Wiki
From iWiki
A wiki is a collaborative website or platform that allows users to create, edit, and organise content collectively. This wiki page provides an overview of wikis, their history, features, and significance as a tool for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Definition and History
A wiki is a type of website or software that enables users to collaboratively create, edit, and link web pages. The term "wiki" comes from the Hawaiian word for "quick." The first wiki, WikiWikiWeb, was developed by Ward Cunningham in 1994. Since then, wikis have gained popularity and are widely used across various fields.
Features and Functionality
Wikis offer several key features that distinguish them from other forms of online platforms:
- Editing: One of the primary features of a wiki is the ability for users to edit the content of web pages directly within the browser. This feature allows for collaborative content creation and continuous improvement.
- Versioning and Revision History: Wikis maintain a history of edits, allowing users to view and revert to previous versions of a page. This functionality ensures transparency, accountability, and the ability to track changes made over time.
- Linking: Wikis emphasise hyperlinking between pages, allowing users to create a network of interconnected content. This feature facilitates navigation and enables users to explore related topics easily.
- Collaboration: Wikis promote collaboration and knowledge sharing among users. Multiple contributors can work on a wiki simultaneously, fostering collective intelligence and pooling expertise.
- Access Control: Depending on the wiki platform and its configuration, access control mechanisms can be implemented to manage user permissions, enabling administrators to restrict editing rights or grant access to specific user groups.
Uses and Significance
Wikis have found extensive use in various domains, including:
- Knowledge Management: Wikis serve as powerful tools for knowledge management, allowing organisations to capture, share, and disseminate information internally. They provide a platform for creating and maintaining internal documentation, project wikis, and collaborative knowledge bases.
- Collaborative Writing: Wikis are widely used for collaborative writing projects, such as creating encyclopaedias, textbooks, or manuals. By enabling multiple authors to contribute and edit content, wikis foster the creation of comprehensive and up-to-date resources.
- Community-based Platforms: Some wikis are dedicated to specific communities or topics, serving as platforms for enthusiasts to share knowledge, discuss ideas, and collaborate on projects. These community wikis often focus on niche subjects and attract dedicated user communities.
- Open Knowledge: Wikis like Wikipedia, the world's largest encyclopaedia, have revolutionised access to knowledge. Wikipedia allows anyone to contribute and edit articles, democratising the process of knowledge creation and providing free and accessible information to millions of users worldwide.
Examples of Wikis
- Wikipedia: The most well-known wiki, an online encyclopaedia with articles covering a vast range of topics.
- MediaWiki: The software platform behind Wikipedia, widely used for creating wikis.
- Wikimedia Commons: A wiki-based repository of free-use media files, including images, sounds, and videos.
- DokuWiki: A popular open-source wiki software known for its simplicity and ease of use.
