operating manual- apprentices opinions wanted

[ldnlksmth]

When I first started in the trade, I took notes of absolutly everything from how to duplicate keys to picking and installing locks. I've got 3- 2 inch binders full of notes on everything.

I've kept instruction books from every device I've installed, templates for everything etc etc etc.

Am I the only one? How thoroughly do you keep notes?

Is anyone interested in trading info? Maybe we could collaborate and build the ultimate 'here's how to do everything' guide...

[Romstar]

I'm horrid for keeping "detailed" notes. Everything is just sort of "in a pile". I mean, I've got a pretty darn good memory, so that might count for something.

What were you thinking of doing?

Romstar

[ldnlksmth]

Basically, I want to have a reference of everything lock related in one spot that I can put in my truck. I don't want to look like a moron because I don't have access to information.

I should probably publish what I've done already so others can add on it, that would probably make the most sense.

[UWSDWF]

i suggest building a wiki

[mrdan]

i suggest building a wiki

Seconded

[ldnlksmth]

I don't mean to sound ignorant, but I'm not a huge internet person.... what's a wiki and how do I make one? I'm happy to learn, just need to bear with me, I'm only a few decades behind.

[mjwhit]

Are you guys talking about him making a "database"
If they are basicly its a set of pages which i guess you could make on Publisher/Frontpage.
You type up/scan the info, make a contents page and hyperlink them all together, so you can quickly go to the page you want by clinking on the link. Kind of like a website, but its just a file rather than being online

I'm not amazing on the computer either so im probably way off so we'll just wait and see what UWSDWF and mr dan have to say.

[2122]

i'm not an aprentice but...
you have the right idea. a wiki is a set of pages, that are usualy an online community type project. the biggest is wikipedia, which is basicaly an encyclopedia put together by a bunch of people.

here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

[ldnlksmth]

alright, can we host it here or off site then?

is everyone interested in helping to build said database o' everything lock related?

[jordyh]

For your interest: check this thread.
It appears that Raccoon is already busy on this, and all it needs is contribution.
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=16734&highlight=lock+wiki
I know that it's down at the moment, but as Raccoon is already making an attempt to do this, I guess it might be nice to uhm.....
...I don't know.... join forces?
Unison is what a wiki is all about.

Yours,

Jordy

[Raccoon]

lockwiki is being rebuilt right now, but i have a roommate moving in so i'm completly cleaning and painting the apartment. i wont be doing much of anything online until after new years.

but yes, i would greatly appreciate any guides that people wish to contribute. there will be various permissions set for various articles, so that original creative works can be set as read-only or editable by specific groups. unlike wikipedia articles, many of the things in our industry are subjective and highly opinionated, and that originality needs to be preserved in many instances.

[ldnlksmth]

this is why I asked before doing... I would much rather collaborate and get a better product than have 5 part manuals out there each from a different source.

send me a pm when you get things running and we can compare notes. I will be happy to contribute any way I can.

[pelham123]

I'm attending a locksmith school in NY, and have the installation instructions for all types of commercial door hardware including locksets door closers, overhead stops, panic exit devices, coordinators, etc. I'm interested. You can never have too much info.

[ldnlksmth]

do you have them in an electronic format?

You're right that you can never have too much info. I keep the manuals from every new peice of hardware I install, just for that purpose.

Still need a place to put all of this info.