| With "fast" becoming the word of the century, | | | | edit. |
| it is little wonder that easily editable | | | | |
| online encyclopedias, such as Wikipedia, are | | | | The most popular type of wikis, public wikis, |
| increasing in popularity daily. These | | | | operate on server-side systems that allow for |
| encyclopedias are know as "wikis" and were | | | | users to edit each page with little to now |
| named as such by Ward Cunningham, creator of | | | | knowledge of HTML. Users simply type what |
| WikiWikiWeb, during a trip to Hawaii. | | | | they wish to add into a "wikiengine" that |
| According to Cunningham, he was traveling on | | | | quickly and easily converts each message into |
| the Change RT-52 shuttle bus in the Honolulu | | | | HTML format to add onto the page. This easy |
| International Airport, and found the line was | | | | process is popular because it allows those |
| also known as "Wiki Wiki", Hawaiian for | | | | with no knowledge of HTML to contribute to |
| "fast". This encounter inspired Cunningham to | | | | the site. Also, the unrestricted access makes |
| name his quickly updated site with the same | | | | changes quick since users do not have to go |
| name. The Hawaiian term's double meaning | | | | through any type of screening process as |
| "what I know is" also worked perfectly for | | | | would be necessary with internet forums or |
| Cunningham's educational site. | | | | other online chat sites. |
| | | | |
| Many already know wikis are fast, but what | | | | The advantages seen with wikis can be seen as |
| exactly is a wiki? Wikis are defined as a | | | | disadvantages as well. Many worry that |
| site that permits those viewing it to add to, | | | | unrestricted access allows for false |
| or remove from, the site. Wikis may require | | | | information or spamming, known as "wiki |
| registration, but some of the most popular | | | | vandalism". Some say this is remedied by a |
| wikis, such as Wikipedia, are able to be | | | | dedicated community of users that watch each |
| edited without registration. | | | | page individually, but critics say these |
| | | | users are only human and can easily miss such |
| Wikis are generally broken into three types: | | | | vandalism. Also, excessive spamming can be |
| public, protected and private. Public wikis | | | | cause by automated "bots" that may be used to |
| are those that allow anyone to edit pages | | | | continually add content to a wiki. Although |
| within the site without registration. If | | | | some sites can block such bots, there is no |
| registration is required, it is free, still | | | | guarantee that all wiki sites are 100% |
| allowing anyone to edit content. Protected | | | | vandalism free. If a certain page experiences |
| wikis differ in that they can be seen by all | | | | intense problems with vandalism, this page |
| but changed by only a few. These wikis have | | | | can be cut off from editing or restricted to |
| an administrator that grants permission to | | | | certain users if necessary. |
| certain users to add to or delete from pages. | | | | |
| These administrators also make and enforce | | | | Besides the concern with false information |
| rules to ensure that content is correct and | | | | and spamming appearing on wikis, users still |
| reputable. Private wikis are not visible on | | | | desire the quick source of knowledge provided |
| the open web, but are instead confined to a | | | | by wikis. Wikis can be used for a variety of |
| certain company or organization's server. | | | | things from business research in business |
| Only those within the company can view these | | | | wikis to school projects researched on |
| wikis. Editing of these wikis is usually | | | | Wikipedia. Wikis are on a one-way street to |
| confined to a few administrators and those | | | | fame, and no one seems to mind. |
| who gain permission from administrators to | | | | |