We should have a wiki. - Laser Pointer Forums

pseudolobster · 02-17-2010, 06:04 AM

Recently I've been thinking about our FAQ section and how limited it is. A recent post reminded me how many new members are asking the same questions over and over and they are being told to search for their information. Fair enough, they really should be doing their own research, but we've never had a really good single point of beginner's information organized in a concise way that we can point them to.

I used to point them to Chad's FAQ, but it's out of date, poorly formatted, and a lot to digest for someone looking for the answer to a frequently asked simple question. We keep adding stickies, which do help, but they're disjointed, incomplete, infrequently updated, and often abandoned altogether.

In the old days, it used to be you'd point them to Sam's FAQ, but in those days, the only people interested in lasers were the kind of people who don't mind sorting through a poorly indexed and incredibly outdated tome of unedited usenet posts. A lot of the people who come to this site today don't have the attention span to read more than one page back before posting a new thread, so pointing them to a labyrinthine maze of outdated links just makes them continue to post stupid questions.

I propose we should add a wiki to the site where we could post FAQ's and guides, which would be constantly archived in one place, and community edited to prevent mistakes and to add relevant information as technology progresses.

What do you think?

photonaholic · 02-17-2010, 06:35 AM

I think we discussed that very idea just 2 weeks ago.

MFO just wrote a very in depth article for just that purpose, I link it every time, as does Dave.

Nothing personal, so please don't take it as if it is.

Flaminpyro · 02-17-2010, 06:40 AM

I think this is a wonderfull idea

anything that would help the helpless would be very good idea, and besides Jerry needs a break hehehe...

daguin · 02-17-2010, 06:44 AM

Just one question,

If they won't read a sticky, what makes you think they will read a Wiki?

Peace,
dave

photonaholic · 02-17-2010, 06:48 AM

I recently registered and put online Laser Pointer Forums Information

When I finish it, all the help needed will be in one tidy location, just like a wiki, but no one can sabotage the information, or make edits just because they disagree.

I welcome any and all members to send me a PM with your ideas, so it can be a one stop portal for the most commonly asked questions.

As long as I am a member of this group, the site will remain active and at your disposal.

If in the event I should no loger be available, I will transfer ownership to c0ld or anyone else who wishes to pay the bills and carry the torch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by daguin

Just one question,

If they won't read a sticky, what makes you think they will read a Wiki?

Peace,
dave

Excellent point Dave.

And why does this discussion require more than one thread??

robjdixon · 02-17-2010, 01:19 PM

We do have a wiki:
Clicky

not especially informative though

daguin · 02-17-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robjdixon

We do have a wiki:
Clicky

not especially informative though

That's because WE don't even read it. I haven't updated my article in a long time

Peace,
dave

02-17-2010, 06:04 AM	#1
pseudolobster Class 3R Laser Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 1,702 Rep Power: 120	We should have a wiki. Recently I've been thinking about our FAQ section and how limited it is. A recent post reminded me how many new members are asking the same questions over and over and they are being told to search for their information. Fair enough, they really should be doing their own research, but we've never had a really good single point of beginner's information organized in a concise way that we can point them to. I used to point them to Chad's FAQ, but it's out of date, poorly formatted, and a lot to digest for someone looking for the answer to a frequently asked simple question. We keep adding stickies, which do help, but they're disjointed, incomplete, infrequently updated, and often abandoned altogether. In the old days, it used to be you'd point them to Sam's FAQ, but in those days, the only people interested in lasers were the kind of people who don't mind sorting through a poorly indexed and incredibly outdated tome of unedited usenet posts. A lot of the people who come to this site today don't have the attention span to read more than one page back before posting a new thread, so pointing them to a labyrinthine maze of outdated links just makes them continue to post stupid questions. I propose we should add a wiki to the site where we could post FAQ's and guides, which would be constantly archived in one place, and community edited to prevent mistakes and to add relevant information as technology progresses. What do you think? __________________ Custom Text

02-17-2010, 06:35 AM	#2
photonaholic Class 3B Laser Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central New York State - Watkins Glen - planet Earth Posts: 2,758 Rep Power: 84	Re: We should have a wiki. I think we discussed that very idea just 2 weeks ago. MFO just wrote a very in depth article for just that purpose, I link it every time, as does Dave. Nothing personal, so please don't take it as if it is. __________________ Thanks for reading my post. Kind regards, Wayne ------------------------------------------------------------------ "Disclaimer: all posts made by me are based on my own opinion only, That opinion is subject to change without notice." Too much knowledge is dangerous, not enough is worse. Adapted from Einstein quote. ------------------------------------------------------------------ If you want to burn things, buy a lighter ------------------------------------------------------------------ My Pet Forums - for the animal fans Link Dances With Reptiles - If you like snakes Link

02-17-2010, 06:40 AM	#3
Flaminpyro Class 3R Laser Join Date: May 2009 Location: west central Oregon when I'm not in San Diego Posts: 1,835 Rep Power: 140	Re: We should have a wiki. I think this is a wonderfull idea anything that would help the helpless would be very good idea, and besides Jerry needs a break hehehe... __________________ Why burn up hydrocarbons with a lighter when you have 400mW+ of BLU-RAY White Fusion Time Machine 445 with more on the way CNI PGL-III-C-589 125mW Viasho 532nm 500mW TANK007Cu8X DFW 397mW CNI pen 532nm 84mW The Violet Pip Squeek 45mW _____________________________________ LaserBee I LPM LOOKING FOR A HOST WITH PERFECT HEAT SINKING order your TANK007 Cu kit today ! http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/fs...kit-43865.html

02-17-2010, 06:44 AM	#4
daguin Moderator Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sunny Southern California Posts: 11,589 Rep Power: 360	Re: We should have a wiki. Just one question, If they won't read a sticky, what makes you think they will read a Wiki? Peace, dave __________________ Niko only WISHES he could SPAM like me Did you get some benefit from reading this forum? If so, CLICK HERE to donate $2 to keep it going

02-17-2010, 01:19 PM	#6
robjdixon Class 3R Laser Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Norfolk, Uk Posts: 2,263 Rep Power: 124	Re: We should have a wiki. We do have a wiki: Clicky not especially informative though

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