EDIT: You're going to have to excuse me if I seem a bit rambly and unfocused. Feeling a bit under the weather which is leaving my brain a little fuzzy.
First question, I use the Cultural Material Database fairly frequently. Less so now that I have access to some searchable PDFs courtesy of Udwin but I'll still do a quick search of the database if I don't want to do a deep-dive. I agree with Udwin that as it is now, it''s a little unwieldy. I really like the idea of drop-down filters to make a broad search easier but I have no idea of how to implement that being a non-computery type of person. I would also hate to thrust the responsibility for new insights/update on to one person (Udwin). Maybe a community hunt for tidbits and a community effort to add them?
In terms of the Wiki, that's a tough one. It's a fine balance between informative and prescriptive. I was working on a short trousers article to fill in that spot on the Wiki and as I was doing a write-up on the various extant early medieval trousers when the thought occurred to me that was my vision of Middle-earth. Not everyone views Middle-earth as a Late Antiquity/Early Medieval mash-up. What if someone wanted to use the pattern for those 3,000 year old Chinese pants or if they wanted to go late medieval with hose and braies? Can't leave those out even though I know nothing about the period so back to the research books.
So what exactly is Middle-earth clothing for new-comers then? I would say perhaps a simple T-tunic and pajama-pants but honestly, a new-comer could get that information anywhere. What makes it Middle-earth versus generic Ren-faire? If they're already looking at a (frankly) obscure Wiki, they're probably already past that point anyway. Hard-kit is a little easier but still runs into the same difficulties.
To that point, how far do we go with cultures? Yeah, it's the Ranger forum but our non-Ranger companions have been growing rapidly and it's the Middle-earth Cultural Database. Do we have a basic breakdown of all the cultures of the Free Peoples of Middle-earth? (Personally, despite the huge PITA that would be, I say yes.)
- I like the idea of the Wiki being a repository of patterns and pictures. I would say perhaps gather as many patterns and photo references as possible, commission Manv to draw them in a Tolkien-esque way, (Group donation??) and then put them up on the wiki.
- Probably some basic articles on How-To for medieval stitches and hand-sewing, bushcrafty things like lighting a fire with flint and steel, and the 10 Basics that Taurinor wrote up several years ago.
- Discussions of various day-to-day living on the wiki? Maybe? Lord knows that question has come up more than once and been hashed to death on Facebook.
- I like kit breakdowns but those are a hard thing to keep current as everyone here is always working and improving their kit.
As far as the mechanics of updating the Wiki goes, I trust Udwin that it's more of a PITA than it seems so I don't know how to proceed from there. I would be willing to help out there if we go with Manv's idea of a small team dedicated to updating it. Try to give back and all that.
Eofor wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 10:19 pm
Do you just want me to shut up and go back to writing bad poetry?
Never! I also like your poetry.