Wiki Mania: Defining a Revolution

The term "wiki" seems to be popping up everywhere. Sure, you've heard of Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia of sorts that defines everything a traditional one does - and more. But what else does wiki mean? In layman's terms, wiki is software that allows people to freely add, delete or edit a collection of web pages without having to be proficient at hypertext markup language (HTML). Also, users can interact and comment on wiki web pages and author documents collaboratively.

Sound vaguely familiar? One site that lets you take advantage of this resource is OfficeArrow. Members congregate at the water cooler, delve into articles, post comments, and chat with others online without lifting a single programming pencil. Therefore, OfficeArrow is a wiki. Bet you didn't know that!

The Wiki World

Getting back to Wikipedia - the site is run by virtual volunteer reference librarians who tackle a wide range of subjects, providing definitions of terms that were previously unknown. Clearly, this special encyclopedia is called "Wikipedia" because of the way many people work collaboratively to define the words. In addition, the site takes the encyclopedia concept several steps further and offers Wikiquotes, Wikispecies, Wikinews, Wikibooks, Wikiversity, Wikisource, Meta-Wiki and Wikictionary. Welcome to the world of wiki.

Also, Wikipedia offers articles and information in more than just English - they're provided in basically every spoken language, including Bishnupriya Manipuri. That's an Indo-Aryan language spoken in parts of the Indian states of Assam, Tripura and Manipur, as well as in Bangladesh, Burma, and other nations. (FYI: I just learned that fact from Wikipedia!)

Why Wiki?

Other sites, such as Wikispaces, offer user-hosting services for their own wiki sites. So, what are the key benefits of wikis?

• They allow for simple editing with virtual access to all interested parties.
• They function similarly to Lotus Notes and SharePoint, but they're much easier to access.
• Permissions may be set to control access to content.
• Increase knowledge-building, sharing and subject-searching.
• Easy-to-build social networking and simple profile management.
• Members can create documents within a wiki itself and then discuss them.

Increasingly more, wikis are appearing in businesses to slash costs and ease the limitations of conventional collaborative methods. Among other benefits, wikis reduce the amount of e-mail passed among users and facilitate faster and more widespread communication between people - sometimes on different parts of the globe.