2009/06/19
Posting June 19, 2009 5:33pm EST
O.k. I am calling this post #1a only because I am manually reposting it. We some how lost the news page and blog between 3-5pm EST on 6/18. We'll figure out what's going on, and I'll update you.
Originally posted on June 19 about 7pm PST.
So, if you got this far, then you didn't mind too much receiving my long e-mail note. I am writing, this with Rachel Maddow in the background, so apologies for any typos, missed words, etc.
In the last day we have made good progress:
1) We now have the ability to place pages, simultaneously under multiple nodes.
2) Are settling on attribute formats that are providing multiple and credits to the content on the wiki.
3) Had a helpful discussion on the future of the wiki, domain names, etc.
4) Defined the Construction Ergonomics wiki as an experiment to determine how best to structure a wiki to elicit maximum response from a small population of academic researchers, private sector individuals, and practitioners.
Also, below is the content of the note I sent a few minutes ago.
Dear All
I would like for Thursday, June 25 to be the date that we launch a beta version of the Construction Wikis page. By "beta" I have in mind allowing the url: http://orcehs.org/wiki/display/orcehs/Construction+Ergonomics
to be opened to viewing without registration. During this beta, we will invite a target audience (to be determined with input from CPWR and ORC). During this period of invited viewing, individuals will not have to log on, but they can if they want. In my view, the primary goal of the beta launch is not to develop the wiki, but to elicit feedback and data from a target audience to learn what should be changed to facilitate their future contributions to the wiki. Then, we can incorporate these ideas and re-launch the wiki on a to-be-determined domain name (perhaps chosen on the wiki) to a broader audience in July. We are moving quickly because the UO subcontract from CPWR ends on June 30. I will continue working on this after that date, and we'll decide in July or August whether this effort is worth continuing.
Our research team, sponsored by CPWR, is beginning to view the Construction Ergonomics Wiki as an experiment to explore the potential attributes and liabilities of wikis in the area of construction worker safety, I am working on formalizing the methodology for doing this. In writing this document, to be presented on the wiki, open to edits, I will discuss what can be reasonably tested (i.e. what are good performance benchmarks) given the relatively small target audience. The launch in July will give us additional data about the value of building out future wikis in related areas.
I will be in contact with various people about different aspects of our pilot roll out. In short, here is what I have in mind:
Consideration of Target audience
I will be in touch with Mary (Director of Communications, CPWR) and Jim (Director of Research, CPWR) and Scott (Senior Consultant, ORC Worldwide) Others weigh in, as you would like.
Consideration of initial list of invitees
Sharon Garber (not yet formally involved on this project) has provided a list of people. We should think about categories of individuals. Anyone can weigh in with suggestions. Thanks
Development of Feedback Instrument/Identification of metrics
Let me know if you would like to be included in circulation of the first draft.
I will be in touch with Scot Madar and Jacob Vineyard (UO undergrad programmer) about whether we can embed feedback questions in the wiki, without requiring registration.
Major tasks prior to June 25 launch
Continued uploading of public domain material on wiki
Develop content for Safety in Design research (Morgan)
Development of new content (Marc and Jen)
Continued editing on content, identification of pages without full or proper attribution (Helen, Marc, Morgan)
I will post the content of this note in the form of a blog on the site in just a moment. Future updates will be on the Development blog at http://orcehs.org/wiki/display/orcehs/Construction+Ergonomics so you won't have to be bothered by too much email, unless you elicit it.
Thanks Steve, Tonette, and Tom (and others) for reading this far. If you haven't done so recently, you may want to view the wiki for recent changes.
Log on credentials: marcweintsein
pswd: wiki444
http://orcehs.org/wiki/display/orcehs/Construction+Ergonomics
Thanks for any ideas you have and for your help to date,
MW
