Wikis!

What's a Wiki?

A wiki is a webpage that can be edited quickly and easily-- you don't need to know programming code or have any technological skills greater than the ability to use a word processing program.  If you can create a Word document, you can create a wiki.

Because wikis are so easy to use and edit, they're great tools for collaboration.  Multiple users can add, change or delete information on a wiki.  Wikis can be public or private and they can be password protected.  Wikis also keep a "history" allowing you to see all the changes made by users-- you can even revert to earlier versions of your wiki page if you want.  You can arrange to be notified in the event of changes to your wiki as well.  Just because the wiki is collaborative, doesn't mean you have no control over it!

Video:  Wikis in Plain English

 

Anatomy of a Wiki

Talk or Discussion-- allows users to carry on a conversation about content "off screen"

History-- view earlier "versions" of the wiki

Login-- necessary for users to edit the wiki-- usually requires a wiki-wide password

Recent Changes-- see any content that has been added, removed or changed in any way

Simple markup language or WYSIWYG editor-- edit wiki pages using "wiki text" markup language or a "What You See Is What You Get" editor

Behind the Scenes in a Wiki 

How are wikis different from blogs?

While both blogs and wikis are easy to use and maintain, they differ in more ways than they are similar. 

Wikis are good repositories of information-- they strive to be definitive collections of information on their topic, becoming more so as contributions are made.

Blogs, on the other hand, are more like newletters-- an update here, an update there with the most recently added information rising to the top so that you are always up-to-date.

What are wikis good for?

The key word with wikis is collaboration.  Wikis are a great way to share information with a group.  Need to plan a party or a trip with friends that you don't see everyday?  Need to work on a group project for school or work?  Do you want to share information with members of a club, group or organization?  Create a wiki, share the password and you've got an electronic whiteboard that everyone can write on.

But don't feel that you need a group to use a wiki!  Create a wiki for yourself as your personal homepage-- post pictures, videos, calendars and more.

Examples of wikis

• Wikipedia 

  web-based freely editable encyclopedia with over 1 million English language articles

• College of DuPage Library website

  the website for the Library is a wiki, editable only by Library staff

• FreewareWiki

  an online repository of free software, reviewed by members 

• Apple Bride

  a bridal community website that allows volunteers to create and add to entries on topics from choosing attendants to webcasting your wedding

• Wikitravel

  "Wikitravellers" compile articles to create an international travel guide using the same software as Wikipedia

• Mythological Creatures and Beasts

  collaborative wiki-encyclopedia with a fairly narrow focus allows members to join and contribute to content

   

Activity

Start your own wiki

• Instructions for a PBwiki

  PBwiki hosts this site and it is very easy to use, with built-in tutorials.  With a free site you will have several style options.

   

• Instructions for a Wikispaces wiki

  Wikispaces has the easiest sign-up process.  A Wikispace page will be very clean and pared-down.

   

• Instructions for a Wetpaint wiki

  Wetpaint sign-up is a bit more involved than those of the other sites, but in the end, you will have a unique, customized page