Wiki: A brilliant idea!

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  • Citizen X
    Diamond Member

    • Sep 2011
    • 3411

    #1

    Wiki: A brilliant idea!

    I see the business folks of TFSA making this a reality! It can happen. We just need to take a sober look at what the task entails. Okay, this is just my 2 cents(Just one members opinion!!!!!):-
    1. It will involve learning outcomes which are clearly formulated and defined(Any unit standard on the NQF website, can be used as a guiding light for how to develop learning outcomes);
    2. Once you have 1 learning outcome for instance. An understanding of planning must be demonstrated;
    2.1 You’ve now got a rudimentary learning outcome. The next step would be to get recognised foundation. Simply choose two current university textbooks on business management. Someone will by necessity actually have to buy it. Sources will be quoted , so the authors won’t have any problem. I do think, however, that if one of the authors or co-authors can give written approval for the use of the contents of such book in structured format and for the purpose of stimulating entrepreneurship, that credibility is automatically there;
    2.2. So we have a starting topic ‘Planning,’ and a table of contents if you will. Now this is where the business folk of TFSA come into play, they expand on this topic, actual experience etc;
    2.3 This can work for many reasons i.e. the government is not doing enough to help small businesses so if you say you sincerely want to help the small business guy with all aspects of business management from one pool, then I think you doing a great act of philanthropy; It so much so, that it’s not improbable to think that the media can support such a task; Now there are many individuals with religious convictions focusing on giving; these people regardless of their religion should be lobbied. I can only speak from my religious perspective, taking into consideration that there are other perspectives which I respect! There is a biblical principle that provides that it’s more blessed to give than to receive. Here we not asking for money, we simply asking for structured knowledge.
    2.4 You’ll need one or more people to coordinate this project and focus solely on that. Not an easy one! It’s just my opinion that you need a project leader(s), others may differ;
    2.5 You then need to develop a strong team kind of attitude among the members. This is also not an easy task! Look at all our Rugby coaches, soccer coaches etc
    2.6 Referencing techniques, we need to share with each other easy ways to comprehend both the harvard method of refering and footnotes!

    Eventually the power of TFSA will sustain this project! It just needs help in its teething phase, much the same, as pushing a large bolder up a mountain, sweat, blood and tears but when it’s time to roll it down, it carries its own weight, it does all the work for you.
    I wish TFSA every success with this project!!! It's a good cause!!!!
    “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." Winston Churchill
    Spelling mistakes and/or typographical errors I found in leading publications.
    Click here
    "Without prejudice and all rights reserved"

  • adrianh
    Diamond Member

    • Mar 2010
    • 6328

    #2
    Good one....you do it seeing as you have so much free time!

    The only good cause that I am interested in at the moment is lining my pocket!

    Comment

    • Citizen X
      Diamond Member

      • Sep 2011
      • 3411

      #3
      Originally posted by adrianh
      Good one....you do it seeing as you have so much free time!

      The only good cause that I am interested in at the moment is lining my pocket!
      A very good evening to you Adrian
      On the contrary! I don't have time to breathe..I'm playing catch up in all areas of my life!!! Yes, you must make a profit and your business must expand! Nothing wrong there! Even when you line your pockets, you still end up putting that same money right back into the economy from what you buy. It's actually in the countries best interest that you become more profitable and have more disposable income. Spending stimulates a healthy economy!
      “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." Winston Churchill
      Spelling mistakes and/or typographical errors I found in leading publications.
      Click here
      "Without prejudice and all rights reserved"

      Comment

      • adrianh
        Diamond Member

        • Mar 2010
        • 6328

        #4
        You see, so you agree that my bank balance is a good cause. Nah, I don't get to spend any of it...but...the wife on the other hand.....:-)

        Comment

        • Blurock
          Diamond Member

          • May 2010
          • 4203

          #5
          Good idea, I do not know how practical it is though.
          Veiome has started a blog on accounting. Any other experts willing to chip in?
          Excellence is not a skill; its an attitude...

          Comment

          • Citizen X
            Diamond Member

            • Sep 2011
            • 3411

            #6
            Originally posted by Blurock
            Good idea, I do not know how practical it is though.
            Veiome has started a blog on accounting. Any other experts willing to chip in?
            This will require a team effort! It must also be approached with no pecuniary financial reward in mind! The reward must be to make a meaningful contribution to society, to give back.TFSA is unique in many aspects, I think they can pull this off! The guiding light, in my opinion, should be one pool of knowledge. Here no one individual should expect or even think of reward or thank you or even acknowledgement. They must do it out of the goodness of their heart.
            Going forward(don’t know when), I’d like to make some form of contribution. I can only hope and pray that God gives me the strength and wisdom to approach this with the ‘bigger scheme of things,’ attitude.
            1. By necessity TFSA will have to break up the management functions i.e. Human resources, purchasing management, marketing management, financial management, asset management, public relations and contemporary issues….Just my opinion...

            “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." Winston Churchill
            Spelling mistakes and/or typographical errors I found in leading publications.
            Click here
            "Without prejudice and all rights reserved"

            Comment

            • Blurock
              Diamond Member

              • May 2010
              • 4203

              #7
              It is also a huge responsibility on behalf of the contributors as intended good advice may also be used against you in court if it does not work out.
              That's unfortunately the nature of the society that we live in.
              Excellence is not a skill; its an attitude...

              Comment

              • adrianh
                Diamond Member

                • Mar 2010
                • 6328

                #8
                @Vanash...you taking them happy pills again?

                Comment

                • Citizen X
                  Diamond Member

                  • Sep 2011
                  • 3411

                  #9
                  Originally posted by adrianh
                  @Vanash...you taking them happy pills again?
                  Adrian, I'm high on life! The frame of mind I’m currently in is one of give back to society with no financial expectation in mind. I sincerely believe that this is a good cause. I not entirely sure if I can make a meaningful contribution! My problem and challenge is that an academically acceptable article must be clear, concise, no redundancy and a formal tone and opposed to an informal tone. I have an informal way of writing which is not academically acceptable! I also use satirical gestures. I’m simply saying we some 14000 members, surely if every member contributes some granule of knowledge to the pool it will grow…
                  As you correctly stated in a previous post, time is not always a readily available resource…
                  “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." Winston Churchill
                  Spelling mistakes and/or typographical errors I found in leading publications.
                  Click here
                  "Without prejudice and all rights reserved"

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                  • wynn
                    Diamond Member

                    • Oct 2006
                    • 3338

                    #10
                    I agree with Vanash, except I think we should sell it as an e-book, funds can go to a charity all the contributors agree to by vote,
                    anybody buying the e-book must first sign an indemnity form.

                    Starting a wiki would be a good way of getting the information members have to offer together before publishing.

                    Also it does not have to be so scientific, just common sense and members experience.

                    Start with "so you have an idea for a business, now what?"

                    Oh and as a reward the contributors get to place adverts in the e-book!!!
                    "Nobody who has succeeded has not failed along the way"
                    Arianna Huffington

                    Read the first 10% of my books "Didymus" and "The BEAST of BIKO BRIDGE" for free
                    You can also read and download 100% free my short stories "A Real Surprise" and "Pieces of Eight" at
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                    Comment

                    • Citizen X
                      Diamond Member

                      • Sep 2011
                      • 3411

                      #11
                      Originally posted by wynn
                      I agree with Vanash, except I think we should sell it as an e-book, funds can go to a charity all the contributors agree to by vote,
                      anybody buying the e-book must first sign an indemnity form.

                      Starting a wiki would be a good way of getting the information members have to offer together before publishing.

                      Also it does not have to be so scientific, just common sense and members experience.

                      Start with "so you have an idea for a business, now what?"

                      Oh and as a reward the contributors get to place adverts in the e-book!!!
                      In that case i.e. not academic.. TFSA must provide proper guidelines and requirements. I have a personality and character, now in an article, this can never manifest. You need to assassinate your own personality. You need to be formal. Each sentence must be properly structured. You must work with well defined main ideas and you must by necessity have sources the Harvard method and footnotes as well as a list of references at the end of the article. It is for this reason that I know I’ll never be an academic writer. I personally will probably butcher my personality and make one post. Here in this thread we free to express ourselves as we see fit, unfortunately this is not the case with an article. I personally won’t expect anything in return. This is just my opinion. We must never loose sight of the fact that there are more than 14000 members of TFSA and therefore some 14000 opinions. We must never lose sight that we are merely members. TFSA will make the final call, they will direct the process they have started. I merely happened on the wiki TFSA post and stated my opinion
                      “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." Winston Churchill
                      Spelling mistakes and/or typographical errors I found in leading publications.
                      Click here
                      "Without prejudice and all rights reserved"

                      Comment

                      • Citizen X
                        Diamond Member

                        • Sep 2011
                        • 3411

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Blurock
                        It is also a huge responsibility on behalf of the contributors as intended good advice may also be used against you in court if it does not work out.
                        That's unfortunately the nature of the society that we live in.
                        Blurock your concerns are valid! I do however believe that since this is a TFSA iniative, they will have the obligatory disclaimers etc, they will therefor bear the ultimate risk and not us as mere individual members.
                        “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." Winston Churchill
                        Spelling mistakes and/or typographical errors I found in leading publications.
                        Click here
                        "Without prejudice and all rights reserved"

                        Comment

                        • Dave A
                          Site Caretaker

                          • May 2006
                          • 22803

                          #13
                          Vanash, you hit the core of the challenge when it comes to the Wiki area - it is a very demanding medium; far more demanding than the forum format.

                          The forum format lends itself to the question/answer(s) method of recording knowledge, and extracting that knowledge takes the form of a conversation. It's easy and natural - akin to the way a group explores issues and develops answers in the "real world".

                          The Wiki format is far more akin to "documentation of knowledge", and the first step for it to work is for someone with an understanding of where that document is headed to first lay out a framework. Only from there can you really start getting community support for the page/project as individuals add their own information to augment the existing content (or correct it, which starts a whole new series of issues).

                          My basic idea behind the TFSA wiki was to try to document some of the useful information that the TFSA forum area produces (with the emphasis on some). The goal isn't to duplicate the work done in the forum, but there are some instances where the more formally structured, editable nature of the wiki could produce better results than the forum discussion format.

                          Examples of instances off the top of my head would be:
                          • Where the content is dynamic and needs fairly regular updating,
                          • A subject is a compilation of multiple "threads", aimed to give a better overall understanding,
                          • It's a document that would benefit from having multiple contributors to the finished product,
                          • Updatable lists.


                          Ultimately I think we should recognise that the wiki format is nowhere near as engaging as the forum format, and is unlikely to ever see the same level of participation as the forum area does. At times I've even thought of dropping the wiki addition entirely (normally when dealing with a vBulletin update that messes up the integration, which is pretty challenging ). However, I've ended up keeping it as there are scenarios where it could prove a very useful tool to have handy one day.

                          In the mean time it remains available as an area for members to add to as time and passion may provide.

                          The TFSA general disclaimer should deal fairly well with the liability concerns raised. (Of course and as always, I'm open to any suggested improvements).
                          Participation is voluntary.

                          Alcocks Electrical Services | Alcocks Pest Control & Entomological Services | Alcocks Hygiene Services

                          Comment

                          • Citizen X
                            Diamond Member

                            • Sep 2011
                            • 3411

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Dave A
                            The Wiki format is far more akin to "documentation of knowledge", and the first step for it to work is for someone with an understanding of where that document is headed to first lay out a framework. Only from there can you really start getting community support for the page/project as individuals add their own information to augment the existing content (or correct it, which starts a whole new series of issues).

                            My basic idea behind the TFSA wiki was to try to document some of the useful information that the TFSA forum area produces (with the emphasis on some). The goal isn't to duplicate the work done in the forum, but there are some instances where the more formally structured, editable nature of the wiki could produce better results than the forum discussion format.

                            Examples of instances off the top of my head would be:
                            • Where the content is dynamic and needs fairly regular updating,
                            • A subject is a compilation of multiple "threads", aimed to give a better overall understanding,
                            • It's a document that would benefit from having multiple contributors to the finished product,
                            • Updatable lists.


                            Ultimately I think we should recognise that the wiki format is nowhere near as engaging as the forum format, and is unlikely to ever see the same level of participation as the forum area does. At times I've even thought of dropping the wiki addition entirely (normally when dealing with a vBulletin update that messes up the integration, which is pretty challenging ). However, I've ended up keeping it as there are scenarios where it could prove a very useful tool to have handy one day.

                            In the mean time it remains available as an area for members to add to as time and passion may provide.

                            The TFSA general disclaimer should deal fairly well with the liability concerns raised. (Of course and as always, I'm open to any suggested improvements).
                            A very good morning to you Dave,

                            I think the wiki idea, with an emphasis on South African Business is absolutely brilliant! I think it will work. You guys just need to provide us with very clear and concise requirements for articles. I think standardisation of the article will also be important. Each article ideally should have the same structure i.e. Introduction, body(with seperate manin ideas) and conclusion. Referencing is key and therefore reserach is key. Both the Harvard and footnote method of referencing should be used. Structure can be obtained from two main sources,1: two Introduction to Business Management Textbooks(The latest, Perhaps the textbook Wits is using and the textbook UCT is using and 2: SAQA, the NQF has come a long way in structuring learning outcomes and objectives. These learning outcomes and objectives can somehow be incorporated into the structure. Since at some point, the management functions of planning, organising, leading and control will by necessity also have to be included in articles, this project in and of itself will also require it's fair share of planning, organising, leading and controlling.

                            I suppose what I'm suggesting is that you guys give us guidance, without guidance, not even I will be able to make a meaningful contribution. AND, I know I will have to assasinate my effeversent way of talking!!!
                            “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." Winston Churchill
                            Spelling mistakes and/or typographical errors I found in leading publications.
                            Click here
                            "Without prejudice and all rights reserved"

                            Comment

                            • Dave A
                              Site Caretaker

                              • May 2006
                              • 22803

                              #15
                              The intro and main body sections kinda deals with itself.

                              Citations also seems to be embedded functionality, although I've never played with them myself yet.

                              From a page structure point of view there's not much wrong with this page from Wikipedia as an example of solid page structure - the South Africa page demonstrates what can be done if you're prepared to really get going with bells and whistles. But that's serious masterclass stuff!

                              Probably the other thing worth mentioning is the syntax is a little less intuitive than posting on the forum. But if you're interested to learn how to play, start here, then go muck around creating a page in the TFSA wiki.
                              Participation is voluntary.

                              Alcocks Electrical Services | Alcocks Pest Control & Entomological Services | Alcocks Hygiene Services

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