The “How” of Wikis

Starr HoffmanLibrarian for Digital Collections

University of North Texas Libraries

Five Weeks to a Social Library:

03.01.2007

Introduction

choosing wiki software local vs. remote hosting starting a wiki formatting composing and editing navigation restoring previous versions multiple users specific wikis

Wiki Software

So many out there… how to choose? Wiki Matrix

– http://www.wikimatrix.org/ – compare features– Wiki Choice Wizard

Wiki Matrix

Wiki Matrix (Wiki Choice Wizard)

Wiki Matrix (Wiki Choice Wizard)

Wiki Matrix (feature comparison)

Local vs. Remote Hosting

How do you choose?

Hosting Locally

+ more control/customization of wiki - may have system requirements

- (Apache, MySQL) - will likely require some software installation

experience - may require some programming experience

- (PHP, Java) some popular choices: MediaWiki

Hosting Remotely

+ no software experience needed + very quick set-up - less control over wiki - usually charged a fee for this service some popular choices: PBwiki

Starting a Wiki

hands-on demonstration PBwiki:

– http://pbwiki.com/

Starting a Wikihttp://pbwiki.com/

Starting a Wikihttp://pbwiki.com/

Starting a Wikihttp://pbwiki.com/

Starting a Wikihttp://pbwiki.com/

Editing a Wiki

Editing a Wiki

Editing a Wiki (formatting)

**bold**‘‘italics’’

[http://www.website.com|Page Title]

* bullet points

! Heading

Editing a Wiki (formatting)

Editing a Wiki (formatting)

Editing a Wiki (formatting)

Editing a Wiki

Creating a New Page

two methods– “create” button – “start a new page” at far right

templates comments

Creating a New Page

Creating a New Page

Creating a New Page

Creating a New Page

Creating a New Page

Creating a New Page

Creating a New Page

Navigation

create content, then navigation automatic methods of navigation

– “all pages” organized by name (alphabetically) organized by date

– search box (keywords)– add links

Navigation (search box)

Navigation (search box)

Navigation (all pages)

Navigation (all pages: name)

Navigation (all pages: date)

Navigation (add links)

Navigation (add links)

Different Wikis Look Different

similar concepts formatting may differ primary concepts are:

– fast editing– collaborative – retains previous edits

Different Wikis Look Different

UNT internal wiki (Wiki Tikki Tavi) test wiki (PBwiki)

Different Wikis Look Different

UNT internal wiki (Wiki Tikki Tavi) test wiki (PBwiki)

Be Brave, Be Bold!

start your own wiki don’t be afraid to try anything

– remember, it saves past versions!

Questions?

Starr Hoffman, Librarian for Digital Collections– SHoffman@library.unt.edu– Blog: http://geekyartistlibrarian.blogspot.com– Wiki: http://geekyartistlibrarian.pbwiki.com