Support |
Kim and The List, My adventure into a .php-based Yahoo-like interface to index audio, cd reviews, and user profiles has run into some snags. :) Namely, there's nothing out there that's free, has the features we need, and runs on the platform that the LD site supports, that isn't going to require some significant surgery to deliver the ideas we've discussed. At least I didn't think so. Until I took a closer look at Bernhard's post, and his demo Kwiki site. http://www.xmlizer.biz/cgi-bin/LoopersDelightReviews/kwiki.cgi Kim - I don't know what you'll think about this idea, and that's key, because LD is *yours*, and I don't want to insinuate anything different. However, I am going to go ahead and post this idea to the list to see if there's any interest in it. I'm sure you'll post your thoughts as well :) that will guide us to the right decision. ====== Dude - this Wiki thing is awesome. When I got frustrated with php this morning, and diverted my attention to Bernhard's demo Wiki setup, I found an interface that could *really* step our "virtual community" up a notch in terms of communication, archiving, helping each other and informing others. As Bernhard has demonstrated in the last couple of days, each person with an interest to do so, can take the things they've gleaned from the list, and *easily* post them in appropriate areas of the Wiki site. Yeah, I know - very Open Source Project, etc. But much simpler and straight to the point, flexible, and customizable. So in the last hour or so, I've: - Reorganized the start that Berhard made to the site :) Now, this is an interesting point: I did this for my own brain, and because I knew that it would be ok in these early stages. But, I also wanted to demonstrate something about Wikis: they are totally open. If I wanted to move a link, drop a link, destroy the data on a page, etc., I could. There are ways to continually backup this data, and Bernhard may have them turned on, but that's still a risk. - Organized the LoopingArtistsoftheWorld section to sorta integrate with the *current* profile system. See my comments below about how this might be the best way to "update" the system. - Exported a 10/20/03 version of the profiles database to a table on a page, so that you can text search for anything across all of the data. Kinda clunky, yes. But gets the job done nicely. Note that this data is old, and doesn't include the "Comments" data from the profiles. - Using that table, started building a TexasLoopers page - Setup a looping audio page, where people can post links to music, and describe it in a way that we've discussed. Bernhard had already setup the "Reviews" section, and it's a great start. Easily modified and added to, as people decide it should be so. Allowing LD list members to organize their own views into the profile system (or any other archive at LD, for that matter) seems like it might be a smarter way to "upgrade" the system than a new piece of software. The big table helps the search process (Kim, send me the latest db, and I'll update), and people can use it to build their own organized links. Like my attempt at a TexasLoopers page. So, yeah, now the controversies. :) Beyond the fact that it's wide open, I think a site like this would end up having a "spider" like quality, reaching it's little appendages deep into the various pages of LD - links to posts, links to the profiles, file library, tips/tricks, etc. It could also have various people's summaries of concepts they are interested in. All of this, organized by some sort of emergent, chaotic life force, as members of the list interact using their own simple motivations... ok sorry - got carried away. I think you can see that I consider this idea a *good thing*. What about everyone else? Have you looked at the site? http://www.xmlizer.biz/cgi-bin/LoopersDelightReviews/kwiki.cgi Would you use it the way I described? Even occasionally? Could you see it building something useful, in combination with the LD site... or do you think it would end up being a waste of time? I'm with Bernhard - let's discuss! Or better yet, just start a page or two? http://www.xmlizer.biz/cgi-bin/LoopersDelightReviews/kwiki.cgi Dig