Wikipedia almost daily for any type of question, both bike related or not. It would make things so much easier for newbies. With everyone contributing, think how technical techies could get with various suspension types, frame geometry, etc...

Joe, I hope you give this some serious thought.



(And in the case that this falls through, im intent on purchasing and creating bikewiki.com)

Vaughn

I think wikis are great. I believe they're the best way to get the most information out without putting pressure on admins to constantly update. An addition of this, slapped right on the top of the page, would definitely help answer some FAQ's and even some NotSoFAQ's. Anything to get rid of the 'Is it okay to wear spandex?' threads.

I love the idea, but am mostly clueless when it comes to wiki's... let me do some reading up on the topic, and we can get it started.

Here's the definition straight from wikipedia

To summarize it, users, without registering, can create/edit pages about any kind of topic. Every page has a backup, so people can't go in and screw things up on purpose.

At first thought a Wiki sounds only like a breeding ground for spam junk, but it's really not. I keeping hinting at moderators, because they are what really keep the Wiki organized. They usually go through and review all the small edits made by users, just to make sure they are relevant and not spam.

The only real time problems can arrise when users get into an editing war. This would happen on topics with lots of contreversy or opinion. This can be fixed by having a mod/admin lock the page.

Here's the software Wikipedia runs:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/wikipedia/

Vaughn

Cool. So far, so good. All input is welcome. We're not on any deadline here so let's think about it and do what is best. However, we might like to think about a vague start date--maybe right after the holidays, given this is getting to be a busy time of year for almost everyone.

Thanks for giving this some thought, Joe. (That goes for everyone.)

I can see your concern, but once running, it really isn't a problem. Enough (knowledgable) members visit the pages to recognize wrong information and change it. However, I bet it wouldn't be too hard to mirror the vbulletin member database and use it for the Wiki.

I think im going to go ahead and purchase bikewiki.com (the domain name). If this falls through with bikeforums, ill go ahead and set one up myself.

Would you want it integrated into the forums, ie, have WikiWords link to the Wiki from individual posts?

Joe,
This is exactly what we have been discussing in the Fixed/SingleSpeed forum.
We could "beta test" in that forum if you want.
I'll do some research on wiki also. . .

Marty

Hmmm...thinking.

I think it would almost be better to have it as a seperate part of the site. Mixing the two features would make the forums more crowded and alittle more complicated.

Joe, any word on this?

Lets continue to brainstorm... I am thinking a 2nd domain for the wiki may be the best bet. Or maybe its time i move "bikeforums" to a real site, and have forums, a wiki, articles, and pictures... its a thought ;)

Yeah, a 2nd domain would probably work best. You could co-brand it with BikeForums styles and logo too.


Bikewiki.com for the name?

Thats what I was thinking... I like the name, anyone want to pick some software to use? Anyone want to be the "webmaster"? I dont know if i have time for another project, but I canb provide the domain / hosting and traffic :)

I still think this is our best bet:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/wikipedia/

I'd love to help webmaster/moderate it..ive got the time as of now :)

Anyone else want to help?

Cool, lets set this up... I have been super busy for the last week, and wont have much free time in the next week or so, but i'll get everything ready on the server side ASAP.

That would be cool. A full fledged site would be a good step, but a big one at that. For articles and such you could do a similar thing to ridemonkey, use vbulletin for the articles.

Hell yes. Having to pull up a seperate page to look up something is annoying and not as convenient.

A good FAQ in the bicycle mechainics forum would be a downtube shifter to STI conversion. THis question gets asked over and over.

It is very useful to know how to convert an old 5-6 speed freewheel bike into a 8,9,10 speed STI machine.

Thank God for people like Sydney who have the patience to post answers about this frequently asked question.

Someone make a Wiki already... on their site, or on yours. Then just start adding to it...

*never mind, idea scrapped

Why was the idea rejected? I think it is great, and it looks like slowtitch have done this in making a wiki....

http://slowtwitch.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

Shall be interesting to see how that goes.