Wiki danger zones: Difference between revisions

VisualWikitext

Latest revision as of 03:20, 1 June 2026

Purpose

Highlight common pitfalls that reduce the usefulness of the toolkit.

Avoiding these helps keep the wiki clear, practical, and maintainable.

Words of Wisdom

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

Policy Dump

Avoid copying official policies, bylaws, or governing documents.

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

If information exists in multiple places, one of them will become outdated.

One True Way

There is no single “correct” way to run a Local Group.

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

The goal is to support decision-making, not replace it.

Museum Effect

Outdated content reduces trust.

Update content regularly
Revise or remove outdated guidance
Archive when appropriate

Inside Knowledge

Do not assume prior knowledge.

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

Overload

Too much information reduces usability.

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

If a page feels overwhelming, simplify it.

Duplication

Repeated content creates confusion.

Link instead of repeating
Maintain a single source of truth

Over-Prescription

Avoid turning guidance into rigid rules.

Use flexible language (“consider,” “may,” “often”)
Allow variation across Local Groups

Key Takeaway

Aim for content that is:

Clear
Practical
Flexible
Maintainable

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-= Wiki Danger Zones =
+== Purpose ==
+Highlight common pitfalls that reduce the usefulness of the toolkit.
+Avoiding these helps keep the wiki clear, practical, and maintainable.
+== Words of Wisdom ==
+When in doubt, prioritize clarity, usefulness, and flexibility over completeness.
 == 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.
+* Link to official sources instead
+* Summarize only what is needed for practical use
+If information exists in multiple places, one of them will become outdated.
 == 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.
+* Avoid presenting one approach as the only option
+* Show alternatives when helpful
+* Acknowledge tradeoffs
+The goal is to support decision-making, not replace it.
 == Museum Effect ==
-Update regularly and archive outdated content.  Archiving will be the responsibility of the [[Leadership Development Committee]].
+Outdated content reduces trust.
+* Update content regularly
+* Revise or remove outdated guidance
+* Archive when appropriate
 == 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.
+Do not assume prior knowledge.
+* Explain terms, acronyms, and processes
+* Avoid local or region-specific shorthand
+* Write for someone new to the role
+== Overload ==
+Too much information reduces usability.
+* Avoid long, unstructured text
+* Break content into sections or subpages
+* Keep pages focused and scannable
+If a page feels overwhelming, simplify it.
+== Duplication ==
+Repeated content creates confusion.
+* Link instead of repeating
+* Maintain a single source of truth
+== Over-Prescription ==
+Avoid turning guidance into rigid rules.
+* Use flexible language (“consider,” “may,” “often”)
+* Allow variation across Local Groups
+== Key Takeaway ==
+Aim for content that is:
+* Clear
+* Practical
+* Flexible
+* Maintainable
+== Related ==
+* [[Contributing to This Wiki]]
+* [[Local Group Toolkit]]