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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