Encouraging Semantic Mediawiki use with non technical people: Difference between revisions

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= Overview =
 
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Prepared for http://semantic-mediawiki.org/wiki/Spring_2010_SMWCon
 
== Who is a non-technical person ==
 
* Their focus is not technology, but they can contribute
* Never learned programming concepts
* Didn't realize Wikipedia can be edited
* Maybe used a web content management system, blog, Facebook
* Busy with their own concerns
 
== Types and motivations of participants==
 
* Traditional '''executive''' — "everyone else is doing it," inexpensive solution
** ideally they will participate but getting them to can be difficult
** may be more cautious about full commitment - license, security, who can access and edit
* '''Creative group''' or '''individual''' — may be inspired but needs constant guidance
* '''Worker bee''' — tasked to use the wiki
** may be less receptive to wiki ideals, make it straightforward
* '''Outside contributors''' - often a stated goal of projects, have their own objectives
** flexible to meet random demands
** fair re-use terms
 
<br class="cleared" />
 
= Goals =
 
== What do they want ==
 
# to solve their problem, often a "one of those" web site with some special requirements
# something that looks good - '''design is still paramount'''
# to learn about the participatory web
# to have more control over their own site but keep things simple
## usually they don't want to 'innovate,' just do what everyone else is doing
# to work with someone they trust
# don't really seem concerned about "silo" and re-use aspects
 
== What do I want ==
 
# avoid per client custom code, fit things into the developing picture
# '''promote digital literacy ­— filling out forms isn't it, stop treating computers as a typewriter'''
## reference-able statements, reusable data under fair terms of re-use
# get people to consider issues of site design and how to organize information without overburdening
# '''promote transparency and co-development'''
## help flatten organizations and their external relationships
## don't be fearful and build hidden compromises, open it up
# grow my own skills based on relevant requirements
 
= Success=
 
In order:
 
# Useful one-off resource with lots of development input from stakeholders, possible to build on in future
# contributions by many types of people
# basic editing using forms
# wiki markup, categories
# sharing knowledge, creating more converts
# Creating templates/queries/classes
# understanding of good class design, distributed data, licensing
# reuse ontologies and web-based content
# distributed applications, creating standards
 
= Failure =
 
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* Commitment vs follow through
** Constant attention, guidance
* Tangly mess
** Better use of SMW features, more forms, patience for gardening
* Misunderstood requirements, not really listening to what they want
** Learning experience
 
= How =
 
Lots and lots of guiding
 
Inspire - self empowerment, learning culture, creating, leading, "coolness" (graphs), "where the web is going," open source and transparency, participatory web
 
Reassure - built on Mediawiki, always exportable
 
Threaten - others are doing it, loss of leadership
 
Blow past increasing complexity of security to simpler wiki model (all private or all public)
 
Really enforce importance of discussion tab, history, diff, learning from others ('''view source''').. site evolution as an interest
 
Appoint leads based on interests, give them responsibilities
 
Peer helpers — spread the virus
 
Translators for those who can't directly contribute
 
Profiles of uses
 
Magic — Exhibit example of copying filtered data and pasting to spreadsheet
 
The importance of design
* promote the cues of Wikipedia but provide something original
 
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= SMW vs Wordpress =
 
Compare Wordpress vs SMW — "Raskin vs Englebart," specialized appliance model vs learning to use a computer
 
http://www.retrofacto.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/wordpress.jpg
 
* '''Wordpress''' is task driven software. Forms for every day tasks. SMW is building blocks, play-doh. Helpful to map MW, SMW, extensions but it still won't be the same.
 
Every day tasks —
* Everything oriented towards content management around blogging
* SEO, user management
* "Delete" content, one click
* SMW site will need a UI (immediate functions) inside a UI (MW)
* Learning curve is constant on wordpress, gets steep fast using SMW
 
= Summary=
 
* Some successes with non technical users, usually individuals within orgs
* Patience, constant guidance, listening to requirements are most important
* Build up big expectations but focus on immediate goals
* Some SMW facilities such as task oriented guides would help a lot
** Slick rich page editors - links and annotations - would help a lot
** 'Class' editors work with existing elements
** Visual form editor
* People like visualizations and they can help with shaping and debugging data
* Always focus on their goals rather than ideals, but try to explain the vision, the two should come together
* Use lots of meaningful examples
** Placeography, DiscourseDB
** Good distributed examples would help too
 
== Questions ==
 
* What are the best extensions to make the site easy to use?
** Do people use the rich text editor?
* Is SMW a good "universal platform?"
 
<headertabs />

Revision as of 02:49, 21 May 2010

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