MobileRead Wiki: Use cases needed

aapezzuto · 10-22-2007, 06:33 PM

Ive been working with some of the staff to try and restructure the MobileRead Wiki to make it more usable. One of the things that I need to know to make a good set of recommendations is what people use MobileRead for. I'm looking for all reasonable use cases for a person who has interacted with this site for less than 30 days. It is understood that people will create new content, and find tools that can meet their needs (or even alter tools to meet their unmet needs) given enough time, but that expands "reasonable" to much... and I just don't want "Time Travel" to be a reasonable use case!

What I have come up with so far:

I'm into books and reading
- I'm into electronic books
  - I'm looking for resources to download books
  - I'm looking for ebook software
  - I want to learn about ebook related stuff
  - I want information to help make a buying descision (reader or software)
  - I want information to make a format descition(software, purchase, archival)
I want to talk to other people
I want to share something
I want to help out
I want to know what mobile read is
- I dont know, I followed a link here

Missing anything?

nekokami · 10-22-2007, 08:12 PM

Does "I'm looking for ebook software" include the software not related to ebooks that we share for the iLiad, or would you like to break that out separately?

On a humorous note, "I'm looking for an argument about DRM/Copyright Law/The future of e ink/..."

More seriously, "I'm interested in industry rumors or early release information about ebook reading technology" might count as a separate item.

yvanleterrible · 10-23-2007, 09:06 AM

Waiting for the release of my perfect reading device. This is the best place to discuss about all new sightings.

jamesdmanley · 10-23-2007, 10:40 AM

i found the site while trying to look up info on the prs-500 before making the sony card plunge. the info on their website is abysmal. i stayed for the updated tech/news articles, software, books, and chat.

edit: i found this site from a google search for "prs-500"

Jaapjan · 10-24-2007, 04:07 AM

The only generic advice I'd give is ... don't make too many categories. Don't spread everyone out too thin.

aapezzuto · 10-24-2007, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nekokami

More seriously, "I'm interested in industry rumors or early release information about ebook reading technology" might count as a separate item.

Up to date tech news / insider secrets for "special" stock market transactions... hadn't thought of that one...

I think that illiad apps are covered in part by 1-2 of those use cases...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaapjan

The only generic advice I'd give is ... don't make too many categories. Don't spread everyone out too thin.

Before going off on some crazy rant about wiki structure, and the design intent of MediaWiki when designing their content coupling scheme... I'll make a clarification on the use of the word categories in the context of MediaWiki wiki software...

In this context a category would be a grouping mechanism, that is non-exclusive (a page can belong to more than one) and allows for automatic linking, tracking, and traversal between the pages in said category.

However if what you mean is keep the front page un-cluttered, and easy to find what most people are actually looking for... I'm right there with you!

now ... MORE FEEDBACK... I must have more feedback!

vivaldirules · 10-24-2007, 07:02 AM

Unfortunately, one is likely to be "I'm looking for free [pirated] ebooks, converters to remove DRM, and anything else free I can get my hands on."

Alexander Turcic · 10-24-2007, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivaldirules

Unfortunately, one is likely to be "I'm looking for free [pirated] ebooks, converters to remove DRM, and anything else free I can get my hands on."

Heh... yeah... no.

nekokami · 10-24-2007, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aapezzuto

Up to date tech news / insider secrets for "special" stock market transactions... hadn't thought of that one...

I meant from a geek/futurist point of view, not a stock trading pov, but whatever.

I still think a number of people seem to be coming looking for an argument.

NatCh · 10-24-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivaldirules

Unfortunately, one is likely to be "I'm looking for free [pirated] ebooks, converters to remove DRM, and anything else free I can get my hands on."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexander Turcic

Heh... yeah... no.

Actually, that might be a good section to have -- it would give us a place to put MobileRead's Official Policy on the matter. I'm thinking a somewhat more ... detailed version of Alex's comments here.

DaleDe · 10-24-2007, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

Actually, that might be a good section to have -- it would give us a place to put MobileRead's Official Policy on the matter. I'm thinking a somewhat more ... detailed version of Alex's comments here.

I think that the official policies for the site would be a good item as well as submission guidelines for submitted books. There could be links to specific topics in the forum for ongoing discussion.

I am a bit confused about the original list of topics. Some of those are not appropriate for a wiki but are for a forum such as talking to other people about a topic (except that the wiki could be used to discuss the needs for content in a page). It could be that links from the wiki could be into the forums when discussion is expected to be likely.

The wiki should have topics to answer questions about technology and terms that come up when a user is first interested in ebooks. From time to time it becomes clear that a forum discussion has made some key clarifications in this regard and, at this point, it would be good for someone to distill the points and create or amplify the wiki page.

I have spent quite a bit of time looking at the wiki and many topics still need flushing out, more cross references are needed. The data in the wiki is beginning to get to be very valuable although some is difficult to find. The forums need to point to the wiki when appropriate.

Dale

aapezzuto · 10-24-2007, 02:58 PM

The use cases are not to outline the structure of the wiki directly, they are so that we can get into the mindset of a new user... One of the problems with becoming a specialist is that you forget what is actually common knowledge. One of the problems with "hanging out" in a social network like this for too long is it starts to serve new and strange purposes... that can only evolve with time...
(yes, I'm guilty of using mobileRead as a mild stimulant while sleep deprived, and as an antidepressant when I'm feeling lonely...

)

Forums are a good way to document a dialog, and have everyone get a chance to speak up... but they are harder to get that immediate satisfaction a first time browser might want/need to get hooked... and Its all about sharing the addiction!

--------------------------------

The use case of "looking for materials we have problems with" is a perfect example of the sort of thing I need to realize but overlooked... If we can address this request, change their expectations in a friendly and prompt manner, we might yield a more pleasant encounter with those miscreants.

In fact, it has been my experience that when expectations are not met, that is what causes distress... not the experience itself.

tsgreer · 10-24-2007, 04:46 PM

This is totally off-topic, but I gotta ask what are those creatures in your avatar aapezzuto? I can't figure out what they are...

vivaldirules · 10-24-2007, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsgreer

This is totally off-topic, but I gotta ask what are those creatures in your avatar aapezzuto? I can't figure out what they are...

Same here. Tell us, please!

NatCh · 10-24-2007, 05:28 PM

I'll third that question!

10-22-2007, 06:33 PM	#1
aapezzuto Zealot Posts: 116 Karma: 693 Join Date: Sep 2007 Device: none	MobileRead Wiki: Use cases needed Ive been working with some of the staff to try and restructure the MobileRead Wiki to make it more usable. One of the things that I need to know to make a good set of recommendations is what people use MobileRead for. I'm looking for all reasonable use cases for a person who has interacted with this site for less than 30 days. It is understood that people will create new content, and find tools that can meet their needs (or even alter tools to meet their unmet needs) given enough time, but that expands "reasonable" to much... and I just don't want "Time Travel" to be a reasonable use case! What I have come up with so far: I'm into books and reading I'm into electronic books I'm looking for resources to download books I'm looking for ebook software I want to learn about ebook related stuff I want information to help make a buying descision (reader or software) I want information to make a format descition(software, purchase, archival) I want to talk to other people I want to share something I want to help out I want to know what mobile read is I dont know, I followed a link here Missing anything?

10-23-2007, 10:40 AM	#4
jamesdmanley Groupie Posts: 156 Karma: 817 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: houston Device: prs-500	i found the site while trying to look up info on the prs-500 before making the sony card plunge. the info on their website is abysmal. i stayed for the updated tech/news articles, software, books, and chat. edit: i found this site from a google search for "prs-500" Last edited by jamesdmanley; 10-24-2007 at 12:27 PM.

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10-22-2007, 08:12 PM	#2
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	Does "I'm looking for ebook software" include the software not related to ebooks that we share for the iLiad, or would you like to break that out separately? On a humorous note, "I'm looking for an argument about DRM/Copyright Law/The future of e ink/..." More seriously, "I'm interested in industry rumors or early release information about ebook reading technology" might count as a separate item.

10-23-2007, 09:06 AM	#3
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	Waiting for the release of my perfect reading device. This is the best place to discuss about all new sightings.

10-24-2007, 04:07 AM	#5
Jaapjan Avid reader Posts: 262 Karma: 132 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Netherlands Device: HTC Touch Diamond, iLiad Book Edition	The only generic advice I'd give is ... don't make too many categories. Don't spread everyone out too thin.

10-24-2007, 07:02 AM	#7
vivaldirules When's Doughnut Day? Posts: 10,059 Karma: 13675475 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Houston, TX, US Device: Sony PRS-505, iPad	Unfortunately, one is likely to be "I'm looking for free [pirated] ebooks, converters to remove DRM, and anything else free I can get my hands on."

10-24-2007, 02:58 PM	#12
aapezzuto Zealot Posts: 116 Karma: 693 Join Date: Sep 2007 Device: none	The use cases are not to outline the structure of the wiki directly, they are so that we can get into the mindset of a new user... One of the problems with becoming a specialist is that you forget what is actually common knowledge. One of the problems with "hanging out" in a social network like this for too long is it starts to serve new and strange purposes... that can only evolve with time... (yes, I'm guilty of using mobileRead as a mild stimulant while sleep deprived, and as an antidepressant when I'm feeling lonely... ) Forums are a good way to document a dialog, and have everyone get a chance to speak up... but they are harder to get that immediate satisfaction a first time browser might want/need to get hooked... and Its all about sharing the addiction! -------------------------------- The use case of "looking for materials we have problems with" is a perfect example of the sort of thing I need to realize but overlooked... If we can address this request, change their expectations in a friendly and prompt manner, we might yield a more pleasant encounter with those miscreants. In fact, it has been my experience that when expectations are not met, that is what causes distress... not the experience itself.

10-24-2007, 04:46 PM	#13
tsgreer Lovin' the e-book life... Posts: 633 Karma: 2509 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Device: Ebookwise 1150, Sony PRS-505, Amazon Kindle, BeBook (with OpenInkpot)	This is totally off-topic, but I gotta ask what are those creatures in your avatar aapezzuto? I can't figure out what they are...

10-24-2007, 05:28 PM	#15
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	I'll third that question!