Announcing the KickOff of the Pelican Wiki Project!!!

[Wayne 962]

After much thought and consideration, I am pleased to announce the start of our Pelican Wiki Project. The goal of this project will be to compile and archive all of the vital Porsche and BMW information on the Internet into one directory project, using Wiki software. I think the best analogy to the project would be the Yahoo Directory that was generated by hand. We will be asking for your help and assistance over the next several years as we grow and expand this project to include and cover almost every topic imaginable.

I placed a post up about a month ago asking for resumes applying for the "WikiMaster" position here at Pelican. Well, after much thought and consideration, I came up with this solution. Peter Bodensteiner, who was my editor with Motorbooks International on the Porsche 911 Engine Rebuild Book, will be our kick-off Wikimaster. I have worked with him extensively over the past several years, and he and I have a good working relationship. He is also a professional editor, and is well versed in everything automotive. I will be working with him extensively to start the project and define procedures and goals for the initial kickoff. The plan would be to then hand it off after it's rolling on to someone who can both manage the ongoing Wiki and also sell advertising for the site (and the forums here too). So, the bottomline for everyone who sent me their resume is that I am still looking for the long-term WikiMaster, but I will be working exclusively with Peter during the kickoff phase. I'm sure there will be lots of stumbles and miscues, etc., and Peter and I have worked together enough to be able to easily smooth these out. As Peter will have a lot of interaction with the people on this board, I think you will find that he is a car guy just lke you and me. I've created an account for him on the BBS here, and I will have him post here tomorrow to introduce himself to you guys.

So, this will be the first post of thousands that will be dedicated to this topic. The creation of the Wiki will not be possible without the input from you guys, and I thank you in advance for your support of the project. As stated previously, the Wiki will initially be dedicated in the memory of Warren Hall, whose knowledge has helped many of us over the years.

I cannot tell you how excited I am about this project - it's the same feeling I get when I take the first photo of a new book. It's like the archetectual drawing of a new building - I can see in my head what it's going to look like when it's done.

THANKS EVERYONE!

-Wayne

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Congratulations! can't wait to dig in, thank you for this great resource!

[911teo]

Wonderful news. You are always 1 step ahead of the game. Well done and thank you!

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by 911teo

Wonderful news. You are always 1 step ahead of the game. Well done and thank you!

I try. I'll admit, this wasn't really my idea - someone (can't remember who) suggested that if we don't do it, then someone else will. With the financial resources of Pelican behind the project, it should grow into a huge directory / info resource that should be very popular and self-sustaining too (advertising revenue should cover the maintenance / editing costs). That's the plan at least...

-Wayne

[Buckterrier]

Thanks Wayne for this BB and your/our new project. I for one would not be enjoying my Porsche experience anywhere near as much as I am without this board and the community here.

CHEERS!!

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

As stated previously, the Wiki will initially be dedicated in the memory of Warren Hall, whose knowledge has helped many of us over the years.

-Wayne

Warren deserves that and much, much more. I would hope that the dedication will not be temporary but that at least a section or part would be done in his honor forever. There really has been no one like him on Pelican, ever.

Also please do not as well forget the other old timers who really held things together like the gent in Germany (forget his name, Rolf or what was it?), Grady, Bill Verburg and the other guys who have forgotten more than we know about these wonderful cars.

Joe

[rfn026]

Wayne,

I knew Peter couldn't hide out much longer. Sooner or later he had to surface. You did good by bringing him on board.

Richard Newton

[imcarthur]

Good news.

One thing to keep in mind: most how-tos tend to assume you will do the job the correct way & with all of the correct tools. Of course, most of us won't. That is one of the great things on the forum is the discovery of short-cuts & cheaper methods that accomplish the same task. Case in point is valve adjusting. So please don't just document THE METHOD but also include the shortcuts, budget methods etc.

Ian

[Shaun @ Tru6]

There should be a section in each listing: "Don't Do This!"

A big hammer logo should locate the sidebar.

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

There should be a section in each listing: "Don't Do This!"

A big hammer logo should locate the sidebar.

+1 A BIG hammer, (some of us are really slow)

[kneedragger302]

Great News! Wayne made a great choice to bring this to life. Job well done Wayne!!!

[304065]

Wayne,

Name the Wiki "Warren."

Got a problem? Ask WARREN.

[steve911]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Warren deserves that and much, much more. I would hope that the dedication will not be temporary but that at least a section or part would be done in his honor forever. There really has been no one like him on Pelican, ever.

Also please do not as well forget the other old timers who really held things together like the gent in Germany (forget his name, Rolf or what was it?), Grady, Bill Verburg and the other guys who have forgotten more than we know about these wonderful cars.

Joe

Roland Kunz

[Peter at Pelican Parts]

Hey everyone! My name is Peter Bodensteiner, the kick-off WikiMaster for the Pelican Wiki.

That title seems a little Dungeons & Dragons-esque; I’m really here to help Wayne get this project going and help steer it in the right direction.

A little about me: I’ve been a Porsche fan ever since I’ve been into cars—like many of you, this dates back to just a few years before I reached driving age. Because that time period was the mid-1980s, I have a little bit of a soft spot for the 944. I learned my first lessons about driving and working on cars with my 1994 Mazda Miata, which I autocrossed and tracked in the Washington, D.C. area during the late 1990s. I also autocrossed an Eagle Talon for a while and currently own a 2004 MINI Cooper S (which has never chased cones). I’ve also owned a shifter kart and have done a good bit of indoor karting.

Professionally, I’ve been an editor in the transportation book publishing business since 2000, first at Motorbooks and then at CarTech. I contracted and/or edited well over 100 books during that span, including, as Wayne mentioned, his 911 Engine Rebuild book. This means I’ve learned an awful lot about a wide variety of automotive subjects over the years. I've also probably forgotten much more!

I’ll be working with you guys to focus our collective energy at various topics in the Wiki on a regular basis, beefing up the content bit by bit. I’m sure most of you are familiar with the concept of a Wiki, and that the content is community-written and community-edited. While Wayne and I are still ironing out the exact details of how this will work, rest assured that you and your contributions will be the most important aspect of how this Wiki gets built. Just as with the forums, we will provide the structure and then let this extremely knowledgeable and resourceful user base build something that will make us all proud.

Thanks, and I look forward to (virtually) meeting all of you.

-Peter

[boba]

Originally Posted by john_cramer

Wayne,

Name the Wiki "Warren."

Got a problem? Ask WARREN.

+++++

[fbarrett]

Wayne & Peter:

What classes of Porsche information will you archive? Tech, I presume, but what about history, old images, publications, etc. How about providing an outline here so that potential contributors can see how they can help you?

[Peter at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by fbarrett

Wayne & Peter:

What classes of Porsche information will you archive? Tech, I presume, but what about history, old images, publications, etc. How about providing an outline here so that potential contributors can see how they can help you?

Thanks for the Q Frank. Actually, Wayne and I are working on a proposed structure/outline today. As Wayne mentions above, it will be a work in progress even when we get it in place, so we will be able to incorporate user suggestions and make further changes down the road.

Having said that, I think almost anything is fair game as far as what information we will include. Tech of course but also history, racing cars and their histories, images, and so on should all be in the mix.

[Zeke]

I can't officially welcome you Peter, that's for the Pelican staff, but welcome to the forums which largely take the course of enthusiast's various interests. Yet another resource will be extremely valuable and helpful.

[RWebb]

Welcome Peter - We'll be watching for a post announcing what to do and how to do it to add to the structure you set up.

Thanks for getting this started!

[1411506]

Thanks Wayne and Peter!