Restructuring the Wiki (aka Spring Cleaning)

Gentlemen,

I just spent a few moments to re-consider the overall structure of the Wiki. I think it could do with a bit of restructuring. So I fired up my trusty old mind mapping program, and below is the result. I would appreciate your comments and suggestions. By the way, there should be a dotted line from the Beginners:Shaving part to the Shaving:Shaving one.
http://tohserver.com/%7Erobin/SRP/Mi...srpwiki-mm.png


You can also download and edit the file, which is here. The program to edit it is called Freemind. It can be obtained from here: FreeMind - free mind mapping software. It's FOSS, and should work on any computer that runs Java.

I approve of this post

Nice project! :y Thanks!! And now some impressions:

1. I think that the Growing the Wiki sub-section and the Links section could be a sort of background to the Wiki, just tools in form of "buttons" or footnotes somewhere in the main page and not "real" pages of the Wiki.

2. I would give much more importance to the FAQ sub-section, transforming it in a very important/visible link in the main page; the FAQ section could be a way to visit the Wiki (a condensed form of the Wiki), starting from questions and finding short answers with links to the wiki articles for a full discussion of the subject.

Thanks!!

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Originally Posted by clavichord

1. I think that the Growing the Wiki sub-section and the Links section could be a sort of background to the Wiki, just tools in form of "buttons" or footnotes somewhere in the main page and not "real" pages of the Wiki.

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Not quite sure I can follow, but it sounds interesting. The links could go into the sidebar, no problem. The whole "how do I add/edit/photograph" section should stay, though, I think. I'm not happy with the Miscellanea idea, either.

Here's my take:

http://tohserver.com/%7Erobin/SRP/Mi...0524003232.png

Quote:

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Originally Posted by clavichord

2. I would give much more importance to the FAQ sub-section, transforming it in a very important/visible link in the main page; the FAQ section could be a way to visit the Wiki (a condensed form of the Wiki), starting from questions and finding short answers with links to the wiki articles for a full discussion of the subject.

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I have no problem at all making the FAQ a category and having a bunch of articles underneath. And since every SRP member can edit the Wiki (well, most parts of it...) - get cracking! :w

Make It So...

The forum category organization seems archaic by comparison

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Originally Posted by hoglahoo

The forum category organization seems archaic by comparison

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Maybe just a little.

Since we don't have extended image manipulation features, here's a full screenshot of the beginning of a few small changes to the Wiki layout and structure. More to come.

http://tohserver.com/%7Erobin/SRP/Mi...iki-new-tn.png

3. What about using a picture for the Reparing and Restoring section too? a b/w photo and, as for the other sections, the main links (Blade restoration, Scale Making, Scale Repair). I suggest the sub-links deleted from the main page. This will integrate the Reparing/restoring section (that now seems a very different part) with the other sections above.

4. The Getting Started is probably in the wrong place since it's in a quite "dead zone" (up-right). Beginners should find this link in a very easy and fast way, otherwise they will make all the time the same questions. The most important area, when a person is reading a page, is the top-left corner. The big picture that now is in the top-left corner doesn't need so much emphasis and could be moved to the right side of the page.

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Originally Posted by clavichord

3. What about using a picture for the Reparing and Restoring section too? a b/w photo and, as for the other sections, the main links (Blade restoration, Scale Making, Scale Repair). I suggest the sub-links deleted from the main page. This will integrate the Reparing/restoring section (that now seems a very different part) with the other sections above.

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I'll make that a 2x2 table instead.

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Originally Posted by clavichord

4. The Getting Started is probably in the wrong place since it's in a quite "dead zone" (up-right). Beginners should find this link in a very easy and fast way, otherwise they will make all the time the same questions. The most important area, when a person is reading a page, is the top-left corner. The big picture that now is in the top-left corner doesn't need so much emphasis and could be moved to the right side of the page.

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Well, then do it. It's a bloody Wiki, you know? You edit, everyone improves. Except, as I just remembered, on the main page. Use the sandbox :)

Working on it now...

http://tohserver.com/%7Erobin/SRP/Mi...-new-01-tn.png

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Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Well, then do it.

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Well, I was working on the changes, before you edited your breakfast+wife post. I couldn't save since you are editing too. Also, "no changes to the main page", right? So wht's the sense of "then do it"? ..

EDIT: However I like a lot the last changes to the page. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by clavichord

Well, I was working on the changes, before you edited your breakfast+wife post. I couldn't save since you are editing too. Also, "no changes to the main page", right? So wht's the sense of "then do it"? ..

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As I said, use the Sandbox, as the front page is one of the few pages that are actually locked. :o

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Originally Posted by clavichord

EDIT: However I like a lot the last changes to the page. Thanks.

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Thank you. Still wondering what to do with the rest of the material we have, and how to structure the rest better... :hmmm:

More ideas [is it better if I edit the sandbox to present them? :thinking:]

About Related reading:

5. Bibliography on Straights, Shaving and Razor-related History and Traveling With a Straight Razor could be moved to Shaving Equipment (easier to find them if I'm looking in the Wiki for some info)
6. SRP axioms of shaving could be moved to Shaving with a straight razor
7. Glossaries could be included as a link in Getting Started.
8. Straight Razor Links could be included in Other [SRP] Resources.

About Important Safety Tips:

9. Safety tips moved to Repairing and Restoring;
10. Sterilization moved to Shaving
11. Toxic woods moved to Restoring
12. Razor Acquisition Disorder moved to Help Files (Miscellanea) :D

EDIT: About Miscellanea:

13. Whant to help moved to About this Wiki as a "short link" (I'd look there if I whant to understand how to contribute to the Wiki);

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Originally Posted by clavichord

More ideas [is it better if I edit the sandbox to present them? :thinking:]

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No, it would be best if you came to the chat. http://straightrazorpalace.com/index.php?pageid=chat

Because I've implemented more changes, some of which supersede yours... ;)

Nice experience my first time in the SRP chat! Thanks BeBerlin!

Is it possible to keep the window showing the latest razors added to the database? That's a very convenient feature. Thanks.

Regards - Walt

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Originally Posted by clavichord

Thanks, BeBerlin!

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I'd like to return the compliment. Just for the record, clavichord has been a tremendous help in editing the Wiki to its current status (click to enlarge):
http://tohserver.com/~robin/SRP/00_W...crot-thumb.png
Comments and suggestions for improvement are always welcome.

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Originally Posted by Walt

Is it possible to keep the window showing the latest razors added to the database? That's a very convenient feature.

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I'm thinking about an additional row (actually, it's a table...) with "featured article" and "featured razor". The latter will be pulled from the SRDB including picture.

In the meantime, we'll put the latest razor in a sidebar, if we can. Here's the interim result: Sandbox - Straight Razor Place Wiki

I really like it!

But I'm a little bummed that it looks awful at 1024x768
I guess that is a cross I will have to bear at any rate :(

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Originally Posted by BeBerlin

I'm thinking about an additional row (actually, it's a table...) with "featured article" and "featured razor". The latter will be pulled from the SRDB including picture.

In the meantime, we'll put the latest razor in a sidebar, if we can. Here's the interim result: Sandbox - Straight Razor Place Wiki

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The featured razor would would be great, but I like to look at the newest additions to the databank and that little window is very helpful.

Regards - Walt

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Originally Posted by Walt

The featured razor would would be great, but I like to look at the newest additions to the databank and that little window is very helpful.

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Well, here's a little something while we fix the front page... ;)

Excellent Work.

The new look of the wiki is great, btw! :rock:

I missed this thread and went to the Wiki last night and was shocked to see the unfamiliar layout. The first thing that came to mind was that I can't leave BeBerlin alone for five minutes without his changing the Wiki. :gaah:

I got over it and perused the new intro and it is very nice. It occurred to me that while someone probably would have worked on it if Robin had not the SRP Wiki wouldn't be the great resource that it is without the industriousness of BeBerlin.

Newbie request,

It could be that it is already on the wiki, and I can't find it, but one thing that might be helpful to me, would be a page dedicated to the specific information on manufacturers of razors.

Example:

Name: Miscellaneous Straight Razor Co.
Date of operation: 1857-1858
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Other info: Also made razors under the name "Misc. Razor Co. & Son." Taken over in 1858 by Crazy Sharp Razor Co.
See Razors: (Link to all razors made by this mfg. in the database)

Can be added to as people find info on specific manufacturers. Also, for all razors by said mfg. that are added to the database, maybe a link can be provided to direct the viewer to the mfg. info page.

PS: here is a link that has been helpful for me, but it's copywrittten, so I don't know if the info can be used without permission. Straight Razor Manufacturers and Dates of Operation

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Originally Posted by gentlemanly

It could be that it is already on the wiki, and I can't find it...
...Also, for all razors by said mfg. that are added to the database, maybe a link can be provided to direct the viewer to the mfg. info page.

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Every razor in the database currently includes near the top of the page next to the Manufacturer field either a red or a blue link to a mfr info page just as you described in your post

Some of those pages have already been created (linked to in blue) and some have not yet been (linked to in red)

Feel free to start helping fill them up :)

I stand corrected, thanks for pointing me in the right direction. It seems that the wiki really does have everything that I need to survive in the world of razors. Excellent job guys, the new layout is sweet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gentlemanly

I stand corrected, thanks for pointing me in the right direction. It seems that the wiki really does have everything that I need to survive in the world of razors. Excellent job guys, the new layout is sweet.

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Thank you for your kind words. Kudos to clavichord for the idea with the graphics, and to hoglahoo for his persistence with respect to keeping it all well aligned.

Any road, the Wiki needs your support. If your manufacturer of choice is still a red link, feel free to amend and enhance.

Regards,
Robin

i got to be honest guys.
the wiki is pretty useless.
i know its not a paid service and doesnt have round the clock tech support...

but i find that even when im searching for articles ive been too before, there not where they were, and searches return irrelevant results.
about the only way i can ever find what i want is just type in ultra-generic searches like "razor" or "shave" and scroll through dozens of posts...
its easier to browse the forum for links to stuff in the wiki
*sorry not trying to be whiney. just frustrated:) ignore me

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Originally Posted by The0ctopus

ignore me

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Consider it done.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The0ctopus

i got to be honest guys.
the wiki is pretty useless.

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I guess one invertebrate's junk is a bunch of forum members' treasure!

Although it isn't perfect, it isn't useless, and we are always looking to improve the wiki

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The0ctopus

i got to be honest guys.
the wiki is pretty useless.
i know its not a paid service and doesnt have round the clock tech support...

but i find that even when im searching for articles ive been too before, there not where they were, and searches return irrelevant results.
about the only way i can ever find what i want is just type in ultra-generic searches like "razor" or "shave" and scroll through dozens of posts...
its easier to browse the forum for links to stuff in the wiki
*sorry not trying to be whiney. just frustrated:) ignore me

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Well. The Wiki is a community effort.

You are free to fix issues that your find and/or make suggestions for improvement.

Will you give some examples of problems you have had?

We can then try to find solutions.

If one person is having a problem, there are problem others having the same problem.

Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The0ctopus

i got to be honest guys.
the wiki is pretty useless.
i know its not a paid service and doesnt have round the clock tech support...

but i find that even when im searching for articles ive been too before, there not where they were, and searches return irrelevant results.
about the only way i can ever find what i want is just type in ultra-generic searches like "razor" or "shave" and scroll through dozens of posts...
its easier to browse the forum for links to stuff in the wiki
*sorry not trying to be whiney. just frustrated:) ignore me

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Undertakingyou and beberlin combined forces to add "Wiki Search Powered by Google!"

The most powerful search in the world. I have asked dwessel to delete all posts older than one week to encourage wiki use.*

*not really