Based on some recent posts in the "building a complete RPG catalog" discussion, I thought it would be good to have a poll to see who thinks wiki is a good idea or who prefers a setup similar to the current Acaeum model.

What the discussion has brought to mind is that if wiki would be that much easier for development and maintenance that maybe The Acaeum should really just move to a Wiki.

Some things to consider:

1) Currently update work is mainly done by 1 Foul person; consequently, updates are usually slow and occur maybe once a year.  With a Wiki model, everyone would be allowed to make changes to descriptions, add new printings, update valuations, etc.

2) There are some natural areas in which the Acaeum could expand its knowledge into: other early TSR supplements, other TSR games, TSR kitsch, other campaign settings, 2nd Edition D&D etc.  These subwebs although having been proposed years ago just aren't getting developed - possibly because they are just too much for a single person to handle and possibly because we can't get organized to get it done, etc.  Again, wiki would allow everyone to edit and update so as people cycle through the project, one person can pick up where the other left off instead of starting from scratch.

Wiki is too open.  It will open the door for unscrupulous sellers to try and manipulate the market for there own gain; we have seen it before

The community we have built here and on the Tome is knowledgeable and reliable.  Things just will not move fast enough for some people.  Let's face it, in order to do research in this type of field it will evolve as more items and printings are discovered.  Patience is the key to do this right.  Lets stay the course

Mars wrote:2) There are some natural areas in which the Acaeum could expand its knowledge into: other early TSR supplements, other TSR games, TSR kitsch, other campaign settings, 2nd Edition D&D etc.

This is at least the second time someone's touched on the issue of "expanding" the Acaeum in recent history.  I'm not sure that's a good idea, or necessary.  It has a well-defined focus as it is, in my opinion.

I for one am glad we are having this discussion; however, since Scott owns this domain and essentially controls when updates occur, I think it is important for him to weigh in on this issue and suggest what path forward, if any, he would like to see.  Certainly, many of you have contributed to the community content of The Acaeum via scans, research, valuation tracking, and postings in the forums; nonetheless site updates are few these days and many individuals, myself included, would like to see more frequent updates and additional content.  But the question still remains, what does Scott want to do with the site?  Or would he be willing to hand day-to-day updates to a group much like the Valuation Boards?  Until these questions are answered by Scott, I think it will be difficult to proceed with any plans.

PS.  Kudos and many thanks to everyone who has contributed to the site over the years.  The Acaeum is an invaluable resource and perusing the forums is my first stop every morning.

vote the "no" (second option) but it'd really better to make your mind up on how to improve the acaeum pages...

I haven't voted yet, but it seems like there should be more options than the ones presented.  Of course, I am likely showing my ignorance, so please forgive me.  For example isn't there a way for more than just one person add in updates or information?  I mean, we have a valuation board, why not an editing/update board?  If you don't like the word "board" call it a team or committee or whatever.

Also, I am not opposed to expanding our horizons, but it needs to be done slowly and on a trial basis.  Bigger is not always better.  It's not that important to me, but it's likely there are regulars on this site who have the expertise and time and would be willing to do all the initial set-up work.  For example, I'd personally like to see values and descriptions for the remaining Dungeon Magazines.  This editing board would/should have say and sway over what gets added, cut, edited, etc...

Finally, I agree that what we have here is a good thing.  It is helpful, instructive and fun.  But if I have learned anything from history, it's that when cultures fail to adapt, it eventually dies.  I am not saying The Acaeum is doomed or going to die anytime soon, but we need to be open to considering changes.  We should never change for change's sake, but only to keep our interests and values (pun intended) alive and well.  

Finally, part of keeping our interests/values alive is through growth.  And when I say growth, I am talking about people who do more than join and introduce themselves.  And in the same way that we should not change for change's sake, we should not grow for growth's sake.  So far, I have seen a steady stream of people coming to this site with similar interests which is great.  We have been welcoming unless they have an agenda different from our own.  But I have also noticed that few people really stay around and add to our culture.  For example, the Friday night chat has stayed about the same number of people for the past year from what I can tell.  I don't know if I'd like it as much if it were much bigger, so maybe we're growing/evolving at just the right pace.  The bottom line is that we need to never forget that growth factors need to play into our decisions.

This was more than I planned to write, but I'm glad we're talking about this.  

deimos3428 wrote:
This is at least the second time someone's touched on the issue of "expanding" the Acaeum in recent history.  I'm not sure that's a good idea, or necessary.  It has a well-defined focus as it is, in my opinion.

I believe the current focus of the site as a "Dungeons & Dragons Knowledge Compendium" is fine just the way it is.  I dont much care for the Wiki idea.  Too many possible headaches to deal with.  I dont care much to see it opened up to allow for just any subweb either.  I dont really think a MERP/Rolemaster, Traveller,  Call of Cthulhu, or any other game system subweb that isnt somehow connected with D&D would enhance the site at all.  Not when there are already resources for those systems already out there.  Why do what Tome of Treasures is already trying to accomplish?  And although I think the site is a fantastic resource  I also think that they are in way over their heads.  TFM is going to bankrupt himself trying to gather everything he wants to see listed there.  

I think it would be great to see more information regarding the entirety of TSR.  Specifically the miniature rules and wargames aspect.  A 2nd Edition section might be a good idea.  But the TSR Archive does a fairly decent job of cataloging the 2nd Edition stuff already.

I gotta agree with Blackmoor.  By allowing just anyone to update information we are opening the door to mistakes and problems.

are all cards on table or anyone have more double secret projects now??

By allowing just anyone to update information we are opening the door to mistakes and problems.

who is not 'just anyone'?? fix with overkill global WP:SEMI if must
@Mars. is not same as wikipedia with newbies reverting correct updates + have final say

HermitFromPluto wrote:It is hard to find that middle line.

talk page easier access from main article on wiki + can have multiple povs shown even if npov goal

HermitFromPluto wrote:Soon every body will be able to access all the world's data everywhere and peer review will be by the masses. This will fundamentally change society and will happen whether we like it or not. Raising kids these days is different. We need to teach them the manage information and opposed to remember information.

^v^