At the recent N-TEN conference I used the conference "wiki" before, during and after a session I moderated to enhance the discussion (see the "Not Your Mother's Intranet" session wiki). I got a number of questions after the session from folks wanting to know more about what is a wiki, how does it work, and, "...how could it possibly 'work'?!"

Here's a quick intro to wiki - an exciting tool which I think offers amazing opportunities to enable collaboration and knowledge aggregation.

What is wiki?
Wiki is server software that provides an easy way for people to work together to create and manage web pages using any web browser. Wiki is based on the concept of "open editing" - allowing anyone to add and to modify content, including the structure and organization of the content - without needing to know coding or markup language. More background about wikis by Wikipedia.

How is it used?
A wiki can enable collaborative creation and management of web pages for projects big and small. A large and increasingly well-known example is WikiPedia, with 1.5 million articles, 500,000 in English. Another example is SourceWatch, a directory of people and groups said to be lobbying on behalf of corporations and others. Also very active is WikiNews. A smaller example includes this wiki for "They Might be Giants" fans.

Here at Forum One we're using wikis internally to build and manage internal organization knowledge - such as HR policies, "how to" notes, procedures and guidelines, and even strategic plans. We're also using wikis to build and manage online resources with our clients to support their programs.

Why does it work?
Many folks (including me) when first introduced to the concept of a wiki wonder how it can work and not degenerate into anarchy.

"The positive spin on the fragility of a wiki though, is that any flames or spam can be immediately removed so that wikis imbue good participants with a kind of survival-of-the-fittest power. "You need to generate real content," says one wiki source on the Web. "Anything else will be removed. So anyone can play, but only good players last." PCMag.com 5/2003

Wiki works because it provides easy tools to create and change content, as well as easy tools to roll-back content changes. Any inappropriate content or changes by one participant will eventually get rolled back by other participants - peer pressure that rewards valuable contributions.

How to try it out?
Try the WikiPedia sandbox.

I'll write more in another post on:
How can I get started with a wiki?
How should I use wikis to enhance our work?
Where is wiki software heading?


Please share comments/suggestions!