Simon's Hokkaipedia FAQ
Why did you start this wiki?
I came to live in HokkaidÅ last year. I decided to start an online notebook to record information I needed and things that interested me - and then share it with other people. It's been growing from there.
Why a wiki?
It's great for consolidating information and it's easy to use - much simpler for example than HTML. It's also convenient for photos, illustrations etc. (I've been a contributor to Wikipedia since 2005 and I've also used other wikis, so I am reasonably familiar with what the software can do.)
Why not just contribute to Wikipedia or another global wiki?
Wikipedia is splendid, but it has a conventional, narrow focus on established, verifiable information. It has a strict policy against so-called 'original research', requiring the checking of articles from print sources. That's fine for articles about academic and scientific subjects, but it isn't suited to publishing local information, and it has a strict policy against expressing a personal point of view.
Hokkaipedia on the other hand publishes reviews (and later will include 'how to' articles), that aren't included on other sites. We will also be using mapping features in the MediaWiki software which are still not implemented in Wikipedia.
Why did you call it Hokkaipedia?
I could have called it the HokkaidÅ Wiki, but that's a bit of mouthful. Hokkai (North Sea) makes sense as an abbreviation and it avoids the awkward macron. We climbed Hokkaidake, a peak in in Daisetsuzan and I thought that if there's a Mt Hokkai we can also have a Hokkai-pedia.
How will Hokkaipedia be different?
Hokkaipedia will include information in the same general style as wikipedia - the software (MediaWiki) is the same - but the scope will be much wider. There will be personal reviews (of hotels, restaurants, mountain walks or whatever) which can be augmented by other contributors. Also 'How to' articles and mapping data which will make it more useful than Wikipedia.
What standard are you aiming for?
The same standard as Wikipedia. Smart rather than professional, economical but not wordy. In good basic English. Accessible and to the point. Universal, objective, factual, nothing-centric in the main text, but enabling personal opinions in the review boxes.
The site will be continually edited and contributors can ask for help with English and presentation.
Will Hokkaipedia be open to anonymous editing - like Wikipedia?
Not at first. Vandalism has always been a big problem on Wikipedia and we want to avoid it here, so registration will be required. (This may be relaxed later.)
How do you see Hokkaipedia developing?
I don't have a time frame. Fast would be better than slow, but if it does develop a large readership costs will go up and I'll have to ask for donations, sponsorship etc. Whatever happens Hokkaipedia will keep its editorial independence. Also the site will progress from individual to community management ( as with Wikipedia).
Do you intend to start a Japanese version?
Yes, why not? Hokkaipedia is for everybody. It would be great to have a French or German version as well.