If you’re interested in knowing how to edit a Wikipedia article, there’s a short (3 min) video on the basics at: http://www.howcast.com/videos/317521-How-To-Edit-a-Wikipedia-Article.
[Link last checked May 2010]
If you’re interested in knowing how to edit a Wikipedia article, there’s a short (3 min) video on the basics at: http://www.howcast.com/videos/317521-How-To-Edit-a-Wikipedia-Article.
[Link last checked May 2010]
Some articles and a video on using wikis for documentation and business projects:
Update February 2011:
[Links last checked and updated February 2011]
Sarah Maddox, a technical writer at Atlassian (creators of the Confluence wiki) and a terrific person, had put together a great list of tools and plug-ins that convert from various document formats into various wikis, and from various wikis into various document formats. Her focus is mainly on tools for Confluence and Mediawiki.
It’s a terrific resource and you can find it on Sarah’s blog: http://ffeathers.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/getting-content-into-and-out-of-wikis/
[Links last checked September 2009]
Atlassian, the developers of the Confluence Wiki software and JIRA bug tracking software have a deal on at the moment where you can get a 5-user license for both products for just $5 each.
The deal finishes on April 24, 2009, and all proceeds of these sales go to a charity.
Get yours quick!
Details:
Thanks to some members of a technical writing list I’m on, I found out about some tools that convert HTML and Word to Wiki markup. I haven’t tried any of these yet, so I don’t know how ‘clean’ the end result is, but I offer them as possibilities if you’re looking for ways to do this.
Please add any other tools you’ve found via the Comments.
(Thanks to Wade C, Bill S, and Kathy T for these suggestions)
[Links last checked January 2010]
wikiHow (http://www.wikihow.com) is a collaborative writing project to build the world’s largest how-to manual. The site currently contains over 18,000 articles written, edited, and maintained by volunteers—people like you!
Other online tutorials and ‘how to’ websites include:
[This article is a combination of several first published in the CyberText Newsletter; links last checked November 2009; updated November 2009]
If you’ve built it but wonder when they’ll come, then take a look at WikiPatterns (http://www.wikipatterns.com/). Wikipatterns.com is a toolbox of behavior ‘patterns and anti-patterns’, and a guide to the stages of wiki adoption.
Applying patterns that help coordinate people’s efforts and guide the growth of content, and recognizing anti-patterns that might hinder growth – can give your wiki the greatest chance of success.
Most entries describe what the pattern is, how it’s used, give examples, and offer solutions (for anti-patterns).
The site is a wiki in itself so contributions are welcome to expand the body of knowledge.
[Links last checked February 2008]
If you’re in the market for certain types of software, then a matrix that compares most, if not all, the available applications should be your first port of call.
Here are some examples:
[Sites last checked December 2007]
I’m currently reading Wiki for Dummies, and came across this delightful piece in Part III, Chapter 9:
Don’t go on wiki suicide missions
Wikis don’t have magical powers. They cannot create camaraderie where none exists, nor can they streamline an out-of-control operation. They are not powerful information magnets, nor will they make your team better writers, more organized, or more intelligent. In short, without a strong guiding hand, wikis are useless.
Wikis cannot promise instant returns or unbelievable creativity. Wikis allow users to quickly and easily update and upload information. Wikis are no substitute for holding a meeting, contacting your team members, or doing hard work yourself.
I couldn’t have said it better myself!