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Started by pelican, April 15, 2008, 02:51:41 AM

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pelican

Hello fellow CAPTalkers,

Recently my brother posted about a new CAP site I was trying to start up, www.caplopedia.com. Got some response from it, but wasn't sure if the concept was explained completely then. What I am trying to accomplish is to start basically a CAP wiki, a CAP encyclopedia if you will. What I am hoping to accomplish is to start a user-driven site that can be updated by motivated people like you to keep members posted on news, new training, activities, photos and videos, and whatever else can be of use to the Civil Air Patrol. I am looking to make a site where someone can go and learn stuff like the best techniques on how to DF, better recruiting and retention methods, how to PT correctly, learn better study and leadership techniques, and much much more. In fact there is potential for an idea I had a while back for having drill competitions and other similar contests online through use of video posting and a user rating system where the users would truly have control over who is the best.

Because the site is user-driven, it's only limited to what the users want. It is currently still being developed, but can only improve through valuable feedback from those who use it. I am hoping that CAPlopedia can only enhance CAPTalk by being able to archive all the older threads in an article manner so the valuable time, energy and resources put into each conversation is not lost. I believe that CAP can only move forward and I want every member to have access to the best information available, but I need your help. Please go to www.caplopedia.com to see what you think about the look and feel of the site, as well as the incredible potential that it has. Also please keep in mind that I am not trying to replace CAPTalk at all, but rather more of a support for helping found and pioneer new CAP practices.

Thanks for stopping and taking the time to read this. I am truly motivated to help the Civil Air Patrol grow even stronger of an organization than it is now and feel that this is a way to help. Looking forward to seeing you over on caplopedia.

2LT. Reuben Tamblingson

Eclipse

There's already a mature CAP wiki at Cadet Stuff.

"That Others May Zoom"

Pylon

Quote from: Eclipse on April 15, 2008, 02:59:56 AM
There's already a mature CAP wiki at Cadet Stuff.

I think that's only Cadet Programs in scope (little to no operations stuff, for sure), and it's not very active.
Michael F. Kieloch, Maj, CAP

Eclipse

Yes, though the intent was to be a global reach.

If I was going to be turning any wrenches on a wiki, that's where I would go, since a lot of the content is already in place.

also, a quick check of the oen referenced above looks to be the same thing, cadets an recruiting.

"That Others May Zoom"

pelican

Quote from: Eclipse on April 15, 2008, 03:04:42 AM
Yes, though the intent was to be a global reach.

If I was going to be turning any wrenches on a wiki, that's where I would go, since a lot of the content is already in place.

also, a quick check of the oen referenced above looks to be the same thing, cadets an recruiting.

Ummm, if you read what I had put all the way, I had mentioned something about the site not being finished and still under construction. I did look at CadetStuff and was turned off by the fact that nothing new had been posted in quite some time. I am almost wanting to say several months. That is no way to run a site that is supposed to be a high CAP site. Also, it was only really after I had started CAPlopedia that CadetStuff really started posting new stuff. After they saw someone got tired of seeing the same crap in the same spot with the same stupid blue background and yellow text which btw is very hard to read. Please note though, I am not biased against CadetStuff, I just like to see something new every now and again. I do have the basic structure in place to put sections up for much more than what is up now. I have the ability to create a news area where people from every wing can upload their specific wings news and have it show in the proper section. Again, it is UNDER CONSTRUCTION PEOPLE!!!!! I will not say it again. Also as I said before, take a look and let me know what you think the site needs. That is my reason for posting this here in the first place. So take a step back, look a little deeper and go beyond skin deep okay? Thanks.

kpetersen

They're not trying to jump down your throat.  I think its just more that rather than having one or two persons editing the site like you have, CS rather has the ability for anyone to add information, and they have several site administrators that help keep things in check.  Maybe you could talk to them, and ask them if you can add your caplopedia information to the site, so that way there is one source for everything.  It will prevent the captalk, and cadetstuff forum issue we currently have, where cs is where you get all the cadet info, and Captalk is where all the real stuff is (jk).  That, and people are lazy.  If they have a question they want answered, they're more likely to post it in the forum than do a search.  Particularly for questions that can be found in regs.
Kat Petersen, Maj, CAP

pixelwonk

A few points there, highspeed:


  • Consider waiting to roll out menu items on your site until you have content to fill them with.  Nothing pets my peeve worse than a link that goes to a blank page or empty space.
  • Your site does not display correctly in either Firefox nor IE7, with menus superimposed over text areas.
  • The site, contrary to being advertised as valid CSS and XHTML,  ...isn't.

QuoteIt is currently still being developed, but can only improve through valuable feedback from those who use it.
Understood, but if the simple stuff isn't fixed, subsequent visits shouldn't really be expected.  And then there's this:
Quote from: pelican on April 15, 2008, 03:16:19 AM
Ummm, if you read what I had put all the way, I had mentioned something about the site not being finished and still under construction. I did look at CadetStuff and was turned off by the fact that nothing new had been posted in quite some time. I am almost wanting to say several months. That is no way to run a site that is supposed to be a high CAP site. Also, it was only really after I had started CAPlopedia that CadetStuff really started posting new stuff. After they saw someone got tired of seeing the same crap in the same spot with the same stupid blue background and yellow text which btw is very hard to read. Please note though, I am not biased against CadetStuff, I just like to see something new every now and again. I do have the basic structure in place to put sections up for much more than what is up now. I have the ability to create a news area where people from every wing can upload their specific wings news and have it show in the proper section. Again, it is UNDER CONSTRUCTION PEOPLE!!!!! I will not say it again. Also as I said before, take a look and let me know what you think the site needs. That is my reason for posting this here in the first place. So take a step back, look a little deeper and go beyond skin deep okay? Thanks.

...Nice

pelican

Really? It doesn't show in Firefox or IE7? Cause I have IE7, Firefox, Opera, and Safari and I believe it works in all of them. That's really weird. Ummm, any thoughts? Okay, see your point about empty space, haven't had time recently to rectify that. Also, like I said earlier CAPlopedia is meant to be a user-driven site. Anyone will have the ability to post new information and if they have the appropriate clearance, edit it as well. The reason I may have one or two people editing the site is cause I have basically no user base therefore requiring no extra admins. Also, Have you taken a look at how CadetStuff is laid out? It can be interesting trying to find information. I am trying to propose a better way. Also, if I am not mistaken, don't the admins have to publish out before people see the info? CAPlopedia lets you see it posthaste. I am also trying to hit the spectrum of CAP, not just the cadet side.

tedda, btw your site (/]http://swivelch[bannedurl]/) rocks man, love the comics. If you have any suggestions about what I could do to make the site valid CSS and XHTML, that would be great.

Gunner C

Here's what you have:

FOR ALL THOSE WHO WERE ASKING ABOUT IT, THE FORUMS IS FINALLY UP!!!

You might change it to either "the forum is up" or "the forums are up."  The "forums is up" just doesn't make it.  We won't go into "forums vs fora."  ;D

I hope your site is successful.

GC

JayT

Quote from: pelican on April 15, 2008, 03:16:19 AM
Quote from: Eclipse on April 15, 2008, 03:04:42 AM
Yes, though the intent was to be a global reach.

If I was going to be turning any wrenches on a wiki, that's where I would go, since a lot of the content is already in place.

also, a quick check of the oen referenced above looks to be the same thing, cadets an recruiting.

Ummm, if you read what I had put all the way, I had mentioned something about the site not being finished and still under construction. I did look at CadetStuff and was turned off by the fact that nothing new had been posted in quite some time. I am almost wanting to say several months. That is no way to run a site that is supposed to be a high CAP site. Also, it was only really after I had started CAPlopedia that CadetStuff really started posting new stuff. After they saw someone got tired of seeing the same crap in the same spot with the same stupid blue background and yellow text which btw is very hard to read. Please note though, I am not biased against CadetStuff, I just like to see something new every now and again. I do have the basic structure in place to put sections up for much more than what is up now. I have the ability to create a news area where people from every wing can upload their specific wings news and have it show in the proper section. Again, it is UNDER CONSTRUCTION PEOPLE!!!!! I will not say it again. Also as I said before, take a look and let me know what you think the site needs. That is my reason for posting this here in the first place. So take a step back, look a little deeper and go beyond skin deep okay? Thanks.

Don't take this the wrong way, but by bashing Cadet Stuff, I don't think I'll ever take a look at your little site.
"Eagerness and thrill seeking in others' misery is psychologically corrosive, and is also rampant in EMS. It's a natural danger of the job. It will be something to keep under control, something to fight against."

Capt Rivera

Quote from: JThemann on April 16, 2008, 05:58:09 PM

Don't take this the wrong way, but by bashing Cadet Stuff, I don't think I'll ever take a look at your little site.

I guess I didn't see it as a bash.... Cadetstuff is a good resource that I tend to ALWAYS choose to forget about. I honestly hate visiting the site... but I guess it just conflicts with my personality and my view on how websites should change/transition with the times...  I admit its been a while since I've bothered to go there, but unless someone came to CAPTalk and mentioned that Cadetstuff has had a MAJOR face lift, it will probably be a long while before I visit it again...
//Signed//

Joshua Rivera, Capt, CAP
Squadron Commander
Grand Forks Composite Squadron
North Dakota Wing, Civil Air Patrol
http://www.grandforkscap.org