I recently received an email from someone wondering what wiki means and specifically what the connotation is of WikiWisdom so I will take this opportunity to quote from … the Wikipedia:

“The terms wiki (pronounced “wickie”) and WikiWiki are used to identify either a specific type of hypertext document collection or the collaborative software used to create it. “Wiki wiki” means “super fast” in the Hawaiian language. Wiki (with a capital ‘W’) and WikiWikiWeb are sometimes used to refer to the Portland Pattern Repository, the first ever wiki; proponents of this usage suggest using a lower-case ‘w’ to distinguish the generic terms discussed here. “

The key is that the collection of hypertext documents is edited collaboratively. In fact, it is commonly understood that a Wiki should be open for editing to the world in many implementations including the Wikipedia. This does create some issues with vandalism. Here again, a quote from the Wikipedia article on itself:

One pertinent issue on Wikipedia is “vandalism”: silly or offensive edits to its encyclopedia articles. For example, Sarah Lane, presenter of “Sarah’s Blog Report,” part of The Screen Savers TV program on TechTV, “vandalised” the Wikipedia page on monkeypox live on air [2] - leading to a surge of vandalism on that page by viewers of the TV show. Lane later wrote that “Although this excites me in its ease and simplicity, it’s a little frightening. I mean, what if I had instead written ‘My boss is a big fat **** and his phone number is ****’? Sure, somebody would delete it, but this calls for some seriously dedicated moderators.” [3]

“Because Wikipedia is a radically free, open project, it attracts an anarchistic element,” Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia, admitted to Wired News. “Fortunately, most of us are willing to take a definite stand against vandalism … and to get rid of it instantly.”

Wiki software contains version control so that previous versions of documents can be viewed and even restored if needed and the Wikipedia does have a very dedicated group of supporters that constantly monitor entries to insure that vandalism is short-lived.

Wikis and Wisdom?

WikiWisdom is a term I keyed in a fit of creativity late one evening to describe my efforts here. Simply stated, I seek to publish interesting and informative Wikipedia articles. I do try to reach a little beyond this however and publish articles that are likely to provide new insights and information for readers of WikiWisdom. I am seeking to enable people to learn something new each day. I want to share a little of the Wikipedia wisdom with readers?

(added 5/21/2004 08:47:21)
But what specifically is the Wikipedia? An encyclopedia implemented using wiki software. The Wikipedia currently contains about 250,000 articles all subject to addition and revision at the readers whim. That means you can contribute. Perhaps you feel motivated to correct spelling and grammer… You can. Possibly you want to author an article on the origin of those amazingly annoying ties that all children’s toys are secured using now. Go for it! Best of all, the Wikipedia is free. You can quote from it or print the entire thing and bind it (might be cheaper to simply buy an old fashioned set of encyclopedias.) The best things in life are free.
(/added)

My choice of topics is not always going to benefit each and every reader. That is simply a fact that I will have to live with. I happen to know that this week?s article on Death by Elephants was well received because it was very offbeat and unique and several people told me so. The article on Belarus has prompted very little feedback even though Belarus has a very low information profile both in schools and in the media. Personally, I enjoyed the Belarus article more.
(end add)

Finally, I would like to extend a personal invitation to each of you to comment on articles and send me topic suggestions. While I have enough material for several years worth of postings I would certainly enjoy posting your Wikipedia favorites as well.

Live and learn!
> Bob