doc:template_for_topics

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doc:template_for_topics [2026/04/25 09:30] – Simon Grantdoc:template_for_topics [2026/04/25 09:51] (current) – [Introduction (h2)] Simon Grant
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-This topic is part of [[gt:digital|Digital & Media]]. +This topic is part of [[gt:digital|Digital & Media]]. //(Well, it isn't, but it could be!)//
  
 ====== Annotated template for topics (h1) ====== ====== Annotated template for topics (h1) ======
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 ===== Introduction (h2) ===== ===== Introduction (h2) =====
  
-This is the "What is …" section of the page. It aims to explain, in understandable terms, what the topic is about, as generally agreed, at least by those of us collaborating on Growing the Commons. You can add subsections (h3-level) to this if desired. Leave the "why" and the "what to do about it" for the following sections. +Templates are a useful way in which the managers of a wiki can provide scaffolding for contributors or curators. The point of a wiki is to allow several contributors, and without this scaffolding they might be unsure what to do, or they might just do what they imagine, which may conflict with what others imagine. 
 + 
 +//(This is the "What is …" section of the page. It aims to explain, in understandable terms, what the topic is about, as generally agreed, at least by those of us collaborating on Growing the Commons. You can add subsections (h3-level) to this if desired. Leave the "why" and the "what to do about it" for the following sections. )//
  
  
 ===== Why templates? (h2) ====== ===== Why templates? (h2) ======
 +Templates gently nudge contributors into doing things in recognisably similar ways. This increases the readability of the site as a whole, as readers get used to a consistent approach, and come to expect what is likely to appear on another page on the same site.
 +
 +On the other hand, there is a danger of a sense of enforced conformity, which would be unwelcome. Thus, providing templates needs to be balanced by letting contributors know that the template isn't cast in stone, and it's up to them to use their common sense and judgement about when to follow the template and when not.
  
-This is a generally relevant and important section; you could also say something like "what's the point of templates" or "what are the benefits of templates". You can be creative here. The point is, after explaining what the topic is, it is a good idea to inform readers of why it is important, ideally why it is relevant to the Commons.+//(This is a generally relevant and important section; you could also say something like "what's the point of templates" or "what are the benefits of templates". You can be creative here. The point is, after explaining what the topic is, it is a good idea to inform readers of why it is important, ideally why it is relevant to the Commons.)//
  
 ===== What can I do about templates? (h2) ===== ===== What can I do about templates? (h2) =====
 +As templates are generally managed by site administrators, there is no immediate actions that can be taken by contributors. However, contributors can always suggest potential improvements to or developments of templates, so that they serve their purpose better.
  
-The point here is to inform readers what they can do; how they can be involved, etc. The title may vary depending on the topic or its context. If there is any "call to action", then it is in this section, logically, once readers understand what the topic is about and why it is important.+Additionally, contributors can see how others have treated the templates, and take leaves from their book, in getting a feel for when to follow a template and when to overrule it. The point, as a contributor to a knowledge base, (whether wiki or not) is to be most helpful and informative to readers.
  
-//(In this particular case, readers can't do anything directly with templates. But they can, for example, suggest ideas for modifying the template to the wiki team.)//+//(The point here is to inform readers what they can do; how they can be involved, etc. The title may vary depending on the topic or its context. If there is any "call to action", then it is in this section, logically, once readers understand what the topic is about and why it is important.)//
  
 ==== Subsections of the main content sections (h3) ==== ==== Subsections of the main content sections (h3) ====
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 ===== Learn more about templates (h2) ===== ===== Learn more about templates (h2) =====
  
-//(Still not quite sure about the title of this section, given what it covers …)// 
  
-==== More detail (h3) ==== 
  
 //(If there are aspects of your topic that you want to give more detail on, and it would overburden the main page, please link to sub-pages here. If you want to define a term that may be relevant to other topics as well, please link to [[concept pages]] here.)// //(If there are aspects of your topic that you want to give more detail on, and it would overburden the main page, please link to sub-pages here. If you want to define a term that may be relevant to other topics as well, please link to [[concept pages]] here.)//
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 //(The point here is, although it is only curators that can edit these sections (and public go to the forum) it is part of my strategy for increasing engagement overall to have these clearly flagged as public, not just for curators.)// //(The point here is, although it is only curators that can edit these sections (and public go to the forum) it is part of my strategy for increasing engagement overall to have these clearly flagged as public, not just for curators.)//
 ==== Divergent curator commentary (h3) ==== ==== Divergent curator commentary (h3) ====
 +
 +I now realise why (subconsciously) I chose a Penrose tiling as the topic image. Penrose tilings display regularity, in that they are composed of absolutely standard elements; but at the same time, they have no translational symmetry. In other words, there is no complete pattern which always repeats. There's something there … --- //[[user:asimong|Simon Grant]] 2026/04/25 09:47//
  
 //(This is intended as a space for curators (only) to add their personal opinions or questions related to the topic. All such comments must be signed by the person adding them. See [[signing comments]]. The point is to allow space for different perspectives, enabling more readers to find someone who sees things as they do.)// //(This is intended as a space for curators (only) to add their personal opinions or questions related to the topic. All such comments must be signed by the person adding them. See [[signing comments]]. The point is to allow space for different perspectives, enabling more readers to find someone who sees things as they do.)//
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