A wiki is nothing more than a collaborative Web site which can be directly edited by anyone with access to it. The name "wiki" is derived from a Hawaiian word for "fast" with the idea that wikis are supposed to provide a fast way to add and edit content to the Web.
Originally, wikis were created with a simple markup language that was easier to use than HTML and controlled the structure and formatting for a wiki. To get an idea of what this markup language looks like, take a look at the Wikipedia Cheatsheet. The markup language was different depending on the wiki software one used, which was sometimes a little confusing.
Although some wiki software continues to use this markup language, most include a rich text editor, similar to what you would use in Word or in your blog.
You have been accessing course materials on this wiki for several weeks and are now familiar with the way a wiki can look and how you can post comments to a wiki. However, I'm now going to point out several features that are common characteristics for wikis:
Edit buttons - At the top of this page, you will see the Edit button. You see this button because you are a member of this wiki and I have given you permission to edit this wiki. You could make changes to any page on this wiki, although I ask that you don't (unless you see a typo!) If you were not logged in, you would not see this Edit button because I have not opened up access to everyone. However, some wikis, like Wikipedia, do allow anyone to edit or add content.
History - All wikis give users the ability to see the history of a page and, if they are authorized, to revert the page back to a previous version. If somebody writes something that you don't like, you can always revert the page back to its original state. This is an effective way of dealing with the Spam that can sometimes get on wikis.
Take a look at the top of this page. Click on the More Actions button and then select Show Version to get access of every version made to this page. Every wiki page is started as version 1.0. Every time I hit the save button, a new version is created: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc. Using the top dropdown menus, you can see any changes made to the page from one version to another. Using the bottom dropdown menu, you can select a version to see what the page looked like at that time. Click the Revertbutton to change the page back to that version. If you have extra time on your hands, it can be interesting to check out the history of a Wikipedia page, particularly for controversial topics or high-profile politicians.
Comments/Discussion - In this wiki, we have used comments in a similar way to how they are used on blogs. We are basically reacting to the content of the wiki or to other posted comments. Many wikis carry their discussion to an area separate from the main wiki page. In these cases, the purpose of the discussion area often is to facilitate the creation of the content on the page. For example, using it to agree on the structure of the page or the terminology that should be used. Once again, viewing the discussion for hot topics in Wikipedia can give you an idea of how this discussion is used in creating content.
What is the Difference Between a Wiki and a Blog?
Meredith Farkas, creator of the LibSuccess wiki, makes this distinction. A blog is a great tool for disseminating information. A wiki is a great tool for collecting knowledge.
It's not about elaborate design, it's about content.
It's not about presentation of information, it's about collaboration.
It's not about one or a few people sharing their knowledge, it's about the collective wisdom of an entire community of people.
More Information (Optional)
Highly recommended - Wiki World, Meredith Farkas - it's longer than the material I include in this course, but it has some great information if you're interested in learning more about wikis and their possible use in libraries.
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