Wikis emerged as a class of collaborative document applications that allow multiple users to develop and edit content. Wikis provide features for collaborative authoring, editing pages, linking topics, and cross-referencing materials. They also maintain version histories and can be configured for public, private, or semi-private access. Common uses of wikis include online encyclopedias, internal business documentation, academic projects, and government information sites.
1. Chapter 6: Wikis and Other Collaborative Documents
Web 2.0 and Social
Media for Business
Roger McHaney, Kansas State University
2. Overview of WikisWeb 2.0 concepts may have
emerged with Wikis
‘Wiki’ is derived from the Hawaiian
language and means quick
Represents a class of applications
with tools for the collaborative
development of documents
Includes tools to facilitate multiple
authoring
Provides features to edit content,
develop topics, link pages, add
tags, and cross reference material Many Wikis are free
3. Wikis
http://blogs.atlassian.com/news/2008/03/how_do_you_use.html
2011 Axio Conference
Many blog features are available in wikis. Collaborative
documents are flexible and used to display content on a
Web page with the added bonus of allowing updates.
Sites for WikisWikipedia: massive online encyclopedia with more than 27 million
pages, 17 million users, and 260 languages
5. User Rights
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Wikis and collaborative documents may have a variety of user
rights. Some offer open viewing and editing (public). Others limit
access to particular editors and selected readers (private). Semi-
public Wikis require users to register and obtain a user name and
password prior to access.
6. Wikis Maintain History
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Wikis maintain a history of all changes to each page and permit
discussions about those changes.
7. Wikis Must Combat Spam
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Wikis are often the target of vandals and spammers
13. Example Wiki Uses
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Medicine and science: Information posting that requires high editorial
standards. Material must be accurate. Uses expert-moderated approach.
Business: Internal collaborative documents, knowledge repositories, internal
documentation and software application information. Customers may help
produce documentation of products.
Academics: collaborative grant writing, academic unit documentation,
committee reports, strategic planning documentation, and knowledge
repositories.
Classroom: Collaborative student projects, exam study guide development.
Government : internal procedures, public reporting, so constituents can post
and answer questions.
19. Steps in Building a Wiki
1) worldview definition;
(2) paradigm development;
(3) technological considerations;
(4) content ontology;
(5) risk assessment;
(6) sustainability planning.
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20. Worldview: Wiki Purpose?
Decision regarding how content will be viewed, developed, and
used by its community
Private, semi-private or completely open
Use Web 2.0 concepts to facilitate sharing intellectual resources
and encourage contribution
Users understand contributions will remain available with a
Creative Commons license
Ensure Wiki will be used as a communal construction of
knowledge, online discussion, and reflection for an interacting
group of users
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24. Ontology: Wiki Organization
Provides users with order
Comfortable way to tag
contributions
Simple starting point that
can expand as the site
evolves
Enable potential users to
develop initial contribution
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25. Risk Assessment: Oversight and quality
•Establish Wikikeeper (as opposed to
Wikimaster)
•Initial vigilance and human oversight
•Maintenance of academically sound
contents
26. Sustainability: Community Building
Clay Shirky (2008), in Here Comes
Everybody: The Power of Organizing
without Organizations, provides a
helpful perspective. He suggests that a
social tool such as a Wiki needs to
achieve a balance between promise,
tools, and bargain. When the correct
balance is achieved, a community will
emerge and sustainability will result.
32. Other Collaborative Documents
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A vast array of
options exists,
ranging from
specialty
software
focusing on a
particular area
(such as
Writeboard; like
a mini-wiki)
34. Summary
Web 2.0 collaborative document concepts emerged and took shape with Wikis.
Collaborative document systems provide features to co-create and edit content, develop
topics areas, link pages, add tags, and create cross references.
Additional tools permit document owners to determine who can access material, what
type of access is granted and how material is distributed.
Most collaborative documents serve as work spaces and become knowledge repositories.