Call for help: moving the kvm wiki

Call for help: moving the kvm wiki

[Avi Kivity]

As you may have noticed, the kvm wiki is overrun by spammers.  It the
past I've regularly cleaned up the spam, but some time ago I've given up.

So I'm looking for a volunteer to locate a spam-free public wiki host
(candidates include wiki.kernel.org and fedorahosted.org) and transfer
the contents (minus the spam).  I don't think we need to transfer the
editing history, but the conversion should adapt to the target's wiki
syntax.

My requirements for the wiki are:
- hosted by a public provider (not a private system)
- ad free
- open for editing by users (requiring an account is fine; but there
should be no need for approval and no "immutable pages")
- customization of the theme a bonus

This is a great way for non-coders to contribute to kvm development; the
wiki is a useful tool and it's a pity to let the spammers take it over.

-- 
Do not meddle in the internals of kernels, for they are subtle and quick to panic.

Re: Call for help: moving the kvm wiki

[Tomasz Chmielewski]

> As you may have noticed, the kvm wiki is overrun by spammers.  It the
> past I've regularly cleaned up the spam, but some time ago I've given up.
> 
> So I'm looking for a volunteer to locate a spam-free public wiki host
> (candidates include wiki.kernel.org and fedorahosted.org) and transfer
> the contents (minus the spam).  I don't think we need to transfer the
> editing history, but the conversion should adapt to the target's wiki
> syntax.

Just use captcha or a similar system with your existing wiki.

My experience with administering wikis is:

* if you don't use any preventive measures, your wiki will turn into a
   collection of garbage very soon, unless you spend lots of time
   monitoring changes

* requiring users to register before using the wiki results in:
   - much less contributions from users - very big disadvantage,
   - fewer spam, but bots can register, so some spam will go through

* using captcha or a similar system prevents 100% of spam
   - lots of people don't like captchas very much, as often they are hard
     to read
   - personally, on my site (http://wpkg.org) user has to solve a simple
     mathematics equation before the changes are accepted, like:

       10 + 7 = ... [Accept button]


So I suggest going through a list of extensions/plugins for MoinMoin 
(this is the wiki KVM uses), choosing something appropriate, and the 
spam should be gone.


-- 
Tomasz Chmielewski
http://wpkg.org

Re: Call for help: moving the kvm wiki

[Avi Kivity]

Tomasz Chmielewski wrote:
>> As you may have noticed, the kvm wiki is overrun by spammers.  It the
>> past I've regularly cleaned up the spam, but some time ago I've given 
>> up.
>>
>> So I'm looking for a volunteer to locate a spam-free public wiki host
>> (candidates include wiki.kernel.org and fedorahosted.org) and transfer
>> the contents (minus the spam).  I don't think we need to transfer the
>> editing history, but the conversion should adapt to the target's wiki
>> syntax.
>
> Just use captcha or a similar system with your existing wiki.
>

I'm not the wiki's administrator.

> My experience with administering wikis is:
>
> * if you don't use any preventive measures, your wiki will turn into a
>   collection of garbage very soon, unless you spend lots of time
>   monitoring changes
>

This has happened, even with registration.

> * requiring users to register before using the wiki results in:
>   - much less contributions from users - very big disadvantage,
>   - fewer spam, but bots can register, so some spam will go through
>

I'm not worried about the registration burden, if someone is too lazy to 
register, they'll be lazy with the content as well.

> * using captcha or a similar system prevents 100% of spam
>   - lots of people don't like captchas very much, as often they are hard
>     to read

Definitely.

>   - personally, on my site (http://wpkg.org) user has to solve a simple
>     mathematics equation before the changes are accepted, like:
>
>       10 + 7 = ... [Accept button]
>
>
> So I suggest going through a list of extensions/plugins for MoinMoin 
> (this is the wiki KVM uses), choosing something appropriate, and the 
> spam should be gone.

Problem is, we're on an old version, with no prospect of upgrading.  
That's why I'd like to move to an existing, well maintained wiki host.

-- 
error compiling committee.c: too many arguments to function