Should Solutions be renamed? Toolkits? Projects?
Problem: No one really understands what a Solution is and how it is different from Resources
Solution: Rename Solutions to Toolkits to get across that these are practices that can be shared and somewhat different from the average Resource. Anyone have a better idea? Projects/ Best Practices? Good Practices? Etc
How I can Help: Happy to moderate discussion on this page.
Posted by: angusparker
Comments (1 - 20 of 33)
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Me too. It seems to encompass most of the other terms. My difficulty is with the trajectory from idea to 'final solution' (that one sounds particularly scary). Getting unstuck from unsustainability might require a bit of the opposite trajectory; from external change to changing minds. I bet there are ways to shape the categorisation of projects that avoid implicit judgements about the trajectory and also build community by highlighting the human element of 'what are you working on'. New visitors to wiserearth should be impressed with the buzz of activity, like entering a busy cafe - not a neatly-catalogued library.
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@Angus; Projects sounds good to me. That gets my vote.
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@JP: There is no resolution at the moment. Theresa, of CatComm, who are porting all their solutions over to WiserEarth and I (and anyone else interested) will start talking about revamping solutions early next year. At that time we should finalize this discussion. I'm leaning on 'Project' as the best compromise at the moment.
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@Angus : Could you put on the page the current result of the discussion. It seems to me that your lifecycle of idea, project, solutions, final solution is already a good point.
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Perhaps these categories of idea, project and solution make more sense in the minds of those who've spent a long time dwelling on them? All my projects fit into all of these categories so If I was asked to choose between them I'd end up musing over the modern world's random reductionism.
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@Paul: You are right that currently envisioned a solution is a practice that has been proven to work in a number of projects. But in terms of the evolution a solution starts as an idea, is implemented in a number of projects and then codified as a solution. So in a sense, the broadest category is idea, within which is project, and finally solution.
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@angus: I disagree that Solutions are a subset of Projects. I'd see a Solution as an outcome of one or more Projects. But I must admit I'm now a bit confused as to what a Solution is intended to be in this context based on Michael's comments. If its "ongoing from project to solution" then its rather a grey area whether its a project (ongoing work) or a solution (a description of a good practice that could be repeated).
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It would be nice to decide what level the idea is at and make that evident in the layout. I like the levels: idea, project, practice or something along those lines. We could have people help to get the idea to a project and then to the level of a solution. Review groups could be part of that effort.
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@Paul : The "Pattern" (for latin language) should be viewed has a finished "model" which can be reproduce ( like solutions or Best practices. We don't see under these words the "on going from project to solutions".
@Angus and others. 2 words could be easier than just one :-) .
I've proposed some but as a brainstorming, you could adapt and play with them :
What ever the name choose (Angus ; make a survey or decide :-) ), I follow James point: a sub level of practicality will help to describe where are the form: idea, project or solutions.
Don't we want to bring people to work together, if yes, we need to change the "solutions' WE concept: Solution is complete: Info, Problem, Action, Results, Limitations, Network, and Files sections should be filled out as best as is possible.
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@paul: Solutions are basically tried and tested projects (as you suggested). So I think that solutions are a subset of projects. Therefore Projects would be a better description. Patterns is a fun idea although probably too abstract for the average person.
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How about naming them Patterns? That is what I understand them to be really, a guide to how to replicate the idea elsewhere. Toolkit sounds like a collection of Solutions, not just one. Project suggests something currently underway.
@angus. Does there need to be a distinction between a Solution that is a tried and tested approach (what I imagine with Pattern) and Projects that are stuff people are working on? |
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@James: Some very perceptive points. Your last idea got me thinking. We could make Solutions more about 'What are you working on' - project focused that helps draw people into sharing and collaborating.
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The informality of 'project' is fun and neatly embraces ideas, groups, organisations and initiatives. Do you think 'project' offers sufficient distinction from 'resources' since many current resources are also projects?
I don't follow the urge towards gathering up 'best practice', which recalls 80's government-speak and seems to be replicated throughout the web. Best practice does exist with technical problems on a micro-scale but on macro or global scales best practice is to switch from the micro-focus onto whole system paradigm changes. This is THE project, a new operating system for civilisation, that can give meaning to all other 'projects'. Humanity is barely scratching the surface of this urgent opportunity and if everyone seeks 'proven solutions' then it can't happen can it?
My earlier comment may have been missed, probably poorly expressed. How about ditching classification by 'practicality' (resources vs projects or solutions) and emphasise the community building (other projects vs your projects). Maybe this would further support the person to person dialogue that inspires everything? |
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@Michel: I'm leaning more and more towards the word 'Project' precisely because this is a more informal way of saying a method / action - some of which may be codified sufficiently to be 'good' or 'best' practices. It will certainly be more 'explanable' in our target community and illicit more user generated content. Anyone not like 'Project'? We are already considering adding location into the meta data for 'solutions' at the request of CatComm.
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This comment was removed by a WiserEarth editor for the following reason:
Out of scope |
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It seems that we all agree that one word for a concept like that
won't be acceptable for every one within their own referential and their
"quest". Solutions’ laboratory? , Realizations’ incubator, Sustainable Initiatives, etc.. .
Lead: “Sustainable Actions
/ Initiatives”
So if we are able to name these levels ( my suggest : Idea, project, realization/solution) and integrate the good points from Bernard with the Who, Where,Why,How, etc..) in a form, we could begin to classified what we have today and be able to offer a easier way to find something.
By the way, within the possible_worlds group, we expect to use the WE solutions place within the Experts or "aware" people from WE as the incubator of best practice. Then, find and adapt a moderation/facilitation process to publish into a Glocal (Global system + local appropriation screen) platform. One of our discussion today is to rename Swoord.org into Possible_world.org
Bowo: My "initiative" page into Swoord is made for end users who are not expert or knower. It’s a site for vulgarization for “simple human” to accelerate the spread of good practices made by experts.
Presentation and wording are voluntary “as simple as possible”
within a local view, scoring and taxonomy. The “grey water” concept in Quebec doesn’t
exist yet in France.
And a good solution for Canada
could be impossible to implement in France. For these 2 reasons, rewriting and “localization”
of solutions, I don’t believe into API
from WE solutions.. but workflows processes as press-agency model. |
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Great topic to discuss. Comments so far seem to aim for more proven and practical action, yet this is tricky to determine at the outset. Some common solutions (eg) are anything but best practice and others (eg) may appear to be impractical academic pie in the sky but have potential for making sustainability actually happen. Changes with heart, mind and hands are all essential actions and all need encouragement.
Wonder if it helps to offer "Connecting You to Communities of Action" with more emphasis on the connections and communities? Stuff could be organised simply according to whether members are doing it. Solutions might evolve into an "action" section, for info, ideas, techniques, activities, projects and organisations that wiserearth members are actively involved with. Resources might become a category for info, ideas, techniques, activities, projects and organisations that wiserearth members think would be fun for others to look at.
This should work with Bowo's suggestion of a standard data model. If the 'action' pages have more options/frills/visibility then people involved with a resource might be tempted to join wiserearth and upgrade to an action page. The quality of the action (best practice, proven solution, future potential, etc) could emerge from the discussion, ratings and reviewing on the site rather than in the choice of category.
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from the discussion I see most of you want to give solution certain flavor. what about "practical solutions"? inspired by http://practicalaction.org/food-production/food |
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Already there are 193 'solutions' posted to WE. Solutions seem fine to me. I was introduced to a wonderful solution for a water issue using the search word water/solutions and I'm greatful for the solution. Pun intended.
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OK for Projects (and the busy open bar concept :-) even if i preferer the beehive concept !! )
Part of our our Possible Worlds group will work with Terera and you to be able to adapt the "Projects Space" as the "knowledge database" .
Take care