A wiki is a website, created using special software, which allows users to collaboratively edit, add, and delete content on a website. Wikis allow not only members of a group, but anyone who finds the website, to make changes on demand. Wikis are not just for libraries and can serve a variety of uses, including instruction and training, staff intranet, local or family history, book reviews, library best practices, and conference or meeting activities. Some users have opted to use wiki software as a content management system for a website (USC Aiken Gregg-Graniteville Library).
Wiki Software
Wikis come in two flavors, installed and hosted. Installed software (MediaWiki, PmWiki, Socialtext, and Confluence) requires the user to download and install the software on their personal web server. Hosted software (PBWiki, WetPaint, Wikispaces, and StikiPad) requires no installation, as it is stored on the software company’s web server.
Most wiki software use a WYSIWIG (WIZ-zee-wig) interface, similar to web development software, which allows you to enter content and view how it will display when saved or published. No html coding knowledge is necessary. Typical features include the ability to track page history, subscribe to page updates, edit pages, add comments, assign various levels of permission to different users, and an option to search the wiki. Your choice of software depends on the features and category of software you wish to utilize. Visit WikiMatrix to get a side by side comparison of wiki software. If you are not sure where to start, use the WikiMatrix Wiki Choice Wizard to narrow your search.
Still confused? Check out this video from the team at Common Craft. They do an excellent job of making complicated topics easy to understand. It takes a while for this file to download. You might want to turn the volume down or off until the entire video is downloaded. Then crank the sound back up and watch the video.
Readings
Brisco, S. (2007, May). Which Wiki is Right for You? School Library Journal, 53(5), 78-79. Retrieved October 2, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database.
Darlene Fichter (2008, May). Wiki While You Work. Online, 32(3), 55-57. Retrieved October 2, 2008, from ProQuest Research Library database.
Farkas, M. (2007, May). Subject Guide 2.0. American Libraries, 38(5), 33-33. Retrieved October 2, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database.
Gordon, R., & Stephen, M. (2007, February). Putting Wikis into Play. Computers in Libraries, 27(2), 42-43. Retrieved October 2, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database.
Examples
Ohio University Libraries Biz Wiki
University of Minnesota Libraries Staff Web
Florida State University Libraries: Research Guides – Early Childhood Education
American Library Association Annual Conference 2008 Wiki
Activity #1
I created a sandbox, A Thyme to Cook, for you to explore. Use this resource to learn more about wikis and share your favorite recipes. All participants will have editor permission, which means you can create, rename or delete pages, files, and folders.
- Go to A Thyme to Cook.
- Click Request Access.
- Enter your email address. Do not use campus email. Use any email account you created for the learning 2.0 activities.
- Click send to administrator.
- Check your email account for a message indicating approval to join fjtl20. Click the “Please click here to join fjtl20″ link.
- Set up your account. Enter a username. Use your blog name or some variation of your blog name for the username. Enter a password. Use any password that you created for the learning 2.0 activities. Confirm your password. Click Save.
- Now you should see the wiki front page. Your email address will appear in the top right corner.
- Spend some time browsing the help pages, reading the pbwiki manual, or jump right in and get started.
- Go for it! Add at least two pages to the wiki. For organization, add/save your page to the appropriate folder.
- Add your blog or a favorite website (cooking or recipes) to the sidebar.
Activity #2
So, what is your impression of wikis? Why do you think librarians do not recommend using Wikipedia as a research resource? Did you find a delicious recipe? Create a blog post about your experience with week #6 activities.
