Wikis

toc A website which allows users to add, edit and create content collectively. Wiki means quick in Hawaiian. =Four Components of a Wiki=


 * 1) Iterative - layers of information over one another
 * 2) Collaborative - they inform and share more than discuss certain issues and concepts
 * 3) Consist of multiple pages
 * 4) Are generally more objective in tone

=Types of Wikis=

Business Wikis

 * http://www.jot.com/wiki/wiki-applications.php

The main purpose of a business wiki is to support a company's need for knowledge sharing and collaboration. Business wikis are far superior to e-mail for collaboration and improve communication and accountability, while capturing and sharing intellectual company content.

[|JotSpot] allows for free-form collaboration of wikis. Customers can publish company information, such as employee guidelines, schedule project deadlines, assign tasks and collaborate with virtual teams.

**Course Wikis**

 * http://wri330.wikispaces.com/wri330

The wikispace 'CCIT205' is an example of a course wiki. It is a community building project that allows for input from members of the course. As well, course notes, scheduling, and sharing of class questions, concerns and information. A course wiki helps students work together more effectively and learn from each other much more quickly,

Assignment Wikis

 * [|http://www.umbc.edu/bioclass/biol414/wiki/index.php?page=%20Group_Wiki_Pages]

An assignment wiki acts as a forum that allows class members to submit assignments. The professor/instructor posts deadlines and guidelines for specific assignments, so therefore everything can be submitted online.

=Benefits of Wikis=

Advantages

 * A wiki allows anyone to edit a piece of work without the need to log in, consequently making it easier for anyone to correct a spelling mistake or to add their astute comments while making a useful contribution to a specific topic.
 * By allowing people to re-edit the information on a topic, wiki allows them to add to the greater body of work rather than leaving their noted and their comments in the feedback section.
 * Important keywords can be highlighted and linked to other wikis, therefore providing its readers with additional information on related topics.
 * A wiki allows its users to post incomplete work so that it can be shared and added upon by others.

Disadvantages

 * Since a wiki allows any user to edit the information, it may result in a lot of redundant information being posted online.
 * As there may be multiple authors of the same topic, it can cause conflict of goals and therefore a discrepancy in the tone of information that has been posted.
 * If proper security measures are not taken, all data can be destroyed, disrupted or displaced.
 * In some cases, the original writers of the work may find it offensive or impolite of others to make changes and add to the initial information.

=External Links=


 * 1) [|Visual KOL wiki]
 * 2) [|Wiki News]
 * 3) [|Rap Dictionary]
 * 4) [|Urban Dictionary]

=Prof. Comment:= //One good example of a non-Wikipedia Wiki for example is the [|Visual KOL wiki], a rules/cheat tips source for the addictive and highly bizarre online role playing game [|Kingdom of Loathing]. (Feel free to drop a line in KoL (mlwjones) - I'll send back a bit of meat or something.) //