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'''Wiki software''' (also known as a '''wiki engine''' or '''wiki application''') is [[collaborative software]] that runs a [[wiki]], i.e., a [[website]] that allows users to create and collaboratively edit [[web page]]s using a [[web browser]]. A wiki system is usually a [[web application]] that runs on one or more [[web server]]s. The content, including all current and previous revisions, is usually stored in either a [[file system]] or a [[database]]. |
'''Wiki software''' (also known as a '''wiki engine''' or '''wiki application''') is [[collaborative software]] that runs a [[wiki]], i.e., a [[website]] that allows users to create and collaboratively edit [[web page]]s using a [[web browser]]. A wiki system is usually a [[web application]] that runs on one or more [[web server]]s. The content, including all current and previous revisions, is usually stored in either a [[file system]] or a [[database]]. |
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Revision as of 07:00, 17 June 2011
hello sunil kumar
Wiki software (also known as a wiki engine or wiki application) is collaborative software that runs a wiki, i.e., a website that allows users to create and collaboratively edit web pages using a web browser. A wiki system is usually a web application that runs on one or more web servers. The content, including all current and previous revisions, is usually stored in either a file system or a database.
The first wiki application, WikiWikiWeb, was created by Ward Cunningham in 1994 and launched on c2.com in 1995.[1]
Some wiki software, e.g. MediaWiki, stores data in a database. Other wiki software, e.g. PMWiki, stores data in flat files.
Some factors deemed important to the decision of which wiki software to use in academic settings include cost, complexity, control, clarity, common technical framework, and features. The fact that most wiki software lacks tools such as an equation editor, instant messaging, link checking, and virtual whiteboard, has been described as a limitation in their usefulness for academic work.[2]
Overview
The primary difference among wikis and more complex types of content management systems (CMSes) is that wikis tend to focus on the content, at the expense of the more powerful control over layout, workflow and publishing technologies such as blogs present in other CMSes.
The majority of wikis are free and open source software developed collaboratively. Many wikis are modular, providing application programming interfaces, which allow programmers to develop new features without requiring them to be familiar with the codebase.
It is hard to determine which wiki applications are the most popular, although a list of lead candidates includes Foswiki, MoinMoin, Tiki Wiki CMS Groupware, XWiki, DokuWiki, and MediaWiki.[3] TWiki, Traction TeamPage and Atlassian Confluence are popular on intranets.
Hybrid wiki software
Due to the popularity of wikis, as well as the growth in complexity of wiki software, many applications exist that provide wiki functionality in addition to other standard web functionality. Many applications allow for creating blogs and discussion forums either in addition to wiki pages, or using wiki pages. A website that lets users publish blogs using wiki-style editing is known as a bliki. Some applications provide content management system functionality, also either in addition to using wiki functionality: Tiki is an example. In addition, applications exist that let users edit a spreadsheet in wiki style: WikiCalc is one example.
Types
Semantic wikis
Semantic wikis allow for storing data within wiki pages, in a way that can be queried elsewhere, both in other wiki pages and externally. Freebase and Semantic MediaWiki are two examples.
Enterprise wikis
Enterprise wiki software is software meant to be used internally by corporations, with a greater emphasis on features like access control and integration with other software. Examples of proprietary wiki applications that gear themselves specifically to corporate users are SMW+, Confluence and Socialtext.
Application wikis
An application wiki is an enhanced wiki that gives users the option to do lightweight end-user programming within the wiki and with ease.[4]
Personal wikis
Desktop wikis or personal wikis are not intended for collaborative work, but for personal information organizing or content management.
Mobile wikis
Mobile wiki software is an extension of web-based wikis optimized for mobile devices, especially mobile phones. This is done by providing a version of the web site with conservative HTML coding optimized for the limited function browsers on devices like the BlackBerry[5] or iPhone.[6]
Offline viewing and editing wiki
Various approaches to providing wiki functionality when the user is not online have been tried. For users who need to simply read the wiki's content when offline, a copy of the content can often be made easily; in the case of Wikipedia, CD-ROMs and even printed versions have been made of parts of Wikipedia's content. Allowing offline editing, however (where the changes are synchronized when the user is back online) is a much more difficult process. One approach to doing this is using a distributed revision control system as a backend of the wiki, e.g. ikiwiki.
See also
- List of wiki software
- Comparison of wiki software
- List of collaborative software
- Wiki farm
- List of wikis
References
- ^ The Wiki Way. Quick collaboration on the Web, Addison-Wesley (April 2001) ISBN 020171499X
- ^ L Schwartz, S Clark, M Cossarin, J Rudolph (2004), Educational Wikis: features and selection criteria, The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ http://www.google.com/insights/search/#q=DokuWiki%2C%20MediaWiki%2C%20MindTouch%20Deki%2C%20PhpWiki%2C%20TikiWiki&cmpt=q
- ^ C Anslow, D Riehle (2007), Lightweight End-User Programming with Wikis, SAP Research
- ^ Socialtext Optimizes Wiki for Mobile Users, CIO Magazine, April 5, 2006, retrieved 2008-09-20
- ^ W2: a little iPhone wiki, tuaw, July 15, 2007, retrieved 2008-09-20
External links
- WikiMatrix: Comparing Multiple Wiki Engines Side-by-Side
- Comparison of different wiki software (Article, November 2004)
- Comparison of wiki farms at Wikiversity
- How to choose a Wiki on WardsWiki
- Extensive list of wiki software on WardsWiki
