You already know the history, and use of different WIKIs, so not repeating it again.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WikiWIKIs are user driven applications. User creates the page to describe the term/concept/use. And someone else edits or redefines or polishes based on his knowledge, analysis and expertise. Edited information needs to be approved by the moderator for standardization. The end-user uses the search for finding and navigating.
Today companies are using this collaborative software to share the internal knowledge by using intranet. I feel it has the great use. If some knowledge is gained/discovered during the development and implementation process then is should not be rediscovered by someone else for similar usage after spending loads of time. It should be in the "Central Knowledge Repository" WIKI has the tremendous use in today's world.
If you are interested in knowing some of the wiki engines. Follow the link below.:
http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?WikiEnginesGoogle is coming up with its own wiki: KNOL
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/12/encouraging-people-to-contribute.htmlI can see there are some problems in Wiki as well.
1. Wiki consist very commonly used terms. e.g., Its difficult to find many of the medical terminologies and there meanings.
2. Wiki needs very high standard of moderation to approve or disapprove the change/edit. This needs specialization. We lack here very much. The quality standards goes down. Many of the times pages have pending authorization for really long time.
3. Wiki administrators: I really doubt the Trustworthiness[Citation Needed :)] of wiki administrators.
4. I dont know if wiki's are capable to handle the destruction created by users on everyday basis. There must be engines at the backend running to prevent this type of activity. But multiple relevant changes with non-sense also passes through this system sometimes. User has nothing but to ignore.
Please share your comments.
-manish panjwani
