Today the Hobbyist, Tommorow, The World!

John Reimer terminal.node at gmail.com
Wed May 3 11:59:15 PDT 2006


Georg Wrede wrote:
> John Reimer wrote:
>> It is an improvement, but I don't understand why the 
>> WordsAreAllRunningTogether for the links.
>>
>> I find that aspect quite ugly.  I've seen that system used in other 
>> sites, and I just don't understand why it's done that way in the wiki. 
>> Is it a limitation of the Wiki?
> 
> The entire idea of a Wiki is that users (i.e. _the_readers_) do most of 
> the writing. One can't expect them to be computer savvy. At the same 
> time, it is imperative that the texts actually do contain links to other 
> pages, wherever needed. (In other words, links should not remain 
> uncreated just because "it is hard to do".)
> 
> The simplest way to achieve this is, just have page names in CamelCase. 
> Then any word in CamelCase is assumed a link.
> 
> (It's not a matter of technology, it is entirely a matter of what is a 
> simple enough way to create links, so that folks actually get around to 
> doing it!)
> 
> Invent an "easier" way, and you'll do the Wiki culture a big service.


Thanks for the explanation.  I just noticed CamelCase is everywhere in 
wikidom, with some exceptions (eg, Wikipedia?).

I still think CamelCase looks horrible, despite the ease of use argument 
(which makes sense).  I notice some links actually use "_" to get around 
the space problem, with rather inconsistant irregularity.  Perhaps that 
is still difficult for new users?

I assume that wiki's controlled by core groups of professional or 
knowledgeable users don't have to use CamelCase then, because, 
theoretically, they have the skill to implement the links in more 
eye-pleasing fashion?

On the other hand, it appears that CamelCase in wiki sites has caught on 
almost as a standard for all users, no matter what their skill level be. 
That's really unfortunate.

-JJR



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