Environment Survey/Other Wiki Software/Results

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Overview

There are many software solutions for creating a wiki, allowing anyone to edit the content. Many of these solutions have features which improve the usability of interacting with a wiki. The following list provides information about various software solutions. Some of these solutions are open-source software packages, some even based on MediaWiki, which anyone can setup on their own, while others are either commercial software packages or online services.

Other Wiki Software Details

Deki

MindTouch Deki is an open source enterprise collaboration and community platform that enables users to connect and remix enterprise systems, social tools and web services. It started on the Mediawiki platform, but has been modified and enhanced significantly.

Features of Interest

WYSIWYG editing interface

Simplified page layouts

Editing toolbar follows you as you scroll the page up and down

Wizard interfaces for image upload, video embedding, link insertion, and templates

Table of contents is placed and out of the way to the right

Wikia

Wikia is a community destination supporting the creation and development of wiki communities on any topic people are passionate about. It operates on the Mediawiki platform.

Features of Interest

Simplified image uploader

More obvious edit button

Automatic text completion when typing links

Includes widescreen mode when editing

Includes static edit bar that moves the confusing text out of view and puts the save button always in sight to prevent people typing their text and then not knowing they need to do something to save it.

Small help box displayed when editing.

WYSIWYG editor

Knol

Google's Knol project is a site that hosts many articles written about various subjects. The authors can take credit for their writing, provide credentials, and elicit reviews and comments. Users can provide feedback, comments, and related information. So the Knol project is a platform for sharing information, with multiple cues that help users evaluate the quality and veracity of information.

Features of Interest

WYSIWYG editing interface

Editing toolbar is very simple and stays at the top of the page when you scroll up and down

Wizard interfaces for image upload, document embedding, videos, etc...

Alternate mode that allows power users to edit HTML directly

Provides the ability to select from a list of standard text styles

WikiHow

wikiHow is a collaboration to build and share the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. It is built on the Mediawiki platform.

Features of Interest

Tabs at the top of the page are much more user-friendly and clear

Default editing mode provides a different field for each section

Advanced users are given the option to go to the Advanced Editing mode

Discussion pages provide a field to add a new comment, rather than the current method that asks the user to edit the page.

The desired document structure is made very clear to the user, with very little ability to stray from that structure

Wetpaint

Wetpaint allows users to create websites that mix the features of wikis, blogs, forums and social networks into a rich, user-generated community based around their topics of interest.

Features of Interest

The WYSIWYG editor floats above the page and is movable