doc:template_for_topics

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doc:template_for_topics [2026/04/25 09:33] – [Introduction (h2)] Simon Grantdoc:template_for_topics [2026/10/04 07:04] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 ===== Introduction (h2) ===== ===== Introduction (h2) =====
  
-Templates are a useful way in which the managers of a wiki can provide scaffolding. 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.+Templates are a useful way in which the managers of a wiki can provide scaffolding for contributors or advisors. 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. )// //(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. )//
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 ===== 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.
  
-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.+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.
  
-===== What can I do about templates? (h2) =====+//(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.)//
  
-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.+===== What can I do? (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.
  
-//(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.)//+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. 
 + 
 +//(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) ====
  
-These three main sections make up the main informative content of the page. As well as editing the precise wording of the headings to fit grammar and common sense, curators can add (h3) subsections to any of them to clarify and separate different aspects of the subject matter. +These three main sections make up the main informative content of the page. As well as editing the precise wording of the headings to fit grammar and common sense, contributors can add (h3) subsections to any of them to clarify and separate different aspects of the subject matter. 
  
 To say this again in a more explicit way: if possible, we suggest putting the subsections in their relevant places: To say this again in a more explicit way: if possible, we suggest putting the subsections in their relevant places:
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   * if it's detailing what people can do about it, then in the "What can …" section   * if it's detailing what people can do about it, then in the "What can …" section
  
 +8-) If this main topic page feels as if it could be a bit long, consider seriously breaking out any standalone sub-topics into their own page, but still in the same namespace. Always link to them here, and always link back from them to this main topic page. The same goes if a subsection is growing beyond a short, basic explanation. Move it to its own page!
 ==== Why templates are complicated (h3) ==== ==== Why templates are complicated (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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 ---- ----
  
-===== Curators and contributors (h2) =====+===== Specialist advisors and contributors (h2) =====
 These are the people responsible for this topic and this page. These are the people responsible for this topic and this page.
-If you have any constructive suggestions for this page, or just want to ask about the topic, first try the forum (as above), but if that doesn't work, the other option is to contact any of the curators directly. +If you have any constructive suggestions for this page, or just want to ask about the topic, first try the forum (as above), but if that doesn't work, the other option is to contact any of the advisors or contributors directly. 
-  * List all the agreed curators here, like this:+  * List all the agreed advisors and contributors here, like this:
   * [[user:asimong|Simon Grant]], independent commoner   * [[user:asimong|Simon Grant]], independent commoner
   * [[user:katja|Katja Durrani]]   * [[user:katja|Katja Durrani]]
  
 ===== Developing the templates topic (h2) ===== ===== Developing the templates topic (h2) =====
-//(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 advisors and contributors 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 advisors and contributors.)// 
-==== Divergent curator commentary (h3) ====+==== Specialist 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 advisors and contributors (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.)//
  
 ==== Open shared questions (h3) ==== ==== Open shared questions (h3) ====
  
-//(When there are unresolved question about the topic, and at least two of the curators agree on how to put the question in an open, honest and unbiased way, the question can be added here. This is intended to open up areas of exploration and so growth of the knowledge commons — not just for curators, but for anyone. And this may lead others to volunteer to be curators, if they care about the questions.)//+//(When there are unresolved question about the topic, and at least two of the advisors and contributors agree on how to put the question in an open, honest and unbiased way, the question can be added here. This is intended to open up areas of exploration and so growth of the knowledge commons — not just for advisors and contributors, but for anyone. And this may lead others to volunteer to be advisors or contributors, if they care about the questions.)//
  
  
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