Suggestion: GT4 Wiki

  • Thread starter Thread starter Shannon
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Shannon

Shannon

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"A wiki is a web application that allows users to add content, as on an Internet forum, but also allows anyone to edit the content. 'Wiki' also refers to the collaborative software used to create such a website."

Basically, a big encylopedia that anyone can edit. I've been reading over various rants about the tired "Use the search function" exclamation being slammed in their face when they ask a question. I was thinking, if a wiki could be set up, it would allow everyone to contribute to a massive GT4 FAQ. Combine this with a big

"Please refer to the GT4 Wiki before asking a question."

message before the actual thread creation page. What advantage does this have over the search function? Well, the most obvious is the straight-and-to-the-point approach of the wiki. A wiki article wouldn't be followed by 5 pages of meanigless chat. Also, you'd be less likely to come up with irrelevant results for your search term. For example, "what is LSD" comes up with the "Current favourite car in GT4" thread as the first result. That's a great help, isn't it?

Personally, I think a wiki would be a great idea and would possibly even help reduce the amount of redundant threads being made in the GT4 forum. Half the reason people refuse to search is because they can't be arsed looking through all the irrelevant search results and meaningless chat. A well maintained wiki would be a much easier and faster way of getting information, and it can be constantly updated and edited each day with new information by anyone.

Wiki Software:
Both MediaWiki and DokuWiki are completely free too, so don't worry about having to shell out a fortune J. ;)
 
It sounds like a good Idea. But I can see some serious problems arising if ANYONE can edit it.
 
DQuaN
It sounds like a good Idea. But I can see some serious problems arising if ANYONE can edit it.
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Well, I don't see how it's any different to ANYONE being able to post a thread on the forums. Wikipedia is home to probably the largest wealth of information on the internet, and its freely editable by anyone. It uses the MediaWiki software, which does allow for admins to protect certain pages from being edited though.
 
But if anyone can edit it there would be a huge problem with the accuracy of data, and also of information being deleted etc. Wouldn't there?

Blake
 
With Wiki, the question of credibility does come into play. However, it is an incredibly useful tool (if it's got the right information). The issue of whether or not the information can be edited can be dealt with by specifying which people may and which people may not edit the Wiki. I dunno how it'd be decided, but that would have to be the case...
 
I think a GT4 wiki would be kinda cool (I use Wikipedia all the time – best resource in the world), but of course it depends on the big guy.

I don't think the "anybody can edit it" thing is really much of an issue, assuming enough people are using it. For example, I've heard that any malicious changes to Wikipedia are usually found and dealt with in under 3 minutes, since there are a bunch of people dedicated to the site and constantly monitoring changes. Of course, I'm not saying we could promise a 3-minute turnaround rate here, but this forum is big enough that people would notice malicious changes pretty quickly (and would be able to correct them quickly, since it doesn't require a mod to do it). There are too many good people in the world for a wiki to fail.
 
This sounds like a good idea to me, too.

I have been using Wikipedia for quite some time, now (just for research, never actually edited or posted anything).

It would be cool if people would be able to see who edited what and when.
This way, if somebody keeps putting malicious data in the thread, the situation can be dealt with by the mod staff.

The Wizard.
 
Sage
I think a GT4 wiki would be kinda cool (I use Wikipedia all the time – best resource in the world), but of course it depends on the big guy.

I don't think the "anybody can edit it" thing is really much of an issue, assuming enough people are using it. For example, I've heard that any malicious changes to Wikipedia are usually found and dealt with in under 3 minutes, since there are a bunch of people dedicated to the site and constantly monitoring changes. Of course, I'm not saying we could promise a 3-minute turnaround rate here, but this forum is big enough that people would notice malicious changes pretty quickly (and would be able to correct them quickly, since it doesn't require a mod to do it). There are too many good people in the world for a wiki to fail.
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Yeah, I guess I really didn't think that mods aren't the only guys who can fix it, I didn't think of the other side of the coin, sounds like a very cool idea then.

Blake
 
Great idea! I've toyed around with the idea of a "GT Encyclopedia" for some time.

I can see it now, specs on the cars, tracks, license help, used-car availability, real-life history...everyone would probably all that find quite helpful.
 
It's very odd that you brought this up right now, Shannon. I've been heavily using a Wiki for the past few months for a research project, and I have really warmed up to the idea. There are some technicalities that I need to work out before I make my final decision, but it should be known that I am seriously considering moving all of the main site's GT information into the Wiki format. :)
 

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