Neo and I had a conversation in another thread, and since it was about the wiki (and not really topical for there), and raised some interesting questions, I wanted to move it here for further discussion.

I don't see them in the Wiki; that's why I thought they might be new.

You don't? ALR Mushrooms SM (http://www.disneysonlineworlds.com/index.php/ALR_Mushrooms_SM)

(Was there since last Friday, including the picture, thanks to Spin and Schmoofy.)

They're not on this page (http://www.disneysonlineworlds.com/index.php/Accessories) or this page (http://www.disneysonlineworlds.com/index.php/Alice_In_Wonderland_Theme). Or this page (http://www.disneysonlineworlds.com/index.php/%22it%27s_a_small_world%22_Imports). In fact, without doing a direct search for that exact item, how would I even know of its existence?

It is, however, on the Timeline and Important Updates (http://www.disneysonlineworlds.com/index.php/Timeline_and_Important_Updates#May_2007) (and now also on the alice theme page, thanks for catching that).

Well, that's just why I thought they were new when I saw them in the shop. I use the Wiki as a resource, but I guess it's not always entirely up-to-date.

Nope, it isn't. But we're surprisingly up-to-date on the raw information, but our indexing sometimes takes a little bit of time.

Looking at your specific example of the ALR Mushrooms SM (http://www.disneysonlineworlds.com/index.php/ALR_Mushrooms_SM):

I had added them to the Timeline and Important Updates (http://www.disneysonlineworlds.com/index.php?title=Timeline_and_Important_Updates&diff=18424&oldid=18423) at 7:19:30 (DL Time) on the day they were released. This was part of 13 changes that morning.
At 11:19:21 (http://www.disneysonlineworlds.com/index.php?title=ALR_Mushrooms_SM&oldid=18448), Spin was able to make the template and fill in the basic information.
Doing this automatically added it to the Furniture Checklist (http://www.disneysonlineworlds.com/index.php/Category:Furniture_Checklist), which is a text list of all the furniture items.
It took a couple more hours, until 16:09:50 (http://www.disneysonlineworlds.com/index.php?title=ALR_Mushrooms_SM&oldid=18484), for him to get the photo in place.


As you correctly noted, it was missing from a number of other pages, including

The Alice In Wonderland Theme (http://www.disneysonlineworlds.com/index.php/Alice_In_Wonderland_Theme), as you noted (where I have since added it)
The Accessories (http://www.disneysonlineworlds.com/index.php/Accessories) page, as you noted.
The it's a small world (http://www.disneysonlineworlds.com/index.php/%22it%27s_a_small_world%22_Imports) page, as you noted (which is missing the entire category at the moment).
The complete Checklist (http://www.disneysonlineworlds.com/index.php/Checklist), which you didn't mention.


So why was it missing from these? Mostly because these pages are maintained by hand, which makes it easier to forget to include them in all the locations appropriate. Especially when we're adding so many other items at the same time.

But its also how we approach indexing things. I add things to Timeline and Important Updates (http://www.disneysonlineworlds.com/index.php/Timeline_and_Important_Updates) first, because thats how I think of things - when they were released. I know other people will add them to the Checklist (http://www.disneysonlineworlds.com/index.php/Checklist) first, because thats how they think of them. Others will put it in a category first. Why? Usually because thats where we (individually) look first when looking for an item.

(Another good place to look is using the Search (http://www.disneysonlineworlds.com/index.php/Special:Search) page or box on the left. It has issues, however. Using your example, "ALR" wouldn't match (too short), and "mushroom" wouldn't match. You'd need to use "mushrooms" because thats the name of the item. But since you were starting with the name, it would have been easier in this case.)

Disney's Online Worlds runs on teamwork - none of us may have enough time to do everything, but if we each just do a little when we have a moment, it turns into something great. I relied on others to finish filling in gaps, just like they relied on me to do the same. And it works!

Are there gaps - sure. And you found some, pointed them out, and I had a moment and made some fixes. We rely on that teamwork too! In fact, we encourage it so much that we love it when people become editors and help us directly by becoming part of the team directly.

And I'll point out that we're not the only ones that can miss things sometimes: ;)

Water Parks - Typhoon Lagoon (Host Games, 6/1/07)

(thanks Neoteny!)

also,
Inner-Space Suit Red Magic Pin (Prize from Tomorrowland in-park quest, 5/4/07)

(missed that one, Neoteny! :-))

Oops! Sorry! ;)

The best part, however, is that neither the wiki nor bopper's pin list rely on one person to be complete and correct. The difference is that on the wiki - there are lots of editors who have the power to change that.

Is there a way to link the various lists together, so that, for example, when a new item is added, it automatically shows up in the various pages where it belongs?

Is there a way to link the various lists together, so that, for example, when a new item is added, it automatically shows up in the various pages where it belongs?

Not exactly.

We can (and have) made it so when we create an item, it shows up in the Furniture Checklist (http://www.disneysonlineworlds.com/index.php/Category:Furniture_Checklist), and it is fairly easy to have things show up in similar categories.

But these are purely text lists, arranged alphabetically, and often breaking into multiple pages. We have no control over how this list looks, just what text we want above it. And we know the graphical tables of items are very popular and very useful.

Thats why we've gone the route we have - the checklist pages that are automatically generated, and the more detailed pages that are done by hand. Its relatively easy to add things by hand - we just have to remember to do it! Even the categories aren't flawless - we have a boilerplate template that we fill in for the various items (furniture, clothes, pins, etc) that includes the category marker - but any additional categories we have to add by hand.

We're trying to make it easier when we add items - but there is still a lot that has to be manually done.

prisoner, I send a mail so I can join the wiki. But nick hasn't accepted me, do I have to wait for an e-mail?

ooo, I like the example of the Mushrooms and it's progress in the wiki. That is cool.

The wiki is indeed a HUGE team effort. I will admit that it is so fun to be able to start something and other's can add to complete it. An example, one day Pris added the new items to the Timeline (as I think all current editors do first), I was following him almost immediately by adding the templates, Schmoofy was added the info and then one of us (cannot remember which) added the photos. It is like an assembly line.

So yes, the timeline is the usually the first place to add info, then the individual item page, then the other pages as we get to them. Since we all have jobs/school it sometimes gets lost in the shuffle which is why we rely on the "wiki needs and edit" thread for others to give us a heads up when needed :)

prisoner, I send a mail so I can join the wiki. But nick hasn't accepted me, do I have to wait for an e-mail?

You have to wait for an email reply, yes.

Thanks for quick reply, but can someone else do this? I like somethings that i want to edit

You can always suggest things in the "non-wiki editor (http://www.vmkforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94968)" section. Nick is the only one doing this at the moment.