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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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== Definition and History == |
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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. |
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== Origin == |
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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. |
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== Features and Functionality == |
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Wikis offer several key features that distinguish them from other forms of online platforms: |
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Many later wiki systems kept those ideas while adding accounts, permissions, templates, categories, media handling, moderation tools, search and structured data. |
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* 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. |
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* 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. |
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* 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. |
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* Collaboration: Wikis promote collaboration and knowledge sharing among users. Multiple contributors can work on a wiki simultaneously, fostering collective intelligence and pooling expertise. |
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* 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. |
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== Common Features == |
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Most wiki systems include: |
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== Uses and Significance == |
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Wikis have found extensive use in various domains, including: |
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* editable pages; |
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* internal links between pages; |
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* revision history; |
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* page titles that become stable URLs; |
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* discussion or talk pages; |
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* categories, tags or namespaces; |
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* search; |
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* access controls for protected or private pages. |
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* 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. |
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* 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. |
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* 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. |
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* 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. |
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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. |
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== Examples of Wikis == |
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== Uses == |
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Wikis are useful where information changes over time and benefits from shared maintenance. Common uses include: |
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* Wikipedia: The most well-known wiki, an online encyclopaedia with articles covering a vast range of topics. |
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* MediaWiki: The software platform behind Wikipedia, widely used for creating wikis. |
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* Wikimedia Commons: A wiki-based repository of free-use media files, including images, sounds, and videos. |
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* DokuWiki: A popular open-source wiki software known for its simplicity and ease of use. |
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* public encyclopaedias; |
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* software documentation; |
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* game and fandom reference sites; |
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* company handbooks; |
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* legal or policy notes; |
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* research notes; |
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* media archives; |
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* community moderation records. |
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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. |
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== Wiki Markup == |
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Many wikis use lightweight markup rather than full HTML. MediaWiki-style links such as [[Example Page]] or [[Example Page|display text]] are common. Headings, lists, templates and categories give pages structure. |
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Modern wiki software may also provide visual editors, upload systems, page protection, redirects, watchlists and automated contents boxes. |
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== iWiki Context == |
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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. |
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== See Also == |
== See Also == |
* [[Main_Page]] |
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* [[MediaWiki]] |
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* [[MS-DOS]] |
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* [[Collaborative Editing]] |
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* [[Knowledge Management]] |
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* [[Crowdsourcing]] |
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== References == |
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* [https://wiki.c2.com/?WikiWikiWeb C2 Wiki: WikiWikiWeb] |
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* [https://wiki.c2.com/?WikiHistory C2 Wiki: Wiki History] |
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* [https://www.britannica.com/topic/wiki Encyclopaedia Britannica: Wiki] |
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* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki MediaWiki: MediaWiki] |
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* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Links MediaWiki: Help with links] |
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[[Category:Websites]] |
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[[Category:Internet]] |