OiE-TW Project. Essays/Summaries

[Lhunithiliel]

This is the thread where all organization matters, concerning the organization and the implementation of this particular part of the OiE-TW-Project are to be set, discussed and developed.

Here are my suggestions.

1/ Make a list of Tolkien (father&son) writings to be summarized.
(i.e. HoME; II. “The music of the Ainur” ; OR UT, “The History of Galadriel and Celeborn”)

Note: Each SUMMARY should be accompanied by a very brief introduction = description of the respective material - some historical and other related facts and a brief evaluation = view of the work, either/both by the author of the summary or/and by J.R.R.Tolkien, Chr.Tolkien or other reliable author, to be provided.

2/ Make a list of suggested essay-topics
(i.e. “Are Men Guests in Arda” by “Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth”;
OR “Feanor – the conflict between duty and personal ambitions”)

3/ Invite people TTF-wide who would wish to write those summaries and/or essays AND assign the respective tasks to these people.

Everone, who will write a summary and/or an essay, will then e-mail his/her work to one of the Essay/Summaries Team who will then have the obligation to enter it in the Tolkien Wiki – site, observing the TW rules and requirements, as well as TW- techniques of page layout etc.

Well, this is how I imagine the organization.
I ask the other members of this particular team to post their comments.
Once we have agreed on it, we can start implementing it.

Sorry for the unusual for the TTF formal style of expressing myself above, but …… This IS a serious Project! :)

[Turgon]

Lhun, your proposals are excellent - I think you've made a good template for us to work from. I guess the only thing we are in disagreement about is what it is we should be summarizing...;)

I would really like to see us begin work on something and as Arvedui suggested I think we should take the Rohan Test (which Walter has done wonders with) and try and create a good summary of the History of Rohan. Firstly we could find some members willing to help with work on The Tale of Years, The Line of Kings, and so on (including ourselves). Also we could make a list of some Essays and FAQs too: The Language of the Rohirrim, Shadowfax and the Mearas, and so on; and perhaps open a debate to find a general agreement on what are the most important moments in the History of Rohan for inclusion on the page.

These are just some ideas, but I think it would a good starting point for the joint venture with all the teams getting involved. Which is what this project needs at the moment. What do y'all think?

[Arvedui]

Lhun/Turgon, I agree with your ideas. I see that I have to invest in some more books now.;)

I took some time before I replied on this, because I wanted to think it completely through, so:

I wonder if it is possible to start a new thread within the guild, for every new topic we descide to start. If we use the heading: OiE-TW-Project: History of Rohan (Just as an example), it would be clear to all members of the Forum what is going on, and all who felt they had something to contribute with could do so. When we feel we have got enough to start with, we could take it from there to the Wiki.
It could maybe produce some extra work for us, but it would be the easiest way for all forum members to contribute. If they were to e-mail us, I'm afraid that some members would stay away, just because of the 'extra labour'. I'm not saying that it will happen, just that it could.

It would also require some effort from the moderators, to remove unwanted posting. We have to keep the various threads strictly on topic.

It would also require that we are very descriptive (sp?) in the opening post of the various threads. But considering what I have seen from both of you, that will be the least problem.

What is your opinion?

[Lhunithiliel]

Boys, thank you for being here!
Now, I see only one problem we three shall have to most firmly and exactly define:
What is to be summariezed?
The rset is routine work and will be easy to figure it out.
******
And now I understand what the mighty dragons do apart from gathering hoards and having fair maidens for dinner - THEY WRITE ESSAYS! :D

[Arvedui]

There is an easy answer to that question: A lot.;)
To be a little more serious, I think we need to start somewhere. I proposed that we started with the History of Rohan, just because Walter mentioned it, and I thought it would be an easy start. You mentioned some other topics in the other thread that are just as good to start with. I'll just have to buy some more books...
I think we have actually gotten a good start already. Your ideas mentioned above pairs up well with the design on the Rohan_test page.

Bottom line: It doesn't matter to me what we start with.

I would like to hear Turgon's reply on the matter, which I guess we soon will.

And Anc's Essay is already in its proper place on the Wiki.

[Turgon]

My thoughts on what we should be summarizing are a little vague at the moment, but I do think we should steer clear of topics that can be covered easily by one person. One of the main difficulties I have when working with the Wiki is the sheer magnitude of the task at hand - I have a couple of essays that I'm working on, which the revelant compendium entries alone will take many hours of work to enter. It's in this area where I see the joint venture working well - the bigger projects.

I'm sure as we proceed with this project many ideas will come to us as to what should be summarized, and how we should go about it. A few ideas spring to mind at the moment - If the Rohan Test goes well then perhaps we could continue with a History of Arnor, a History of Gondor, or the Wars of Beleriand, I'm sure the rest of the people in this project have lots of ideas too - I don't think we need worry about looking for work.

I wonder if it is possible to start a new thread within the guild, for every new topic we descide to start. If we use the heading: OiE-TW-Project: History of Rohan (Just as an example), it would be clear to all members of the Forum what is going on, and all who felt they had something to contribute with could do so.

This seems like a good way to go about things - I suppose once any given topic is finished with, the relevent thread could be deleted if forum space is going to be a problem; the contents will be preserved on the TolkienWiki anyway, so I don't foresee a problem there. Mmm... that's all I can think of for now... I can feel a touch of brainfade coming on...;)

[Lhunithiliel]

Boys, would you like to make up a list of Essays and a second one - summaries and updating them non-stop, add topics?
Thus people can see what's on the list and: 1/ chose a topic to do and 2/ suggest their ideas about new topics.


Here we can have:

List of summaries-topics

1/
2/
3/
.
.
.

List of essays-topics

1/
2/
3/
.
.
.

And just like in Wiki, we can have a sign to show that there is a topic in work and make a link to the relevant Wiki test-page...
Just a few thoughts.

What do you think?

[Arvedui]

I think that is a very good idea. That would perhaps also cause some more forum-members to join at the Wiki.
The only slight downside I can see is if someone does not care to join the Wiki, and therefore does not share his/her wisdom. Hopefully, this will not happen.

[Lhunithiliel]

Would you suggest some items to start filling in the above lists?

And will think of people who would be interested in joining our activity, the Essays/Summaries in particular? I have already offered Nom cooperation. Let's see if she accepts it. I also will speak to Maedhros. This young man has a lot of brains in his head and I intend to make it wake up. Besides, he is a TW-member already.

[Arvedui]

You have already mentioned 'The History of Celeborn and Galadriel'. That should be added to the list of summaries. While we are at the UT, I think we also should have a go at:
'The Istari'
'The Drúedain'
Maybe we could even start at the first tale and work our way through the UT?
I am not familiar with the HoME series, so I cannot make any suggestions from those books.
We could also do summaries or essays on various persons perhaps? You have already mentioned Fëanor. I could mention Eärendil, Cirdan, Elrond, Melian, Fingolfin, Turgon etc..
Or perhaps the various Realms of Beleriand?
Or the 'History of Rohan'...

There is just so many possible topics. My suggestion is that we start with either 'Rohan', or Celeborn and Galadriel'.

If we could bring along both Nóm and Maedhros, that would be great! Their postings have impressed me so far, and will continue to do so.

[Chymaera]

I think that the History of the Rings of Power would also be a good big project.

[Ancalagon]

So, Christmas being over and all that, can we begin to get some of these ideas in motion, it would be good to get a joint effort coming to fruition!!!

[Walter]

I'm ready!

I'm glad YOU posted this, Anc, I've been hesitating for a while now....but....you know...they already call me "slavedriver" over there ;)

[Lhunithiliel]

Originally posted by Arvedui
You have already mentioned 'The History of Celeborn and Galadriel'. That should be added to the list of summaries. While we are at the UT, I think we also should have a go at:
'The Istari'
'The Drúedain'
Maybe we could even start at the first tale and work our way through the UT?.......
Well, I've done some work on this.

>>"Aldarion & Erendis" - done.
>>"Tuor and his coming to Gondolin" - done.
>>"The Palantiri" - done
>> some "extra"- work related: "Tar-Ancalime" - done.
>>>> I am just starting to work on "The Children of Hurin"

It would be wonderful to have somebody else co-operating with me on UT! I just LOVE this book!

****others****
>> "Wars of Beleriand" - done
>> "Some details about hobbits" - done
>>"First Age" - almost done (very soon it will be completed)

Is that OK?

As for Nom and Maedhros, participating in the Summary-work - I doubt it :( Nom has obviously joined gate7ole for the FAQ-section and as for Maedhros.... I haven't "heard" from him for quite a long time!

Last thing: Maybe, we could really think of some "book-by-book" organization. Let's say we "announce" a month-long topic, for example: "UT/Rohan", then: "UT?/C&Gald." etc. and a person is appointed to do this summary. And we may also suggest a couple of essay-topics related to the month-topic and "auction" them...

Well?

[Walter]

Oh Lhun, I know what a "busy bee" you've been at the Wiki of late and I really appreciate your work...

[Lhunithiliel]

"Who's a friendly, little bee playing oh-so happily? :)

Buzzing here and buzzing there.. Busy buzzing everywhere.

Lhun loves and Lhun cares, Lhun gives and Lhun shares.
Lhun likes to play around, but she'll never let you down.
Lhun .. Lhun the Bee. Lhun ... Lhun the Bee"

[Arvedui]

Last thing: Maybe, we could really think of some "book-by-book" organization.

Hmmm... Like the idea. Would make it rather simple to get down to business to begin with, but IMO, there would still be portions that would have to come from other books as well, wouldn't it?
Nevertheless, I think we should start somewhere. Before Lhun have done all of it by herself...

You are truly one very busy bee, Lhun:) I'll try my best to keep up with you. Shall we agree on something to start with?

[Maedhros]

I would like to submit an essay about the the Mouth of Sauron.
Lhun, i used to see that cartoon about the Maya bee.:)

[Walter]

Maedhros, why don't you just post it at the Wiki? Or mail it to me and I'll post it there ASAP

-----
When that cartoon was popular here a couple of friends (incl. my now beloved wife ;)) gave me a record of the song of Maya's pal Willy as a birthday present: "I am the lazy Willy" and they used to sing along to it "I am the lazy Walter"... :rolleyes::D

[Maedhros]

Walter, I have posted it, but it looks kind of weird.

[Walter]

I moved it to a separate page Mouth of Sauron (https://www.thetolkienwiki.org/wiki.cgi?Mouth__of__Sauron) and edited it some. Could you check whether the quotes (esp. the second) are how you wanted them?

[Maedhros]

Well, Walter, I hoped that you liked it. The only thing that I see, and which i think it's a system thing, is that all the links that are two words, they don't use the space.
Ex: Third Age = ThirdAge.

[Walter]

Originally posted by Maedhros
Well, Walter, I hoped that you liked it. The only thing that I see, and which i think it's a system thing, is that all the links that are two words, they don't use the space.
Ex: Third Age = ThirdAge. I like it indeed, thanks for posting it Maedhros ;)

The combined words representing links is a general wiki thing (and on some wikis it's still the only way to create links at all;
e.g. SecondAge, DarkTower) However we have decided to separate links (=pagenames) which contain more than 2 words (or represent names; like Bilbo Baggins) with blank spaces between the words (by typing a double underscore __ or {{}}; e.g. Mouth__of__Sauron or {{Mouth of Sauron}}).

[Maedhros]

Well Walter, I think I may have another essay ready about Túrin's role in the Second Prophecy of Mandos, why don't you see it in the Guild of Scholars and if it ok with you, I will post it in the Wiki.:)

[Walter]

Originally posted by Maedhros
Well Walter, I think I may have another essay ready about Túrin's role in the Second Prophecy of Mandos, why don't you see it in the Guild of Scholars and if it ok with you, I will post it in the Wiki.:) I think it would fit very well into the essays section - thanks in advance :D

If you have problems with the text formatting just leave the source of the post as it is (with the [...] tags) - meanwhile I have a few helpful Word macros for converting the layout...

[Maedhros]

I have posted it, but it looks weird, looking foward to see it formatted correctly.
P.S. Did you know that Elendil was 7'11 feet tall?

[Walter]

Maedhros could you please go to your post (here on TTF) and edit it, then c&p the "source" text of the essay into this page (http://www.thetolkienwiki.org/wiki.cgi?T%farin__and__the__Second__Prophecy__of__ Mandos) at the Wiki? That way the text formatting tags "[...]" would be preserved and it would be much easier for me to generate the Wiki-layout automatically.

And, no I wasn't aware that Elendil was that tall...

[Lhunithiliel]

Hey, Maedhros, great workS! :D
Keep on!

[Maedhros]

Walter, I was looking at the topics that I submitted and I found out that the Mouth of Sauron, additional info was stated in the bottom of it, and someone edited the Túrin and the Second Prophecy of Mandos.
I would appreciate that in the future, no one edited them without telling me first. It took me a great deal of time to do the research of that.

[Walter]

Originally posted by Maedhros
Walter, I was looking at the topics that I submitted and I found out that the Mouth of Sauron, additional info was stated in the bottom of it, and someone edited the Túrin and the Second Prophecy of Mandos.
I would appreciate that in the future, no one edited them without telling me first. It took me a great deal of time to do the research of that. I have added a separator line to both essays to make clear where your essays end and the comments start.

But basically every member can change every page at the Wiki, in most cases for better, sometimes for worse. But in every case the original text is easily retrievable from the page-archive. There is no preventing another member from editing an existing page.

Generally when essays in text form are provided someone has to edit them in order to make the links to existing information appear, in case the author doesn't him/herself bother to do so...

[Ancalagon]

Thanks for that Walter...there were actually a couple of aspects of Maedhros' essay I did not like anyway, so I will probably nip in later and rewrite some of the paragraphs to make them a little better;)

Is that ok with you Maed?

[Walter]

Originally posted by Ancalagon
Thanks for that Walter...there were actually a couple of aspects of Maedhros' essay I did not like anyway, so I will probably nip in later and rewrite some of the paragraphs to make them a little better;)

Is that ok with you Maed? I just "spread" a mouthful of good old Lagavulin all over my keyboard, my throat and nose burns and I am still coughing, I hope you are happy now, Anc... :( :o ;)

[Maedhros]

Hehehe.:)

[Ancalagon]

I just "spread" a mouthful of good old Lagavulin all over my keyboard, my throat and nose burns and I am still coughing, I hope you are happy now, Anc

Ahhh...my work here is done:D

[Lhunithiliel]

Originally posted by Ancalagon
Ahhh...my work here is done:D
And I thought the TW-project could still count on you, Black Dragon! :p :D

Anyway, I've dropped by just to ask you, guys, whether you have thought of some new ideas and/or contributions to this section of the joint-venture? :rolleyes:

[Ancalagon]

No, I am still around, though real life is encroaching upon my escapism time very heavily at the moment.

[Chymaera]

I don't have anything specfic right now.

I will try to get in to the Wiki a few times this week an make some contributions I have been remise lately.