CZ:Group Editing: Difference between revisions

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imported>Tom Kelly
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imported>Larry Sanger
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We're a collaborative project.  We don't assign articles.  We don't sign articles.  Instead, we have fun working together on community-built [[CZ:Article Mechanics|introductory narratives]].
Some new users are frustrated by the concept of group editing.  They arrive, develop an article in their sand box, thinking it is equivalent to a rough draft of a paper.  They then move the draft from the userspace to the main article location and suddenly, people from all over start changing it left and right, often "without even consulting the primary author!"  "They didn't even consult me on the talk page before making changes!"   
Some new users are frustrated by the concept of group editing.  They arrive, develop an article in their sand box, thinking it is equivalent to a rough draft of a paper.  They then move the draft from the userspace to the main article location and suddenly, people from all over start changing it left and right, often "without even consulting the primary author!"  "They didn't even consult me on the talk page before making changes!"   


If this is your reaction, prepare to have your world rocked.  Wiki editing is completely different than the Rough Draft - Final Copy format that most of us have grown used to starting in Elementary School and continuing through Post-Graduate programs and beyond.  Many of us have grown used to people submitting their ideas to the author, letting the author brew the ideas for a while, then the author decides what edits s/he likes or dislikes and makes the appropriate changes.
If this is your reaction, prepare to have your world rocked.  Wiki editing is completely different from the "Rough Draft/Final Draft" method of composition that most of us have grown used to in our schooling.  Many of us have grown used to people giving feedback to an author who is looking for help.  The author brews the ideas for a while, then decides what edits he or she likes, and makes the appropriate changes.
 
In wiki editing, once your article has been entered in the main article area, users from around the world are going to not only read it and make comments on the article, but also add to, change, or modify the article as well.  While it is nice to summarize your changes in the talk page or for drastic changes to developed articles it may be appropriate to discuss it on the talk page before making changes.  However, it ENCOURAGED that users "be bold" and make changes directly on articles!  See [[CZ:Be_Bold]] for more information on being bold.


This adjustment may be incredibly frustrating and we hope to alleviate some of the frustration by helping you know what to expect before beginning your journey in to the wiki world.
Composition on a wiki is different.  Once your article has been entered in the main article area, users from around the world ''can and should'' not only read it and make comments on the article, but also add to, change, or modify the article.  While it is nice to summarize your changes in the talk page or for drastic changes to developed articles it may be appropriate to discuss it on the talk page before making changes. However, we ''encourage'' users to "[[CZ:Be_Bold|be bold]]" and make changes directly to articles!


Please see [[CZ:Home]] for more information on various introductory or help topics to help you along the way.
This adjustment may be frustrating, but in time we believe that you will know what to expect, and you will look forward to working with other knowledgeable individuals, and good writers, on articles for which many people take responsibility.


Please see the [[CZ:Getting_Started]] articles and / or navigational template below for more information on getting started.
==See also==
* [[CZ:How to collaborate|How to collaborate]] for a longer discussion about the topic above.
* [[CZ:Home]] for more information on various introductory or help topics to help you along the way.
* [[CZ:Getting Started|Getting Started]] for more information on getting started.


{{Getting Started}}
{{Getting Started}}

Revision as of 10:43, 22 June 2008

We're a collaborative project. We don't assign articles. We don't sign articles. Instead, we have fun working together on community-built introductory narratives.

Some new users are frustrated by the concept of group editing. They arrive, develop an article in their sand box, thinking it is equivalent to a rough draft of a paper. They then move the draft from the userspace to the main article location and suddenly, people from all over start changing it left and right, often "without even consulting the primary author!" "They didn't even consult me on the talk page before making changes!"

If this is your reaction, prepare to have your world rocked. Wiki editing is completely different from the "Rough Draft/Final Draft" method of composition that most of us have grown used to in our schooling. Many of us have grown used to people giving feedback to an author who is looking for help. The author brews the ideas for a while, then decides what edits he or she likes, and makes the appropriate changes.

Composition on a wiki is different. Once your article has been entered in the main article area, users from around the world can and should not only read it and make comments on the article, but also add to, change, or modify the article. While it is nice to summarize your changes in the talk page or for drastic changes to developed articles it may be appropriate to discuss it on the talk page before making changes. However, we encourage users to "be bold" and make changes directly to articles!

This adjustment may be frustrating, but in time we believe that you will know what to expect, and you will look forward to working with other knowledgeable individuals, and good writers, on articles for which many people take responsibility.

See also

  • How to collaborate for a longer discussion about the topic above.
  • CZ:Home for more information on various introductory or help topics to help you along the way.
  • Getting Started for more information on getting started.


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