# wikis: collaborate, connect & contribute

Nicole C. Engard nengard@gmail.com

WikisCollaborate, Connect & Contribute

Outline

What is a wiki?

Why use a wiki?

When to use a wiki?

Who’s using wikis?

Where to find wikis?

Creating our own wiki with WetPaint

What is a Wiki?

A wiki is an editable website that does not require users to know HTML.

Most have a system to record changes so that at any time, a page can be reverted to any of its previous states.

Many wikis even offer the option of password protecting the contents or requiring registration to be able to edit.

Why use a wiki?

Easy to learn – no HTML required

Easy way to share knowledge

Easy way to collaborate across borders

Ability to revert back to old versions

Ability to track who’s done what & where

Fostering collaboration among friends and/or colleagues

When to use a wiki?

Great places for brainstorming

Use to draft policies

A way to share the secretary responsibilities in a meeting

Use to gather collective knowledge from colleagues, peers and/or patrons

Who’s using wikis?

Businesses, organizations, schools, etc. etc.

Libraries: http://libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Wikis

Encyclopedias:

Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org)

Encyclopaedia Britannica (www.britannica.com)

Where to find a wiki?

Many free and affordable tools to choose from

Wiki Matrix: www.wikimatrix.org

Demo wiki software: www.opensourcecms.com

List of wiki software: http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?WikiEngines

Start with a freely hosted wiki package to learn the ropes

Wiki Options

Remotely Hosted

Stored on someone else’s server

May have a cost associated with it

Limited control

Easy to learn

Locally Hosted

Technical skills required

Your own web server required (will cost money)

Complete control

More of a learning

Let’s Play

Go to www.wetpaint.com and sign up for your very own wiki

Name your Wiki

Visit www.wetpaint.com

Name your site & choose a URL

Click GO!

Describe your Wiki

Describe your site

Choose a category

Decide who can view your site

Who can edit your Wiki?

Decide who can edit your site

Pick a Wiki Theme

Decide what you want your wiki to look like

Customize your Wiki

Confirm your wiki name

Upload a logo for your site

Create a WetPaint Account

Invite Wiki Editors

Confirmation Email

Check your email for your confirmation

Make sure you save this email

Let’s Play More

Let’s work on the wiki together to see how easy it is!!

http://infolinktrain.wetpaint.com

Presented for InfoLink

Thank YouNicole C. Engard nengard@gmail.com

Slides: http://web2learning.net > Publications & Presentations