RedLink: Difference between revisions
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'''RedLinks''' are links to pages that don't exist yet. They are easily identified on MediaWiki wikis as being, well, red. In other wiki software they are sometimes a '?' after the link. | |||
==Pro== | |||
A red link in [[wiki]] is very special. [[Ward Cunningham]] has said that that wiki contributed to the web the special gift of being able to link to something that isn't there yet. The ability to create a link to an idea that doesn't exist yet is very powerful. It is an invitation for the next reader to cross over the line and gift their words to the community. This idea is also called a '''FutureLink'''. | |||
==Con== | |||
''[[Not following through]], would be another way to refer to it. Red links are essentially [[interactive chore lists]]. They are full of items that no one wants to write about (least of which the creator of the red link)'' | ''[[Not following through]], would be another way to refer to it. Red links are essentially [[interactive chore lists]]. They are full of items that no one wants to write about (least of which the creator of the red link)'' | ||
[[OverLinking]] is also an anti-pattern for a wiki, you want to make sure that page names are important and unique. Linking common words like [[the]] is maybe not right for your wiki community. | |||
==Resources== | |||
* [http://www.wikipatterns.com/display/wikipatterns/FutureLinks WikiPatterns:FutureLinks] | |||
* [http://www.wikipatterns.com/display/wikipatterns/EmptyPages WikiPatterns:EmptyPages] | |||
{{Debate}} | |||
Latest revision as of 23:06, 8 April 2011
RedLinks are links to pages that don't exist yet. They are easily identified on MediaWiki wikis as being, well, red. In other wiki software they are sometimes a '?' after the link.
Pro
A red link in wiki is very special. Ward Cunningham has said that that wiki contributed to the web the special gift of being able to link to something that isn't there yet. The ability to create a link to an idea that doesn't exist yet is very powerful. It is an invitation for the next reader to cross over the line and gift their words to the community. This idea is also called a FutureLink.
Con
Not following through, would be another way to refer to it. Red links are essentially interactive chore lists. They are full of items that no one wants to write about (least of which the creator of the red link)
OverLinking is also an anti-pattern for a wiki, you want to make sure that page names are important and unique. Linking common words like the is maybe not right for your wiki community.
Resources
