atw: Re: Sharepoint user docs wiki

Jasmine,
The internet and intranets work REALLY WELL if people are allowed to post
quickly.
I had full publish rights to my area and could post a new document while
someone was standing beside me bleating.  It took about 3 minutes, rather
than 3 weeks.

Why does someone else have to 'approve' what is your content?  I have been
asking this for several years and still don't get any sensible answers.

Bob T

2008/12/10 Jasmine Andrews <jasminethetrainer@xxxxxxxxx>

> Bob - The intranet model is what I am currently using. I like the
> simplicity of the concept, but the reality of it here has me tearing my hair
> out. A minor point is that the approval process to get a new version of a
> doc posted takes in excess of 3 weeks on a good day, by which point we have
> already already moved on to the next code drop and am scrambling to document
> that in all its flavours for the multiple user groups. No, I can't have
> Flare either. I do it all the old-fashioned way.
>
> Chris - Will investigate Plone. We are also looking at Confluence, but
> haven't engaged them in the same process as we have for SP. We are up to
> Office 2003 but I don't see 07 in our future. So we will miss out on some
> neat features as a result, or worse, run into the problems you discussed. We
> do have a MS bias, however we are about to launch the deluxe TRIM Context so
> to me, alot of the document-oriented features of SP are redundant. They
> aren't keen on replacing the intranet with SP, which is a shame as that
> would be something useful. I think they just want the project work space
> aspect of SP and I probably won't end up with anything out of it.
>
> 2008/12/10 Chris lofting <lofting@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> 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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>
>


-- 
Bob Trussler
Phone  0418 661 462

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