atw: Re: Sharepoint user docs wiki

See the open source equivalents such as Plone - http://plone.org - there are
others but plone is REALLY easy to install on laptops/desktops etc and
allows for a lot of customisation.

Sharepoint 2007 comes with the usual MS issues re compliance to 'standards'
(it used MHTML to customise HTML for enclosure in the DB etc - and it covers
MS version of XML that is 95% 'standard'! - why the hell they did not go the
full 100% is a worry) - if you are an MS shop and have MSWord in its 2003
premium version (not small business) or later then it has some nice
capabilities in document management, group sharing etc etc (uses XML
features). IOW to get the full benefits of MSOffice operating in sharepoint
you need to upgrade MSOffice to AT LEAST 2003 Premium version or go all the
way into 2007 etc - then come issues with dropping of data etc that can
happen if you create a hybrid environment that allows for 2003-2007
transfers where going 2007-2003 can be an issue in some cases. IOW if
management don't want to update their laptops with current MSOffice/Vista
there can be issues in editing on one system and transferring to the other,
editing there and then going back (and so more backward compatibility
issues). THEN comes issues of existing archives files that MAY need
upgrading and so need to be considered re possible update issues (I.e. they
get stored back in the archive but are then retrieved by an older MSWord
system (2002-2003) etc etc) 

The hierarchy has to be managed VERY carefully - and you need a dedicated
sharepoint administrator to take care of it all (and that covers 'garbage'
collection etc with variations on version control rules - there are LOTS of
tables to fill in for the initial planning/configuring the use of the system
and its management - it is not a "fire-up and forget" product)

All of that said, my last exposure was two years ago (beta 2007 etc) so
perhaps some issues were fixed!? (something tells me - "doubtful"!)

The wiki-like features of plone are easier to deal with and more 'in tune'
with open source users (developers etc) - Sharepoint can be overkill. SO -
if your a rigidly MS focused shop then the logical path is to introduce
sharepoint. Otherwise at least review Plone (or other CMS open source
systems).

Plone on laptops needs to get into the ability to seek-out other plones on a
network and link-up to form a transparent interface and present as if 'one'
plone. I dont know if this exists now or is planned-for but something useful
to have - whereas sharepoint on a laptop? not a good idea! - and there are
issues with virtual system setups, have to be carefully managed as if one
goes down then all others go as well - this gets into server costs and so
dedication of resources or use virtual capabilities etc etc etc - all part
of the planning stage filling in all of those tables!

have fun!

Chris.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> [mailto:austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of 
> Jasmine Andrews
> Sent: Wednesday, 10 December 2008 3:37 PM
> To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: atw: Sharepoint user docs wiki
> 
> Hello
>  
> My organisation (state govt) is considering implementing 
> Sharepoint and I've been dragged in for the requirements 
> gathering process. In a previous life, I attempted to 
> demonstrate Sharepoint's suitability as a means of handling 
> training administration without tears, but am now more 
> interested in its wiki for user documentation, discussion 
> forums for user groups etc. 
>  
> Does anyone have any experience with this application of 
> Sharepoint and want to a) knock some sense into me, b) give 
> me some good news stories to encourage me to proceed.  I have 
> enough on my plate as it is and am trying to quickly evaluate 
> whether I should continue my involvement with this project or 
> not. Any war stories would be greatly appreciated.
>  
> Jasmine
> 


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