Encouraging Semantic Mediawiki use with non technical people

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[edit]

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

Why non technical people

  • Under-served and under-represented
  • Helps understand many issues of usability
  • Create a more comprehensive Web with more voices, organized semantically
  • They are the domain experts in their field.

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