Wiki Patterns

Patterns for successful wiki use

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contributorforhire [2018/11/14 21:14] – external edit 127.0.0.1contributorforhire [2018/11/28 13:47] (current) – Struct data changed splitbrain
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-===== ContributorForHire =====+====== ContributorForHire ======
  
 If this antipattern occurs, that might make an organization wiki-resistant for a long time afterwards. If this antipattern occurs, that might make an organization wiki-resistant for a long time afterwards.
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 Someone resource-rich enough or high enough in the organization gets displeased or impatient with the wiki developing "too slow" or in the "wrong" direction. So as a seemingly quick and painless solution one or more wiki users start getting paid specifically for creating, collecting or editing wiki content (or new people are recruited to handle these tasks). Right after the infusion of resources the wiki develops fine. In the long run, though, this means an almost certain death of that wiki as soon as the funding runs out - after all, why should anyone else work on the wiki, if it's those guys' paying job to do it, not ours... Someone resource-rich enough or high enough in the organization gets displeased or impatient with the wiki developing "too slow" or in the "wrong" direction. So as a seemingly quick and painless solution one or more wiki users start getting paid specifically for creating, collecting or editing wiki content (or new people are recruited to handle these tasks). Right after the infusion of resources the wiki develops fine. In the long run, though, this means an almost certain death of that wiki as soon as the funding runs out - after all, why should anyone else work on the wiki, if it's those guys' paying job to do it, not ours...
  
-==== How do I recognize it? ====+===== How do I recognize it? =====
  
 Beforehand: You hear about this bright idea to start paying for wiki work. Beforehand: You hear about this bright idea to start paying for wiki work.
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 After-the-fact: Only or almost only those who get paid to do wiki work are active on the wiki. There is a general disinterest towards the wiki outside their group. After-the-fact: Only or almost only those who get paid to do wiki work are active on the wiki. There is a general disinterest towards the wiki outside their group.
  
-==== How do I prevent it? ====+===== How do I prevent it? =====
  
 If you hear about it beforehand and act fast, diplomatically and decisively enough, you may be able to prevent this from happening. Do your best to make the wiki attractive in itself: with interesting content, by minimizing demotivators, through some barnraising... And show this antipattern immediately, in private, preferably face-to-face, to everyone who suggests that people should be paid (extra) for wiki work. If necessary, speak against the idea also publicly, though preferably after you have talked with the suggester(s) privately. If you hear about it beforehand and act fast, diplomatically and decisively enough, you may be able to prevent this from happening. Do your best to make the wiki attractive in itself: with interesting content, by minimizing demotivators, through some barnraising... And show this antipattern immediately, in private, preferably face-to-face, to everyone who suggests that people should be paid (extra) for wiki work. If necessary, speak against the idea also publicly, though preferably after you have talked with the suggester(s) privately.
  
-==== How do I fix it? ====+===== How do I fix it? =====
  
 If you don't recognize it before it happens, it may be too late to save that particular wiki. If you don't recognize it before it happens, it may be too late to save that particular wiki.
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 Let people know that you're fairly certain you know what went wrong with the last one. You can acknowledge, publicly enough, that paying for wiki work was a bad idea to begin with and that paying for wiki work runs counter to real collaboration. Then promise that the next wiki will be volunteer-only (wiki work included in normal salary) and keep that promise. Let people know that you're fairly certain you know what went wrong with the last one. You can acknowledge, publicly enough, that paying for wiki work was a bad idea to begin with and that paying for wiki work runs counter to real collaboration. Then promise that the next wiki will be volunteer-only (wiki work included in normal salary) and keep that promise.
  
-==== Example ====+===== Example =====
  
-Would be needed here.+FIXME Would be needed here.
  
 ==== Related Patterns ==== ==== Related Patterns ====
  
-  * [[All+wiki+all+the+time|All wiki all the time]] - an anti-pattern in which someone pushes for the wiki to be used for everything, all the time. An effective wiki champion will avoid this by pushing the wiki the appropriate amount at the appropriate time, and properly pacing adoption. +  * [[All wiki all the time]] - an anti-pattern in which someone pushes for the wiki to be used for everything, all the time. An effective wiki champion will avoid this by pushing the wiki the appropriate amount at the appropriate time, and properly pacing adoption. 
-  * [[Bully|Bully]] - an over-enthusiastic wiki promoter who gets on people's nerves +  * [[Bully]] - an over-enthusiastic wiki promoter who gets on people's nerves 
-  * [[WikiGnome|WikiGnome]] - also known as WikiGardener, a person who keeps the wiki running smoothly by fixing broken links, typos, and improving the overall flow and quality of content. Champions and WikiGnomes are critical to the success and quality of the wiki. +  * [[WikiGnome]] - also known as WikiGardener, a person who keeps the wiki running smoothly by fixing broken links, typos, and improving the overall flow and quality of content. Champions and WikiGnomes are critical to the success and quality of the wiki. 
-  * [[WikiTroll|WikiTroll]] - someone who tries to disrupt the wiki by posting inflammatory comments and distracting people from the talk at hand. A champion will swiftly deal with the disruptions of a WikiTroll to keep the wiki running smoothly, and try to help the WikiTroll become a more productive community member. +  * [[WikiTroll]] - someone who tries to disrupt the wiki by posting inflammatory comments and distracting people from the talk at hand. A champion will swiftly deal with the disruptions of a WikiTroll to keep the wiki running smoothly, and try to help the WikiTroll become a more productive community member.
- +
  
  
 ---- struct data ---- ---- struct data ----
 +classification.type  : Anti-Pattern
 +classification.focus : People
 ---- ----
  
contributorforhire.txt · Last modified: 2018/11/28 13:47 by splitbrain