Hi James, I like the idea, but maybe one should start with something that is more like a library of design patterns for SMW. Maybe you also had this in mind. There are endless amounts of types of content, and even person data could be specified in a wide range of ways, but there are maybe just a few typical patterns that are the same in most cases.
One could also consider a library of "content packages" that is similar to an extension library or a skin library. But this might need some more infrastructure (which format should packages and package descriptions be submitted in?). Then we could make this open and have contributed content packages that can be browsed and downloaded at smw.org. In the latter case, it would be nice to encourage property/category reuse. If we have ten packages for managing persons, then it would be nice if they used the same properties for the same things. Is there any option for internationalizing templates/forms in such a library? Mobo looks very interesting. Maybe we could also encourage people to use this more, or even provide a platform where it could be used online. Results from this tool could then be published in our template library. Cheers, Markus On 03.11.2014 01:44, James HK wrote: > Hi, > > I'm calling for input and opinions about collecting and providing > self-explanatory templates to be bundled as a repository (aka > "TemplateRepository") on smw.org that are re-usable in connection with > SMW. > > The objective would be to support first time users in their effort > more quickly to become familiar with SMW by allowing to copy templates > to enhance general functionality of Semantic MediaWiki right from the > start. > > After reading the comment from [0] where sh(e) states that "I would > like an inexperienced person of limited technical background to walk > through some of the concepts with simple examples that I could cut, > paste and modify in my own wiki. This would let me make mistakes > because of what I don't know, but still move forward. " > > Making examples available for cut and paste usage seems a bit > difficult (as it requires certain data sets to be available) but > templates are a powerful tool in the "wiki world" to reduce input > repetition and improve output presentation for specific content > sections (info box etc.). > > Providing some kind of repository might come in handy for users > unfamiliar with SMW and its inner workings where even an experienced > user can be challenged to make templates work with SMW (depending on > the requirements). Tools like [1] can provide support for a more > complex modelling process but a first time or occasional user is > probably looking for a simplified approach. > > Having a TemplateRepository where a user can browse (by use case), > copy, and find some explanatory descriptions should ease the > adaptation process and facilitate the usability of SMW. > > ## Questions > > - Would it make sense to have something like a TemplateRepository for > re-use on smw.org? > - How would a TemplateRepository need to be designed to be helpful to > first time users or even expert users? > - Do we have volunteers who are willing to help build a > TemplateRepository? Do we have a champion who would be willing to > drive such project? > - What kind of TemplateRepository categories and common use cases > (citation, book annotation etc.) would make most sense? > > ## Usage > > An easy way for users to download multiple templates would be by > simply export a XML (e.g `Special:Export`) that contains all selected > pages and use `Special:Import` to re-import the content without doing > a manual copy and paste. > > Some categories to divide the usage could be based on an environmental > dependency (can be used standalone, requires Lua, requires SF etc.). > > [0] http://www.semantic-mediawiki.org/wiki/20141102035706 > > [1] https://github.com/Fannon/mobo > > PS: smw.org = https://www.semantic-mediawiki.org > > Cheers > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > _______________________________________________ > Semediawiki-user mailing list > semediawiki-u...@lists.sourceforge.net > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/semediawiki-user > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Semediawiki-devel mailing list Semediawiki-devel@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/semediawiki-devel
