http://mypowertrac.com/Forums/tabid/65/forumid/11/view/topics/Default.aspx Discuss these much-needed tools en-US ActiveForums 3.5 Copyright 2006 by Simple trACtors, LLC ptkent@mypowertrac.com I think the next step should be starting to address the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Power Tracs.  Because of the number of FAQs, they need to be put into logical categories to make it easier to find the answer(s).  What do you think would be the best categories to use?  http://mypowertrac.com/Forums/tabid/65/forumid/11/postid/75/view/topic/Default.aspx host Sat, 27 May 2006 08:08:35 GMT EDIT:   I spit these replies out of the topic about gathering information for implements and put it here, since it applies to orginaizing the content of an entire owner's manual.  I think this great discussion better fits here.  It also allows me to experiment with another capability of this NICE forum software... Kent Not sure if my thoughts would fit into this site well or not but I thought a good way to do one big PT manual that could work for all models and years would be to create a couple indexes that would drill down to informational pages that would be linked to from each model/year combo that it applied to.  Sound confusing?  Let's see if I can "draw out" my idea. Start Page    PT-180 Link    PT-422 Link    PT-425 Link    etc. Each "Model Page" would have a Year List PT-422    1994 Link    1995 Link    1996 Link    etc. Then you'd get to the real "Manual Index" Maintenance    Schedule    Greasing       Zerk locations       Modifications    Hydraulic Oil       Oil Choices/Recommendations       Filter Info       etc.    Engine       Oil Choices/Recommendations       Filter Info       etc. All the "Manual Indexes" would look the same with dead links to begin with. If someone writes up a document about Zerk Locations for a 2002 PT-425 that index could point to the document.  If someone with a 1999 PT-422 could confirm that his machine is the same then that link could be turn on to point to the existing doc.  Then a 2005 PT-180 owner (that's me ) might download the doc erase the three zerk locations that don't apply to it and upload the new doc with a request to update the 2005 PT-180 Zerk Location link to point at the new doc. With minimal work, some people contributing write ups others just confirming model/year info, we could have a very good manual in no time! Bill http://mypowertrac.com/Forums/tabid/65/forumid/11/postid/34/view/topic/Default.aspx BCroasmun Wed, 24 May 2006 17:04:49 GMT I've looked closely at several software packages that allow groups of people to collaboratively create documents in an affordable, public Internet environment. Most have their limitations, as follows: One of the most poplular, a Wiki, doesn't prevent one editor from overwriting another, i.e. the last guy there makes the change  Those designed for Knowledge Bases or FAQs don't handle long documents nor photos very well at all. They're best used for simple Q & A formats  We also need to be able to transition smoothly from "stand-alone" articles to larger chapters, and perhaps books. With all that said, I've decided the most practical approach is through these forums and a flexible, collaborate content publishing toolset. These forums are currently set up to: Allow registered users to upload up to three separate 200kb .txt files, MS Word documents or PDF files to each topic. Reviews can be done via replying to a topic, or downloading a document, reviewing it in Word (don't forget to Track Changes) and then uploading it again.  Each time a document is uploaded it creates and enforces a unique file name -- so that one version doesn't overwrite another -- all previous versions are maintained. Once a document is drafted and reviewed, it will be categorized and published. The content publishing tool I'll be implementing allows: Defining multiple authors (who'd be responsible for each section or subject) establishes workflow and approval before the new content "goes live." Multiple categories and subcategories (tree structures) of information, such as News, Articles, FAQs, Reviews, etc. Within each of those broad categories, nested subcategories can be created. These categories can be subscribed to (much like the forums and topics here) so interested persons are notified of changes.  All registered users can comment on any of the content that's published, in any category, so that they can critique it, correct any errors they may find in it, etc. This allows the primary author an avenue to obtain feedback on the content once it is published.  This allows the most flexibility, since any content can be "highlighted" as the Latest News, calling attention to it, similar to how the latest photos are shown in the galleries... Those are my initial thoughts on the best way to progress... Any questions or comments on this approach? http://mypowertrac.com/Forums/tabid/65/forumid/11/postid/5/view/topic/Default.aspx KentT Sun, 21 May 2006 16:04:19 GMT