Suggestions

[Hotchmoney]

I'm not sure about everyone else, but I still feel that we aren't quite a community yet.  Yes, there is plenty of room to add more wikis/members, but quantity isn't the answer here.  I don't know what needs to happen, but we could be more of a unit.

I think we need to take baby steps here. The NIWA community is almost entirely made up of the three founding members' communities (Bulbagarden, Mario Wiki, and Zelda Wiki), as Metroid Wiki and WiKirby were founded by these wikis (and you can count the number of active editors here at Wars Wiki with two hands). These three communities are well-developed and large, and, more importantly, independent. Furthermore, NIWA was formally created less than two months ago. I bet some editors don't even know NIWA exists, and that the vast majority have never been to this forum. Now I don't think the wikis are at fault: the three founding wikis are doing a good enough job of advertising NIWA's existence and linking to the other member wikis. Though this forum and the actual NIWA website could be linked to a bit more, I think that this is simply a matter of time and we just need to wait for people to trickle in and gain interest. I hope that eventually, some editors will not edit one wiki exclusively but will move between any number of NIWA wikis that they have the passion and knowledge to work on. (I think that an (optional) universal login would be necessary for this to come to fruition.) Also, we certainty don't want to disregard the existence of separate communities around each wiki; these are a very important part of the wikis and I doubt that any would want to be assimilated into a larger NIWA community.

    The best way to catalyze this behavior, in my opinion, would be through the creation of alliance-wide projects and initiatives. This "NIWA Operative" idea that Austin suggested seems like a great idea that will help raise awareness of NIWA and help the wikis greatly. However, I think this could be expanded into a series of organized, cross-wiki efforts (or "NIWAProjects") to improve NIWA wikis. There could be NIWAProjects for new, developing wikis that need more editors, NIWAProjects that focus on improving spelling, grammar, and style across all wikis, NIWAProjects that work on improving infoboxes and other templates, et cetera. NIWAProjects could be organized on the forums, have their own task forces and leadership, and co-ordinate with the leadership of NIWA wikis within the NIWAProject's scope on various levels. I think this is a really interesting idea that could build bridges between the various communities, and would like to hear what you all think about it.

[Tucayo]

I have tried to advertise it in a magazine but I haven't suceeded

[tacopill]

Is the niwa home page ever going to be updated? i mean.. a custom search engine that includes all the niwa wiki's would be helpful to put there.....i don't think it's just three wiki's anymore.

just saying.

[Member#36]

*Moved to suggestions.*

[Tucayo]

It is being worked on by Mel and Aiedail. We hope to have it updated soon

[tacopill]

*Moved to suggestions.*

excuse me... i believe i am allowed to ask question in that thread....

It is being worked on by Mel and Aiedail. We hope to have it updated soon

Cool, thank you for informing me.

[Member#36]

Yes you are, but not questions about how to improve the forum.  Those types of questions belong here.  If such questions were allowed on the other thread, we would have two suggestions threads... which we don't need.

I am sorry if you were confused, as I will update the "Ask The" thread accordingly.

[tacopill]

It's ok. not a problem.

[Naesala]

why don't we have spoiler tags?

[tacopill]

Because that would spoil things

[Tucayo]

I will try to install spoiler tags

[tacopill]

is there a way to add more graphical emoticons? just as i can do mario  , i'd like to do link, fox, pikachu and ness.

[Member#36]

Don't forget Kirby, which should be indicated by :zien:.  Smilies make the world go round, afterall.

[Tucayo]

I have been trying to find packages to add such smileys, but it is a little bit difficult

[tacopill]

alright, sounds good.

[Naesala]

is there any way to get a name change?

[Member#36]

is there any way to get a name change?

My guess is yes, (via the admin control panel), but I may be wrong.  It looks like you just have to wait for an admin to respond, and if possible, I'm sure they would be happy to do it for you.

[What do you want it changed to?]

[Naesala]

Lord Ferrok


so it matches my avatar

[Tucayo]

Changed

[Malake256]

I would love global accounts. If not for all of NIWA, just some, such as the tightly woven Metroid Wiki and Zelda Wiki.