The Wiki Mindset

Note: This was written in 2007 and left in my drafts. Forgive me if it is not complete. Everyone who has read a popular book on the Internet knows that it was invented by researchers at university as a means to communicate and share information. It was only when the popularity of the medium caused it to leak out into the wider world that we can to accept it as a read-only system. After a decade of education we are ready for all to contribute. First with Forums, later with blogs and now with the Wiki. Each fills a different need - and here we talk about the wiki. What is a Wiki? Put simply, a Wiki is a web site where the reader can contribute, change or correct the content. Readers are no longer passive observers. They have a responsibility in improving the quality of the result. The most famous Wiki is Wikipedia (http://www.wikipedia.org/). I would like to say that a wiki works best for a small team if like-minded technical people, but Wikipedia proves that wrong. Anyone can change a Wikipedia page and the change will be displayed immediately. It is reviewed, can be removed and occasionally starts a war of words - but in general if you add value it sticks. What a Wiki is not

• A wiki is not a multi-media web-site. To allow for maximum interaction it is primarily text with basic formatting.
• A wiki is not for static information. No company wants their brochure changed - even if it could do with clarification.
• A wiki is not for the users in this life. They thrive on sharing and contribution.
• A wiki is not for private or sensitive data - all can read and change.

Who will use a Wiki Wikipedia notwithstanding, a wiki more suites technical staff. I have had more success getting developers (a notorious anti-documentation group) to use a wiki than I have had with business analysts and project managers. I don't think it is the geek factor - or not entirely. I think it is about free communication. Developers have learnt from the open source culture. Everyone gains from cooperation. Unit testing has taught them that more effort now saves time later. All that, and the passion to correct wrongs has overcome some of the dislike for documentation and made the wiki a success. Who will not use a Wiki What can I do with a Wiki Procedures Records and Notes Research Collaboration