Skip to main content

What's a Wiki? - More than an Encyclopedia!

Wikitravel - David, Panama
So, what is a Wiki? Well, first we should look at a little bit of history which will explain the term.

In 1995, during a trip to Hawaii, a website idea was created by Ward Cunningham. It was to be called WikiWikiWeb (a computer programming collaboration). Wiki means fast or quick in Hawaiian but also seems to have a second meaning of "what I know is". How appropriate for a online collaborative website. 

So basically, a wiki is an online website that allows its users to add, modify, or delete its content via a web browser. This collaboration allows users to share their knowledge, research and experiences. So most people know Wikipedia.. but what other wiki sites are out there? According to WikiIndex, there are 5,587 pages about Wiki, Wiki people and Wiki ideas! I will only highlight a few today.

Wikitravel - Want a place to get travel information from other travelers and not just a series of commercials? So far, they have 25,695 destination guides! Another source is Travellerspoint, a social network wiki where members discuss their travel experiences.

Wikipedia - Well know as a good source of general information. Although not recommended for most academia, the references may be a good source. 

WikiEducator - A fantastic resource for open source learning and educational projects. Along the same lines, WikiBooks is a source for open-content textbooks including WikiJr that is creating age-appropriate non-fiction books for children from birth to age 12.

WikiHow - Want to know how to poach an egg?  Check out the how-to manual that can be edited!

So it you are looking for a well rounded source, consider checking out a wiki and maybe even get involved in the development of collaborative websites.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Funny Little Characters

Ever wonder how to make those cute facebook symbols such as musical notes and hearts on your PC? You can add them to your documents, emails and more if you know the secret. These are special character codes. Although there are different ways to create these, this is a fairly easy keyboard shortcut to what is called the "character map" on your computer. [You can find the character map by clicking on the Microsoft start menu button and typing in "Character Map".] If you’re on a laptop make sure you ‘Num Lock’ is on! The ‘Num Lock’ button is on the top right of your keyboard. Next, hold down ‘alt’ (the one in the bottom left of your keyboard or on either side of the space bar) and type the following on the numeric keyboard (not the top row of numbers): Hold ‘alt’ then type 1 – ☺ Hold ‘alt’ then type 2 – ☻ Hold ‘alt’ then type 3 – ♥ Hold ‘alt’ then type 4 – ♦ Hold ‘alt’ then type 5 – ♣ Hold ‘alt’ then type 6 – ♠ Hold ‘alt’ then type 7 – • Hold ‘alt...
Post a Comment
Read more

The New Visual Network: Pinterest

This new up and rising website star has no visible means of support, contains millions of pictures and receives visits from 10 million people in the U.S. each month. It was listed as one of the The 50 Best Websites of 2011 by Time Magazine.  It has received some impressive free media exposure with Reese Witherspoon stating it has "a collection of the most amazing, wonderful craftiness on the earth!" So what is Pinterest?  It has been called a visual bulletin board for the Web. People post images of what they love:  food, clothing, crafts, books, movies, decorating, travel, photography, videos.. you name it, it's there. Images are called "Pins" and they can be uploaded or with a small application added to your browser, from websites.  Once something in "pinned" on Pinterest, you can "Repin" to add it your board.  Many of the pins are linked to their original location on the web ( to double click on the full size image), so instructions ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Clean Up Your Notifications

  OK.  On any giving day I used to get hundreds of email notifications. Why do I need so many? I don't, really.  I am on many of the social networks daily.  But it takes time to change all those different sites.. or does it. I was browsing on Pinterest (feel free to follow me!) and I found this really cool tech website. It is worth sharing! You can modify your notifications with the click of a button on the website. Simple, convenient and amazing. Drop on by http://notificationcontrol.com and reduce your email overload!☺
Post a Comment
Read more