New Features - Thread Wiki and Post History

[redsolar]

What is Thread Wiki?
Many of you have undoubtedly heard of Wikipedia - free web based encyclopedia where all content is contributed by its members. Thread Wiki is a post in a thread right after the first post for better visibility by another thread viewer, where all content is contributed by more than one SlickDeals.net user.

How does it work?
Pretty simple, really. Members have complete freedom to Create, Contribute, Control.



Create
When a new thread is created, the first post of the thread will contain a button, which you click on to create a wiki - on demand. Once a wiki is created, the second post in the thread appears, listed under the "helper" user wikipost (slickalerts' sister). The post will contain a pre-set brief information.

Contribute
Right after creation, the user who just clicked the button is taken to Edit mode - just as you would with a new post, and adds the information he or she believes is important for a thread. This information can be anything... information about the thread (Cliff Notes anybody?), a new price, a better price, a new rebate, a fillable rebate, a coupon... push your imagination.

Control
Okay, so someone added something, and you don't think it's valid, or you think you can do better? Do it. It's controlled by users, and as long as it's within forums rules - it can contain anything, really.

A few more things bound to be asked, a.k.a. The FAQ:

Q: Can I see previous contributions to Thread Wiki?
A: Absolutely. Just like with real Wiki, you can see every edit. Just click the button.

Q: Can I restore to a previous revision?
A: Yep, you sure can. When in Revisions mode, use button to restore to a previous version. While at it, you might as well contribute if you need it, as everything is done using a standard Edit dialog. One catch - you can't restore a current version, marked by a slightly different color and button.

Q: Can I delete a revision I really don't like?
A: Yes.... if you are a moderator . You can still Mod Alert a revision if you believe it's in violation of forum guidelines, just remember to mention who made it. Remember, use Mod Alert button on a Wiki Post, as you can not modalert the actual revision from the Revisions screen.

Q: Can I rep the contributor?
A: Yes, just like with any post in forums where it is enabled, you can give reputation to a contributor. One per post (regardless of how many contribution that user has made), as usual . Although you can rep 2 or more different users who contributed to Thread Wiki.

Q: What if someone tries to add/edit a Thread Wiki when I am doing it?
A: Not to worry, since all revisions are tracked separately, the information you or ther other person adds will not vanish. So if an edit happens simultaneously, you can still add it by copying it. Once a Thread Wiki is added the button will no longer be there to add, but one can Edit the Wiki Post.

Q: Can there be more than one Thread Wiki?
A: One per thread, sorry . You are free to post under your own name, however .

Q: Can I easily see what has been updated when looking at Revisions?
A: Absolutely. The new text between 2 subsequent revisions is higlighted with green color and italics. Text that has been removed is crossed out. Changes are tracked line by line. So if a line is changed, the changes will reflect that.

Q: Can anyone Create, Contribute and Control?
A: Yes, as long as you have a valid SlickDeals.net account (what? you don't have one yet? ), which is in good standing and is not under moderation. Anyone (including anonymous users) can view the post, however, just like with any other post in the forum.

Q: What about vandalism?
A: As with real wikis, vandalism can be an issue. And just with any wikis, members can fix it without having to wait for a moderator. If you see anyone posting anything inappropriate, anything in violation of forum rules, offensive, etc - feel free to edit it out, modalert the Thread Wiki post, and mention who made the offensive edit. The moderation team will be happy to assist with this. Thanks in advance. Wannabe vandals - beware, a new warning has been added for wiki abuse. Excessive abuse will result in the removal of wiki privileges.

What is Post History?
Post history is a feature, which is shared with Thread Wiki, and allows you to view your own post history using the "Revisions" button just like you would with a Thread Wiki. The only exception is that only you can view that history, unlike with Thread Wiki, which is viewed by anyone as described above. The same rules apply, there is a Revert button, the Current Version label, and the only thing absent is obviously the Thread Wiki button, since well, it's not a Wiki. We hope you put it to good use, in case something ever happens to your own post, and you need to restore changes.

[nutter218]

interesting.

[zmarko]

Bad news in my opinion. It's going to cause a lot of trouble. Tons more trouble than it's worth.

Why don't you set it up so anyone can upload videos to your site too? A la youtube. You could call it SLICKTUBE! Or TUBEDEALS!

[random.]

There should be some sort of confirmation after you click the wiki link before actually making one... for people like me who accidentally click on it and probably for the people that are curious as to what it is. That page might even include a link to the OP of this thread.
I think it is weird that it subscribes you to it without asking you.

[dzap]

Quote from zmarko : Bad news in my opinion. It's going to cause a lot of trouble. Tons more trouble than it's worth. Why don't you set it up so anyone can upload videos to your site too? A la youtube. You could call it SLICKTUBE! Or TUBEDEALS!

that would be a great idea!! but Slicktube.com..um..not the best url dea in the world..
It's like wikipedia...if someone sees something offensive...another can edit it out..checks and balances my friend...

[zmarko]

Quote from dzap : that would be a great idea!! but Slicktube.com..um..not the best url dea in the world.. It's like wikipedia...if someone sees something offensive...another can edit it out..checks and balances my friend...

I'm telling you. With the SD community.........it won't work.

The wikipedia community and the SD community are two entirely different things, with entirely different levels of maturity and sophistication.

[dzap]

Quote from m. : There should be some sort of confirmation after you click the wiki link before actually making one... for people like me who accidentally click on it and probably for the people that are curious as to what it is. That page might even include a link to the OP of this thread. I think it is weird that it subscribes you to it without asking you.

I was going to say that too...because even if you don't click "save changes" it creates the wiki anyway...

[nutter218]

Quote from zmarko : I'm telling you. With the SD community.........it won't work. The wikipedia community and the SD community are two entirely different things, with entirely different levels of maturity and sophistication.

Yes, wikipedia has a higher level of maturatity than some of the loungers.

[dzap]

Quote from zmarko : I'm telling you. With the SD community.........it won't work. The wikipedia community and the SD community are two entirely different things, with entirely different levels of maturity and sophistication.

yeah you're right....I saw a wikipost when browsing through the posts made so far..and saw one that said "I'm queer" in it.. wanted to edit it out..but g.g. already got it.. thanks g.g!!

[LordRamZ]

Quote from zmarko : I'm telling you. With the SD community.........it won't work. The wikipedia community and the SD community are two entirely different things, with entirely different levels of maturity and sophistication.

i disagree.... the only people that will bother to do it are the ones with something to contribute...it will work and I like it !

[zmarko]

Quote from dzap : yeah you're right....I saw a wikipost when browsing through the posts made so far..and saw one that said "I'm queer" in it.. wanted to edit it out..but g.g. already got it.. thanks g.g!!

Exactly my point. It's just handing people "carte blanche" being in the 2nd post in a thread. And while others and mods may be there to jump on stuff quickly, there are going to be many many times where they're not going to, and things will go unnoticed. I mean, this is going to be in EVERY thread. That's a LOT of things to check.

Anyway, I'm probably just wasting my breath.

Quote from LordRamZ : i disagree.... the only people that will bother to do it are the ones with something to contribute...it will work and I like it !

How do you like the dream world you live in? Comfy there?

[dzap]

Quote from zmarko : Exactly my point. It's just handing people "carte blanche" being in the 2nd post in a thread. And while others and mods may be there to jump on stuff quickly, there are going to be many many times where they're not going to, and things will go unnoticed. I mean, this is going to be in EVERY thread. That's a LOT of things to check. Anyway, I'm probably just wasting my breath. How do you like the dream world you live in? Comfy there?

I'll bet you someone is going to be stupid and add a wiki to possibly every thread imaginable on SD..and put something stupid in it, just because they can. Like the words of Stephen Colbert "First one to edit the wikipedia page of elephants with a picture of me...(forgot the rest)"

[dzap]

oh..that just gave me an idea..redsolar..you did implement a limit as to how many wikis you can create in xx amount of time right?

[zmarko]

Quote from dzap : I'll bet you someone is going to be stupid and add a wiki to possibly every thread imaginable on SD..and put something stupid in it, just because they can. Like the words of Stephen Colbert "First one to edit the wikipedia page of elephants with a picture of me...(forgot the rest)"

Exactly. In the world of "Jackass", many people try and 'one up' each other. It'll become a contest to see who can make the most bizarre or disgusting 2nd post.

I mean, if it's not broken, why fix it? SD was working just fine.