A wiki is a website or software system that lets users create, edit and link pages collaboratively. Wikis are used for encyclopaedias, project documentation, internal knowledge bases, manuals, community records and public reference sites.
The basic idea is simple: pages can be edited through the web, linked to each other, tracked through revision history and improved over time by more than one person.
Origin
The first wiki was WikiWikiWeb, created by Ward Cunningham in the mid-1990s. The name came from the Hawaiian word "wiki", meaning quick. The early wiki idea was built around fast editing, simple linking and a low barrier to changing a page.
Many later wiki systems kept those ideas while adding accounts, permissions, templates, categories, media handling, moderation tools, search and structured data.
Common Features
Most wiki systems include:
- editable pages;
- internal links between pages;
- revision history;
- page titles that become stable URLs;
- discussion or talk pages;
- categories, tags or namespaces;
- search;
- access controls for protected or private pages.
Some wikis allow anonymous editing. Others require accounts, review queues or staff approval. The right model depends on the risk of vandalism, privacy needs and how sensitive the subject matter is.
Uses
Wikis are useful where information changes over time and benefits from shared maintenance. Common uses include:
- public encyclopaedias;
- software documentation;
- game and fandom reference sites;
- company handbooks;
- legal or policy notes;
- research notes;
- media archives;
- community moderation records.
A wiki is not automatically reliable just because it has many pages. Reliability depends on sourcing, editorial standards, contributor behaviour, moderation and how mistakes are corrected.
Wiki Markup
Many wikis use lightweight markup rather than full HTML. MediaWiki-style links such as Example Page or display text are common. Headings, lists, templates and categories give pages structure.
Modern wiki software may also provide visual editors, upload systems, page protection, redirects, watchlists and automated contents boxes.
iWiki Context
iWiki uses wiki-style page titles, internal links, revision history, page protection, media records and generated contents sections. Its article pages are intended to be readable, source-backed and written in plain British English.
See Also
References
Discussion log
Use comments for sourcing notes, corrections, and disputed details.
No comments yet.