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New section: Knowledge Exchange

by janra
Posted to Knowledge Exchange, Did you know...? on Fri Mar 23, 2001 at 12:21:16 PM PST
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I added a new section today called 'Knowledge Exchange' - this is where you go to ask questions about details, things you don't know but want to include in your story.

Click on 'Full Story' for details.


If you have a question and you don't know where to start researching, you could ask in this section: 'Submit a Story' from the link in the top right-hand box, put the general question (in a couple of words) in the subject line (eg, Making Felt? or Drugging a character?), the specific question in the box labelled 'Intro Copy' (eg, How was felt made in medieval times? or How long would x concoction affect a character, and what would they feel like the next morning?), and any details in the box labelled 'Extended Copy', such as specifics you're looking for.

The 'Intro Copy' is what shows up on the front or section page; both 'Intro' and 'Extended Copy' show up when someone clicks on the 'Full Story' link. The intro copy should be a short paragraph or two, tops; the extended copy can be as long as you want. See the 'how to use this site' page, linked from the top right-hand box for more details.

And what question is this story asking? Well, apart from announcing the existance of the new section, it's also asking: "What do you know?" This can be anything you've done and remember a bit about, from your job to your hobby to places you've lived. This can be stuff you know inside out or stuff you know just enough to get by. This can be experiences you've had (eg, growing up on a farm or having an operation). This can also be stuff you have books about and are willing to glance through to answer somebody's question.

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New section: Knowledge Exchange | 3 comments (3 topical, 0 hidden)
What I think I know... (none/0) (#1)
by janra on Fri Mar 23, 2001 at 01:44:38 PM PST

Let's see.

I'm studying chemical engineering, so I know a bit about chemical plants, chemistry, pollution, heat transfer, what it's like to work in an industrial-type area, chemical laboratory stuff, health and safety stuff... you get the idea.

Apart from writing, things I do in my spare time (on those rare occasions when I have any) are scuba diving, messing around with computers, including a bit of programming and web work, and slurping up as much information about the various space programmes as I can find.

I have played the saxophone in jazz, concert, and marching bands, I practically grew up on a construction site (residential, not industrial), I've done martial arts, I love camping and have camped in bear country (though I've never met a bear), I've tutored math and seem to have a knack for explaining stuff (at least the people I explain things to seem to understand it...), I've picked up a bit of herbal lore (though I'm by no stretch of the imagination an expert). I have a cousin who's got Down's Syndrome (he's such a sweetie) and my grandparents had a farm - we would all help brand the calves in the spring and bring the hay in come autumn.

I also have books on wounds and injuries, the historical and cultural uses of drugs, space travel, and the history of the english language, plus books about writing.

And if I think of something else, I'll post it.


--
Who needs to be big and burly when you can just apply physics?
I know a lot, and nothing! (none/0) (#2)
by pkej on Mon Dec 10, 2001 at 04:16:58 AM PST
I'm a software engineer and once was the oracle on C++ programming and programming in general. Now I'm doing mostly PHP and database design.

I'm the kind of person who loves Trivial Pursuit, Who Wants to be a Millionaire and similar knowledge games; as long as I don't get the sports questions. I usually win in these games.

I like to follow current events, American politics (more or less), Norwegian politics and general north-south politics.

Do I know anything else? Well, photography is something I know a bit about.

I'm also pretty good of finding the neccessary information in a short while. Ie. practical research.

Mostly an allrounder. I'm pretty opinionated about anything.
--
When in doubt,
turn around,
cry and shout

spdyvkng - my homepage

I like this idea (none/0) (#3)
by whojgalt on Mon Aug 05, 2002 at 05:56:49 PM PST
A sort of databank of expertise and direct experience could be a very valuable thing.  I know that sometimes in my writing, I'm creating I scene that I have no direct experience in, and being able to ask someone knowledgable how to make it convincing would be a great thing.
<p>
So here's a quick list of areas in which I could do that for other people, or at least fake it well.
<p>
I'm  a software engineer, but new to the field, so my knowledge of that world is just getting started, but I may be able to help there.
<p>
I spent 15 years in the transportation business, as everything from a pizza delivery driver, to a messenger, to an over-the-road driver (not big trucks, though), to a cab driver.  I also did a few years dispatching at busy Chicago Messaenger services and at an air freight office out of O'Hare.  I know that world pretty well and would be happy to offer any advice in that area.
<p>
I'm a geography buff, and as a result of that and my jobs, I am intimately familiar with all parts of the Chicago area, and have traveled to most of the continental US, some parts quite extensively, always looking for interesting back roads and out of the way small towns.  I've lived in Tucson, AZ for four years now, and Albuquerqu NM for one year before that, so I know a bit about the geography and culture in this part of the country as well.
<p>
I am also very knowledgeable about the libertarian movement, both its politics and its culture.  And I consider myself somewhat of an expert on Ayn Rand's objectivist philosophy.
<p>
So ask away.  If anyone needs help in those areas, I'll be happy to offer all the help I can.

New section: Knowledge Exchange | 3 comments (3 topical, 0 hidden)
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