[[Image:course1.jpg|thumb|300px|<b>Debbie</b> (CE Instructor), <b>Sandra</b> (Minister) and <b>Murray</b> (AVIT volunteer) are <i>"ready-to-roll"</i> to learn more about the Westminster Computer LabWIKIs!!! ]]

:'''The purpose of this "WIKI Article" is to help explain '''how promoting "online collaboration" through the use of WIKIs may help to <u>reduce </u> volunteer workload''', and to help build a customized online database on-line databases for church volunteering and operational -related activities'''. In turn, this on-line databaes these databases can be used for by the Westminster congregation,by the Orangeville community, and used by the entire World.

:'''This article is based on this author's observations and professional experience when using online collaboration tools such as WIKIs'''.

==== YouTube Video ====

: '''If you want to see a YouTube video discussing WIKIs, here is a link to a customized YouTube video: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY]

==== Written Concepts ====

====A Little History and Perspective====

:'''The concept of collaborating on-line is <u>not</u> new'''. Even the predecessor to the Internet ('''ARPAnet''') which was developed by the U.S. military in the 60's created using computer networking as a system of networked computers connected by fast and complex communication networks used defensive counter-measure to discourage any a Soviet nuclear "first nuclear strike". Out of this system rose the '''MAD doctrine''' (Mutually Assured Destruction). This, in turn, led to assisted in the reduction of nuclear arms and via non-proliferation treaties.

:In the 70s and 80s, there was a need for nuclear and rocket scientist scientists to collaborate in order to advance nuclear missile research. All These scientists needed a way see the "big picture" as opposed to only their own particular contribution. Since '''these scientists worked in research organizations like (universities and colleges), this allowed other participants, such as instructors and students, had access to also use many of these those collaboration tools such as e-mail, and non-graphical web-browsers accessing to access the World Wide Web'''.

:'''Ironically, this communication networking system which was created as a "defensive weapon", developed into an infrastructure to help to promote peace and helping to help "bring people together"'''.

:In Since the early 70s, computer programmers collaborated via computer networks to develop software applications. The '''open-source ''' collaborative model is considered to be the most cost-effective "benchmark model" of developing software. In fact, it has long been recognized that Linux is the largest on-line collaborative project in the World. '''If the new catch-phrase "Working in the Cloud" applies to storing documents and editing them in "cyberspace"within the Internet, then this author has been "Working in the Cloud" since 1998 (long before this "catch-phrase" was invented)...'''

[[Image:wikiProject.png|thumb|500px | '''Wikis can be used to document church projects'''. These can be used as "time capsules" providing information, reflection, and historical significance. '''Mind-Maps can be incorporated into the WIKI to show up-to-date status of project's progress'''.]]:'''This "need to "connect" has now extended from beyond educational institutions , and into our homes and our everyday daily lives:'''

::*'''Smart phones''', '''Blackberries''', '''tablets''', etc.::*'''Checking e-mail''' on a daily basis.::*'''Checking weather conditions''' or '''checking school cancellations''' on web-pages.::*'''Expectation (no No longer a luxury) , but rather an expectation, of wireless connectivity in public places''' (eg. McDonalds has now gone wireless).::*Feeling of '''"disconnection from World" ''' if Internet service is down'''.

:'''This need to connect is further validated by the quick rapid growth of social media applications such as:'''

:'''The A WIKI supports both "data storage" and "open editing" which can be used to support "community-building"'''.

:'''Unfortunately, people are instinctively <u>hesitant</u> or <u>protective</u> when faced with exposing their work or contribution to the public for editing.''' :'''There are many factors that act as a natural barrier barriers to open on-line collaboration:'''

::'''Disconnection of Document generation Generation and editingEditing'''::: Documents involving word-processing, spreadsheets, and slide-shows are mainly edited "off-line", which '''requires more work downloading and uploading files'''. Although they may be posted to web-pages, '''those documents are not real "living documents"''', instead they represent a "one-way flow" of information. Also, those '''documents may usually become immediately "out-of-date"very quickly, until those documents are downloaded, editingre-edited, saved, and uploaded'''.

:::In my opinion, if I asked a random group of people '''what a WIKI was, eighty-five percent would respond, "What is a WIKI?"'''. On the other hand, '''if I asked that same group '''how many of them have used WikiPedia, eighty-five percent would respond , "Yes"'''. If I asked that same group '''how many people have added or edited content on a Wikepedia topic, <u>less than a one tenth of a one percent</u> would respond , "Yes"'''. 

:::People may find that they don't have much to offer on the wiki, but participation can be simple like such as editing spelling and grammar. '''Participation in a WIKI could be considered a true form of democracy, as opposed to web-pages''', (where the author can decide to post or delete comments). '''Churches are prime benefactors for on-line collaboration in order to support and build their congregation, "social outreach", and "social justice"'''.::'''Jotting notes with pen and pencilspencil'''

:::''Students today are '''learning how to collaborate in order to be successful in their future lives'''. This directive has been adopted into student provincial school curriculum since this is the <u>skill </u> that business businesses and our society demands <u>demand</u> from our future citizens''. Unfortunately, older generations have not been exposed to the advantages of open-collaboration, and remain working in more traditional "off-line" forms of collaboration.::'''Negative Perceptions Among InstructorsOutdated Teaching Methods''':::In this rapid adjustment into the "information age"The youth are more comfortable and adaptable with on-line collaboration. Unfortunately, sometimes the students should be training the if instructorsfail to embrace newer technologies, and leave they may impede the instructor to focus on teaching timeless concepts such as '''critical thinking''', '''research techniques''' and '''team-building'''growth of their students. If properly utilized and monitored, '''instructors could be "leading the students by example" to prepare them to collaborate in a proactive manner to benefit societywhile at the same time enforcing classic concepts such as "critical thinking", their workplace"research", and their personal lives"citing sources (both on-line and off-line)"'''.

:::'''Trying to own a collaborative idea or concept can limit its growth or success'''. When people mention that I should copyright the <br />[http://matrix.senecac.on.ca/~murray.saul/westminster/computerGuide_training.html "/Guide on the Side/" ] Computer Lab resource, I immediately respond, ''''"that would immediately destroy what I have created"''''. I adopt the attitude, ''''"what you give usually will come back ten-fold"''''. Instead of limiting that resource only to the Westminster Computer Lab, it should be freely available for to benefit the World to benefit. Many private interests are trying to compete to and control (what I consider) to be the next big wave which is online storage and document manipulation. Free software proponents such as '''Richard Stallman''' see the industry term '''"cloud computing"''' as nothing more than a '''"marketing gimmick"''' (Apple recently rolled-out its attempt called '''icloud''' was recently released from Apple). Many computer program developers have collaborated for decades decade<u>'''s'''</u> before the term "cloud computing" became fashionable...  

====Hidden Opportunity Costs====[[Image:On the other hand, computer tools (such as WIKIs to help promote on-line collaboration) can help increase the productivity and communication of its membershipcomputerResource. This author is a BIG BELIEVER in png|thumb|500px|'''Since WIKI contents are accessible via the Internet, elements can be "opportunity costswoven"into a comprehensive and customized resource'''<br />(for example: a web-page). ]]:'''These hidden costs Westminster United Church can "creep-survive without WIKIs'''. Technical aspects of this church (in terms of computers) only make up" that acts as "friction" to slow-down tiny elements of what the church does. In reality, it is the smooth operation <u>contribution</u> of projects the church <u>members</u> and communication'''<u>volunteers</u> that keep the church operating.

==="Unlock Those Chains": Collaborate Online===

:'''Eric S. Raymond''', the author of the book '''"The Cathedral and the Bazaar"''', compares on-line collaboration for computer software development as a '''"church bazaar", where the setup is not very fancy, but the work , enthusiasm, and the coordination of its among church members are key crucial to its success. The same thing could be said about promotion efficient collaboration for any project associated with Westminster United Church'''.

:'''Here is a site to a free WIKI host called "WikiSpaces: :''' [http://www.wikispaces.com/ http://www.wikispaces.com/] :Take advantage of the on-line features of this site to help to learn how to use a WIKI: ::''...No one will do the work for you''... ::''...No one wants to listen to "excuses"''... ::''...Take the initiative''... ::''...Learn how to learn.''  ====Resist the Temptation to be Shy==== :'''Contrary to general opinion, people don't mind having their WIKIs edited: they may even thank you!''' This author has created many WIKIs over a two year period. During that time <u>very very few</u> people have taken the time to edit those WIKIs. '''There is a mechanism that records WIKI <u>editing history</u> indicating both the edited content and username. The ability to see who edits a WIKI "levels the playing field"'''. The WIKI owner can always revert to a previous editing session to restore the WIKI to a previous period... :'''When allowing individuals the freedom to edit text at will, the quality of the WIKI's content will naturally improve (most likely at a <u>rapid</u> pace).'''  ===="Reduce, Reuse, Recycle"==== :Once content is stored in WIKIs, '''it is amazing in how many ways that content can be reused'''. For example, the Westminster Computer Lab resource [http://matrix.senecac.on.ca/~murray.saul/westminster/computerGuide_home.html /Guide on the Side/] has many tutorials that are recycled WIKIs (created over a series of months / years). This web-page resource was created from scratch within a 4 week period weaving-in existing WIKIs. It would have been IMPOSSIBLE for this resource to have been created within 4 weeks by one person without these on-line collaborative tools (especially WIKIs). 

====Baby Steps:'''By allowing many individuals the freedom to edit text will <u>accelerate</u> the quality of the article, tutorial, etc...'''Google Docs====

===:Here is an example of an '''Issue Ticketing system''' that I created to act as a "Reduce, Reuse, Recyclehelp desk"===for a computer lab: [ [http://matrix.senecac.on.ca/~murray.saul/westminster/computerGuide_form.html Issue Ticketing System] ]

:Once content is stored in WIKIs, If organisations are already using ''Google Calendar'', then 'it is amazing to discover how many times the content can be reused'Google Docs''. For example, the Westminster Computer Lab resource [http://matrix.senecac.on.ca/~murray.saul/westminster/computerGuide_home.html /Guide on possibly is the Side/] has many tutorials that are recycled WIKIs that were created months or years ago... This web-page and You-tube videos were created from scratch within a 4 week period. There is no way that this resource could have been created by one person without these on-line tools (such as WIKIs)next logic step towards online collaboration.

===Has It Been Successful?="An Immediate Success"==  :Investing in WIKIs has allowed this author not only to generate open-source learning content for Westminster United Church, but for anyone in the World that has a need for these learning materials.   :Many WIKIs that were created for the church have generated thousands of visits within a short period of time. The computer lab resource's You-Tube video statistics indicate an immediate need for open-source application training.  :Within two weeks from creating instructional YouTube videos, interest in some of these training resources have been noted from the '''United States''', '''Europe''', '''Mexico''', '''South America''', '''Africa''', and the '''Middle East'''.</td> 

<td>[[Image:In this authorYouTubeStats1.png|thumb|200px|The '''"File and Folder Management"''' YouTube video tutorial has been viewed in ''s opinion'Mexico''', '''Europe''', and '''Africa''' ]]</td><td>[[Image: youTubeStats2.png|thumb|200px|The '''"Yes, slowly but surely...Freemind Mind-Mapping"'''YouTube video tutorial has been viewed in '''South America''' and in the '''Middle East''' ]]</td>

</tr></table>[[Image:youTuveStats3.png|thumb|200px|right|The '''Pitivi Non Linear Video Editor'''Investing tutorial has been viewed in WIKIs has allowed me not only to generate open-source learning content for Westminster the '''United States''', '''South America''', '''United ChurchKingdom''', '''France''', but for anyone in the World that has a need for those materialsand '''Africa'''.]]

:Many WIKIs that I have created have generated thousands of visits within a short period of time. You-Tube statistics indicate an immediate need for open-source application training. A few <u>immediate</u> areas that seem to be interested are the '''Whether or not Westminster United StatesChurch embraces on-line collaboration, individuals from around the World are already benefiting from this self-directed learning resource'''. By taking the time to freely participate and contribute on-line, this online resource has already been a success within two weeks of its creation... that is how quickly things can happen in "Cyberspace" when using the correct online tools... this isn'''Africa''', t "the future"... this is the "here and now"... this is the '''Middle East'''reality...