Wiki

From binaryoption
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Баннер1
  1. Wiki

A wiki (pronounced /ˈwɪki/ *WIK-ee*) is a collaboratively edited, typically online, hypertext document repository. The term "wiki" comes from the Hawaiian word "wiki," meaning "quick." The core principle behind a wiki is to allow anyone to contribute and edit content easily, fostering a collaborative environment for knowledge building. This article will introduce the fundamental concepts of wikis, their history, how they work, their uses, the advantages and disadvantages of using them, and a look at the popular MediaWiki software that powers Wikipedia and many other wikis.

History of Wikis

The first wiki was created by Ward Cunningham in 1995, and was named "WikiWikiWeb." Cunningham's goal was to create a simple way for programmers to collaborate on projects. He wanted a system that would allow people to easily create and link pages, and to revise existing content without complex procedures. The initial implementation was built using Perl, and it pioneered the use of a simple markup language for formatting text.

The success of WikiWikiWeb led to the development of other wiki engines and the adoption of wikis in a variety of settings. One of the most significant milestones was the creation of Wikipedia in 2001. Wikipedia quickly became the largest and most popular wiki in the world, demonstrating the power of collaborative knowledge creation. Since then, wikis have been used in numerous contexts, from corporate intranets and documentation projects to personal knowledge management and educational initiatives.

How Wikis Work

The fundamental mechanism of a wiki revolves around several key concepts:

  • Pages: Wikis are organized into pages. Each page typically focuses on a specific topic or subject.
  • Links: Pages are interconnected through hyperlinks. These links allow users to easily navigate between related topics. The use of internal links (link) is crucial for wiki structure.
  • Editing: Wikis are designed to be easily editable. Most wiki systems allow users to edit pages directly in their web browser, without needing any special software.
  • Revision History: Every change made to a wiki page is recorded in a revision history. This allows users to see who made what changes, and to revert to previous versions if necessary.
  • Markup Language: Wikis typically use a simple markup language to format text. This allows users to add headings, lists, links, images, and other elements to their pages. MediaWiki, in particular, uses a sophisticated yet intuitive markup language.
  • Talk Pages: Associated with each page is a "talk page" where users can discuss the content of the page and propose changes. These talk pages are vital for collaborative editing and resolving disagreements.

The editing process is usually straightforward. A user clicks an "Edit" button, which opens a text box containing the page's content. The user makes their changes using the wiki's markup language, and then clicks a "Save" button to publish the changes. The wiki software then automatically updates the page and adds a new entry to the revision history.

MediaWiki: The Engine Behind Wikipedia

MediaWiki is a free and open-source wiki software developed to power Wikipedia. It's written in PHP and uses the MySQL/MariaDB database. MediaWiki is known for its scalability, security, and extensive features. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:

  • Extensibility: MediaWiki can be extended with a vast number of extensions and skins. Extensions add new functionality, while skins change the look and feel of the wiki.
  • User Management: MediaWiki provides robust user management features, including user roles, permissions, and authentication mechanisms.
  • Revision Control: The revision history is a cornerstone of MediaWiki, allowing for detailed tracking of changes and easy rollback to previous versions.
  • Categorization: Categories are used to organize pages into logical groups, making it easier to find information. The use of at the end of this article demonstrates this.
  • Templates: Templates allow users to create reusable content blocks that can be inserted into multiple pages.
  • Interlanguage Links: MediaWiki supports interlanguage links, allowing users to link to the same article in different languages.
  • API: MediaWiki provides a powerful API that allows developers to access and manipulate wiki data programmatically.

Installing and configuring MediaWiki requires some technical expertise, including familiarity with web servers, databases, and PHP. However, many web hosting providers offer pre-installed MediaWiki packages, making it easier to get started.

Uses of Wikis

Wikis are incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide range of applications:

  • Knowledge Bases: Companies use wikis to create internal knowledge bases for employees, documenting procedures, policies, and best practices.
  • Documentation: Software developers use wikis to document their code, APIs, and user manuals.
  • Collaboration: Teams use wikis to collaborate on projects, share ideas, and track progress.
  • Education: Teachers use wikis to create collaborative learning environments for students.
  • Personal Knowledge Management: Individuals use wikis to organize their notes, ideas, and research.
  • Fan Sites: Fans of books, movies, and games use wikis to create and share information about their favorite subjects.
  • Project Management: Wikis can be adapted for basic project management tasks, tracking tasks, deadlines, and resources.
  • Intranets: Many organizations utilize wikis as the core of their internal communication and collaboration platforms.

Advantages of Using Wikis

  • Collaboration: Wikis are designed for collaboration, making it easy for multiple people to contribute to the same content.
  • Ease of Use: Wikis are generally easy to use, even for people with limited technical skills. The WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors in some wiki systems further simplify the editing process.
  • Flexibility: Wikis are flexible and can be adapted to a variety of uses.
  • Version Control: The revision history allows users to track changes and revert to previous versions.
  • Openness: Most wikis are open and accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
  • Rapid Content Creation: The collaborative nature of wikis enables rapid content creation and updating.
  • Improved Knowledge Sharing: Facilitates the distribution and preservation of knowledge within an organization or community.
  • Increased Engagement: Encourages active participation and engagement from users.

Disadvantages of Using Wikis

  • Vandalism: Wikis are vulnerable to vandalism, where malicious users deliberately alter or delete content. Moderation and user permissions are essential to mitigate this risk.
  • Accuracy: The open nature of wikis can sometimes lead to inaccuracies. It's important to verify information before relying on it.
  • Lack of Authority: Content on wikis may not always be considered authoritative, as it is created by a community of users rather than experts.
  • Maintenance: Wikis require ongoing maintenance, including moderation, updates, and security patches.
  • Organizational Challenges: Large wikis can become disorganized if not properly managed.
  • Edit Wars: Disagreements between users can sometimes lead to "edit wars," where users repeatedly revert each other's changes.
  • Potential for Bias: Content can be influenced by the biases of contributors.
  • Difficulty in Establishing Ownership: It can be challenging to assign ownership or responsibility for specific content.

Wiki Syntax and Formatting (MediaWiki Example)

MediaWiki uses a specific syntax for formatting text. Here are some basic examples:

  • Bold Text: Use three apostrophes: `Bold Text`
  • Italic Text: Use two apostrophes: `Italic Text`
  • Headings: Use equal signs: `= Heading 1 =`, `== Heading 2 ==`, `=== Heading 3 ===`
  • Lists: Use asterisks for unordered lists: `* Item 1`, `* Item 2`. Use numbers for ordered lists: `# Item 1`, `# Item 2`.
  • Links: Use double square brackets: `Internal Link`, `External Link`
  • Images: `
    File:Example.jpg
    Caption
    `
  • Code: Use backticks: `` `Code snippet` ``
  • Tables: Creating tables is more complex and requires using wiki markup to define rows and columns.
  • Mathematical Formulas: Use LaTeX syntax enclosed in double dollar signs: `$$E=mc^2$$`

Understanding MediaWiki syntax is crucial for effectively contributing to wikis powered by this software. The MediaWiki Help pages provide a comprehensive guide to all available features and syntax options.

Strategies for Effective Wiki Management

Managing a successful wiki requires a thoughtful approach. Here are some strategies:

  • Establish Clear Guidelines: Define clear guidelines for content creation, editing, and moderation.
  • Assign Roles and Responsibilities: Assign specific roles and responsibilities to users, such as administrators, moderators, and editors.
  • Implement Moderation Tools: Use moderation tools to prevent vandalism and ensure the quality of content.
  • Encourage Collaboration: Foster a collaborative environment by encouraging users to discuss changes and resolve disagreements.
  • Regularly Review and Update Content: Regularly review and update content to ensure it is accurate and relevant.
  • Promote the Wiki: Promote the wiki to attract new users and contributors.
  • Monitor Usage: Track wiki usage to identify areas for improvement.
  • Backup Regularly: Regularly backup the wiki to prevent data loss.

Advanced Wiki Concepts

Beyond the basics, there are several advanced concepts to consider:

  • Semantic Wikis: These wikis allow you to add metadata to pages, enabling more sophisticated querying and analysis.
  • Wiki Farms: A collection of interlinked wikis, often focusing on related topics.
  • Social Wikis: Wikis that incorporate social networking features, such as user profiles and commenting.
  • Structured Data: Using structured data formats (like JSON-LD) within wiki pages to enhance machine readability.
  • API Integration: Integrating the wiki API with other applications and services.

Technical Analysis & Trading Resources (Linked for Context)

While a wiki itself isn’t directly about trading, understanding information organization is helpful for analyzing markets. Here are resources related to financial markets, linked to illustrate how structured knowledge can be applied:

1. [Moving Averages](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/movingaverage.asp) 2. [Relative Strength Index (RSI)](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/rsi.asp) 3. [MACD](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/macd.asp) 4. [Bollinger Bands](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bollingerbands.asp) 5. [Fibonacci Retracements](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/fibonacciretracement.asp) 6. [Candlestick Patterns](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/candlestick.asp) 7. [Trend Lines](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/trendline.asp) 8. [Support and Resistance](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/supportandresistance.asp) 9. [Volume Analysis](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/volume.asp) 10. [Chart Patterns](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/chartpattern.asp) 11. [Elliott Wave Theory](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/elliottwavetheory.asp) 12. [Ichimoku Cloud](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/ichimoku-cloud.asp) 13. [Aroon Indicator](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/aroon.asp) 14. [Chaikin Oscillator](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/chaikinoscillator.asp) 15. [Average True Range (ATR)](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/atr.asp) 16. [Stochastic Oscillator](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/stochasticoscillator.asp) 17. [Donchian Channels](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/donchianchannel.asp) 18. [Parabolic SAR](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/parabolicsar.asp) 19. [ADX (Average Directional Index)](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/adx.asp) 20. [Williams %R](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/williamsr.asp) 21. [Heikin Ashi](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/heikinashi.asp) 22. [Harmonic Patterns](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/harmonicpattern.asp) 23. [Market Sentiment Analysis](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/marketsentiment.asp) 24. [Gap Analysis](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/gap.asp) 25. [Correlation Analysis](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/correlationcoefficient.asp)

These resources demonstrate how information can be structured and analyzed, mirroring the principles of a well-organized wiki. Internal Link to a section about organization is crucial for both.

Conclusion

Wikis are powerful tools for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and documentation. Their ease of use, flexibility, and version control features make them an ideal choice for a wide range of applications. MediaWiki remains the dominant platform, powering some of the largest and most influential wikis in the world. By understanding the fundamental concepts of wikis and applying effective management strategies, you can harness their potential to create and share knowledge effectively. Categories are essential for navigating large wikis, as is understanding wiki syntax. Talk Pages are key to collaborative improvement.

Internal Link to History Section Internal Link to MediaWiki Section Internal Link to Advantages Section Internal Link to Disadvantages Section


Start Trading Now

Sign up at IQ Option (Minimum deposit $10) Open an account at Pocket Option (Minimum deposit $5)

Join Our Community

Subscribe to our Telegram channel @strategybin to receive: ✓ Daily trading signals ✓ Exclusive strategy analysis ✓ Market trend alerts ✓ Educational materials for beginners

Баннер