There is a mediawiki extension for phpBB that would be idea for this. However, N101CS is the only one who can install this. I've tried to email him, but he just doesn't return my messages.

I could set this mediawiki up on a separate webserver, but then we'd be splitting the function of this venue up.

Q

Oh, I wish I'd know that before I said yes. [I AM SPEAKING NOW AS A MODERATOR]. N101CS is very mindful when he set up this board that he was entrusted with access to members' private information and my sense is not inclined to broaden that at this time. He is very busy and unless it would add significantly to the board I'm not for adding to his work load. We have a backup plan in place in case there is another site meltdown and I want to just leave it this way for now. I think the knowledge base on the board is adequate and adequately organized for us and for newcomers to get what we need. I'd prefer to see us direct our efforts beyond the borders of this board and out into the wide world.

This really isn't any different than any of the any of the 100s of communities out there. Honestly, it is a really uncommon to have only one individual administer a site like this and especially uncommon for that one person to be largely absent from the community.



I would disagree with this. Digging through forum threads is not a very productive way to find information. If it were, then we'd see more messages boards as frontends to websites (also uncommon to see a message board as a frontend to a website). Here is a good example of a community driven website: www.eeeuser.com This community went from 0 to just under 100,000 users in less than a year. Most of the content on this site is generated by the community.

Having some sort of community maintained content is an excellent way to compile information and requires very little additional effort. Moreover, it is like a google magnet and will dramatical increase exposure.

I'll set something up on a sister site as I think this would be an invaluable resource to both this community and the community over at mywayout.org

Q

You may very well be right. If the goal is outreach then I'm all for it. I will keep an open mind.

What other reason do I have to be here now? Outreach is my #1 goal.

I know I am right. I've been doing systems and site administration for online communities not unlike this one for nearly 12 years. There are dozens of successful communities out there to model this one after. Right now, the tools to support the community are pretty spartan. I intend to change that and use my experience, skill set, and resources to provide those who come after us the very best to support their TSM walk.

Q

It's not my call to make about this board. Once TSM got up a head of steam on MyWayOut, we put a ton of effort into being vigilant about the accuracy of information being posted there. When we seemed to outgrow that board, N101CS put a ton of effort in this spare time getting this thing set up. If it's time to grow again so be it.

Lena, you don't need to explain the sequence to me. I was there right along with you

I agree with you, N101CS gave alot to get this community setup -- we all owe him a great deal for this forum. I really just want to help with this and expand where needed. I have tried to contact N101CS, but he has only responded to one message saying "To be honest, I think we're good right now but it's something I'll consider when I've got more time"

This issue I have right now is that N101CS controls everything with respect to this community, but he isn't even involved with this community beyond talking to you and Nick. You and Nick are doing a great job at moderating the forums, but we can do more.

We could be putting a wordpress blog as our frontend with daily TSM updates, and/or a mediawiki with information from all aspects of our effort.

I can set all of this up in a sister site, but it will draw traffic away from this one and I don't want to do that. However, I feel it is more important to get the information out there than to maintain the status quo.

IMO, this site, is gonna blow...soon. We're getting a steady stream of new members, but it's going to turn into a waterfall soon. I think we need to get ready.

I agree. The stories of THE CURED are going to blow this site up.

>>>I have tried to contact N101CS, but he has only responded to one message saying "To be honest, I think we're good right now but it's something I'll consider when I've got more time"<<<

Q...

Just so we're clear, that was a response to your kind offer to provide a backup server and/or storage space. It was not in response to the MediaWiki idea, which I think is a fine one. At the time I PMed you back about the backup space, you hadn't yet mentioned the MediaWiki. Anyway, my response was accurate: We have database backups and plenty of space. There may be a time we outgrow what we've got and we can look at our options then. We'd have to grow the membership 10,000% (or more) to outgrow our current space and even then, all it would take is my credit card to open up more space.

As far as there only being one administrator goes, well keep in mind that this place is only six months old and only has a couple hundred members. Comparatively speaking, this is a tiny forum that needs little moderation. There have been relatively few things Lena and Nick can't do. The only things an administrator can do that they can't are: muck with the forum software and databases and see personal information about forum members. The only reason they aren't administrators is that at this time they simply don't need to be.

As sensitive a topic as alcoholism is, the fewer people who have access to people's personal business the better. When the time comes to add administrators, I will do so after carefully considering who would be best for the job.

I am interested in the MediaWiki idea - I'm reading up on it right now...

RV