User talk:Cormaggio/Archive 2

History of Quebec and Canada Study Guide
Hi Cormac. Thanks for your input. The page (article) you quote is a link from the main page. http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/History_of_Quebec_and_Canada/Study_Guide From there you link to the various Modules and Topics. The structure is: start at the Main Page, select a module, review each topic, return to the main page, select a new module. As a nubie I linked to newly named articles or pages. Is there any other way? thanks --Mikec 00:08, 10 October 2006 (UTC)

Towards improving the New User Experience
I think I can help most by working on the new user experience. Over the past couple of days I've been stumbling on useful bits and pieces here and there. They need to be drawn together and expanded, and then repositioned. I'm pretty good at this kind of stuff and believe (with help from yourself and others) I could make a meaningful contribution.

However I'm such a newbie I'm not yet clear on the mechanics.

For instance, I would propose there be a clearly defined channel for new users to help them get up to speed. And that the entrance to that channel be unambiguously presented on the Wikiversity's main page. In effect, present those who have yet to log in with a fork — returning visitor for announcements, new developments and the like; or go to a guided new visitor pathway.

I suspect such a revision to the presentation of the Wikiversity's main page might be welcome. But before I put energy into it I'd like that confirmed.

In developing such an alternative new user channel it would be useful to draft it in relative obscurity, where you and others could review it, revise it, expand it, reshape it, before dropping it onto the general public via the Main Page. No sense in adding to existing confusion.

So, what should be in this new user channel?

1. A clear, brief definition of what the Wikiversity is, and what what it is not — with a link to an extended discussion on the objectives.

2. A similar brief description of the organization of the Wikiversity and how it will go about achieving its objectives. Again with a link into extended detail.

3. A summary of the current status of the project with a link to representative samples.

4. A discussion of options on how to become involved — as a student, as a teacher, as an organizer. Again, with recommended links.

In summary, a tight overview of the essentials as orientation, with pathways to dig deeper and deeper in an orderly, non-overwhelming fashion. An end to mud, the appearance of being inactive and vague.

As I've now discovered, much of this material already exists, somewhat. But it's incomplete and it's scattered. And definitely not up front. I very much appreciate the user page you set up for me. The links there themselves form the core of what I have in mind.

If the above meets with your approval, tell me how to set up such a "sandbox" arena. Or give me guidance on how you would rather I proceed.

Kind regards,

Morley 20:22, 10 October 2006 (UTC)

Thanks
Thanks for your kind comment. I'm just trying to help where I can. To be honest, I've spent way more time here than I can afford. I just really enjoy the prospect of being involved here. The Jade Knight 02:44, 11 October 2006 (UTC)
 * I'm a student finishing up my degrees in English and History. I actually have a very intense semester right now, and as much self-control as I can muster will keep me doing homework rather than helping out here.  Unfortunately, as my contribution record will show, self-control's been fighting a losing battle lately.  =þ  The Jade Knight 16:14, 11 October 2006 (UTC)

@
Hey there! Just trying to get back to you about this. I was smiling a little bit at the subject of your message too. How fitting! Anyway, obfuscating an e-mail address makes it more difficult for it to be harvested by spammers. It doesn't prevent it entirely. It would be just as easy for a programmer to add a line or two of code to check those alternatives, although, what would happen is that it would take more time to do the processing...I just thought it would look nicer to be consistent, that was all. :-) --HappyCamper 20:39, 12 October 2006 (UTC)

Bricks and Mortar
Hi! I am referring to your comment on School:Strategic Studies a while back. Yes, I and my writings are both linked to bricks-and-mortar institutions. You can find the link to my old school at the bottom of the School: page, and some of my personal info on my user page. Cheers!--Dnjkirk 15:36, 16 October 2006 (UTC)

Using Javascripts
I would like to use javascripts for some of my module tests. It seems from my research that I need permission. Could you arrange this?--Mikec 01:57, 17 October 2006 (UTC)

UIUC PHIL 270
The UIUC PHIL 270 discussion, here presents an important precedent I think. I set forth what I think is a bit of diplomacy on Talk:UIUC PHIL 270 in case the poster returned. At any rate, this potential problem should be anticipated by the staff. Maybe we can come up with a polite but firm template and a sort of "jail" for orphaned pages that are suspect as cheatsheets or other malfeasance?

IMO, the tone should be one of simple caution rather than stern warning and certainly not accusational in any way. I can't imagine why or how anyone would want to abuse Wikiversity, but you never know. The prospect of a negative news report is a real concern in my mind, and should be dealt with immediately. I've notified all the posters who commented about the UIUC PHIL 270 piece, saving you and JWSurf for last. I think this should float toward the top of policy discussions. I'll present it also at Request custodian action 'cuz I think it needs action.

Practicum:Multilingualism (example) – I know you're quite busy, but I've also proposed another maybe namespace (or something) that can split up the burgeoning Topic: namespace and add what I think is a useful structural element to WV. I call it the Practicum boilerplate. It is partially inspired by the Learning to learn a wiki way presentation, which I liked so much that I redirected Learning Group in the main namespace to it.

The Practicum: namespace would be a platform for PAR, based on action, empowerment, participation, and critical reflection. I think this meshes well with the pedagogy of "real-world" academia. Just thinking out loud. This idea is also heading for Request custodian action.

We're looking really good here Cormac! Great Work! CQ 03:07, 19 October 2006 (UTC)

Re: Degree programs
Most of the research I've been doing has been into local degree programs and how they would relate to online materials. I've been trying to find a means to obtain accreditation from local colleges or universities through independent online studies. Something akin to Excelsior portfolio based assessment. I've yet to find anything online on how a portfolio should be formatted and what information a portfolio should include. I've also yet to find out what institutions outside of Excelsior et al would allow such an assessment.

Sorry, forgot to sign my post RichMac 02:17, 18 October 2006 (UTC)

Goals for the filmmaking lessons
Currently, I am roughing out the basic outline of the first ten lessons. This will take about two months. Then I will be able to stop and take a look at the direction that the film school is going. For now, it is just rough chicken scratchings which are changing direction from day to day. Therefore, serious planning should wait for a few months until I finish experimenting with the possibilities. Thanks for your encouragement. Robert Elliott 16:01, 20 October 2006 (UTC)

New Cover for Podcast
I changed the "cover" image for the podcast introduction to School: and Topic: namespaces. --JWSchmidt 00:48, 21 October 2006 (UTC)

Newcomer feedback
Just saw your posting on the Colloquium. Actually I'm so new around here I didn't know what to think. But I certainly didn't want to expend energy on a project like this just to find myself in the midst of some turf war.

Not so much hurt as being unsure what ground I was/am standing on. Your clarification has got me back on track. Recently I came into free time to devote to a project of interest (like helping out here). I just want to make a positive difference in whatever I engage in. (Turf wars ain't it.)

To be practical about this, I need a guide from a more experienced hand. For instance, in how to track who's edited a page and engage them in dialogue. Or answers to wiki syntax questions. This sort of thing. I notice the Wikipedia has something called Projects. I suspect the Newcomers section might benefit from something similar.

Just so the "live" newcomers page doesn't become a problem for actual new users, I'm placing my edits towards the bottom of the page.

Didn't realize until just now individual pages (such as the Newcomers page) can have a talk page. That will be useful. morley 21:06, 23 October 2006 (UTC)


 * Thanks for the feedback and vote of confidence. I have some experience in writing computer code, so I'm pretty familiar with learning syntax by experimentation and comparison, but also by asking dumb questions in discussion forums.


 * There were a few sections in your lengthy post that felt they have merit on editing "how to" pages themselves. I'll do that soon.


 * Cheers, morley 15:03, 24 October 2006 (UTC)

Global Text Project
hi

I saw your message about opportunities to collaborate.

Let's talk

Rick Watson 

Examples of good content
To quote you back to yourself, on the Colloquium, early October.
 * We need, in general, a collection of links to good content in one page - akin to the featured articles on Wikipedia. We should not only guide people to good educational material in a specific area, but also give examples of specific types of material, eg. quizzes, interactive "games", activities such as "fill-the gap", essays, research projects etc.

I vigorously agree.

Question: How does the Wikipedia manage this? Are there any particular mechanics used over there to keep the content current and fresh?

morley 22:52, 5 November 2006 (UTC)

re: Newcomers page
I've added a fair bit to the Newcomers page, including a quote on cheating from a discussion on the Colloquium. I suspect it's all all right, but I'd appreciate it if you'd review the page. Thanks.

morley 02:40, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

Audio Engineer
This all depends on what kind of non-instrument you mean. If you mean vocals, the yes i have background. If you mean midi then I have some background, but not too much. I could however, point you in the right direction.

guitarlord71

In that case, yes I can help you quite a bit. I'd be more than glad to upload a file and tutorial if you give me an idea of what you'd like your soundscape to be. If you want a new-age type ambient song, then you'll need a keyboard or a midi sequencer. (I use live 6's midi sequencer, but GarageBand and many other programs have better midi sequencers). Or if you want to just record non-instrument sounds, you can do this with any microphone a computer and a few other items to maximize quality. Let me know which one of these you mean, and I'll be more than glad to write up a tutorial. I've never heard of Reason, but I'll check it out.

guitarlord71 7 November 2006 8:44 EST

Educational Expertise is Needed
Cormaggio I hope things are going well with your dissertation. I have started a open source game design and production learning trail and eventually we will need some expertise on how to include some learning and refresher material to make it worth while for game enthusiasts to play. I have a couple of concepts regarding how to get them playing with math balancing equations. If you could drop by anytime in the next few months and consult with us on educational issues in games or "edutainment" and provide a few high quality links to free online technial papers or applicable journal it might give our learning trail a serious boost! Thanks! Mirwin 08:38, 7 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Thanks for the html formatting work! It was above and beyond the call of duty requested. I have answered some of your questions at the talk page.  Hopefully some others will chip in soon. Within a few weeks I will visit a few modding and modeling sites I know and invite some artists and developers to drop by.  Mirwin 14:13, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

History of Wikiversity formation
Is there a page on how Wikiversity came to be? Don't want to start one if such already exists.

morley 00:43, 8 November 2006 (UTC)

Honesty/Integrity
I suggested honesty and integrity as an over-reaching principle because in wikiversity we need to know that we are in companies that we can trust. It may be related to civility but it is different. We need this line because, in contrast to wikipedia, it is sometimes difficult to tell whether somebody is honest or not. Thus the honour code (do not intentionally deceive) is much more important here.

For example, a liar in Wikipedia will not cause much damage; the faults he introduces would be deleted either because somebody knows that it is wrong, or because nobody can understand it. But on Wikiversity, it is not always as easy.

I would put honesty before everything else. And I am against merging honesty with civilty. --Hillgentleman 04:17, 10 November 2006 (UTC)


 * On honesty, I agree that it should be an over-riding principle (or "code"), but I'm interested in why you see Wikiversity as being so different from Wikipedia in this regard. Why do you see it as more difficult to deal with dishonesty here?
 * Since more freedom is allowed on wikiversity. Some fake articles may appear on wikiversity, which is beyond anybody on wikiversity to point out the mistake.  On wikipedia,  it would just be deleted, because it cannot be supported.  On wikiversity, we might have to keep it until somebody finds out the mistake.  This is okay if the mistake was unintentional, and often the mistake can be corrected and it would become a contribution to the society.  But if it were a hoax, then it would have wasted the time of many readers in the mean time. And I have not heard of wikipedians being banned because of intentionally deceiving.
 * I am not sure if Civility and disclosure cover such grounds. --Hillgentleman 23:21, 10 November 2006 (UTC)

The name
Cormaggio, how did wikiversity arrive at its name?--Hillgentleman 19:03, 11 November 2006 (UTC)
 * I think the name was thought up first, and the concept developed around it. Someone name Ray proposed the name (not me).--Rayc 19:55, 11 November 2006 (UTC)
 * That'd be Ray Saintonge (User:Eclecticology, mainly at Wiktionary) - though it was also proposed at around the same time by someone else on the Textbook mailing list.. Cormaggio 20:48, 11 November 2006 (UTC)

Handout Tests
My lastest invention! Handout_tests! What do you think? Would they be useful?--Rayc 19:55, 11 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Yes, colabortive test taking... I had to say something since there is nothing keeping students from looking at how other people answered. Maybe we need an encryption system--Rayc 23:03, 11 November 2006 (UTC)

Go to sleep
Hiya! I think it's better you to go to bed :-) Talvikki 00:10, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

Becoming an admin.
Hi. I'm an administrator on Wikipedia. And I was wondering if that would make me an automatic admin, on Wikiversity. Thanks. -- drini 22:12, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

Thanks alot for the message. -- drini 21:31, 15 November 2006 (UTC)

I wouldn't like to nominate myself but rather BE nominated by SOMEONE else.tHANKS -- drini 21:43, 15 November 2006 (UTC)

Idea of a treasure hunt
This is an idea of an idea. It may not work. When wikiversity has gained sufficient content, we can use a group game of treasure hunt to study its complexity, and it could serve as a simple example for original research if we set it up right and document it properly. The game would be a set of questions to be answered and tasks to be done. The hints and information would be inside wikiversity. Participants should probably also report their routes. Points are deducted if they use google or the recent changes page. The winner gets a barnstar or something. The purpose of this study is to see if wikiversity is easy to use, especially for new-comers. C.f. http://www.deathball.net/notpron --Hillgentleman|User talk:hillgentleman 11:25, 23 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Dear Cormaggio, I have a rough list of questions at User:Hillgentleman/study2. Please feel free to add more.  I shall cut it into a reasonable size later. Or I would add more when more schools start functioning. --Hillgentleman|User talk 12:56, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

On reflective practice
Hi Cormac sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you I've only recently returned to the Wikiversity. I'm keen to work with you on all the projects that you have written to me about.

Learning to learn a wiki way
I think we need to recruit some interested parties and then clarify what social practice at Wikiversity we want to make interventions to. Then plan out our interventions and carry them out.

School of Education
There's lots of work needs doing here. I think a clear strategy would help. We could invite interested parties to contribute there fantasy School of Education or even run it as a competition.

Reflective Blogg
This particular blogg would be about my practice at Wikiversity as both consumer and producer of content. Mystictim 01:22, 24 November 2006 (UTC)

Yet another application: Flashcards
I finally bugged the devs into telling me how to make a random number, the result can be seen here: Flashcards for Java keywords. I'm thinking of expanding on the concept to have it randomly create a test for a subject, though I would need a pre-formatted list of questions.--Rayc 20:27, 24 November 2006 (UTC)
 * You just click the "get new card" link and the card will update randomly from the list.--Rayc 18:21, 25 November 2006 (UTC)

Pyridinoline
Hi Andrew, I tried answering your query on Help desk, but it's not much good - might point you in the right direction though.. Cormaggio talk 15:46, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Thanks very much. I'll copy the discussion to Wiktionary. Andrew massyn 05:25, 26 November 2006 (UTC)

Talk:Learning to learn a wiki way
Hi Cormac I've updated the Learning to learn a wiki way project page and kicked of the talk section. I've begun recruiting people by asking them why they are interested in the project and what they want from the project. Could you help out with invitations to your contacts. Mystictim 00:33, 28 November 2006 (UTC)

Music/Software/Programming drums
Hi as you requested, i created a flash video tutorial on programming drums with an embeded finished loop , i used the "upload file section of the site but after sending the fille got a message"swf is not a recomended image format" how would i go about attaching the small flash file to the actual wiki page ? im a noob :) midiscore

hi i created a short flash video tutorial that might clear things up aswell as a short mp3 of the programeed drum loop...im not sure how to tie the two to my tutorial ..after uploading the 2 files i got a messas ge the the format of the files is not a preffered image format ..pls help me sort it all out midiscore

New user needs mentor
I'm new to editing Wiki articles and was surprised to discover Wikiversity. I'm studying for a Master's degree in music composition in Korea (though I'm from America. I'm also a teacher. You can hear samples of my compositions over at myspace.com/gongchime. I don't really know how I can become involved so that's why I'm talking to you. What needs to be done?

Thanks

Greg Turner


 * Thanks Greg! I'm fascinated in your studies, and would love to find out more. As to what needs to be done, that really depends a lot on you, and what you want to do. I suppose you could see School:Music and see if there are any pages there that spark your interest and that you'd like to add to - or perhaps there are topics that you are interested in that aren't yet represented and you'd like to add them and begin work on them. I can certainly go through specifics with you, but it might be easier if you logged in to Wikiversity and/or gave me an email address I could use to contact you - I need to be registered to message you on Myspace.. Cheers! Cormaggio talk 00:11, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

Bureaucrats
So, I am not sure where else to take this discussion about bureaucrats and such. What are your thoughts? --HappyCamper 03:12, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

search comments in my blog
I answered your question about the search problem by writing a reply to User_talk:Mu301.--mikeu 18:19, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

Thanks

 * Thanks for cleaning up the Russian Revolution course! Gabriel Spiro 04:16, 13 December 2006 (UTC)

OLPT

 * Thanks for looking at our OLPT paper. We are currently cutting the .doc file down from 10 to 6 pages so that we submit it. Please revisit. Something special has happened here. --Ian Kennedy 05:37, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

Nice to meet you
Hi,

Yes - I am Teemu Leinonen from Helsinki (http://www2.uiah.fi/~tleinone) and very interested in to learn more about Wikiversity. --Teemu 14:34, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

candidate for probationary custodianship
Please consider this candidate: Candidates for Custodianship/J.Steinbock. Thanks. --JWSchmidt 14:46, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

Cheers, nice to meet you...

 * Hi, thanks very much. It's such a great place. I would really like to help with Wikiversity the Movie, however I don't see any scripts or video's or anything yet. When will those be ready?At the moment I'm just adding content to some of the music theory pages, but I'd love to collaborate on a course in film scoring. What kinds of media are you interested in? Aidan 13:28, 16 December 2006 (UTC) - (I live in Canterbury, Kent) (User:Taeke)

Merging two pages
Hi Cormac hope things are going well with you. I wonder if you could help me out. I was attempting to merge the pages Introduction to Psychology and School:Psychology/Psy 1001 by copying the contents of psy 1001 into Introduction to psychology as suggested at Merging and moving pages however this resulted in the loss / occlusion of the edit history. Someone said in another post that this is a breach of the GFDL. Is this the correct way to merge articles or is their some other method. Mystictim 00:03, 19 December 2006 (UTC)
 * Thanks for your answer I'm leaving it with the page editors for now. However I'll add your comments to the help page for merging pages linking to the template. Mystictim 13:52, 20 December 2006 (UTC)

Dynamic Page List
Hi Cormac would it be possible to have this extension added to Wikiversity? I think it would be very useful in all kinds of context. See dynamic page lists for more information. Mystictim 23:56, 20 December 2006 (UTC)

A sentence in approved Wikiversity project proposal
Quote: There will not necessarily be "approval" of research added to Wikiversity - though some sort of review process needs to be established which will deal with potential problems. --Hillgentleman|Talk 20:05, 25 December 2006 (UTC)
 * Cormaggio: I am translating the proposal into 中文.
 * The first sentence: Does it mean that there may not be research at all? Or that research need not always be approved?
 * The second sentence: To what does review process refer?  Reviewing the particular studies as in review board, or reviewing the whole wikiversity project on meta?
 * P.S. If you have time, you may try the test.  It may be a little rough and down-to-date.  -Hillgentleman|Talk 20:06, 25 December 2006 (UTC)

PPT files
Oh, this is simple to do for anyone with shell access - I'll look into this now.. <--- This is a commment you made on my talk page. Could you get back to me once you look into it? -- J.Steinbock 20:40, 26 December 2006 (UTC)
 * Okay. I won't be doing too much either until the whole holiday season is over. Thanks for the reponse. :) -- J.Steinbock 22:12, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

More details on my request (Subject of emails)
When I use the Special Page for a student to email me (by adding " Click here to send me an email " to my lesson), can I get something other than "Wikiversity e-mail" in the subject of the email. Can I get a subject such as "Wikiversity e-mail about the second question on the fourth lesson"? (You can send me the answer by clicking here to send me an email.) Robert Elliott 00:47, 27 December 2006 (UTC)
 * Previously, I wrote


 * You replied
 * Hi Robert, the email subject is editable by the person who sends you a message, but it is not possible to customise the default subject of a specific message. MediaWiki:Defemailsubject is set to "Wikiversity e-mail" - this can be changed (by a custodian), but it would affect every message across the whole wiki. I asked on IRC about customising a message for you only, and the response I got was: "not possible at this time (and possibly not ever)". Sorry :-( Cormaggio talk 15:47, 29 December 2006 (UTC)


 * A simple solution
 * Current, the syntax is Click here to send me an email.


 * What I want is SpecialSubject:Answer for Question 2 | Click here to send me an email.

I just want a simple method to override the default message. Robert Elliott 15:32, 3 January 2007 (UTC)


 * I have created email for you. Please let me know if that will work for you. sebmol ? 20:33, 3 January 2007 (UTC)


 * It works great!!!! Thanks! Robert Elliott 16:23, 4 January 2007 (UTC)


 * Thanks so much Sebmol! :-) Cormaggio talk 13:08, 6 January 2007 (UTC)


 * Attention Instructors!!!
 * Click here to see the new help page which explains how to use this new email feature/template to set up ways for your students to eMail you.