Eugene Bin, Katherine Dickson, Dev Doshi, Nick Ferla, Alexandra Lecompte

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A wiki is a community-created website consisting of interlinked pages that have to do with the subject of the wiki.
These pages are designed to be collaboratively editable by any member of the community.
The interlinked structure of wikis allow users to start at any level of depth in a given topic and move among subtopics and parent topics with ease.
Allows discussion of topics and modifications to ensure usable and appropriate content

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Rely on the branching structure of categories.
This method of indexing allows quick navigation via links or quick searching
If a page is missing, it can be created and others users will modify and expand it.
Flawed pages are flagged according to their specific flaw(s) and fixed by bots or moderators
Priority is generally given to edits by reputable sources
Sources must be cited to verify information

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Individual online wikis are nodes in Wikiland
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The Wikimedia Foundation hosts many wikis
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Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wikiquote, a collection of quotes
Wiktionary, a free dictionary
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WikiHow
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Allows users to post how-tos on nearly any topic
Generally have a specific area of interest, but are virtually unlimited in scope within this area.
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Wikis in intranets
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 meant to provide a knowledge base for the relevant user base.
Generally have a smaller scope than online wikis

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Data is stored in tables and represented via their location in a table
Often use ‘tags’ to link related topics
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For example, an article on cheese will be tagged as having to do with: dairy, food, etc.
Store backlinks to easily display what pages link to a given page
Allows the use of multiple languages for the same overall content

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Wikis use a simplified markup language called wikitext in conjunction with HTML
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Creates a consistent look-and-feel
Makes it easy for authors to add, edit, and link to other articles without worrying about technical details behind their input
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Can run as standalone applications or as an application server across multiple hardware platforms

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1945: Vannevar Bush develops Memex, the first microfilm hypertext system
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1972: Allen Newell (of CMU!) develops ZOG hypertext system, which grows into Donald McCracken and Robert
Akscyn’s Knowledge Management System
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1987: Apple HyperCard allows editing and linking between virtual cards
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1995: Ward Cunningham installs his WikiWikiWeb on the internet
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“Wiki” comes from the Hawaiian “wiki,” or “quick”

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2000’s: Wikis begin to be used in business as collaborative software
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At first popular only among free software developers
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2001: Wikipedia brings wikis to the attention of the general public
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2004: Wikia (Wikicities) launches – free web hosting site for wikis
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Wiki sites and engines (softwares) grow exponentially post-2000

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Public
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Large community of collaborators
Opportunity to share large amounts of information
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Private
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Integration of wikis in enterprises
Lower cost of publication

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Education
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Improvement in Research
Communication between different educational institutions
Improvement of established teaching methods through collaboration

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Since the public can edit wikis, the systems can be easily tampered with
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Allowing anyone to edit content doesn’t mean everyone is well-meaning
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In larger wikis (those run by the Wikimedia
Foundation), vandalism can go unnoticed for long periods of time
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Lars Aronsson, data systems specialist: “It sounds like offering free spray cans next to a grey concrete wall.”

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Accuracy of information
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Lack of authority
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Quality of writing frequently lower than in other publications
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Anonymity of editors
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Bias in the articles, despite attempts to keep an unbiased view

Opinions are more solid for younger students:
- They heavily use Wikipedia for their works
- Thus they take Wikipedia as a very useful and viable source
Opinions for high school students:
- Wikipedia for more high school students become a secondary source
- Wikipedia still considered a good source

People older than of high school age:
- Discourage the use of Wikipedia due to its unreliable edited information
*Opinions change as age increases because the older students can find better outside sources than younger students*