Permaculture Database

[Rich Morris <mailinglists@pfaf.org>]

Paul Cereghino wrote:
> Lawrence F. London, Jr. wrote:
>
> > Is this project still on and is anyone still interested in working on it?
> Sounds like there is a grant in place, it sounds like Rich Morris is the 
> project manager and directly responsible for a deliverable?  I don't 
> know anything about the scope/schedule/budget of that grant, or how Rich 
> wants to tap our enthusiasm, or how this shift towards product 
> development relates to any previous discussion.

Good post, Paul. You have hit the nail on the head.

> If I were playing project manager I would think up a stepwise work plan:
>
> 1. DEFINE PRIMARY OBJECTIVES - who is the user and what does it do for 
> them, we need a finite set

Yes this is the question. What is this project about?

> 2. DEFINE KEY CONCEPTS within these objective statements .. for example, 
> the word "guild" is still a pretty fuzzy pile of concepts - so we and 
> others know what the hell we're talking about... this is the beginnings 
> of a data dictionary for structured data...

Is this just for plants and guild or more?


> 3. Play through scenarios of how users will interact with the 
> application to CATALOG THE FUNCTIONS we want to achieve through the 
> application even if it is a Wiki -- what kind of conventions guide wiki 
> development... do PFAF fields allow for the queries we are talking about?
> 4. IDENTIFY SOFTWARE ALTERNATIVES -- how can we build our set of 
> applications with different existing or created software... feasible?!
> 5. EVALUATE AND SELECT ALTERNATIVE
> 6. DEVELOP PROTOTYPE - incl test data acquisition, testing,
>
> If we are running a project via an advisory group, I will help where I 
> can as long as we can work off of a stepwise workplan, and consciously 
> and communicatively modify and document that work plan over time.  To 
> the extent that we start wandering in the weeds without communication I 
> for one, will loose interest.
>
> Rich... I'd say it looks like the balls in your court... I'm at your 
> service and want to hear the plan.
>
> Paul Cereghino

Really we are at the stage of just 1 and 2. The others come later.

So ideas on a postcard.

Actually I would like to do this on-wiki if at all possible, there is a 
page in the wiki
        http://www.permaculture.info/index.php/PIW:Community_Portal

which is for general discussion and I've copied most of Pauls post there.

The motivations for doing it on wiki are two fold:

1) To get people use to using a wiki, in the technical how to edit fashion.
2) To get people use to the culture of a wiki and working on 
colaborative documents, rather than the culture of a mailing list.

So it would be great if people could dip their toes in the water, even 
if it is just to add a Hello message. It is very easy 1) click edit, 2) 
type, 3) click save.

Even better if people want to add their thoughts on 1 and 2 on the above 
mentioned wiki page.

        See you there

                Rich


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