Technology

=What is a wiki?=

A wiki is a website in which pages can be easily created, edited, formatted and linked, using a web browser. 'Wiki' is a Hawaiian word for //quick// - all of these things can be done far faster using a wiki than, for instance, uploading and updating individual files on a server.

Page editing and creation

 * Text editing and formatting in-page
 * Promiscuous interlinking (internal and external)
 * New pages can be created by linking to non-existent pages
 * Image/media inclusion
 * Simple markup language, or restricted set of HTML tags, for ease of use and focus on content

Multiple users

 * Multiple editors/creators
 * wide user base to create and maintain website
 * users are on equal footing as co-creators
 * Recent changes
 * Full page history is stored, rollback possible

Other useful options

 * what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) editing
 * different levels of user privileges (administrator, user)

Open-source/free software

 * Can download this software and run on local servers or own hosting
 * Very flexible but must have some technical know-how
 * Most use same server technologies that Moodle does

Examples of open source wiki software

 * [|Mediawiki] (examples: [|Wikipedia], [|Wikia])
 * [|WikiWikiWeb]
 * [|JSP Wiki]
 * Wiki functionality within [|Moodle]
 * Too many others to list!

Proprietary/commercial

 * stored on provider's site on wider Internet (rather than local intranet)
 * limited customisation - more options may be available for a fee
 * may be accessible to wider public
 * polished interface

Examples of commercial wiki software

 * Wikispaces - free wikis, additional features with paid subscription. Aimed at educators.
 * [|PBWorks]-various paid products for educational and business use. Free 'basic edition' for non-commercial or single classroom use.
 * [|SharePoint], [|BrainKeeper] - aimed at enterprises
 * Many others, mostly aimed at businesses.