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Understanding BookStack’s Organizational Structure

BookStack is a knowledge management platform for organizing documentation in a structured, user-friendly way. This guide illustrates BookStack’s default organizational approach using examples from the Homeworld lore universe.

1. Shelves – Top-Level Categories for Each Homeworld Game

In this structure, shelves represent the Homeworld games, grouping together all content related to each game. Each shelf acts as a “container” for the lore, technology, and history within that game’s universe.

  • Example: A shelf titled "Homeworld 1" could contain books about factions, missions, and major events from the original Homeworld game.
  • Purpose: To categorize books by game title, allowing readers to quickly navigate lore from each game.
  • Usage: Other shelves could include "Homeworld 2," "Homeworld: Cataclysm," or "Homeworld 3" as the primary groupings.

2. Books – Core Content Areas within Each Game

Books serve as the main organizational units within each shelf, allowing you to divide content by major themes or topics relevant to the game. Each book covers a different subject area, which may contain chapters and standalone pages.

  • Example: Within the "Homeworld 1" shelf, a book titled "Kushan Factions and History" could explore the Kushan people, their political structure, and their journey back to Hiigara.
  • Purpose: Books act as content hubs, containing organized knowledge about a topic or group, like a faction, historical period, or technology.
  • Usage: Other possible books might include "Technology and Vessels of the Taiidan" or "The Hyperspace Core and Its Origins" within the same shelf.
  • Standalone Pages in Books: For topics that don’t require a full chapter structure, standalone pages can be added directly within a book. For instance, "The Siege Cannon" could be a standalone page in the "Technology and Vessels of the Taiidan" book, covering this weapon without requiring a full chapter.

3. Chapters – Dividing Topics within Books

Chapters provide subdivisions within books, grouping related pages into coherent sections. In the Homeworld universe, each chapter could cover a more focused aspect of the book’s main theme.

  • Example: In the book "Kushan Factions and History," a chapter titled "Exile and Return" might cover the Kushan’s journey from exile back to their homeworld of Hiigara.
  • Purpose: Chapters organize related pages within books, helping readers navigate complex topics with a clear hierarchy.
  • Usage: Additional chapters could include "The Mothership Project" or "Key Figures in Kushan History" within the same book, each focusing on a distinct subtopic.

4. Pages – Primary Content Units

Pages are where detailed content resides, providing specific information on topics like ships, characters, events, or technologies. Pages can exist within chapters or as standalone items in a book.

  • Example: Within the chapter "Exile and Return," a page titled "The Journey to Hiigara" could describe the pivotal events that led the Kushan back to their home planet.
  • Purpose: Pages are the main carriers of information, intended to hold detailed, topic-specific content.
  • Standalone Pages in Books: For topics that don’t require multiple pages, a standalone page can be directly added to a book without placing it in a chapter, offering flexibility for content that’s shorter or more isolated.

Converting Content in BookStack

BookStack offers flexibility in content organization, allowing conversions as topics evolve. Content can be converted between pages, chapters, and books to ensure the structure adapts to the scope and depth of each subject.

  • Example Conversions and moves:
    • Move a Page to a Chapter: If "The Journey to Hiigara" expands with multiple related subtopics, it could be moved into a new chapter called "Exile and Return" to hold additional pages on specific events.
    • Convert a Chapter to a Book: If the chapter "Exile and Return" grows significantly, it could become a standalone book under the "Homeworld (1999)" shelf, containing detailed pages on each stage of the journey.
    • Convert a Book to a Shelf: If the book "Kushan Factions and History" accumulates enough material, it might be converted into its own shelf, housing books for each major historical period, faction, or cultural element.

Navigating and Searching

BookStack’s navigation and search features make it easy to locate content across shelves, books, and pages.

  • Quick Access Menus: In the sidebar, sections like "My Recently Viewed" and "Recently Updated Pages" allow quick access to frequently accessed lore topics, such as "The Taiidan Empire" or "The Kharak Exodus."
  • Search Optimization: Tagging each page with keywords like “Kushan,” “Taiidan,” or “Hyperspace” ensures efficient cross-referencing and retrieval across the Homeworld lore library.

Best Practices for Organizing Homeworld Lore in BookStack

  1. Use Shelves primarily for Game Titles: Organize shelves by each Homeworld game title, grouping all relevant books by theme within that game’s universe. If enough books are related to the same topic, a new shelf can be created to consolidate them.
  2. Organize Broad Topics with Books: Divide each shelf’s content into books that cover factions, technology, key events, and other major lore elements.
  3. Flexible Structure with Chapters and Pages: Use chapters to structure complex books and add standalone pages for smaller, focused topics.
  4. Regularly Update and Tag: Review and tag content to enhance search and keep information relevant, improving discoverability for all users.
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