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Introducing BigSoccer Wiki:
BigSoccer is harnessing the power of a wiki engine to provide a new resource for soccer fans--a soccer wiki that serves as a disorientation guide and encyclopedia that emphasizes unofficial knowledge and is written by its readers.
Our soccer wiki is new. It currently contains an estimated 90 articles. Yes, that's a small number but remember, it took Wikipedia quite a while to reach 100 articles, too.
How to help:
1. Create a new article on a topic that interests you. Even a rudimentary article is better than no article at all. Simply creating an article may prompt others to work on it. There's no need to write the entire article or make it perfect. 2. Edit an existing article. Many articles, especially when they are first written, are messy. You can help by editing existing articles.
To compete with Wikipedia directly seems both foolhardy and pointless. Introducing the BigSoccer Wiki
Now a soccer encyclopedia specializing in "unofficial" knowledge (think back to the disorientation guides in college) might be good. It would have its own niche and would provide information not seen anywhere else. It could feature things like supporters clubs, traditions, songs, favored bars, legends and lore - basically everything a supporter needs to know in the way of unofficial knowledge.
This has the possibility of branching off onto players or coaches or stadiums soley based on the soccer idea. Geez, somebody could even create an entry for Waldo.
If it's a wiki, then let it be a wiki. No official mods. User controlled. If there are real abuse problems then do what wikipedia did and install some oversight - but I wouldn't set that up immediately.
Well, it's an idea. But I think you have to carve out a niche that's really very different than wikipedia's soccer entries. Stressing "unofficial" knowledge is probaby the way to go. Tailgates, soccer-friendly bars, supporters songs, the best parking lots, the best seats, traditions - all that kind of stuff: the dirty underbelly of American soccer (and the dirt itself). Things we know just because we're involved.
Honestly, I think it's a helluva idea.
I can't tell you how many times I've gone back through the RSSSF archive to find a score or lineup or whatever. I can imagine fans building very thorough archives of their teams that would be EXTREMELY useful.
As an MLS stat archive, it could be invaluable.
For all of the bitching and the newbies and the complete and utter morons, there is an unbelievable amount of knowledge of the game on this site. Currently posted and in the heads of posters. It would be interesting to see that power harnesed for something.
Anyway, I'm willing to lend a hand and give my opinion on things. But because we're talking about a wiki here I'm kind of hard pressed to see how this would require extensive oversight. It's not a discussion board where things get heated. (Well I guess there's an article discussion area ...) Sure there'll be vandalism but since it's a wiki anyone will be able to fix it.
Honestly I think the main thing here is to figure out ways to get the current BigSoccer posting community to spend time posting on the wiki instead of (or along with) posting on the boards.
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