Wiki danger zones - Revision history

BethWeiss: /* Guiding Principle */ WoW

2026-06-01T03:20:32Z

Guiding Principle: WoW

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:20, 1 June 2026
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	Avoiding these helps keep the wiki clear, practical, and maintainable.		Avoiding these helps keep the wiki clear, practical, and maintainable.

	== ~~Guiding Principle~~ ==		== Words of Wisdom ==
	When in doubt, prioritize clarity, usefulness, and flexibility over completeness.		When in doubt, prioritize clarity, usefulness, and flexibility over completeness.

BethWeiss: /* Related */ Fixed link

2026-03-25T23:19:39Z

Related: Fixed link

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:19, 25 March 2026
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	== Related ==		== Related ==
	* [[Contributing to This Wiki]]		* [[Contributing to This Wiki]]
	* [[~~Main Page\|~~Local Group Toolkit]]		* [[Local Group Toolkit]]

BethWeiss: /* Related */ Added link

2026-03-25T14:47:27Z

Related: Added link

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:47, 25 March 2026
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	== Related ==		== Related ==
	* [[Contributing to This Wiki]]		* [[Contributing to This Wiki]]
	* [[Local Group Toolkit ~~\| Main Page~~]]		* [[Main Page\|Local Group Toolkit]]

BethWeiss: restructured

2026-03-25T14:46:52Z

restructured

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:46, 25 March 2026
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	== Purpose ==		== Purpose ==
	~~This page highlights~~ common pitfalls that ~~can~~ reduce the usefulness of the toolkit.		Highlight common pitfalls that reduce the usefulness of the toolkit.

	Avoiding these ~~“danger zones”~~ helps keep the wiki ~~accurate~~, practical, and ~~easy to use~~.		Avoiding these helps keep the wiki clear, practical, and maintainable.

			== Guiding Principle ==
			When in doubt, prioritize clarity, usefulness, and flexibility over completeness.

	== Policy Dump ==		== Policy Dump ==
	Avoid copying official policies, bylaws, or governing documents ~~into the wiki~~.		Avoid copying official policies, bylaws, or governing documents.

	* Link to official sources instead		* Link to official sources instead
			* Summarize only what is needed for practical use

	* Summarize only what is needed for practical understanding		If information exists in multiple places, one of them will become outdated.

	If ~~the same~~ information exists in multiple places, one of them will ~~eventually be wrong~~.

	== One True Way ==		== One True Way ==
	There is no single “correct” way to run a Local Group.		There is no single “correct” way to run a Local Group.

	* Avoid presenting one approach as the only option		* Avoid presenting one approach as the only option
			* Show alternatives when helpful
			* Acknowledge tradeoffs

	* Show alternatives when appropriate		The goal is to support decision-making, not replace it.

	* Highlight tradeoffs and flexibility

	The goal is to support ~~different approaches~~, not replace ~~them~~.

	== Museum Effect ==		== Museum Effect ==
	~~A wiki that isn’t maintained becomes outdated~~.		Outdated content reduces trust.

	* Update content regularly

	* Remove or revise outdated guidance

	* ~~Archive~~ content ~~that is no longer current~~		* Update content regularly
			* Revise or remove outdated guidance
	~~Archiving is supported by the Leadership Development Committee.~~		* Archive when appropriate

	== Inside Knowledge ==		== Inside Knowledge ==
	~~Avoid assuming~~ prior knowledge.		Do not assume prior knowledge.

	* Explain terms, acronyms, and processes		* Explain terms, acronyms, and processes
			* Avoid local or region-specific shorthand
	* Avoid region~~-specific or group~~-specific shorthand		* Write for someone new to the role

	* Write for someone ~~completely~~ new to the role

	~~What seems obvious to you may not be obvious to others.~~

	== Overload ==		== Overload ==
	Too much information ~~can be as harmful as too little~~.		Too much information reduces usability.

	* Avoid long, unstructured text		* Avoid long, unstructured text
			* Break content into sections or subpages
			* Keep pages focused and scannable

	* Break content into sections or subpages		If a page feels overwhelming, simplify it.

	* Keep pages focused and scannable

	If a page feels overwhelming, it ~~probably is~~.

	== Duplication ==		== Duplication ==
	~~Avoid repeating the same~~ content ~~across multiple pages~~.		Repeated content creates confusion.

	* Link ~~to existing content~~ instead		* Link instead of repeating
			* Maintain a single source of truth
	* Maintain a single ~~“source~~ of ~~truth” for each topic~~

	~~Duplication creates confusion and inconsistency over time.~~

	== Over-Prescription ==		== Over-Prescription ==
	Avoid turning guidance into rigid rules.		Avoid turning guidance into rigid rules.

	* Use flexible language (“consider,” “may,” “often”)		* Use flexible language (“consider,” “may,” “often”)
			* Allow variation across Local Groups
	* Allow ~~room for~~ variation ~~between~~ Local Groups

	~~This toolkit supports decision-making — it does not replace it.~~

	== Key Takeaway ==		== Key Takeaway ==
	~~When in doubt, aim~~ for:		Aim for content that is:

	* Clear

	* Practical

	* Flexible

	* Maintainable		* Clear
			* Practical
			* Flexible
			* Maintainable

	~~These principles keep the toolkit useful over time.~~
	== Related ==		== Related ==
	* [[What Belongs Here]]
	* [[Contributing to This Wiki]]		* [[Contributing to This Wiki]]
			* [[Local Group Toolkit \| Main Page]]

BethWeiss: Added related links

2026-03-25T00:11:30Z

Added related links

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:11, 25 March 2026
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	These principles keep the toolkit useful over time.		These principles keep the toolkit useful over time.
			== Related ==
			* [[What Belongs Here]]
			* [[Contributing to This Wiki]]

BethWeiss: Created

2026-03-25T00:11:02Z

Created

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-= Wiki Danger Zones =
+== Purpose ==
 == Policy Dump ==
-Link to policies instead of copying them.  If information is in two places one of them is sure to be wrong.
+Avoid copying official policies, bylaws, or governing documents into the wiki.
 == One True Way ==
-There is no "one true way".  Show options and tradeoffs, rather than just replacing the option(s) that are already there.
+There is no single “correct” way to run a Local Group.
 == Museum Effect ==
-Update regularly and archive outdated content.  Archiving will be the responsibility of the [[Leadership Development Committee]].
+A wiki that isn’t maintained becomes outdated.
 == Inside Knowledge ==
-Avoid references new volunteers will not understand.  Be sure to explain jargon; it is not necessarily the same for all Local Groups and Regions.
+Avoid assuming prior knowledge.

BethWeiss: Created page with "= Wiki Danger Zones = == Policy Dump == Link to policies instead of copying them. If information is in two places one of them is sure to be wrong. == One True Way == There is no "one true way". Show options and tradeoffs, rather than just replacing the option(s) that are already there. == Museum Effect == Update regularly and archive outdated content. Archiving will be the responsibility of the Leadership Development Committee. == Inside Knowledge == Avoid ref..."

2026-02-17T05:21:47Z

Created page with "= Wiki Danger Zones = == Policy Dump == Link to policies instead of copying them. If information is in two places one of them is sure to be wrong. == One True Way == There is no "one true way". Show options and tradeoffs, rather than just replacing the option(s) that are already there. == Museum Effect == Update regularly and archive outdated content. Archiving will be the responsibility of the Leadership Development Committee. == Inside Knowledge == Avoid ref..."

New page

= Wiki Danger Zones =

== Policy Dump ==
Link to policies instead of copying them. If information is in two places one of them is sure to be wrong.

== One True Way ==
There is no "one true way". Show options and tradeoffs, rather than just replacing the option(s) that are already there.

== Museum Effect ==
Update regularly and archive outdated content. Archiving will be the responsibility of the [[Leadership Development Committee]].

== Inside Knowledge ==
Avoid references new volunteers will not understand. Be sure to explain jargon; it is not necessarily the same for all Local Groups and Regions.