Flogging the Wiki! [Archive] - Christian Forums

CaDan

22nd February 2006, 11:05 PM

Erwin has implemented a wiki for CF. You can look at it in its embryonic state here (http://www.christianforums.com/f593-christian-wiki.html).

To get it to grow beyond its embryonic state, the wiki need articles. It needs people to edit other articles.

It needs you.

To keep the CF wiki from being more troll-infested than the underside of the Billy Goats Gruff's bridge, the wiki can only be modified by members of the wiki team, although anyone can read it.

In a lot of ways, the CF wiki should be something like General Theology, but a bit better organized. In addition, the fact that there are lots of potential authors and editors should help the wiki to eventually stabilize as a good source of information on a lot of the topics that we discuss in GT.

You're probably saying right now, "But CaDan, how can I take advantage of this fine opportunity? Surely it will cost thousands of blessings and I just spent all my blessings on a new outfit for my CF character!"

Not to fear! It costs nothing to joing the CF Wiki Team. Not a single one of your hard-earned blessings will leave your CF bank account.

To take advantage of this offer, you just have to send a PM to me. Then, through the power of Teh Intraweb and Erwin's mad vBulletin skillz, I will be able to make you a member of the CF Wiki Team.

:D
:D It's just that easy! :D
:D

Not only will you be able to post and edit articles, you'll also qualify for the stylish WIKI adornment you see on this post. And you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that your work won't just fall off the front page of GT!

Get in on the ground floor. Be the first to write an article on whatever topic moves you. Join the CF Wiki Team!

JPPT1974

22nd February 2006, 11:23 PM

Thanks for pointing that out my friend
That is really nice of you
:angel: :angel:

MrJim

22nd February 2006, 11:24 PM

Are there qualifications-like a minimum of time served or posts posted or can just any [one] sign up?

MrJim

22nd February 2006, 11:26 PM

Are there qualifications-like a minimum of time served or posts posted or can just any ******* sign up?

I don't get why ******* is a bad word unless it's hebrew for something.

Our drill instructors always used the name Joe *******atelli as an example name-I just use the shortened version.

JPPT1974

22nd February 2006, 11:33 PM

Not to change the subject but what type of military service are you in Menno?
Just wondering out of curiousity?

mesue

22nd February 2006, 11:46 PM

:scratch: Umm ...
What's a wiki? :sorry:

CaDan

22nd February 2006, 11:47 PM

Standards? Well, you have to convince me that you won't just troll the wiki. That's about the only standard.

CaDan

22nd February 2006, 11:49 PM

:scratch: Umm ...
What's a wiki? :sorry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WikiWiki

The CF wiki isn't quite as nice. But, since Erwin loves to tweak things, I'm pretty sure the software will keep improving.

mesue

22nd February 2006, 11:51 PM

A CF Encyclopedia?

CaDan

22nd February 2006, 11:52 PM

A CF Encyclopedia?

Kind of. But focused on Christianity.

I see it as a way to try to focus the energy that goes into General Theology into something useful.

Joykins

23rd February 2006, 12:06 AM

All right, Menno, I figured out your starred word is a Yiddish word that means foreskin, that's probably why it's starred out ;)

Imblessed

23rd February 2006, 05:08 PM

All right, Menno, I figured out your starred word is a Yiddish word that means foreskin, that's probably why it's starred out ;)

rotf......gotta love those filters!!!

MrJim

23rd February 2006, 06:35 PM

All right, Menno, I figured out your starred word is a Yiddish word that means foreskin, that's probably why it's starred out ;)

:eek: :blush:

I had no idea:doh:

Thanks

MrJim

23rd February 2006, 06:36 PM

Not to change the subject but what type of military service are you in Menno?
Just wondering out of curiousity?

I was in the Marine Corps a long time ago in a land far far away...

Flynmonkie

23rd February 2006, 09:08 PM

I was in the Marine Corps a long time ago in a land far far away...
:cool: Ha-ha ha-ha-ha (Monkie sings in her nana-nana boo-boo voice...:P ) Now look who’s scrambling to figure out that generation gap... hmmmm:D

:wave: Back to the subject at hand, if we write for the Wiki, does CF own the rights to our work or is it freelance?

Is it fact driven or speculation and opinion? Might be a good idea to give a rundown of the focus of each category outline point or something, the rhyme and reason -- right now it seems like a free for all? :)

mesue

23rd February 2006, 09:12 PM

Kind of. But focused on Christianity.

I see it as a way to try to focus the energy that goes into General Theology into something useful.
I'm still not getting it's purpose. Nor do I get how to use it, I get blocked and told I need to join a team. :scratch:
Why I would want to?

CaDan

23rd February 2006, 09:25 PM

:wave: Back to the subject at hand, if we write for the Wiki, does CF own the rights to our work or is it freelance?

You continue to own the work. You grant CF (well, Loh Enterprises) a non-exclusive royalty free license to use the work as part of the wiki.

Is it fact driven or speculation and opinion?

Supposedly fact driven. Now, I'm the first to admit that facts are pretty slippery things, so various opinions are going to slip in as well. Can't help it, so might as well accept it.

Might be a good idea to give a rundown of the focus of each category outline point or something, the rhyme and reason -- right now it seems like a free for all? :)

Have a look at the current categories. That's probably the best way to understand it.

CaDan

23rd February 2006, 09:29 PM

I'm still not getting it's purpose. Nor do I get how to use it, I get blocked and told I need to join a team. :scratch:
Why I would want to?

You can't edit or post things yet because you have to get permission to do it first. It's mostly a hoop that people have to jump through to prevent the wiki from being infested by trolls.

If you want to write or edit articles, its a place to do it. If you don't want to, that's fine, too.

It's an experiment in organizing Christian dialogue in the hope that we can make something better than General Theology.

mesue

23rd February 2006, 10:35 PM

are you running it?

CaDan

23rd February 2006, 11:00 PM

are you running it?

Yup. Well, as much as one can "run" something like this.

Lel

24th February 2006, 12:11 AM

I'd also like to add in this thread that I'm in the process of doing a few articles on things Baptist, but as you might note, I'm not Baptist anymore. :sorry: I am committed to keeping things as neutral and factual as possible, but if any of you could take a look-see at things and if I'm not keeping things neutral, please edit away!

ZiSunka

24th February 2006, 12:16 AM

I'm a little concerned that a Catholic has taken it upon herself to make entries for Baptist/Anabaptist topics. Although it might be okay for such a person to contribute, it would be a conflict of interest to be the starter, since there is such a long history of animosity between Catholics and B/A's in this forum. :(

CaDan

24th February 2006, 12:46 AM

Sad to say, we're kind of short on Baptists who have signed up.

Flynmonkie

24th February 2006, 01:06 AM

You continue to own the work. You grant CF (well, Loh Enterprises) a non-exclusive royalty free license to use the work as part of the wiki.

Supposedly fact driven. Now, I'm the first to admit that facts are pretty slippery things, so various opinions are going to slip in as well. Can't help it, so might as well accept it.

Have a look at the current categories. That's probably the best way to understand it.

Yes, I caught it the first night it came online. I guess what I mean is it going to be open for edit such as Wikipedia or is there going to be a formal process of debate/issue of fact (and or opinion) or an open process amongst writers. In addition, as it stands so far I see more than one article for instance on Mormonism – will there eventually be categories within categories? Or is this a “work in progress” sort of deal?

I really think if each of us were to think about it we all have at least one well-studied area that we could expound on to add. Is there a deadline of articles or certain amount that you wish a writer to produce? Or could we work on one or two of our studied subjects.. etc?

kiwimac

24th February 2006, 01:44 AM

CaDan ,

I'd love to PM you but I can't see the PM button & I got an error message from your hotmail addy so here is what I tried to send you.

CaDan,

I would be happy to help here. I am concerned that only Christians (within the narrow definition of that word in use at CF) apparently can author articles in the wiki but having said that, I perceive the best way to help that situation is to be involved. If you want :D

Kiwimac

CaDan

24th February 2006, 01:53 AM

Yes, I caught it the first night it came online. I guess what I mean is it going to be open for edit such as Wikipedia or is there going to be a formal process of debate/issue of fact (and or opinion) or an open process amongst writers. In addition, as it stands so far I see more than one article for instance on Mormonism – will there eventually be categories within categories? Or is this a “work in progress” sort of deal?

It is very much a work in progess kind of deal.

To keep trolling under control, only wiki team members can edit articles.

I'm sure this will not prevent all trolling, but it should keep it at a level where we can deal with it.

What I eventually want to see are articles that both sides of a controversy can live with. We will probably end up with articles that split with headings such as "The Baptist view is . . . ." and "The Lutheran view is . . . ".

I really think if each of us were to think about it we all have at least one well-studied area that we could expound on to add. Is there a deadline of articles or certain amount that you wish a writer to produce? Or could we work on one or two of our studied subjects.. etc?

I'm open to all sorts of styles. Some people will general lots of little articles. Some people will generate huge theses. Some people will write almost no articles, but will be able to edit well. Some will have a feel for how to organize many different pages of information.

I need all of these!

CaDan

24th February 2006, 01:54 AM

CaDan ,

I'd love to PM you but I can't see the PM button & I got an error message from your hotmail addy so here is what I tried to send you.

That's weird--especially since I don't think I have a hotmail address!

Anyway, you're wikified!

Flynmonkie

24th February 2006, 12:52 PM

Is there a main page where other writers are in discussion, or a discussion thread?

It might be a good idea for someone to list topics on one "sticky" thread and as they are accomplished they are removed or added to? Or is that too formal?

In addition, are there copyright issues that should be posted or rules in this area that should be followed?

For instance if I were to gather information regarding a certain topic.. May we use links off site or would you like it re-written to house completely here? (I know- I know I am full of questions!)

I think it might be a good idea to add a definitions category? Many people, including myself are continually researching Theological language used in posts.:)

CaDan

24th February 2006, 01:13 PM

Is there a main page where other writers are in discussion, or a discussion thread?

There's the private forum for team members, which you should be able to get into now.

There is also the public forum here:http://www.christianforums.com/f591-cf-wiki.html

Right now, though, I seem to have doomed myself to answering all these questions in the promo threads I put in the Congregaional fora.

It might be a good idea for someone to list topics on one "sticky" thread and as they are accomplished they are removed or added to? Or is that too formal?

The private forum is for that. It will get more organized as we get up and runnning.

In addition, are there copyright issues that should be posted or rules in this area that should be followed?

For instance if I were to gather information regarding a certain topic.. May we use links off site or would you like it re-written to house completely here? (I know- I know I am full of questions!)

In the private forum . . . .

I think it might be a good idea to add a definitions category? Many people, including myself are continually researching Theological language used in posts.:)

It probably fits in the Doctrines sub-wiki.

mesue

24th February 2006, 02:51 PM

Sad to say, we're kind of short on Baptists who have signed up.
Hmm ...
:scratch: I wonder why?

ZiSunka

24th February 2006, 07:40 PM

double post

ZiSunka

24th February 2006, 07:41 PM

Sad to say, we're kind of short on Baptists who have signed up.

Baptists and Anabaptists are not usually quick to jump on a bandwagon. That doesn't mean we are willing to abdicate entries on baptist beliefs and doctrine to someone from a denomination that has been repeatedly antagonistic to us.

What's the rush anyway? If the wiki is something worthwhile, it will be around when we get around to determining who from this forum is going to be on the wiki team.

But it just isn't right for someone of another denom to take over our area just because someone is in a hurry to fill up the wiki. I would nominate Rural Preacher to be on the team.

ZiSunka

24th February 2006, 07:44 PM

I'd nominate mesue to be on the team, too. :)

mesue

24th February 2006, 10:04 PM

I'd nominate mesue to be on the team, too. :)
:blush: Aww ... Thanks sis :hug:
I nonminate you, not because you nominated me, but because you are very wise. :)
I'd pick Decan Dan, menno and arunma too. There's a lot of people I'd nominate, we have a good bunch that hang around here :D

JPPT1974

24th February 2006, 11:31 PM

Lel

25th February 2006, 01:33 AM

Baptists and Anabaptists are not usually quick to jump on a bandwagon. That doesn't mean we are willing to abdicate entries on baptist beliefs and doctrine to someone from a denomination that has been repeatedly antagonistic to us.

What's the rush anyway? If the wiki is something worthwhile, it will be around when we get around to determining who from this forum is going to be on the wiki team.

But it just isn't right for someone of another denom to take over our area just because someone is in a hurry to fill up the wiki. I would nominate Rural Preacher to be on the team.

I suppose I am working from a different framework on this wiki. To me, it doesn't really matter who starts the entry, just that it's accurate and unbiased. If it isn't accurate and unbiased, join and edit the article to smithereens.

Also, I'd like to point out that some Catholics may have been antagonistic in the past, but that shouldn't be happening here, and also, we're not all the same.

In the wiki so far, there aren't any rules currently that say that each denomination must stick to topics only about its own denomination. The main reason I wrote this article is that I'm still more familiar with the Southern Baptist Convention than the Roman Catholic Church. Seeing a gap, I'm trying to fill it. To me, the wiki is for disseminating information. That's all I'm trying to do.

Flynmonkie

25th February 2006, 03:32 AM

I suppose I am working from a different framework on this wiki. To me, it doesn't really matter who starts the entry, just that it's accurate and unbiased. If it isn't accurate and unbiased, join and edit the article to smithereens.

I think it is a good idea having information locally rather than running around on the net -- all sorts of misleading information out there. I happen to be one that loves Wikipedia. One place I can go and read all sides of the issue rather than allowing someone else to make choices and decisions on matters for me. In addition, there is so much unsubstantiated information out there - I don't even think people realize. At least at places such as this – objections can be aired and discussed.

I think it is great for whomever to start the topic and if there needs to be corrections - they can be accomplished. Rather than a closed session: forcing the views and perspective of one writer. Lel you have posted some great stuff so far Thanks for taking the initiative! Hopefully we can get others involved that have knowledge to share I haven’t even had a chance to get started, will be a bit….:)

Dmckay

25th February 2006, 02:49 PM

CaDan

25th February 2006, 02:53 PM

CaDan, I have a question for you. You said PM you to join the team. Before the upgrade it was possible to click on a member's anme and bring up their profile and PM them. Now, you have to click on their CF Character to accomplish this. If, like you, an individual doesn't have a Character, how can you PM them?

Clicking on my name should bring up a menu that includes the option to send a private message. If it doesn't, that's a strange bug you will have to take up with Erwin.