Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

Recently britishexpats added a Wiki section to this site. I've added some stuff and a couple of others have added a little, but compared to say the US section of the Wiki we're pretty poor at filling the thing.

If you've ever used Wikipedia to look up something then you'll reckognise the style. Basically anyone and everyone can add content (factual information, not jokes or blogs etc) to create a definitive source of information on Australia for potential immigrants as well as expats already here.

Add a little bit of info about your part of Aus. If everyone contributes a small part it'll soon grow into something useful, and whenever someone comes asking for information in the forums, the Wiki should be good enough to be the one and only link needed to answer most questions.

Have a go !

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

only takes one person to start the ball rolling...but the frame works been set out now, so it's a lot easier for people...getting that US and ME section rolling was a major pain in the bum, but it's getting into shape nicely...plenty out here, shouldn't be hard to fill Oz up either :)

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

I added an article counter to the front wiki page earlier and it was at 99. It's now at 100, so it's working. :p

I'm also thinking of adding headers to each forum that will contain links to wiki articles specific to that forum. All those out of date those sticky threads can go and everyone can help keep it all up to date via the wiki.

It might also encourage people to explore the wiki and maybe contribute in other areas.

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

I think that was me though. :o

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

That'll be a cool idea :)

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

In the meantime I'll superglue this to the top of the Aus forum :D

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

I think a lot more people would use it if it was accessible at the top of the forum where the links to immigration/barbie/meetups/updates are.

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

well it is up top, the very top..and it's for the whole site ain't it...so that's just a bit lazy if people can't be bothered...

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

But wasn't that the point of the OP? People aren't bothering to contribute: I just felt that if the link to the Wiki was in with the barbie/immigration etc. links then more people may look there. Just my opinion.

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

That's only applicable to the Australian section. There's a whole site outside that forum.

Besides, people never read the announcements when they're at the top of the forum in big red bold text. What makes you think they'd read the Wiki links. ;)

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

i'm just an optimist at heart.

what makes you so positive they wouldn't?

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

no one reads the announcements, no one reads the faq's, no one reads site rules....

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

If you want an answer to the thread title - I don't know about others but my feeling was that contributing would be perceived (rightly or wrongly) as 'he thinks he's an expert' (tall poppy syndrome) and not having done it before it looked like there was a bit of stuff to wade through to find out how to do it so I haven't bothered. There is also a Search facility on the site anyway and what guarantee is there of the accuracy and quality of information (like any Wiki)? Can entries be hacked into and changed by others for malicious or puerile reasons? Some thoughts FWIW, address them and I might contribute!:D

OzTennis :)

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

true...but unless you say you posted something on the wiki, no one will know unless they look at the history...and you've got to be a member to post in it and all that.

As for how to do it, it ain't hard, just write stuff and it's there, once it's there, anyone can edit it to make it look nice...if no one can be bothered, then everyone looses out.

Plus people don't do a search through the forums, but if the info is in a central section, you can just point them to the wiki.

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

You have the same guarantee of accuracy as you do with forum posts.

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

HI

I look at BE almost every day, and have been a member for a few years. I am in IT as a trade.

1. I only realised that BE had a Wiki today.
2. Even within IT only a certain number of people know what a Wiki actually is - even though the existence of Wikipedia might suggest otherwise.

So I guess there might need to be a bit more publicity and hand-holding.

Neil

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

Well, I've had a go at starting adding meat to the Melbourne page.

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

Good-on-ya. :D

This won't help...

Unfortunately one of the moderators, Sue, started removing some links I'd added to some articles without explanation :mad:
Moderators, please state why in the change logs content is unsuitable. I added what I thought were reasonable links to other sites offering relevant content that can't be duplicated in this Wiki, e.g. links to Aus flora and fauna on Flickr. They were removed without explanation. :frown:

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

Take it up via PM as per the forum rules. But as you've already posted...

Then it's seems pretty obvious why it was removed. There's no point creating a page containing nothing but links. We have a links section for links.

The wiki would be full of spam in no time if we start adding pages for the sole purpose linking to other sites.

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

I did fire off a pm before writing about it here though. I wasn't asking why it was removed here, just pointing out that it's happening.

If moderators (or anyone else) remove content without explanation in the logs then it'll piss people off in no time. Pissing contributors off isn't helpful when we're discussing how to get more contributors.

My intention was to start a page that could be expanded later - Aus wildlife is something that comes up in the forums a fair bit. Having links there to photos seemed reasonable to me. As has been stated earlier, you sometimes just need to get the ball rolling to inspire others to join in.

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

No real need to post here then.

Noted, but easier said than done. In an ideal world where people took some time to stop and thought before posting, then it wouldn't be a problem. The moderators do not have time to explain every action. Especially when common sense should easily explain why the action was taken.

A page with just links is not the way to do it. If you really feel it's necessary to create a placeholder page, then take some time to add a paragraph to start people off. Just adding links will be seen as spam and removed.

Your contributions are appreciated, but without some control, the wiki will be end up being a complete mess.

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

now I know. Before, I didn't.

I did add a paragraph to the wildlife article, and it's still there, just the links got removed.

I still think it'd be a good investment of your admin time to add short explanations of deletions, considering most people are unfamiliar with wikis and we've yet to learn how you want this one to evolve.

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

You don't mean this one do you?this one? There's ony one sentence. The bottom line is, whenever a small amount of content is accompanied with links, it may be seen as spam. There are only three ways to handle links.

1. Allow then all
2. Disallow them all
3. Allow them when they compliment and accompany a complete article.

I doubt anyone will disagree that number 3 is the best option.

A full set of wiki guidelines will be posted soon that should remove any confusion.

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

I see your point, but there are grey areas that you seem to want to make black and white...

I also added this article:
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Transport_in_Australia

No content, just links. It hasn't been removed (yet :-)

Now, I'd argue it shouldn't be removed because it's useful, maybe the moderators thought so too, or maybe you'll remove it now you've seen it.

I think there's room for link pages in your Wiki, they just need to be useful to the end user.

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

No, I'm not. That's why links are not blocked completely... although if this keeps up we may have to. A wiki is not a links directory. There's one of those here.
You might argue that it shouldn't it be removed, and so would all the spammers in the world. If you want to post links, use the links directory. If you want a discussion, post in the forum. If you want to submit an article that will remain intact, submit it to the article section. If you want to create a collaborative article, use the wiki. It's not rocket science.

Once again... wiki pages that are created solely as links repositories will be seen as spam and removed. That will not change.

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

Incidentally, have a look at the thread title - why are'nt you using the Wiki?:D

OzTennis :)

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

Over complicating things

Theres a wiki section is there? And subforums and professional forums galore. I think the way to go is a selective culling.

Give each sub forum a few months. If they've got less than a couple of 1000 posts, take them out the back and humanely shoot them.

Same goes for the wiki.

JTL

Re: Why are'nt you using the Wiki ?
 

Can we do the same with some of the posters? :rofl: :rofl: