Free Website Content
What is Wiki?
What is Wiki?
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.
Wikitionary - Wikitionary,
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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