a wiki is a common name for website which - through a php or cgi-bin script design - allow any visitor to alter the content. In a language of a country whose name my silly little White European Male brain has refused to remember, "wiki" means fast, and "wiki wiki" means very fast, i.e., uploading and updating of information doesn't require uploading files, and can be done online.
Becasue of these qualities, wikis have become a commonly used anarchic publishing systems, perfect for discussion forums, etc. (the indymedia interface is somewhat similar, allowing people to upload news and comments on the run). There's something eminently social about them, since they require a certain commitment and agreement in order to be effective - much like anyone can alter and edit information, they can also delete it. Try to imagine something like a static, web-based version of a mailing list like this one. In order to set up a wiki, unless you're a programmer, the software needs to be installed on a server. Twiki (which youarehere, a project run by Simon Worthington of mute/metamute, uses) is one which is online, and can be used freely. Go to http://youarehere.metamute.com/twiki/bin/view/Home/WebHome scroll down for the instructions on how to register, open a page, upload information and edit it. this kind of exhausts my knowledge on the subject. Anyway, there are some more wikis here: http://www.desk.org:8080/Desk/ArtServerWikis and try a google search for more, I'm sure some include better descriptions of the concept than this one.... best, Kamen --- http://6digit.tripod.com On Tue, 23 Apr 2002 15:20:38 BSolotaire wrote: >Whatever you just wrote about sounds very interesting. Could you take a >minute to explain what metamute and wikis are and they might work. > >Thanks > See Dave Matthews Band live or win a signed guitar http://r.lycos.com/r/bmgfly_mail_dmb/http://win.ipromotions.com/lycos_020201/splash.asp
