NSWiki.org - successor to NSWiki.net

[Shadow Afforess]

NSWiki.org, the NationStates Encyclopedia.

NSWiki.net is dead folks. It had a great run. It was destroyed by lack of interest in its admins and an overwhelming volume of spam. I have restored a 2008 backup of the previous NSWiki.net and it is available at http://archive.nswiki.org. Some newer content may be added if it can be restored.

What is NSWiki.org?
NSWiki.org is the successor to the previous NSWiki, hosted and maintained by Afforess, with assistance from Jenlom.

What content is suitable for NSWiki?
Any content related to NationStates, and is suitable for a PG-13 audience. Illegal content and adult material will result in an immediate ban.

What improvements have been made over the previous NSWiki?

• New Management, NSWiki.org is run by the same developer as the popular NationStates++ extension
• NSWiki.org restricts logins and signups to NationStates.net nations only. Automated spam bots and other malicious users will not be able to cheat the signup system and damage the wiki.
• NSWiki has a large number of templates and Mediawiki Extensions.
• NSWiki features an automated service that generates basic templates with information for all regions, and keeps basic stats up to date, every day.
• Faster hardware - NSWiki.org runs on a server with a SSD.
• Offsite backups & public access to download full database backups.

Enjoy: http://nswiki.org

[The Republic of Lanos]

It's too bad we can't import the old NSwiki onto the New NSwiki.

[Shadow Afforess]

It's too bad we can't import the old NSwiki onto the New NSwiki.

I've contacted the previous NSwiki.net admin via every email account he has, plus through third parties and received no response for 4 weeks. You can use archive.org to recover some of the content, but it's not all there.

[Saugeais]

Well that's a pisser. I can't believe Goober or Paci never once returned messages. If they knew they were not going to be active, they should've passed the buck on to someone else to keep it alive.

[Shadow Afforess]

Well that's a pisser. I can't believe Goober or Paci never once returned messages. If they knew they were not going to be active, they should've passed the buck on to someone else to keep it alive.

I sent 3 separate emails, including to the listed owners of the nswiki.net domain and Goober's personal domain. I asked Tim to contact Goober via Facebook. I've done everything short of smoke signals.

[The Dark Star Republic]

As a former NSwiki sysop, I'd like to say that I find this a very encouraging project, Afforess, and good luck. :) It's a shame NSwiki died, but unfortunately your point about a lack of interest/activity from the site's admin is true.

Once it's up, I'd be happy to help build some templates and infoboxes.

[Tiberian Destiny]

Well, if the database is still there, I wouldn't consider the things on NSWIKI "lost". IS the database still there? When and by whom was this ridiculous "NSwiki is down for maintenance!" message posted?

EDIT:
Ohai! Gigablast has several cached pages from NSWiki! Propably not all of them, but it's something at least! Happy copying!

[Shadow Afforess]

Well, if the database is still there, I wouldn't consider the things on NSWIKI "lost". IS the database still there?

There is no way to tell. There has been zero communication by the site admin. I am assuming the worst.

When and by whom was this ridiculous "NSwiki is down for maintenance!" message posted?

It was posted several months back, sometime in November 2013.

[Zero-One]

Not on your life.

[Renaldi]

There's also other Wiki projects up and running, and have been for a while, that are developed and participated in by a number of players. But given how Factbooks and Dispatches work on here, is there really a reason to have a Wiki these days? Part of the problem before was having to scroll through the forum, but that's a non-issue now.

[Shadow Afforess]

Not on your life.

Excuse me? I am not sure I understand.

There's also other Wiki projects up and running, and have been for a while, that are developed and participated in by a number of players. But given how Factbooks and Dispatches work on here, is there really a reason to have a Wiki these days? Part of the problem before was having to scroll through the forum, but that's a non-issue now.

Most are inactive or not well known. Factbooks and Dispatches have character limits, do not allow other people to edit, and aren't as flexible, so I am sure there is still demand.

[Starkiller101]

IF we get this I will contribute to it.

[Tiberian Destiny]

That's a valid point really, but my main issue is getting those articles back. I'm not likely going to trust another wiki project with my data again because it just keeps happening that admins loose their temper or interest over too much spamming/too little user contribution/name-it and the site shuts down amidst much whining and teeth-grinding. I've just seen it happen to another wiki project too. It's not that hard to keep a site up in a way that the data is accessible at least, I'm not sure why so few admins manage to just get over themselves to do that.
/rant

I am aware that I should have made backups somewhere else and yada yada, but, well, I did not (seeing how I started writing on there when I was like 15 or 16), so that has really become an issue for me now.
I'd even pay for that data, if only there was a way to make contact.

EDIT: I lie. I'd trust a wiki project that I'm an admin for, and contribute to paying for.

[Shadow Afforess]

IF we get this I will contribute to it.

The site is up and works. You can use it now if you like. The official opening will be in the next week.

That's a valid point really, but my main issue is getting those articles back. I'm not likely going to trust another wiki project with my data again because it just keeps happening that admins loose their temper or interest over too much spamming/too little user contribution/name-it and the site shuts down amidst much whining and teeth-grinding. I've just seen it happen to another wiki project too. It's not that hard to keep a site up in a way that the data is accessible at least, I'm not sure why so few admins manage to just get over themselves to do that.
/rant

I definitely understand - I am not sure I would want to trust another project too. What if I set up a weekly copy of my wiki database, uploaded to a third party site, so if I die/disappear, you can grab the content and someone can restore it?

[Tiberian Destiny]

I definitely understand - I am not sure I would want to trust another project too. What if I set up a weekly copy of my wiki database, uploaded to a third party site, so if I die/disappear, you can grab the content and someone can restore it?

I really like that idea. It should be automated however, because once interest is lost, routines like that break down quickly.

[Renaldi]

Actually, the fact that others can't edit your stuff here provides more peace of mind. There was always too many issues with page vandalism and arguments over minutae and forcing one to spend more time protecting one's page than simply developing it. Which already was and remains somewhat time-consuming. Along with the 'other people running and controlling it', in spite of assurances that it will all be ok.

And no, those other options aren't inactive. I know of several up, running, and have been for some time. Not that anyone can't start up something like this, but in argument for on-site use, at least everyone's /can/ be all in one place. Not so with a handful of sites by different orgs and forums and users.

[Tiberian Destiny]

Has... anyone done the obvious and contacted Pacitalia in-game yet?

[Zero-One]

Yes, let's just write more articles and put them on another third-party site which will die the death when the third party loses interest... or put them here, where if the site dies the death it sort of all becomes moot anyway.

And given your lackadaisical attitude towards data security... not on your life.

[Carto-Geography]

Well that's a pisser. I can't believe Goober or Paci never once returned messages. If they knew they were not going to be active, they should've passed the buck on to someone else to keep it alive.

I sent 3 separate emails, including to the listed owners of the nswiki.net domain and Goober's personal domain. I asked Tim to contact Goober via Facebook. I've done everything short of smoke signals.

Well, then there's only one thing to do.

SMOKE SIGNALS!

Just remember to use the green wood.

[Shadow Afforess]

I definitely understand - I am not sure I would want to trust another project too. What if I set up a weekly copy of my wiki database, uploaded to a third party site, so if I die/disappear, you can grab the content and someone can restore it?

I really like that idea. It should be automated however, because once interest is lost, routines like that break down quickly.

Obviously, yes. I am much too lazy to want to do that on a weekly basis. I would set up a script to automate it.

Actually, the fact that others can't edit your stuff here provides more peace of mind. There was always too many issues with page vandalism and arguments over minutae and forcing one to spend more time protecting one's page than simply developing it. Which already was and remains somewhat time-consuming. Along with the 'other people running and controlling it', in spite of assurances that it will all be ok.

Ok, so you don't want a wiki. Why are you posting in this thread then? Go wander off and use your factbooks...

Yes, let's just write more articles and put them on another third-party site which will die the death when the third party loses interest... or put them here, where if the site dies the death it sort of all becomes moot anyway.

Well I've been on NS since 2009 without losing interest, so there is that. But see my promise above to create weekly copies of the database for public download.

And given your lackadaisical attitude towards data security... not on your life.

Yes, because clearly you have to be a perfect person to do good things. I clearly should just give up now and find a shallow grave.

Has... anyone done the obvious and contacted Pacitalia in-game yet?

Was Pacitalia a NSWiki.net admin? I can't see the admin list...since you know, NSwiki.net is gone.

[Tiberian Destiny]

Yes, let's just write more articles and put them on another third-party site which will die the death when the third party loses interest... or put them here, where if the site dies the death it sort of all becomes moot anyway.

Well there are commercial sites that you can rely on to be up for another decade, or at least give you solid clues on whether they are going to shut down soon, unlike private projects run by a single person, or maybe two. If things were saved, for example, on wikia.com, I'd think they'd be somewhat safe, even in complete absence of admins. Buried under spam, maybe (I'm not sure how good their defense is), but the data would be there.

EDIT:
Pacitalia was "bureaucrat" at NSWIKI.
Here is his NSWiki user page, retrieved from Gigablast cache:
https://www.gigablast.com/get?q=NSWIKI&qlang=en_US&c=main&d=85495889227&cnsp=0

[Shadow Afforess]

EDIT:
Pacitalia was "bureaucrat" at NSWIKI.
Here is his NSWiki user page, retrieved from Gigablast cache:
https://www.gigablast.com/get?q=NSWIKI&qlang=en_US&c=main&d=85495889227&cnsp=0

Thanks, telegram sent. I'll keep trying to acquire the data.

[Tiberian Destiny]

EDIT:
Pacitalia was "bureaucrat" at NSWIKI.
Here is his NSWiki user page, retrieved from Gigablast cache:
https://www.gigablast.com/get?q=NSWIKI&qlang=en_US&c=main&d=85495889227&cnsp=0

Thanks, telegram sent. I'll keep trying to acquire the data.

Even though I'm reasonably doubtful about this working and somewhat bitter about losing my writing, I do greatly appreciate your effort to organize this. I'll keep checking this thread for news.

[Renaldi]

Actually, I was curious as to why the push lately, given the changes that have long been in place on site. Your passive-aggressive attitude certainly doesn't encourage buying into it, thanks all the same. I was hoping you'd offer something /better/ as opposed to just getting pissy with anyone who wasn't all gung-ho.

That said, now that other points have been brought up, I'm starting to agree handing you even more nation information might not be in /my/ best interests at least. Other player's mileage may vary. I think we've got enough concerns with real life security and Big Brother watching over all. I don't particularly feel the need to opt into it in my game life too.

Best of luck with it. I'ma pass.

[Shadow Afforess]

Actually, I was curious as to why the push lately, given the changes that have long been in place on site.

Because NSWiki has been down for far too long. I actually started trying to find word about NSWiki and bought the domain over a month ago. Some of us prefer wiki's to factbooks.

Your passive-aggressive attitude certainly doesn't encourage buying into it, thanks all the same. I was hoping you'd offer something /better/ as opposed to just getting pissy with anyone who wasn't all gung-ho.

I prefer my passive-aggressive tone to your aggressive tone any day. If you're not part of the solution and helping out, you're part of the problem. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.