Hi all,
When Terry's post came, Marty and I talked about it and our first reaction was that we didn't see why it mattered whether the Wiki for Siberians is in the AIS Wiki or on an SSI Wiki. Since AIS has already started it, why not just have it there. And what a wonderful thing it would be. But the ensuing posts shows how important it is for there to be a thorough discussion about this. I think wherever the Wiki is, it should be available to everyone, not just members of AIS or SSI. The thing that makes the internet so fabulous is that most of the information is free to anyone. I think plant societies, including AIS and SSI, should attract new members by the vitality of their society and not by making their on-line information exclusive to members only. We want to excite people about Iris growing and then they will want to be part of our organizations. The internet is an opportunity to reach people we never have before. (This concept was put forth very well by Anner Whitehead in the last BIS Yearbook.)
If AIS does not want to make this information available to all, then I think SSI should consider doing it on their own website. I was pleased to get the link to Daffseek. The information there is great and the pedigrees are a bonus. I am not a member of the Am Daffodil Society but the information on the site is valuable to me. Having such a good site might draw me into joining the society.
Maybe through a sharing of thoughts on this subject we can improve the whole project, or start a new one.
Jan Sacks
-----Original Message-----
From: tjnzatwork <tjatwork@orcon.
net.nz>
To: sibrob@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sat, Jan 2, 2010 3:10 pm
Subject: [sibrob] Re: Iris Encyclopedia
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL
This subject of the Iris encyclopedia needs to be discussed within the SSI and it is important that the Society for Siberian Iris gets more air . Why not start our own Wiki for Siberians as the SSI checklist is the best example of a Cumulative Check list that I have seen so why should all that hard work be to the advantage of another Iris Society.There is a mountain of photos of siberians within the membership and as we are well aware the culture of Siberian Irises is relatively young and most of the legendary Hybridisers are still alive to place there own thoughts on their fantastic breeding efforts, so Why not???
The Daffodil Society started a site
Daffseek just pull down the Division and select and then select a country press 'submit query' and "Voilà" Check out the Pedigree Chart.
If we have an asset in our society we should think seriously before we give it away,which is what Bob is asking, and if we do give it away how hard will it be for the Society for Siberian Iris to stay relevant in this digital world.
As our Cumulative Check list is already digital in the form of a word doc it would only take weeks to get a wiki type function attached to our existing Web Site.
--- In sibrob@yahoogroups.
com, Robert Pries <robertpries@...> wrote:
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> Here is a new site under development that needs your help. The Americn Iris Society is creating an online encyclopedia of Iris. If you are familiar with the wikipedia than you know what the potential is for this site. At first glance you may think it is only and online illustrated checklist of every type of Iris. You would be correct but it will be much more. There are 65,000 entries in the AIS checklists and ultimately all will have their own page, up to 20 pictures for each and a chance for scores of people to add information. Presntly we have a small crew that in the last couple of monthes have put up over 1,000 cultivars but our goal is to have at least 10,000 pages up before it appears to the world on the AIS website. Presently the beginning of the alphabet has the most entries and medians and MDBs have the most pages up. We need your help to give the Siberians the representation they deserve. I invite you to visit the beginnings and see if you would like to be a part of this monumental venture. If so send me an e-mail at robertpries@... and let me know. but first go to this url and take a look:
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> http://wiki.irises.org/bin/view
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ellen Gallagher" ellengalla@...
> To: sibrob@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 1:26:58 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
> Subject: [sibrob] test message
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> Happy Holidays!
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