FAQ-FAQs
From SILSWiki
What's a FAQ?
Frequently Asked Questions, usually about a particular topic. There are FAQs about every conceivable topic. For example, see FAQ.org top-rated FAQs.
What's a FAQ-FAQ?
Questions (and hopefully answers) about this particular FAQ.
How long has this FAQ been around?
The SILS wiki was officially launched January 31, 2006.
Can anyone edit this or post something here?
Anyone in the SILS community with a wiki ID can contribute, and is encouraged to do so. That's what a wiki is about. Just click the edit link or tab and away you go. If you want to practice first, try the Sandbox.
Do I have to have an ID to edit content?
Yes, you need a wiki ID to be able to add or edit content. Get your wiki ID here.
What if I mess something up?
You really can't. Even if you did, it just takes a few mouse-clicks to revert back a previous version of the page by using the [history page] which every wiki page has. Have no fear.
Are there similar FAQs out there @ UNC, or elsewhere?
Good question. There are very few wikis at UNC that are comperable in aim and scope to this wiki. Not even @ the CS Dept., the ATN Help Desk, or ibiblio. The GPSF wiki is the largest in scope; there is also the CADDLab wiki and the Webmasters wiki but that's about it. There is no known wiki comperable to this one @ UNC. That's incredible, and a golden opportunity for SILS to lead the way in collaborative knowledge management. For a good example of a mature community-oriented wiki see Davis Wiki.
Is it OK to correct grammar or spelling of someone else's entry?
Absolutely. Entries on a wiki don't belong to an author like traditional mediums. Wiki text and content is social and belongs to the collective. Once you write something, you release it for others to add to, change, correct, and generally improve. In fact, this is a great way to start wiki'ing. Also see "the wiki prayer."
How can I tell who made a change or contribution?
If the entry is not signed you can look at the history tab and compare versions. The differences between versions are highlighted in red.
Is this wiki meant to replace the list-servs?
No, they are different tools. While the list-serv is a useful tool for discussion or getting answers to questions from the *current* participants of various list-servs, the wiki serves to collect and improve upon knowledge over time. The wiki is a knowledge base of valuable information, which has been aggregated over time, but, that is also instantly available to anyone with a browser, day or night.
