Operating Manual

This is a preliminary, very short introduction on how to map resources with Vivir Bien.

Tagging Introduction

Such a broad definition requires a flexible approach to data acquisition. Instead of making projects fit ready-made schemes, Vivir Bien adopts a completely open approach. Inspired by OpenStreetMap projects, we are trying to develop a scheme for mapping resources in an open process in parallel to the mapping itself.

The basic procedure is simple: each resource is given a name and a list of "key-value" pairs - so-called tags. Tag definition is completely unlimited. Some examples are:

• address=Leebgasse 2, Wien
• theoretical_background=feminism,critique of value
• interesting=yes
• location=lonlat:48.197649,16.322294

Over time, certain conventions concerning the use of specific tags will emerge. On the basis of these standardized tags, the computer can produce lists or maps. The option to make use of specific set of tags, or to develop new tags, is an in-built feature of Vivir Bien.

Using Vivir Bien

You can switch the language of the interface between German and English with the small menu in the upper right-hand corner of every page. This translates the user interface elements, but obviously not the contents of resources and wiki pages, which are currently mostly entered in German (Because that's where most of our community is active right now). The english-speaking starting point for the wiki is at About Vivir Bien, giving an introduction.

There are two main "applications" on the website right now, you can switch between them in the upper left hand corner: Resources and Wiki. The Wiki is a quite straight-forward wiki engine -- you can edit pages, create links and create new pages. You find a link to the wiki formatting help with a list of the most common wiki-formats at the bottom of each page when in edit mode.

The resources app is the main project we are developing. Within the resources app, you can switch between "List" and "Map" views on the top menu. In the near future, it should be easily possible to define your own lists and maps by defining a few criteria - for example, show all projects with "activity=party" etc.., but for now these two views are hard-coded.

If you click on a resource (either in a list or on the map), you get to a page listing its "tags" in the form of key=value pairs. You can edit the resource, or you can also add new resources.

Unfortunately, the tags used so far are only documented in German, on the page Tag-Proposals.