Note: BryanDaugherty recently found AboutUs and is now an Active Community Member. Bryan was nice enough to answer a few questions about his experiences at AboutUs.
1. What did you think of AboutUs when you first came here, and how has that changed as you started making edits and then really became an ActiveMember over the last few weeks?
I had never edited a wiki before and it seemed very intimidating. My first few edits were just updates to the information already listed (on Stackzilla.com/Evolution of Thought Institute) as this was the easiest to understand and do. I also examined other domain pages listed on AboutUs that I was familiar with and noticed the great possibilities that wiki and AboutUs had to offer. I was not sure whether investing the time into learning wiki would improve the traffic to my site, but felt that it could not hurt to learn to make more productive edits. Through many of the help features and some pointers from the courteous staff, I began to understand that editing was much more simple then previously thought.These initial edits helped introduce me to the wiki way which I found sincere and extremely productive. Not only were the edits I made increasing the traffic to Stackzilla.com but I thoroughly enjoyed the concept and ideals of participating in the AboutUs community. Reflecting back, I now consider some of my first edits “selfish†in comparison to all the work I witnessed by other active members and staff.
I began participating by taking stock in other members passions such as flagging adult content and welcoming. These first steps were rewarding because I was doing something that would make a difference outside of my own self-seeking interests. I also discovered that being a builder of portals and articles was very fulfilling and even helped introduce me to other individuals who shared the passions I enjoyed.
2. Now that you’ve built a few different WikiPages (from Stackzilla.com to your own PersonalPage, among others), what experiences do you have to share with others? (For example, what works, what doesn’t, tricks/tips, etc.)
The best advice I have received regarding editing pages at AboutUs still guides me to this day. Ted Ernst explained to me that no matter what edit I made, it would not break or harm anything and any edit can be reverted back to its original state. With this understanding in mind I felt more comfortable editing various pages in a constructive manner. As for what works, I suggest taking a look at some of the featured pages that are listed and familiarizing yourself with how these pages are set up. Here are a few things I try to keep in mind:
- What is the information you are trying to get across to those who may visit the page.
- Does the page seem to be in order and allow the reader to follow the thoughts you are expressing.
- Are there any red links on the page, if so, are they something of importance and something that will be edited/added in the future.
- If it is a domain page, have you added a logo, services, product pictures, testimonials and unique features of the domain.
- Have you added the correct categories to the page.
I think it is important to add that there is no one way to edit a page, each can be effectively unique and express the individualism of the domain or editor. Just try out different things to see what works best for you. Originality is key to attraction.
3. And now that you’ve taken an active role in the AboutUs community, helping with the FeaturePotentials, welcoming people and a number of other projects, what encouraged you to do this and, how do you like it?
Taking an excerpt from AboutUs that I have found genuine and indisputable (as well as unable to express better myself),
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- “Wikis are vibrant, fluid spaces that foster a distinct culture of Transparency. AboutUs strives to create a dynamic community of self-organizing members building the Commons by contributing Constructive Edits”
Considering the significance of the statement, there wasn’t much need for more encouragement. I have thoroughly enjoyed welcoming new users and meeting new people on AboutUs. I have met some of the most extraordinary people who have very distinct and valuable passions. There is no limit to what can be accomplished when you are surrounded by individuals who care about what you are trying to accomplish. To me, AboutUs can be defined by much more then its core values, but by the people who actually uphold these values as truths and practice them daily.
For more information about Bryan Daugherty check out his Personal Page and the DomainPage for his website, Stackzilla.com/Evolution of Thought Institute. Among the WikiPages he’s worked on are: Portal:Entrepreneur Education, My Cluster Page and articles such as The State Of Security In America.
Contibutors: TakKendrick, Bryan Daugherty
Today’s featured WikiPage does something we think is great — they’ve added a YouTube video which helps explain what their website does. OpenRoad.tv is an internet startup offering stories and recommendations for travels and journeys in the American West (including Alaska and Hawaii); with video segments from a seasoned journalist who hosts the Bay Area Backroads travel show for KRON television in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to produced video segments, OpenRoad.tv provides visitors the ability to add their own stories and travel recommendations and join discussion groups filled if other interested in “following the open road.”
