Friday, April 18, 2008
EcoLink's Allies
Creating Topics and Sub-Topics
A Topic Editor may be responsible for a broader topic tree section and may sub divide the responsibility of certain "branches" of the tree amongst other editors for assistance while holding general responsibility for the entire tree or section assigned to him/her.
Structuring the topic based resource section is one of the main tasks of the Topic Editor. The following should be considered (if necessary after consultation with joint editors):
Large numbers of links are difficult for the user to browse to find the desired resource(s). Therefore, it is necessary to consider creating sub-topics when a considerable amount of information have been accumulated in each category.
Choosing Topic and Sub-Topic Names
EcoLink does not have its own thesaurus, but it is recommended to use existing subject specific thesauri and associated agreed international standard listings for specific categories of terms when deciding on topic and sub-topic names.
Some general recommendations are listed below:
Do
Structuring the topic based resource section is one of the main tasks of the Topic Editor. The following should be considered (if necessary after consultation with joint editors):
Large numbers of links are difficult for the user to browse to find the desired resource(s). Therefore, it is necessary to consider creating sub-topics when a considerable amount of information have been accumulated in each category.
Choosing Topic and Sub-Topic Names
EcoLink does not have its own thesaurus, but it is recommended to use existing subject specific thesauri and associated agreed international standard listings for specific categories of terms when deciding on topic and sub-topic names.
Some general recommendations are listed below:
Do
- Avoid using acronyms or abbreviations unless they are commonly understood.
- Avoid repeating the name of the parent Topic in the Sub-topic name
- Use names that are not misleading.
Do not
- Do not create topics called "General", "Miscellaneous", "Other topics", or any other variation that implies a collection of general or unrelated links. Links in these general, or catch-all topics should be placed at the top of the most appropriate topical topic or moved to an appropriate topical sub-topic!
- Do not use abbreviations and symbols to represent words, e.g. &, +, `n, etc.
Joint Editors; Ownership of the Topic Area
No Topic Editor "owns" his or her topic; Topic Editors are solely entrusted with organizing, managing and developing that topic or topic area.
One may be the only Topic Editor managing a particular topic, but there will be other Topic Editors who will be able to edit and add information to the same topic, and at times other Topic Editors need to be consulted. These other Topic Editors may include Joint Topic Editors, Parent Topic Editors and the Chief Editor.
When making changes to topics such as creating new sub-topics, or moving information between topic, agreement is needed with any Joint Topic Editors and the Parent Topic Editors.
One may be the only Topic Editor managing a particular topic, but there will be other Topic Editors who will be able to edit and add information to the same topic, and at times other Topic Editors need to be consulted. These other Topic Editors may include Joint Topic Editors, Parent Topic Editors and the Chief Editor.
When making changes to topics such as creating new sub-topics, or moving information between topic, agreement is needed with any Joint Topic Editors and the Parent Topic Editors.
Time needed for EcoLink Topic Editor contributions
Before you make your decision to take over the task of Topic Editor with EcoLink, you should be aware of the time involved in responsibly fulfilling this task.
Typically, Topic Editors commit to few hours of topic related online research, local and regional news and events every other week. Topic Editors are expected to post a bi-weekly minimum of one article, editorial or comment to their respective topic Blog. Of course, there will be from time to time special event, project or activity dates and announcements to be poster to the "Notice Board" and the Ecolink online Calendar.
Only if you are prepared to commit a few hours every other week and/or your Organization is supporting your new commitment, then EcoLink will be delighted to welcome you as a Topic Editor.
The time involved may be reduced at a later stage by assigning sub-editors and dividing the work. In some cases it may be advisable to concentrate on a smaller area of a subject tree where you hold the highest professional expertise.
Typically, Topic Editors commit to few hours of topic related online research, local and regional news and events every other week. Topic Editors are expected to post a bi-weekly minimum of one article, editorial or comment to their respective topic Blog. Of course, there will be from time to time special event, project or activity dates and announcements to be poster to the "Notice Board" and the Ecolink online Calendar.
Only if you are prepared to commit a few hours every other week and/or your Organization is supporting your new commitment, then EcoLink will be delighted to welcome you as a Topic Editor.
The time involved may be reduced at a later stage by assigning sub-editors and dividing the work. In some cases it may be advisable to concentrate on a smaller area of a subject tree where you hold the highest professional expertise.
Role of the Topic Editor
The role of a topic editor is to contribute to the growth and development of EcoLink within the chosen topic area.
The topic editor will use his/her experience and judgment to:
- Organize and construct a useful and valid collection of information on the topic chosen;
highlight important topical issues, and - Draw a wide range of stakeholders to contribute to the topic area.
- Perform regular online research for topic relevant content and other visual material.
Topic Editor is responsible for approving information submissions from general public within the assigned topic tree.
- In addition, Topic Editor will select hot topics for news, and update topic related key dates in the EcoLink calendar.
Besides the editorial work, Topic Editor will contribute to the overall system improvement by assisting the Chief Editor in reviewing and revising these guidelines, contributing valuable additional information to guide other Topic Editors or pointing out system problems and suggesting improvements.
In addition to these guidelines, EcoLink will be maintaining a frequently asked questions (FAQs) section with questions and answers accessible to Topic Editors, as well as to the general public. Topic Editor will actively contribute to this section.
Topic Editor will maintain a close information exchange with the Chief Editor and fellow Topic Editors. This will mainly be done through direct e-mails or through an editors' discussion group to which every Topic Editor will automatically be added when assigned duties.
How to become an EcoLink Topic Editor?
To become an editor, please contact EcoLink and provide your short biography, list of publications (if available), your photograph in didgital format, and a short description on what sections you would like to be a Topic Editor for.
Alternatively, in order to become either an Author or a Topic Editor, please consider filling out and submitting our online contributor form.
Alternatively, in order to become either an Author or a Topic Editor, please consider filling out and submitting our online contributor form.
The EcoLink Topic Editor
“Topic Editor” is a registered member of the EcoLink system who has volunteered to act as a content administrator for a particular topic. This may well be an individual person with proven profound professional expertise or an organization which signs responsibility for editing a certain section and supplementing information.
The Topic Editor works under general supervision of the Chief Editor who will oversee the creation of new topics, and may revise and/or remove inappropriate or redundant items if necessary.
The Topic Editor works under general supervision of the Chief Editor who will oversee the creation of new topics, and may revise and/or remove inappropriate or redundant items if necessary.
How to contribute to the EcoLink Online Community Platform?
The concept of EcoLink is built on the participatory approach, encouraging organizations and individuals to participate in developing topic trees and populating the site with various types of information.
The information might be an electronic document or file of any description, a website link or metadata about an environmental topic. In general, any item of information on any environmental subject matter related to the main objective of the EcoLink site can be uploaded or linked to EcoLink as long as it applies to a certain set of quality standards and values.
Information is added single-handedly by Topic Editors in four different sections:
The information might be an electronic document or file of any description, a website link or metadata about an environmental topic. In general, any item of information on any environmental subject matter related to the main objective of the EcoLink site can be uploaded or linked to EcoLink as long as it applies to a certain set of quality standards and values.
Information is added single-handedly by Topic Editors in four different sections:
- Topic based Blogs (in process of being set up for each topic)
- Notice Board (Important announcements and event dates for Long Beach region and Southern California)
- News (Dedicated sections for each active topics - Water, Air and Land – set up on the News portal.
- EcoLink Calendar (in process of being set up as a joint all-topics calendar)
Information is provided by Topic Editors to the Webmaster for inclusion in the website in two areas:
- General educational and information material to be included into the Resources Sections of active topics – currently Water, Air and Land
- Videos to be included into the “Videos” Section of EcoLink (a link to the online Video will suffice)
The preferred form of communication is e-mail or posting proposed content directly into the corresponding topic sections of the EcoLink platform.
Visit us at http://www.ecolink4us.org/
Thank you for your consideration.
EcoLink Team...
Welcome to EcoLink "General" Online Community Blog
EcoLink is an exchange and discussion platform which focuses on trends that shape Southern California environmentally, socially and economically. EcoLink users get the opportunity to share their thoughts, consult with experts and directly participate in the information gathering and distribution process.
This Blog is where EcoLink bloggers will post editorials and messages on general topics and issues regarding the Ecolink online community platform.
We invite you to explore EcoLink and encourage you to contribute to the pool of ever growing data.
Please visit our website at http://www.ecolink4us.org/.
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