Wikis -- What's in it for me, and why do I care?
By enabling better access to information, and to each other, wikis improve communications: within organizations; across organizations; and with organizations' stakeholders.
What *is* a wiki?
A wiki is a web site that allows its users to collaboratively add and edit content. The "Meat" -- How do you increase the use of your wiki?
a.k.a., Ken's 8 Rules of Successful Wiki Adoption
1. It's not about the technology you use, it's about figuring out how to change people's behaviors.
2. Keep out the "tourists". Wikis work best when they can focus on the shared goals of a well-defined community of interest.
3. Recognize, recognize, recognize. Recognition is the most powerful incentive for wikis' all-volunteer army of contributors and editors.
4. Tier your roll out. While launching a wiki to 10 people at once will not guarantee its success, launching a wiki to 1,000 people at once will guarantee its failure.
5. Seed your content. People don't know what to do with a blank page, help get them started.
6. Identify your weekly "anchor content". Absolutely positively find compelling content which will drive *all* wiki users to your site each and every week.
7. Let everyone have their own space. Nurture sub-communities as they pop up, and give them editorial control over their spaces.
8. Exploit "visual fatigue". Use a different compelling graphic/photo on the wiki's home page every day, so there is something obviously "new" every time users visit the site.
2. Keep out the "tourists". Wikis work best when they can focus on the shared goals of a well-defined community of interest.
3. Recognize, recognize, recognize. Recognition is the most powerful incentive for wikis' all-volunteer army of contributors and editors.
4. Tier your roll out. While launching a wiki to 10 people at once will not guarantee its success, launching a wiki to 1,000 people at once will guarantee its failure.
5. Seed your content. People don't know what to do with a blank page, help get them started.
6. Identify your weekly "anchor content". Absolutely positively find compelling content which will drive *all* wiki users to your site each and every week.
7. Let everyone have their own space. Nurture sub-communities as they pop up, and give them editorial control over their spaces.
8. Exploit "visual fatigue". Use a different compelling graphic/photo on the wiki's home page every day, so there is something obviously "new" every time users visit the site.
Wikis you should know...
- Wikipedia
- Arguably the first, and still the daddy of all wikis.
- Copperwiki
- An example of how a wiki can be effectively used by people around the world with a shared idea -- creating a local guide to conscious living.
How have you successfully increased the use of *your* wiki?
Share your own best practices!
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Want to learn more about wikis?
Check out these recommended titles on Amazon
Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything
Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 10/12/2008)
Wikipatterns
Amazon Price: $19.79 (as of 10/12/2008)
Wikis For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 10/12/2008)
