Make the magic public - Merlin gathering is a go!

[briar_pipe]

The Merlin editing group is diving in Saturday, March 27, at noon EDT (4pm GMT) and will continue for 12 hours. We will open up again on Sunday as well. Details here.

Short version: We're gathering on Google to chat and use Googledocs to play with each others' work before posting to the Fanlore Wiki. This will reduce the spammage on "Recently updated pages" and make those unfamiliar with Wiki coding more comfortable.

All are welcome. Email theoldbriarpipe at gmail to be invited into the chat.

(Yes, Frogspace made the lovely suggestion that we use the Fanlore chat, and I was hoping to, but there's no Googledocs equivalent except the Sandbox, which really isn't equivalent at all. So we're doing it off-site. But again, everyone is welcome. It's a big job.)

Comments

[briar_pipe]

^_^

We will save our chats and make them available as docs that I will link from the talk page(s). I will also provide summaries from the talk page(s), so people can see what we did and why.

Were the page(s) any more developed than they are now, I definitely wouldn't do it this way, but we've got very little up there right now. But we definitely won't be editing the main page (or anything else with significant content) this way.

Also, please join us! You can just watch if you like, but I'd love for you to see what's happening as it does.

[frogspace.livejournal.com]

We will save our chats and make them available as docs that I will link from the talk page(s).

Wait, but doesn't that mean you will defacto exclude editors who are not part of your group from the discussions? They won't have the opportunity to give input while the discussion takes place. D: That is not how wikis work...

[briar_pipe]

To answer your question, that's why I posted here and invited everyone, as well as posting directly to the Merlin Talk page about the event. And anyone is, of course, welcome to disagree and change the pages again. In fact, I hope they do! More ppov can only be helpful.

But thank you for bringing up that point, as it's something we'll definitely need to keep in mind while working!

[frogspace.livejournal.com]

Also, please join us!

Not a good idea. I am the person who wrote maybe 95% of the content on the Merlin pages and you have repeatedly criticized that it's too one-sided (ha!), that the pages are a mess, that they are in poor shape, etc., so I think it's better I'll sit this one out and let other people contribute for a change. ;)

[briar_pipe]

Oh dear. I am so sorry. That's not how I meant to come across at all, and I deeply apologize for expressing myself in such an abrasive and negative manner, especially given how much effort you've already put into the editing and the fact that the pages wouldn't exist at all without you. You have every right to be angry with me.

I don't know if it helps, but I recognize the effort you've made and I actually think that what's present is quite good. It's simply impossible for one human being to record a large fandom, or even a large pairing (I tried it once by myself, and couldn't even finish, so you're one up on me already). Clearly, I'm not good at explaining myself, and for that I really, sincerely apologize.

(I really would love for you to come, but I understand if you're not feeling it at the moment.)

[frogspace.livejournal.com]

You have every right to be angry with me.

Oh no, I'm not angry with you. I just think you are right and that there needs to be more input by other people. That doesn't mean I won't help with formatting, answering questions, explaining how things work, playing tour guide or whatever, I just don't want to be involved on the content side for this one. :)