Almost everyone has heard of the site Wikipedia. It's difficult to do a Google search that doesn't include at least one result from Wikipedia.
But Wikipedia is merely a site that uses a certain type of web technology called a 'wiki.' So, what in the world is a wiki and more importantly, why should congregations care about it?
According to Wikipedia, a wiki is:
A wiki (pronounced /ˈwɪki/ WIK-ee) is a website that allows the easy[1] creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor.[2][3] Wikis are typically powered by wiki software and are often used to create collaborative websites, to power community websites, for personal note taking, in corporate intranets, and in knowledge management systems.
WikiWeb says, "A wiki is a collaboration tool - a web site where the pages can be changed and INSTANTLY published using only a web browser (no programming required). Pages are automatically created and linked to each other."
In plain language, a wiki is a website (plain and simple - it's a website), that allows many people to add, edit or comment on an entry. If you have children in high school you've probably heard about Wikipedia and other wiki sites from your child's teachers. Many prohibit students from citing these websites as sources, primarily because of the fact that almost anyone can edit or add information to them.
Wikispaces (one of the provider of wiki technologies) recently published this blog, How Non-Profits are Using Wikis, http://blog.wikispaces.com/2009/12/how-non-profits-are-using-wikis.html. The article doesn't offer a great deal of insight into wiki use, but the sample sites are good examples.
On the surface, each simply looks like a website. It's not until you dig a little deeper into the content that you see many of the entries are editable. Take for example the site Earth Charter Youth Group, http://ecyg.wikispaces.com/. Their application for membership is online and instead of using a form it's a publically editable wiki page, http://ecyg.wikispaces.com/Application+1. Think of it as an online Word file that others can edit. Another of their sample sites, Grassroots Intervention Center, http://rt1daycenter.wikispaces.com/, uses wiki for the member locations (in this case a church) to report on meals served and items needed, http://rt1daycenter.wikispaces.com/Cal_12-21-09_Mon.
Congregations might use wikis for a variety of things. Other than the previously mentioned tracking of social service needs, wikis might be used for committee reports and communications, youth group updates while on a trip, service project updates, volunteer tracking and scheduling, and religious education.
It may seem a little lofty minded, but Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia recently posted this statement about Wikipedia: "Imagine a world in which every single person on the planet has free access to the sum of all human knowledge."
Aaron Spiegel
Information Technology Director
