Systems Requirements (Skeletal Overview of PES)

Skeletal Overview

Search (See MIT article)

Privilege (who can see results / who can access results)
1. will need to be assigned at time of submission of info into database.
2. tracked for non-viewing for possible mis-assignment
3. will need to be editable
Ranking (model: Google)
1. user adjustment available in preferences setting
2. Main criterion
  1. Relevance
  2. Quality (user ranking, with weight according to membership level & points)
  3. Popularity (traffic)
3. Other criterion
  1. editor ranked
  2. user ranked
  3. alphabetic
  4. most recent creation
  5. most recent edit
Google search of our site will be offered as an option along with our own search (listed first), similar to how wikipedia does it.
Resource: http://www.google.com/apis/ - including "auto-monitor the web for new information on a subject"

Security - listed separately

"new changes" tracking

"Last updated on <date> by __username__", with link to user profile, will automatically be entered on a page when a change is made.
A "recent changes" index will archive chronologically all changes made for review by those with a watchdog inclination.
People can flag a page to be "watched,"
1. a ranking of 1 to 5 will be given to indicate importance of "watch"
2. will be notified when a change is made to specified page or section.
  1. Rank 0: no watch
  2. Rank 1: list of changes given when logging into "watched pages" admin page
  3. Rank 2: lists change when logging into main individual admin page
  4. Rank 3: sends an email notice
  5. Rank 4: initiates a pager or phone call.
  6. rank 5 (available only to admin): invokes manned tracking to get info to the person.
Site keeps track of person's last visit to a page
1. when they visit the page again will display a "page changes" link, which when clicked will display in a clear way what was changed about the page.
2. If the person does not have cookies enabled, they can enter an approximate date of last visit to get this comparison.
Minor v. Significant
1. When someone makes a change to a page, they will be prompted with a dialogue that asks them if the change was "minor" or "significant"
2. An algorithm will compare the before and after content and override a "minor" change to "significant" if the change is more than 1% different.
3. An archive of minor changes will only be kept for 48 hours and then will be deleted to save on memory.

uploading image processing

semi-automated reduction of both pixel size and file size
1. 100 px wide thumbnail
2. 250 px small view
3. 425 px large view
4. full image
option to keep full-res image available for download
user presented with select size and resolution
user types in general description of image, and is then given recommended names for the images
manual over-ride on image naming for editors
image grid option - create an alpha-numeric-labeled grid-lines that can accompany technical photos for reference in instructions.

PES Browser Toolbar (compare Google & Alexa tool bar)

If opted in for this feature, a tool bar will appear in the user's browser.
1. PES personnel will all use this feature.
2. Feature will be available to anyone.
When a site is visited that is one that PES links to or which it features, the tool bar will indicate this.
When a site is visited that a PES editor has labeled as "not relevant" that will be indicated, giving the user the opportunity to reverse that designation if requisite.
If someone is visiting an energy site and sees that the site is not featured or linked from PES, they can then submit it (for review by someone else) with a mere click of a button.
1. A dialogue comes up requesting:
  - category,
  - rating,
  - ask whether to link: (a) whole site, (b) just directory the present directory, (c) just the one page.
2. A URL will be given with the dialogue so the user can open the site in another browser in order to answer the above questions.
3. A second dialogue will then pull up asking to rank the new listing relative to related listings currently found in the category.
  1. Two additional editors will need to review (and revise) that ranking before it goes live in the directory / encyclopedia.
  2. Until the value ranking has been applied, the site will be listed alphabetically with other non-ranked listings at the end of the category listing.
4. The user may opt to close either the dialogue rather than submit any additional information, if they do not have time or the inclination at that time. This entry will then be placed in cue for someone else to review.
Tool bar will be customizable.
1. At time of install, the user can select either a "visitor" tool bar, or a "editor" toolbar.
2. After install, the default can be changed from "visitor" to "editor"
Entries from non-recognized editors or users who have not yet established a reliable reputation will be presented to a recognized editor for ratification before they are entered into the database.
One of the toolbar options will be a "rate" option, enabling the user to rate the page's relevance and value. Rating will be 0 to 4 stars.
1. Existing rating will be shown.
2. User rating will be entered by clicking on appropriate image (star1, star2, etc.).
3. User will be allowed one vote per month.
4. If new vote within month period is different from previous vote, the new vote will stick, and the clock starts anew for that page for that user.
5. If a user consistently (16 of 20 in a row) votes more than 25% lower (or higher) than the average rating, their votes will become disqualified until they lodge and appeal.
  1. "disqualified" will appear with a hyperlink to a form to submit an appeal.
  2. appeal page will be submitted to an approved editor.
Page rating (with 5 or more votes) will be weighted heavily in search returns.
The vote from PES individuals of "Peer" rating (from the refereed Encyclopedia and course material panel) will count for ten votes.

Statistics

tracking
1. the usual (user sessions, #pp/session, referring sites)
2. # significant changes made by individuals
3. page traffic generated by authors (primary contributor to a page content)
4. log-in record for individuals
5. page site popularity listed along with page
6. page ranking option listed with page
7. popularity and ranking factored into search
Pages popular with visitors but which are being neglected by editing team for regular updates are flagged for fresh action.

Recommendations (model: Netflix.com)

Opt-in/out option at time of sign-up for membership or any time thereafter.
Track user's browsing
Track the ratings that a user gives certain pages and products to generate "taste" profile
Make recommendations
1. Technologies
2. Teams
3. Inventors
4. Other users
Recommendation usage also factored for recommendation refining.

Info man -

Function: provides tips in a pop-over (compare MS Word's paperclip dude; compare Geocities advertisements that open upon first entering a page, can be minimized or closed)
Examples
1. Example 1: PowerPedia, when a person clicks on a link that has not yet been populated, an empty form appears, the tip dude will say something like, "you can start a new page by entering information in the space below. You might want to double check to see that there is not already a page on this subject by a different file name." They would then be given a link to do a search, as well as a couple of possible links that might be related.
2. Example 2: News: "do you know of a story that is not listed here? go ahead and submit it."
user will have option in user settings to turn this feature off.

Bug reporting

goes to FAQ page first
ease of submitting will be proportional to membership level

Users

interface, login
1. Ranging privileges/access: Admin, Editors, Users, Visitors (no login)
2. time-out after 30 minutes of non-action for security.
Control Panel
1. user preferences
2. link to ProPedia user page
  1. each user will have the ability to cardoon off a section of their user directory for "by invitation only" posting and viewing, requiring login to access.
3. possible contents (movable per preferences)
  1. alerts
  2. mail
  3. editorial tasks
  4. admin tasks
  5. recent changes of note
  6. to do list
  7. energy news highlights
  8. pes news
  9. calendar
  10. forum links
  11. 'my links'
  12. bug report (for advanced users)
  13. feature request
User profiles
1. types
  1. public profile
  2. private profile
  3. admin profile
  4. confidential
    1. financial profile
    2. pending discipline
2. User decides what profile info will be accessible (each field will have four radio buttons next to it)
  1. to the public
  2. to members
  3. to editors
  4. to admin (required info)
Levels of membership - Criterion for levels of membership established by PES
1. visitor
2. basic member
  1. minimum payment e.g. $10.00 / year
    1. tracking
    2. billing
    3. waived for first year promotion
      1. option to pay anyway as a donation at time of sign-up
    4. notices sent toward end of first year
  2. submit application for scholarship to override of minimum payment
  3. override minimum payment approval by advanced editors or admin
3. validated member
  1. confirm physical address information submitted by automatic mail-out of confirmation letter to be returned
  2. confirm physical location by an approved member.
4. approved member (meets minimal criterion set by PES)
5. editors
  1. minimum contribution requirement for membership waived in lieu of volunteer work performed (above a certain point level)
  2. will have cumulative numeric ranking according to performance as an editor
    1. each task will have numeric values assigned
    2. More important tasks have higher numeric value
  3. will also have "averages" ranking
    1. Points this past week
    2. Average points per week
  4. editor ranking displayed next to username link
    1. admin select where & how displayed
6. contributing (donations) member
  1. not to exceed credibility and peer trust criterion (endorsed member)
7. endorsed member (earned by performance and points accrued)
8. honorary member (awarded by peers for past performance)
  1. minimum contribution requirement waived in lieu of service performed in the field
9. emeritus member - honorary title
  1. minimum contribution requirement waived in lieu of service performed in the field
  2. reduced access as required
10. guild member (governing body)
  1. admin (board of directors or board of directors assigned)
  2. member voted
  3. honorary (awarded)
11. board of directors (admin)
  1. selected at founding
  2. may be removed by 3/4 member vote
  3. may be removed by 2/3 guild vote
12. distinguished member (limited to 10 people or 0.01% of membership, whichever is more)
Editors
1. Application for new editors
  1. check-list pass requirement
    1. selection of category of first and second interest
    2. recommendation of new category
    3. review by-laws
    4. submit sample entries
    5. profile / qualifications
  2. reviewed by at least two editors
  3. rejection notice sent to applicant with reason stated
  4. two appeals possible
    1. state rebuttal to rejection reason
    2. approved appeal will result in demerit to editors who declined initial application
    3. twice declined appeal cases will be made public for fair scrutiny
    4. twice declined appeals will be flagged for inspection by guild members, and may be resurrected at any time
  5. multiple unsuccessful attempts at becoming an editor will be flagged for possible overlooked talent
2. Point system for editor privilege determination
  1. Each task will either accrue or diminish points.
    [see breakdown of point system]
3. Task access will be determined by a combination of points and membership level.
  1. Newcomers prove themselves
  2. Peer review for advancement
  3. Honorary memberships based on previous years of recognized service in the field.
4. Timeliness
  1. Entries not picked up by the first assigned editors will automatically be reassigned to other editors if the first editors do not respond within a given period of time.
  2. Each time the entry is reassigned it will be to an editor of higher standing and activity.
User community (creating literal community to supplement the virtual community)
1. Not mandatory, but will grant privileges and benefits (namely friendly associations).
2. Will automatically assign new user to a geographic-based cell.
3. "Verified member" status achieved after an existing verified member confirms a person's phone & mailing address.
4. Cells consist of 3 to 12 members. At 12 members the cell divides.
5. Leadership:
  1. assigned automatically first according to membership level and points
  2. Physical meetings of cells can appoint a captain,
    1. decision is submitted to PES database by one member of the cell
    2. confirmation request is sent randomly to two other members
    3. if no response within 12 hours, then randomly sent to another cell member

Communications

Contact page
1. Online form presented along with direct contact info if user allows.
2. Recommend additional contacts based on "recommendation" criterion above.
3. Each page has page-specific contact info, including chief editors of page.
4. Auto-responder messages.
5. Occasional mail delivery confirmation check
email notification options:
1. items: breaking news in topic of interest; PES newsletter; specific project breakthroughs; urgent editorial task developments; pending calendar items.
2. "breaking" and "urgent" classifications to be approved by at least three editors including one admin.
PES email address set-up
1. new PES individuals apply for an @pureenergysystems.com email address
2. PES admin declines/approves application, with explanation option.
3. notification is sent to applicant of approval/decline.
4. POP v. email forwarding option
5. POP addresses have webmail interface
secure communications capability available (hushmail-like algorithm)
office document tracking
1. who is responsible
2. who has checked it out for modifications proposal
in-house memorandum entry and logging.
agenda posting and review
minutes posting and review
discussion groups (see below)
chat / instant messaging
phone conferencing (not necessarily through web)
video conferencing
web cam

Task Tracking

Submissions
1. Assigned to appropriate review according to by-laws.
2. Triage in presentation to members
  1. Presented according to criterion: Exclusivity (how many can address?) - Urgency - Importance
  2. criterion ranked first by submitter, then reassigned by incoming triage agent, then modified by subsequent agents.
Approval
1. All approvals must be cleared by at least two members of appropriate standing.
2. May be over-ridden later for reversal
Redundancy
1. tasks doable by many, identified as such, randomly assigned to several qualified agents at a time, removed from task list when accomplished
2. neglected tasks are flagged with an alert to prevent mold.
Wish list of items to be accomplished by database programmers

Sponsored Links (Google's AdSense)

Advertiser control panel (Google's AdWords)
Show ad for a given search phrase or word.
Manager panel for reviewing submitted ads.

By-laws / rules

include this present document, not yet finalized
document a history of previous iterations for reference
1. enumerate change made from previous edition
2. link to next iteration
amendments
1. core provisions amendable by 2/3 vote of guild
2. non-substantial changes editable by approval of 4 guild members
  1. commence with discussion forum to propose edit
  2. submit edit
  3. randomly select guild members to approve suggested change
  4. proposed edit of edit begins process anew
  5. 48 hour limit for one guild member before randomly assigning to another guild member
3. anyone, including visitors, may propose new rules or amendments
4. all proposed changes shall take place just once a month on the first day of the month

Calendar

individual user
group interactive
1. reminders of meetings, symposia, deadlines, etc.
2. due notice first by online control panel, then by email.
"Away" accounting
1. User logs "away from __ to __"
2. When a person's name appears as a contact for a particular item, the away message will automatically be inserted, and then removed at end of "away" term.

Voting (Robert's rules of order)

department specific or multi-department
create motions, prioritize urgency and importance
motions approved by two relevant members before being sent to group
declined motions can be appealed
discuss motions
put motions to vote, table, or amend
tally vote
report vote, calculate pass or fail
archive votes

Financial (interface with existing software programs: Peachtree)

budgetary admin; auditing; taxes; payroll; awards; advertising; subscriptions
track donations, memberships, course fees, store sales, interlibrary loans, etc.

Legal

"Prior Art" role of PES publications
1. Compile new additions to site that have been rated "possible prior art or new ideas"
2. Semi-automated chronological publishing of new additions to site in one document.
3. PDF printing and publishing on the web
4. Track hard copy printing and disbursal to libraries and other subscribers.
Privacy policy
Terms of service
1. General
2. Store
3. Advertising
4. Research & Development
5. Open Sourcing
6. Encyclopedia
7. Energy-Line
Intellectual property advice
1. Patent, Copyrights, Trademark information documents
Violations tracking

Research and Development Laboratory

equipment tracking
1. owned, borrowed, rented, loaned
project tracking
1. under consideration, final review, validating, open sourcing, improving
off- and on-site evaluations tracking
sister laboratory tracking
cooperating engineers tracking

Open Sourcing

Create optional private password protected page for first stages of development before taking the project public.
Submission of new technology for OS consideration
1. Attachments allowed, screened for viruses.
2. All submissions posted to a public forum and made available perpetually (unless they are obvious unrelated spam)
3. Review of Submission (pass by at least two editors)
  1. Editable
  2. Comments by review board -- why rejected, if so; assessment of merit if accepted.
  3. Rejected submissions may be resurrected at any time.
Accepted Open Sourcing Projects
1. Editor privileges for specific projects
2. Templates
3. Tools page for new editors
4. email forum for each project
5. tracking of replications progress
6. updates page
7. streaming media of working devices

Energy News - modeled after www.slashdot.org and ZPEnergy.com

"Submit" link on each news page
1. link to existing story
2. original story
3. image upload
Pending stories (hopper)
Story assignments
Story progress tracking
Reprint Permissions
1. Request log / status
2. Granted archive
3. Article rotation/phase-out per terms of permission
User submitted stories
XML feed for subscribing sites

Translations

Priority list of documents to be translated
Control panel for each language.
Master page for PES linguist.

Directory (Compare DMOZ.org and FreeEnergy.GreaterThings.com/Directory)

Brief listing
1. 3 - 10-word title; 25-30 word description;
2. off-site link as well as on-site link where relevant
3. quality determines sequence, not alphabet.
4. thumbnail image (will be a primary distinguishing characteristic of our directory, compared to other directories)
"Suggest/Update URL" link on each page, automatically detects page of origin.
Categories will follow a branching.
1. The branching tree will be presented, with the option to create a new subcategory.
2. New subcategories will automatically be linked from the parent category.
3. Cousin and Uncle related links will be selected manually for a category.
  1. When a new subcategory is created, the cousin/uncle links will be presented as to whether or not they are relevant to the daughter category.
  2. The user will also be prompted to identify any unique cousin/uncle category links for the new category.
Editor approval process.
1. Each submission must be reviewed by at least two editors.
2. Editors may revise wording, upload relevant photo/image.
3. Category editor gets first choice in review.
4. New category recommendation approval must include a high-level editor.
A "clustered results" menu will be presented in the left-hand side of the page showing the category tree. (compare www.vivisimo.com)

Encyclopedia

PowerPedia (Compare Wikipedia.org or FlexWiki.com) - cross between encyclopedia and user-created website.
1. Each page will have the ability to host both a static version that only authorized PES persons (including volunteers) can modify, and a dynamic version that anyone can edit.
2. An "edit" link will appear next to all encyclopedia entries, dynamic and static.
3. Anyone can edit any page in the dynamic portion that will appear with all pages of the encyclopedia. (see note below about rank 4 pages)
4. The static page uses the same code as the dynamic -- so that a quick cut-and-paste is possible to back-up the dynamic page in a static form in the case that minor changes are required.
  1. A single click should enable a direct copy-over of the page from dynamic to static.
  2. Another option will be to edit the page.
  3. Another option will be to reject the change.
  4. Previous versions of the page (both static and dynamic) should be saved for file restoration or historic reference.
  5. Some key pages should require at least two or more PES editors to approve a change before it goes live. (See editor process described elsewhere in this document.)
5. When a new page command is evoked, the user will be given two options:
  1. Start with blank page and write code themselves
  2. Start with a template wizard that will prompt for title, description, image attachment, introduction, body, references, links, page contact info, etc.
6. Anyone can create a new page using the dynamic wiki ability.
  1. Once a new page is created, a PES individual will be notified to create a corresponding static page, and to make sure the file nomenclature is appropriate.
  2. Pages that do not yet contain a static version will be noted as such.
  3. If such pages are getting significant traffic (e.g. 50 visits), and no static page has yet been created, a PES editor will be alerted again to attend to the page.
  4. This process should be streamlined as much as possible to allow for rapid action and efficient use of PES editor time.
7. Appearance of the page:
  1. If the static page is identical to the dynamic, only the static page will appear.
  2. If a section is edited, only the edited section will appear in the dynamic portion of the page.
  3. If a user selects the "edit page" option, only those sections where changes are made will appear in the dynamic portion. (comparative software required)
8. Each page will be ranked according to
  1. level of interest or popularity (computer monitored), based on visits per total website traffic
  2. quality of content
    1. manual entry of score compiled from all visitors who enter such
    2. manual entry of score by PES editors
    3. manual entry of score by peer review personnel
  3. rankings not yet achieved will be signified by a pound sign: "#".
  4. ranking will be as follows:
    1. 0 = very low merit and/or very low interest
    2. 1 = low merit, low interest
    3. 2 = moderate merit, moderate interest (or high merit, low interest) (or low merit, high interest)
    4. 3 = high merit, high interest
    5. 4 = highest merit and/or interest
9. A control panel will show all new edits as they occur with links and descriptions (a wiki feature).
  1. Control panel should show rank of page
  2. Users can select which items appear in the control panel (e.g. everything above a rank of 3)
  3. Users can be flagged when changes are made to specific pages.
10. Image uploading enabled and streamlined. (See section elsewhere in this document about image size reduction options)
11. All pages of rank 4, while having an "edit" link next to each section, will not have the change appear live until it is reviewed by a at least two more PES editors.
  1. The number and/or level of editors required can be changed by PES admin.
  2. The user who submit the suggested edit will be notified at the time of submission, that there will be a review prior to the change being applied.
  3. Anyone can post their comments on the discussion board associated with the page.
12. All pages of rank 3 or above will have a discussion board created automatically to accompany the page.
13. "Edit" link next to each major section of info.
14. "moved to" information left on moved pages.
15. Link to delete dialogue left on pages deleted.
PeerPedia - Peer reviewed content (see also peer review)
1. Minor editing approved by two editors.
2. Major editing must revert to peer review protocol.
Relationship with Directory
1. All listings should be linked from directory.
2. Encyclopedia listings will include link to pertinent directory category.
3. Semi-automate the flagging and fixing of listings in one that are not referenced in the other.

Peer Review

process per protocol established. (see link for additional tasks relevant to programming)

Academy

Course submission
Course synopsis for preview
Course approval by peer review
Course entry into database
1. broken into segments
2. tests
3. grading
Course taking
Course editing
Course rating
Recommend courses to users as part of "recommendations" protocol
Inviting instructors
1. Semin-automated: Based on user profile and activity invite skilled professionals among membership to submit a course
2. Manual: Any user may initiate an invitation to an individual to submit a course
3. Invitation should pass two editors before being sent to recipient

Library

Cataloguing
Check-out
Inter-library loan
Duplications tracking
Popularity tracking for prioritizing of turning hard copy to electronic format.

Energy-Line (compare Medline)

Submissions review, protocol & tracking
Semi-automated contact of universities to solicit subscriptions.
Subscribers interface
Billing tabulation

Showcase

Track inventory source, loans
Prompt for random spot checks of devices
Track inventory location

Store

Typical Shopping Cart features
Product Rating by buyer (e.g. ebay)
Display relevant product links on relevant pages and search results.
Vendor submissions
Popularity tracking (e.g. Amazon) for dynamic presentation of content
Individual purchase patterns for making recommendations for future purchases
Wish list
Pending list

Advertising

Ad submissions
1. submission form
2. review process
3. approve by at least two guild members and advertising department
At tracking
1. Posting as contracted
2. Reporting for client

Discussion Forum

Enable admin automatic access to all PES forums, whether or not subscribed.
Forum for each major news story
email groups for specialty topics
forums for specialty topics
Relevant threads automatically linked from appropriate topic
Sequence of links based on "recommendations" and other quality criterion

Newsletter

daily, weekly: free
monthly, tri-monthly, yearly by paid subscription
1. best items from daily selected for weekly,
  best items from weekly selected for monthly etc.
2. table of contents at beginning
3. advertisement insertion
free edition approved by at least two guild members
subscription edition
1. approved by editorial department
2. engineering department
3. marketing department
4. legal department
archived, included in "search" database

PAC

forum
1. geopolitically based
2. submissions screened for most broad level of application
propose legislation
1. new
2. bad laws to be changed
principles of good law (encyclopedia model)
track
1. check list for moving proposal from idea to reality
2. progress report
  1. not yet won
  2. successes

Contests (see "Award Election Process")

Grants

Criterion establishment
1. amendable by 2/3 guild vote and
  1. 2/3 approval by engineering department
  2. 2/3 approval by legal department
  3. 1/2 approval by marketing department
Submissions / proposals
Triage (similar protocol as above)
Guild input
1. legal
2. admin
3. engineering
4. marketing
Acceptance procedure checklist/task tracking
Award follow-up

Energy Sites Back-up (Compare www.archive.org)
Objective: All alternative energy pages will be backed up on our server every 4 months, with previous back-up becoming an archive copy.

Any place where our PES website links to another website that is energy related, there will also be a link to our archive of the page. It will be labeled "[backup]."
Semi-automated
1. Software will recognize "file not found" message and will not archive, but will keep existing page as archive, and check again in a week.
2. If content is cut by 75% or more from previous version, the program will require approved editor input before proceeding.
When an archived page is displayed, it will include
- a clear designation at the top that the page is an archived copy.
- a link to the actual page (dead or alive)
- a link to an index of past archives of that page
- a link to the main archived index for that site
- a link to the destination of the main index leading to that page. (if obvious)
- a link to a legal statement referring to our right to do this, citing relevant laws (see archive.org legal statement).
When a new link is established to a site not yet in PES, the software will recognize this, and an editor will be automatically prompted to indicate:
1. whether or not to add the site to a list of sites to be occasionally chronicled and archived at PES.
2. whether to chronicle the entire (a) website (including root domain) or (b) just a directory on the site or (c) just a given page.
3. which category(s) (main and sub) to log the site
4. what the main index page is (if relevant)
5. a directory listing for the page or site:
  - title (4-9 words)
  - description (10 - 30 words)
  - keywords
The link to the site will then be automatically added to the relevant category indices.
If the person submitting the link is an editor, that same editor will be the one who gets prompted to enter this information.
Entries from non-recognized editors or users who have not yet established a reliable reputation will be presented to a recognized editor for ratification before they are entered into the database.
1. By default, no one editor will be sent more than a certain percentage of such requests, but they will be distributed evenly among participating editors.
2. Some editors may enjoy this particular task. They can log into a specific page where such tasks are in queue.