WikiBlogPattern

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OnlineDiaries take different technical forms, most popular are blogs, nowadays. Sometimes people use normal webpages (the first blogs were that way) or wikis. Within a wiki a diary is just a small part of the system, usually a section of the homepage or maybe a separate page. But it may fill multiple needs.

PATTERN FORM (WikiPatternLanguage)

Pattern Name: WikiBlogPattern
Context: A user, his online and offline life, a wiki.
Problem: A user (often the founder) feels connected to a wiki and its mission and he wants to contribute there OnTopic, but he has lots of experiences and feelings that he needs to express but that don't fit in directly.
Solution: Use the freedom of the homepage to create a diary section. Now each experience can be put on this time-line. This is also a show-case which makes the user more understandable for the other users, it's another way of opening to the public, of giving trust. It also creates a story, in a way tells the history of the community. It creates traffic and chances for communication, that are otherwise not immediately available or not visible. On the other hand an entry is also distanced: there is no direct invitation or need to comment or discuss issues.
But: Only use this pattern if you born to it, not because of rational reasoning. Diary writing isn't for everyone. You need a rich life to keep it interesting and going. It also may create additional vulnerability.
Implementations: Usually as a section of a HomePage, sometimes as a subpage, rarely as a separate page.
Examples: SunirShah (section), ChuckAdams (section), [GlobalVillages:Blogs/KerrySanto] (page)
See also: HomePage, OnTopic, CommunityHistory?

END OF PATTERN FORM

CategoryWikiPatternLanguage

WikiBlogPattern

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