![Razz :P](./images/smilies/icon_razz.gif)
As TPFC gains in popularity, the current mode of operation simply cannot scale with 5-6 moderators manually updating the database. I am sure that the moderators would agree with me that adding new entries to the database, or simply updating the version is a time-consuming task, not to mention participating in the forums and moderating the comments section.
I thought in order to scale, TFPC should become more like a wiki. Anyone can add an entry to the database, and each entry will have its own discussion area, and revision history etc. It won't be like a free-form wiki, but more like a structure wiki, where there are certain fields (description, extraction method etc.) that one has to fill in to create a new entry, and the other stuff goes into the discussion area (like the comments section now).
But at the same time, I like the database to be personal, because that's how it started in the first place (to keep track of the PFC I use), and that's how it is going to remain useful to me (so that I will continue to find interest in the site and be motivated to maintain it).
So the idea I have is to have individual "streams". For example, in Andrew's stream, I will pick the entries I like from the wiki and add them to my stream. Other's can do the same as well. So you can follow my stream, or follow usdcs' stream for example, or both etc. Similarly, you can search from my stream, or from someone else's stream, or search the entire wiki/database. The front-page of TPFC, for example, will still default to my stream, or you can make it default to your own stream, for example.
Some questions that have been troubling me:
- Is this too complicated vs the current approach? Is this "stream" idea too complex?
- Will the database becomes filled with rubbish? How does other user-maintained systems deal with this?
- Will the database entries get corrupted? If anyone can update the entries, how does one prevent another person from corrupting an entry that I have painstakingly added?
- Is there an existing CMS system that will do, or does it have to be created from scratch? I have been googling around and couldn't find anything similar.
This is just to get some discussion going. I hope those of you who are more knowledgeable in this area can help to contribute some important ideas.
Thanks!