I've Got Wiki Fever
And the only prescription is... More cowbell!
I've been looking for a way to bring "more cowbell" into the blog for a long time, so thank you for letting me get that out of my system (and apologies to those unfamiliar with the SNL sketch in which Christopher Walken plays a music producer demanding that Blue Oyster Cult record "Don't Fear The Reaper" with more cowbell.)
And now to our business for the day, which is the answer the question "What the heck is a wiki?"
"Wiki" is a Hawaiian word for fast, and it is an apt name, because a wiki is "a website that uses wiki software, allowing the easy creation and editing of any number of interlinked Web pages, using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor, within the browser. Wikis are often used to create collaborative websites, to power community websites, and for note taking." (definition from wikipedia.org)
Wiki software is defined as "a type of collaborative software program that typically allows web pages to be created and collaboratively edited using a common web browser." (definition from wikipedia.org)
In simpler terms, a wiki is an easy-to-create web space where you can share information with others, whether they be classmates, business associates, co-workers, friends, etc.
There are of dozens of wiki-creation sites available (there are over 60 included in a comparison at Wikipedia.org.) I chose www.wikispaces.com, as it was recommended to me by an associate. I think it was a great choice. In less than 10 minutes, I had created an account and created a short page to introduce you to the wiki page.
The CJW wiki page will be collaborative in that you can enter comments and create discussion topics. Other wikis are collaborative in different ways. For example, if you are preparing a proposal or grant request and need input from other staff members or board members, you can post the document on the wiki page and anyone with access to that page would be able to view the document and edit it.
Wikipedia itself is a wiki, and probably the ultimate collaborative website. As you may be aware, Wikipedia allows readers to update, edit and add content -- that's the whole point on Wikipedia.
You might be curious about the cost -- wikispaces.com has several options available, one of which is free. For a basic (free) account, you can have one wiki with an unlimited number of pages, users and messages. You can store content up to 2 GB, with each individual file restricted to a maximum of 10 MB. Basic accounts will see advertising on their wiki -- paid accounts do not use ads.
Paid accounts start at $5 a month or $50 for a year. You can check all this out at www.wikispaces.com. And please check out our wiki (and leave a comment!) at http://cjwconsulting.wikispaces.com/.
I've been looking for a way to bring "more cowbell" into the blog for a long time, so thank you for letting me get that out of my system (and apologies to those unfamiliar with the SNL sketch in which Christopher Walken plays a music producer demanding that Blue Oyster Cult record "Don't Fear The Reaper" with more cowbell.)
And now to our business for the day, which is the answer the question "What the heck is a wiki?"
"Wiki" is a Hawaiian word for fast, and it is an apt name, because a wiki is "a website that uses wiki software, allowing the easy creation and editing of any number of interlinked Web pages, using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor, within the browser. Wikis are often used to create collaborative websites, to power community websites, and for note taking." (definition from wikipedia.org)
Wiki software is defined as "a type of collaborative software program that typically allows web pages to be created and collaboratively edited using a common web browser." (definition from wikipedia.org)
In simpler terms, a wiki is an easy-to-create web space where you can share information with others, whether they be classmates, business associates, co-workers, friends, etc.
There are of dozens of wiki-creation sites available (there are over 60 included in a comparison at Wikipedia.org.) I chose www.wikispaces.com, as it was recommended to me by an associate. I think it was a great choice. In less than 10 minutes, I had created an account and created a short page to introduce you to the wiki page.
The CJW wiki page will be collaborative in that you can enter comments and create discussion topics. Other wikis are collaborative in different ways. For example, if you are preparing a proposal or grant request and need input from other staff members or board members, you can post the document on the wiki page and anyone with access to that page would be able to view the document and edit it.
Wikipedia itself is a wiki, and probably the ultimate collaborative website. As you may be aware, Wikipedia allows readers to update, edit and add content -- that's the whole point on Wikipedia.
You might be curious about the cost -- wikispaces.com has several options available, one of which is free. For a basic (free) account, you can have one wiki with an unlimited number of pages, users and messages. You can store content up to 2 GB, with each individual file restricted to a maximum of 10 MB. Basic accounts will see advertising on their wiki -- paid accounts do not use ads.
Paid accounts start at $5 a month or $50 for a year. You can check all this out at www.wikispaces.com. And please check out our wiki (and leave a comment!) at http://cjwconsulting.wikispaces.com/.
Labels: cowbell, wiki, wikipedia, wikispaces
posted by Cheryl J. Weissman at
8:36 AM
0 Comments
