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