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

==== YouTube Video ====

==== Written Concepts ====

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

: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 progresprogress'''s.]]

[[Image:wikiMeeting.png|thumb|500px|'''Wiki Meetings can be held over longer periods of time, and allow busy individuals to contribute from the comfort of their own home'''. Minutes of those meetings would automatically be documented online - (no note-taker required). Wikis can also be used to '''"better prepare meeting content or concerns" to help reduce face-to-face meeting time'''. ]]

::: 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 Also, those '''documents usually become "out-of-date" very quiclyquickly, until those documents are downloaded, re-edited, saved, and uploaded'''.

::'''Jotting notes with pen and pencilspencil'''

::'''Outdated TeachingMethods''':::The youth are more comfortable and adaptable with on-line collaboration. Unfortunately, if instructors fail to embrace newer technologies, they may impede the growth of the their students. If properly utilized and monitored, '''instructors could be "leading the students by example" to prepare them to collaborate in a proactive manner and while at the same time enforcing the classic concepts such as "critical thinking", "research", and "interpretationciting 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 to benefit the World. Many private interests are trying to compete and control 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'''). Many computer program developers have collaborated for decade<u>'''s'''</u> before the term "cloud computing" became fashionable...

====Hidden Opportunity Costs====[[Image:computerResource.png|thumb|500px|'''Since WIKI contents are accessible via the Internet, elements can be "woven" into a comprehensive and customized resource ''' <br />(for example: a web-page)'''. ]]

:On the other hand, computer tools (such as WIKIs that are used to help promote on-line collaboration) can help increase the productivity and communication of its membership. This author is a BIG BELIEVER in "opportunity costs". '''These hidden costs from not embracing newer forms of online collaboration will "creep-up" and cause "friction" and "drag" to impede church projects or initiatives'''.

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

:'''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...'':

::''...No one wants to listen to "excuses"''... ::''...Take the initiative''... ::''...Learn how to learn.''  ====Resist the Temptation to be Shy====

===="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).  ===="Water Seeks its Own Level"====

:Once content is stored in WIKIs, '''it This author is amazing in how many ways that content can be reusednot expecting on-line collaborative to spark an immediate "revolution"'''. For example, but rather to serve as an effective tool to help "lighten the Westminster Computer Lab resource [http://matrix.senecacload" of church volunteers.Although not all volunteers may use this on.ca/~murray.saul/westminster/computerGuide_home.html /Guide on the Side/] has many tutorials -line tool immediately, it is possible that are recycled a few volunteers will start to use WIKIs (created over a series of months / years). This web'''When others individuals view the success and time-page resource was created from scratch within a 4 week period weavingsaving benefit of on-in existing WIKIs. It would have been IMPOSSIBLE for this resource to have been created within 3 weeks by one person without these line collaboration, their attitude towards on-line collaborative tools (especially WIKIs)collaboration will probably change'''.

====Baby Steps:Google Docs==== :Although using Wikis are easy, people could start to share documents online via '''Google Docs'''. This author is not expecting ona free service to allow individuals to share their documents such as '''word-line collaborative processing''', '''spreadsheets''' and '''presentations''' with other groups, or to anyone via the Internet. The user can decide if the users can view or edit the document. Forms can be created to spark an immediate "revolution"allow a user to embed into webpages, but rather blogs or other social media to serve as automatically update online documents. :Here is an example of an effective tool '''Issue Ticketing system''' that I created to act as a "help desk"lighten the load" of church volunteersfor a computer lab: [ [http://matrix.senecac. Although not all volunteers may use this on-line tool immediately.ca/~murray.saul/westminster/computerGuide_form.html Issue Ticketing System] ] :If organisations are already using ''Google Calendar'', it then ''Google Docs'' possibly is the next logic step towards online collaboration. :Here is possible that a few volunteers will start link to use WIKIsthe resource: [ [http://www.google. '''When others individuals view the success and timecom/google-d-saving benefit of ons/b1.html http://www.google.com/google-line collaboration, their attitude towards ond-line collaboration will probably change'''s/b1.html ] ] 

===A "An Immediate Success Story="==

:'''Investing in WIKIs has allowed me 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 I have 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>[[Image:YouTubeStats1.png|thumb|300px200px|The '''"File and Folder Management"''' YouTube video tutorial has been viewed in '''Mexico''', '''Europe''', and '''Africa''' ]]</td><td>[[Image:youTubeStats2.png|thumb|400px200px|The '''"Freemind Mind-Mapping"''' YouTube video tutorial has been viewed in '''South America''' and in the '''Middle East''' ]]</td>

[[Image:youTuveStats3.png|thumb|400px200px|right|The '''Pitivi Non Linear Video Editor''' tutorial has been viewed in the '''United States''', '''South America''', '''United Kingdom''', '''France''', and '''Africa'''. ]]:Within two weeks from creating instructional YouTube videos, interest in some of these training resources has been registered in the '''United States''', '''Europe''', '''Mexico''', '''South America''', '''Africa''', and the '''Middle East'''. 

:'''Whether or not Westminster United Church 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't "the future"... this is the "here and now"... this is the reality...