Permaculture Database

[Paul Cereghino <paul.cereghino@comcast.net>]

Jedd ~ I'd like to hear more about why a system would need to be all 
things to all people -- I would worry that the more complex the 
interface, the more obscure to function of the tool, the fewer users.  
The front end will need to be conceptually legible.  Can we organize 
this information without some kinds of nesting hierarchical taxonomy -- 
and couldn't we manage that with some kind of keywords/tags attributes?

I suggest that defining goals and user groups would be a great start -- 
then work through data architecture alternatives (using our goals/user 
group ideas to evaluate). -- then find a platform that supports the 
architecture or build one. 

I've set up a free-on line wiki for design development with a page for 
user group and one for goals:    http://pcdb.pbwiki.com/   pw:qwerty

PBwiki is functionally deprived, so if anyone has a better tool then 
serve it up!... at least we can do a text data dump from pbwiki as a zip 
file... We can still use the email thread for core discussion, but I 
think we will get much farther if we shift from information fire hose to 
collaboratively molding clay.

Mr. London, can we include a reference to what ever wiki we end up using 
for design development as a footer to this email list?

I am greatful we have the stewards of permawiki and PFAF on this list!  
I would be very interested in hearing your insights on what works or 
doesn't work in the systems you have been building.  I'd suggest this 
project needs to consider both social/cultural limitations as well as 
technical.

~ Paul Cereghino
---------------------

USER GROUP - two levels
1) *information retrievers* are people who are looking for information 
to help them make a decision about their design, they have varied levels 
of knowledge from very technical to very general.  They are people 
interested in designing complex systems.  They are looking for either 
answers to specific questions, or looking for seeds of inspiration for 
their next project.
2) *information contributers* have information to contribute that has 
varying levels of accuracy and precision.  They are offering personal 
experiences, references to books, or experimental data.

GOALS
1) System takes text or formatted files from varied contributers and 
organizes it so it is easily found.
2) Information is rated for estimated accuracy through citation and peer 
review
3) Opportunity exists for text to be modified and clarified over time
3.5) Opportunity exists for debate to occur over text.
4) The system supports and encourages synthesis of contributed 
information so that goal 1) occurs
5) The system will not develop duplicative information clusters, but 
serves to organize information into cohesive storylines that either 
coelesce or bufurcate based on whether differences in opinion/data are 
resolved or polarizing.
6) The system facilitates the creation of linkages between topics

SCOPE
PRIMARY
Plant-soil-animal production technologies
Food management technologies
shelter/energy/water technologies


> If there's genuine renewed interest I can spend some time jotting
> down my thoughts on what I think a 'all things to all people' system
> should provide.  I'd certainly be interested in comparably detailed
> specs from others .. so we can quickly work out how disparate our
> respective expectations are.
>
> Jedd.
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