HermitFromPluto wrote:I am relatively new to the forums, though have been visiting The Acaeum for 6 years or so. I see that this type of discussion pops up from time to time then fizzles. I was going to post in the 'Distributed Computing Project' thread but note this is largely inactive.Since I started collecting, I have continuously struggled to learn about RPG items. I have struggled especially to learn the individual components of items. For example, I had DLA1 and two years later got another copy and found it had a large fold-out map. I could not find contents data anywhere including Acaeum.
HermitFromPluto wrote:Since I renewed my interest and started collecting about six years ago, The Acaeum has been my main point of reference. It is undoubtedly the best site available. It also gives links to the other best sites around. Recently, I picked up some White Wolf books second hand, knew little about them, so searched and found a White Wolf Wikipedia offshoot. I notice on the real Wikipedia they are starting to accumulate references on various RPGs including TSR. At these sites registered users can add to build on the body of knowledge.I see that Acaeum now has the Judges Guild subweb and I have been reading about the donations / subweb programme. I think that is great (I have about 50 JG items too). My worry is that this is slow and limited. There is SO much information in the forums. I just wonder if in the future a Wiki-style Acaeum could be made, where all the serious contributors and users could start building the definitive RPG encyclopedia. Starting with TSR and JG and slowly building. I think someone will do this eventually - so it I hope it is Acaeum, which is the greatest site.I realise finances are a problem and quality control is very important. But perhaps there could be some mechanism where item page contributions could be submitted first to a pending area, reviewed by a senior panel before being put on the site. I think a good 'contents' segment for each description is critical to the Collector. Anyway, just brainstorming here, but I guess in a nutshell I am suggesting:- reformatting and providing more information on item description pages- creating a mechanism where the broader community can contribute to these pages without compromising qualityi.e. getting the masses of data and photos onto encyclopedia quality items pages systematically and more quickly.Incidentally, I have now 488 pieces in my collection:Mostly TSR first edition (some rares)Some TSR second editionAvalon Hill (focussing on fantasy, sci fi and RPG releases)Judges GuildIron Crown Enterprises (Particularly MERP and board games)FASA (Dr. Who)Fantasy Productions Inc (this is a quirk of mine - I am trying to get all prints and editions of Jeffrey Dillow's erstwhile RPG) and just starting withColumbia Games (Harn first edition)Next year when I get through my PhD confirmation, I would very much like to contribute in some way. It is my main hobby and I enjoy researching items in my limited way. Another question - are there any other subwebs nearing completion?
mandalaymoon wrote:It seems Tome of Treasures has been down the past couple days, or is that just my connection?
serleran wrote:If it includes something like this only with pictures, scans, reviews, and rarities... I'd be in love with it.
grubbiv wrote:tomeoftreasures.com is nice, but putting the info into a forum makes it hard to use.The easiest way to set up a wiki would be to use pbwiki.com. It's free for 1-3 editors and $4 per editor per month for 4-999 users if you get the discount rate, which you should because this would be a nonprofit enterprise. All editors would be able to edit all pages. More fine grained control is available for a premium price.You could also rent a server in a data center for $100 a month and install mediawiki on it, which is the software wikipedia uses. One server is probably all you would need, especially if you hosted the images elsewhere like on photobucket. Easy to install mediawiki if you have a bit of knowledge of unix system administration and apache.