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WikiPatternLanguage
MeatballWiki | RecentChanges | Random Page | Indices | CategoriesThe WikiPatternLanguage is a PatternLanguage in the tradition of ChristopherAlexander. It describes structural elements that can be observed in wiki communities and that may be reused over and over to strengthen existing communities or to build new communities. Currently there may be about 100-200 patterns available, but they havn't yet been systemetically identified and described. A PatternLanguage is usually defined by a formal "pattern form" creating a "pattern database entry". Currently there is only a draft for such a WikiPatternForm (see also WikiPatternFormTemplate). It's important that patterns are always optional, they inform and thus prepare autonomous decisions of those involved. It also makes no sense to combine them ALL into a single new or existing system. Also, not everything that's useful or repeated is a pattern. A pattern must have a structural aspect, so that something remains, even when people move on. Activities, strategies, processes or relationships are not patterns in themselves.
For more background information see PatternTheory. In case of questions please discuss them wherever it fits or contact HelmutLeitner (who initiated this rudimentary endeavour).
By the way, you will often find patterns in two or more categories, because they resonate with more than one aspect or category. There is no strict hierarchy, you can look at the patterns from different perspectives.
Orientational patterns:
- FrontPagePattern? (example: FrontPage)
- MissionStatement (example: MeatballMission)
- RoadMap (examples: see backlinks from CategoryRoadmap)
- SearchPage?
- PageIndex? (see: AllPages)
- CategorySystem? (example: see backlinks from CategoryCategory)
Single page patterns:
- GuestBookPattern (example: RecentVisitors)
- SandBoxPattern (example: SandBox) -- direct wiki testing (first steps of newcomers) to a single dedicated page
- SearchPage?
- BlackBoardPattern
- TourBusStop
- WikiNode
Page group patterns:
- HomePage -- a personal page in MaintainerMode (personal STRONG CENTER, ROUGHNESS of group) (examples: see backlinks from CategoryHomePage)
- HelpPage? (example: TextFormattingRules)
- CommunityLorePage? -- a page that's like a piece of poetry or literature (examples: WhyWikiWorks)
- ArticlePage -- a page similar to an printed article (topicial STRONG CENTER, ROUGHNESS of opinion)(examples: see backlinks from CategoryArticle)
- ObjectPage (examples: see backlinks from CategoryBook or CategoryPeople)
- RoadMap -- a portal page for a larger project or topic (WHOLENESS, STRONG CENTER)
- FaqPage? -- a page containing questions and asnwers (CONTRAST, ALTERNATING REPETITION)
- PatternLanguage
- WikiMemorial -- to give a the memories of a dear person we want to remember a public place
- CategoryPage? (example: CategoryBook)
Information scaling eases access / readability:
- CommunityName? -- the names describes the community and creates correct expectations
- PageNameConsistency -- we strive for consistency between page name and page content
- PageIntroduction -- it's good to have a sentence or a small paragraph explaing the page
- ArticleAbstract? -- an abstract summarizes a longer article
- OneTopicParagraph? -- it's good to have only a single topic in one paragraph
- ParagraphWithInlineHeader? -- such a paragraph can have
- ChapterHeaderConsistency? -- of course the header and the content of a chapter should also be consistent
- ListEntryExplanation? -- often lists are more understandable when the naked entry (e. g. a linkor a page name) is accompanied by a short explanation
Behavioural patterns and rituals:
- WelcomeNewcomer -- when a newcomer starts writing, we appreciate this and he is welcomed as a guest
- CommunityAward? -- at meatball the BarnStar is used to say ThankYou for important contributions
- AwardRitual -- how to give the CommunityAward?
- ThankYou -- tell people that you like what they do, whenever possible
- WikiFriend -- a factor in a TrustMetric that is a function of the Time spent in public behaviours.
- DevolvePower -- give responsibility and trust to people in the community
InvolveTheVisitor patterns:
- GuestBook / RecentVisitors -- create a place where people can leave their name and comments (SIMPLICITY)
- BlackBoardPattern -- a neutral page for discussions (THE VOID, FREEDOM)
- HelpDesk? / FaqPage? -- a space for supporting users and collecting support questions
Cultural patterns:
- BarnRaising -- helping each other
- SoftSecurity
- PovPattern
- MemberCommunity?
- WikiSociety?
- LocalLanguage?
- PatternLanguage
Modes of collaboration:
- DocumentMode -- collaboration towards an neutral point of view summary of a topic
- ThreadMode -- linear discussions or conversations in a wiki
- ConversationMode -- a ThreadMode with author names in front of the contributions
- BrainstormMode -- seeking new ideas, temporarily creating a page of questionable quality
- MaintainerMode -- publishing aricles combining the traditional author role and wiki features
- AgreementMode -- to act towards consensus in the wiki, create a framework replacing real world time+space
- ProcessMode? (for example: BusRouteDiscussion) -- define rules for a process that does not result in wiki content
- RefactoringMode? -- how to organize the rewriting of a page, avoiding conflict and avoiding the loss of information
Communication patterns:
- HomePage -- a personal page in MaintainerMode (personal STRONG CENTER, ROUGHNESS of group)
- ArticlePage -- a page similar to an printed article (topicial STRONG CENTER, ROUGHNESS of opinion)
- PostingPattern?
- CommentPattern?
- CorrectionPattern?
- HeadlinePage?
- InformationDrop?
- ReciprocityResonance -- learn by imitation, do as others do
- ...
Structural patterns:
- ParagraphSequencePattern?
- ParagraphTreePattern?
- ListPattern?
- ShortCitationPostingPattern?
- InformationDrop?
- ...
WikiInformationScaling patterns:
- ConsistentPage? -- correspondence of page name and page content (ALTERNATING REPETITION, SYMMETRY)
- HeaderSectionPattern? (LEVELS OF SCALE)
- ListEntryExplanationPattern? -- (example: WikiProblems)
- SummaryParagraphPattern? (LEVELS OF SCALE)
- WikiSignature? -- the name of the poster links to his HomePage, forms a gate to the personal context (ALTERNATING REPETITION, ROUGHNESS, AMBIGUITY)
- ...
Rhetorical patterns:
- ThereforeBut? -- give advice but also mentions exceptional cases (SYMMETRY)
- ProAndConPattern? -- arrange space for positive and negative arguments (SYMMETRY)
- WikiPatternForm -- try a formal description of patterns that are recognized (ECHO, REPETITION)
- ...
User identity patterns:
- UserName / WikiSignature?
- HomePage -- a personal page in MaintainerMode (personal STRONG CENTER, ROUGHNESS of group)
- GoalStatement -- defining the interests of a user
- BarnStar / AwardRitual -- given praise to a user valuing his contribution
- WikiBlogPattern -- a wiki page (or section of a page) used as an online diary, allows open thinking
- WikiMailbox? -- using the HomePage for the exchange of messages
- ...
User role patterns:
- the central role: WikiHost?, BenevolentDictator
- in an organisation: WikiChampion, EditorialTeam?
- MemberRole
- GuestRole
- OccasionalContributor
- ...
Role model patterns:
- FounderContributorRoleModel?
- AdminContributorRoleModel?
- SuggestedWikiRoleModel
- ...
Reader oriented patterns:
- FrontPagePattern?
- ArticlePage
- RoadMap
- FaqPage?
- ...
Wiki identity patterns:
- CommunityName?
- MissionStatement (for example: MeatballMission)
- PovPattern -- NPOV, CPOV, GPOV, MPOV, FPOV, ...
- NymityPattern? -- user name / identity expectations
- CommunityPageDesign? (includes CommunityLogo?) -- make the online community visually unique
- CommunityAward?
- CommunityDigest? (for example: MeatballDigest) -- summarizes RecentChanges, builds community history
- CommunityStatistics? -- document history ... project the future
- ...
Online system patterns:
Wiki growth patterns:
- WikiMission -- the shadow of future as driving force
- InterWiki -- a wiki is not an island. The neighbourhood is a nourishing environment. (BOUNDARIES)
- GimmeFive -- balance and beauty in internal growth (STRONG CENTERS)
- WikiIdentity? -- make it something that people can be proud to be part of it, that people can talk about (ROUGHNESS)
- ContentAndCommunity? -- the balance between texts and humans (SYMMETRY)
Wiki mechanics patterns:
- SimpleMarkup? (SIMPLICITY)
- Wiki:AutomaticLinkGeneration (SIMPLICITY)
- Wiki:LinkNameIsPageName (SIMPLICITY)
Wiki application patterns:
- WikisForEncyclopedia? -- collect knowledge using NPOV
- WikisForOnlineCommunity? -- a pure OnlineCommunity forms without a backing organisation
- WikisForOrganisation? -- existing community extends to the online space (CommunityOnline)
- WikisForConferences? -- wikis for all kinds of events that need to organize speakers or a schedule
- WikisForProjectManagement
- WikisForEducation? -- wikis for classes, schools or universities
- WikisForPublishing -- support a classical publishing process for articles
CategoryRoadmap CategoryWikiPatternLanguage