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Wiki:
What Is Wiki?
By S. Housley
Wiki is web server software that allows users to
contribute content. Collaboration is the key to Wiki, which is designed as a
powerful system for online communities to build web pages and web sites.
Unlike blogs and forums, all users are allowed to contribute and edit
existing content. Wiki is derived from the Hawaiian term "wiki wiki" meaning
"quick". The concept behind a Wiki is that collaboration on projects will
move it along quicker.
Wikis generally allow web pages to be written, edited and created
collectively in a web browser. Wiki supports hyperlinks and simple text.
Most Wikis are open, and allow any user the ability to edit the contents of
a Wiki web page. While some say this opens the concept to abuse, Wiki
moderators and self-policing in the Wiki sector appear to be taking hold.
Wiki supporters generally feel that it is generally easier to correct
mistakes than create the content from scratch. Wikipedia is a standing
symbol of what many would consider a succesful Wiki.
Wikipedia - Wikipedia is a popular content encyclopedia that anyone can
edit. http://www.wikipedia.com
Other topic-specific Wikis like Robin Good's RSS Wiki are proving that
collaborative efforts in niche markets can work.
RSS Wiki
http://www.masternewmedia.org/reports/newsmasterstoolkit/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
It is true that Wikis are open to abuse, but by design, it is very easy for
a Wiki moderator or other editor to revert the Wiki to how it appeared prior
to edits, essentially rolling back the Wiki and removing any content deemed
inappropriate or unrelated. Many Wikis track the IP address of visitors and
editors, making it easy to track changes and roll back any edits from
individuals that appear to be abusing their privileges. In rare cases Wiki
operators can protect pages, making them read-only, which restricts any
edits from occurring. While such actions are against the true Wiki
philosophy, restrictions can be used to preserve the structure of
fully-developed Wikis and protect pages from abuse.
What can Wikis be used for? Wikis have spawned some interesting uses,
including the development of knowledge bases on both intranets and the
Internet. Product documentation, tutorials and online FAQs are increasingly
created using Wiki collaboration. Other collaborative Wiki projects that
have been spawned include a Wiki dictionary and directory of famous quotes.
Wiktionary - Wiktionary, a collaborative project to produce a free
multilingual dictionary in every language, with definitions, etymologies,
pronunciations and quotations. - http://en.wiktionary.org
Wiki Quote - Wikiquote, a free online compendium of quotations in every
language, including sources (where known), and translations of non-English
quotes. - http://en.wikiquote.org
Ultimately, Wikis are ideally suited for internal corporate projects or
committee groups, when all individuals participating have the same goals in
mind. Potential exists for significant abuse when Wikis remain open in
competitive areas.
Overall, Wikis are influential, shaping collaborative online content
development, and are likely to become increasingly popular. Sadly, as a
Wiki's popularity grows, it is likely Wiki abuse will grow.
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll
http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS
feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage
http://www.notepage.net
a wireless text messaging software company.
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