New LaserPedia

Hey all,

I have been toying with the idea of putting together a site dedicated to accurate laser information and dissemination from a hobby perspective. What this site would entail is primarily articles about laser systems, operations, theory, and how-to using a CMS and definitions/encyclopedia using MediaWiki as the wiki.

I see this as a sort of technical resource for hobbyists. There would be sections on optical components and their uses, electrical circuits and diagrams, homebuilt designs, etc. Just about anything and everything that can be included in the hobby arena such as demedicalized lasers, hobby systems based on industrial lasers, of course pointers, etc.

This will not be a discussion forum. It will be a to the point, technical resource that I hope can be linked into and out of this site as well as others.

The best part is that, as a wiki, it will be able to accept your articles. I see, for example, information posted by Gooey Gus on argon systems as he seems to be the content expert on these lasers, etc. Homebuilt, how-to articles with photos and descriptions will be included. This site will be highly technical allowing users to fully understand why they are doing a procedure in a description, for example, rather than just being told to do it. I will provide a template for article submission.

Submitted articles are fully credited to the authors.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Although I already have a pretty good idea of how I want to see this thing happen I may not have looked at all possibilities and am open to suggestions.

Sounds like a great idea. RP-photonics has an awesome encyclopedia built into their site, but from what you describe I assume this one would be more like a wikipedia style site. We need sites like that so we have someplace to forward people who ask questions that have already been answered multiple times..

I really like this idea. It would be a good extension of Sam's Laser FAQ (which I read quite often). Hopefully, it will be more thorough and accurate than the Laser Wiki already online:
http://lasers.wikia.com/

Yes, I envision this to be much more robust. The wiki is only a portion of the site. I too read Sam's and the man is a god in my eye's but my goal is to bring together multiple technical resources under one roof.

and what about just contributing on the laser wikia wich is alredy created?

...I envision this to be much more robust. The wiki is only a portion of the site.

This isn't just a wiki, that's why.

I love the idea as I am one of those that will benefit greatly from it. I love this forum, but as a beginner, I am overwhelmed with the info here. When I need info, I know I've read it before, but sometimes have a hard time going back and finding it. :-[

KUDOS

Ok, I have a URL and a site under construction. I think you guys will like it. Since the science of lasers is a pretty heavy topic, the site itself will be light and fluffy with a very unusual twist (due primarily to me being twisted). If you are a content expert and would like to submit articles start thinking about it now. I am keeping the site under wraps for a bit until I have the look and feel all fleshed out.

sounds like a cool idea, if you need a host just pm me. ill host you free of charge, i just bought a plan thats unlimited everything (space, bandwidth, domains, etc.). i'll even install the wiki or whatever for you if you want.

I have been building the format of the site and it's up and running. There is no content at the moment just test articles but it is coming together in stages. Now comes the time to request links. If YOU own a commercial site (you sell lasers) or a discussion or hobby site and you want it linked from the new site please send me a PM with:

1. Official Site Name
2. URL
3. A short description of the site or major product offering

You can view the site here: http://deviantphoton.com

Commercial sites can also send me a 468 x 60 banner to be included in the banner advertising slot of the site. The banner must be subdued in color and fit with the theme colors of the site. This means no bright colors. Black, gray, white and light pastels or colors that have been desaturated will be required. You are welcome to create a banner that totally fits with the dominatrix/Gothic nature of the site if you so desire.

We would like a link back if you don't mind.

If you don't own the site don't send me a link. We'll take care of other people's sites later.

Keep in mind the site still contains much Lorem Ipsum and the navigation is currently not set in stone. You cannot currently register as a user. That will be turned on soon enough. The overall theme and general layout is complete however.

Looks great, FrothyChimp, except for the fact that it's going to be rather hard to browse it in class with the dominatrix at the top.

Yeah, because of that, those images are the extent of it. You shouldn't be surfing in class anyway.

FrothyChimp said:

You shouldn't be surfing in class anyway.

Click to expand...

This coming from the guy who said:

I've been out of university many, many moons but I can still see some smoke on the horizon from the carnage I left there.

Click to expand...

I would also agree, the uh questionable nature of your site will keep me from clicking the like again (and certainly doesn't help the laser community looking like normal people ). If you want it to become 'the laser source' I would recommend making more professional. I am all for a site that combines sams faq the laser wiki and everything into one place (preferably one that is organized better than the loosely categorized mile long html pages that sams faq has), but I personally would recommend picking a laser source that is already out there and contributing to it. Also, if you want to include sams faq stuff, I would make sure to send him and e-mail before you start copy pasting his site over to yours.

good luck!

You can now register at the site. If you want to publish articles, links, or definitions request authorship rights after you register your account. You can publish about anything concerning the laser hobby. The more technical, the better. Remember you are creating a technical repository for hobby information. If the navigation does not exist for the type of information you are submitting we'll create it.