Chaserpedia, a wiki just for chasers!

[Shawn Gossman]

Everyone,

I have just created Chaserpedia which is a free online wiki for storm chasing, spotting, meteorology and general weather information. I have used the same software that Wikipedia uses which is also open source and its free to anyone who might take interest in it. Lets build a huge knowledge base on storm chasing and meteorology.

You can also create pages on yourself, tour services, chaser websites and stuff like that, I have no issues with that as long as you don't spam the site.

It is brand new and I have not made a logo for it yet but its released and public, so you can start enjoying it whenever you want.

Visit @ http://www.chaserpedia.com/

 

[Adam Lucio]

Haha, do people have the ability to edit others' entries like wiki allows? I can see that getting ugly reaaalllly fast.

 

[czenzel]

You might want to put user access control on the wiki. I am okay with other users editing entries, but in order to track changes and to build a community there should be a requirement to be at least logged in.

I'll register and start some topics in the Wiki and organization. I would be happy to contribute to the wiki!

 

[Wes Carter]

Shawn, this could either be a total disaster or one of the greatest assets to learning about chasing, depending on how people contribute. I have a limited knowledge and experience, but I will add what I can to it. Good luck and thanks for starting it.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Haha, do people have the ability to edit others' entries like wiki allows? I can see that getting ugly reaaalllly fast.

I can control how this goes. With volunteer editors though, it should be easier to protect it from vandalism. It just depends on the volunteer and how much they take what they wrote serious enough to enforce it lol. I will try to keep it from turning into a disaster but I could not find a wiki for chasing and they got one for everything else, so I went a head and giving it a shot.

 

[James Hammett]

Thanks for starting this Shawn. I've used wikis for other things with great success and have contemplated starting one for chasing but the aforementioned issues scared me away. Wikipedia doesn't require authentication for edits but it may be desirable in this case. What about full names? Overkill?

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Full names is fine or usernames. Regardless of how other people and websites see it, I am on the fence on whether people want to use their real full name or a username. The reason for my belief is because some people want to keep their privacy and not share their full names online. The internet is a very dangerous web so privacy is a big deal to some folks. I wont take a "use your full name or don't join" approach

Some people say your not serious if you don't use your full name but that doesn't make any sense. But I respect other websites that take that policy such as StormTrack I am using my full name here.

 

[Jason Foster]

Haha, do people have the ability to edit others' entries like wiki allows? I can see that getting ugly reaaalllly fast.

THIS!

No offense Shawn, but if you want to do this, I would put your name on it and assert that it is your content unless otherwise stated. My initial reaction is that I don't like any one source claiming to be an authority or 'official' source of information regarding chasing. Blogs and websites are good enough. I'd have to give more thought on it though to be concrete about my opinion.

 

[David Drummond]

Not to mention it won't be long before "articles" start showing up full of all sorts of bashing on other chasers, from those who like to do so and remain anonymous, or even create accounts in other chasers names to do so. It happened here on ST even during one period where Tim allowed unmoderated signups.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Chaserpedia is not to be mistaken as anything "official". There is no such thing as official in storm chasing, its a hobby anyone can do it. Chaserpedia will simply be there for a place to add information for educational and referencing purposes. I will be strict about unique content and copyright as I am with my other websites.

These days, there is a wiki for everything even hunting and fishing. I searched online and could not find a chasing wiki and thought I might as well give it a shot. Imagine a site to go to and see a list of various radar software or equipment or even information on video cameras. Imagine a place to go to see everything one could learn about chasing and severe weather ... all for free... that is what I will be attempting with Chaserpedia.

But I do hear you all on the aspects of providing false information. I will be doing my best to keep it out and welcome others who would like to help. I am currently looking for volunteer administrators if anyone is interested

 

[Rob H]

Bear in mind the conundrum of the chicken and the egg - people might not be motivated to put content on a site where there is no content. You may want to consider adding as much as you can just to get the ball rolling. A blank slate is a big task to give to volunteer editors.

 

[czenzel]

Chaserpedia is not to be mistaken as anything "official". There is no such thing as official in storm chasing, its a hobby anyone can do it. Chaserpedia will simply be there for a place to add information for educational and referencing purposes. I will be strict about unique content and copyright as I am with my other websites.

These days, there is a wiki for everything even hunting and fishing. I searched online and could not find a chasing wiki and thought I might as well give it a shot. Imagine a site to go to and see a list of various radar software or equipment or even information on video cameras. Imagine a place to go to see everything one could learn about chasing and severe weather ... all for free... that is what I will be attempting with Chaserpedia.

But I do hear you all on the aspects of providing false information. I will be doing my best to keep it out and welcome others who would like to help. I am currently looking for volunteer administrators if anyone is interested

Just about what I was going to re-post by accident before reading the second post page I agree that this is not a definite source. It's similar to other wikis such as Wikipedia. You always should verify your information you get from a wiki, but I am sure we can build a community similar to Wikipedia of moderators, content advisors, and content administrators that information is accurate enough for background information. I am glad to be part of the project. There use to be a wiki that was mentioned on storm track but it disappeared. I am working quickly to add a lot of initial content as well as Shawn because I would like to see this wiki project stay and expand to a good resource for people to find information and other resources related to the posted information.

 

[Simon Andersen]

There use to be a wiki that was mentioned on storm track but it disappeared. I am working quickly to add a lot of initial content as well as Shawn because I would like to see this wiki project stay and expand to a good resource for people to find information and other resources related to the posted information.

I believe that was Darren Addys Stormwiki off stormwiki.unk.edu but appears to have since folded. I'm looking to see where your project is going.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Bear in mind the conundrum of the chicken and the egg - people might not be motivated to put content on a site where there is no content. You may want to consider adding as much as you can just to get the ball rolling. A blank slate is a big task to give to volunteer editors.

Oh yes, I agree to this 100%. I run a few forums and they never pick up activity and new members without having content to grab or bait them in. Content is always key on a website especially one that would be considered social or interactive.

I believe that was Darren Addys Stormwiki off stormwiki.unk.edu but appears to have since folded. I'm looking to see where your project is going.

I will do my best and thank you for following it

 

[Jason Foster]

Well, of course you are free to do it, and even if no one here likes it, it is up to you. We can't stop you, or anything of the sort. I say go for it. The reservations are just that of how it will result.

This issue is in part with the title I think. Chasepedia is a play on the work encyclopedia which tends to be elaborate source of facts and information that is thoroughly researched prior to printing or disseminating. Stick with FACTS first and you should be fine. Perhaps you could post a 'draft' here for feedback, and ask some 'experts' for their input (and give full credit/site source).