#16 WIKI is for World Individuals Knowledge Initiatives

I had become, albeit relunctantly, a convert to Wikipedia. It can be the quickest way of finding a certain level of information (no definition for “shinboners” though). I am also impressed by the constancy of the updating. In looking at the entries for two authors yesterday I noted that each had been updated within the previous 48 hours. So I thought I understood the concept of wikis but after reading through some of the resources I realised that there was so much more to it.
I liked the Princeton book reviews. I thought we could host one of our book clubs via a wiki. I was amused to see that ratings of titles on the catalogue could also be considered as wikis. (Sort of like the Just Returned trolley). The idea that one can contribute’s one own ideas or information for posterity is tempting.
But I think the real value of wikis for library professionals is not just in the sharing of information but in actually capturing it. As a systems person I am a subscriber to various lists which share technical information. The challenge has always been to store it so that it can be retrieved when it is needed. This is where the wiki would be invaluable. A perfect example of this is the CODI SQLWiki. Codi refers to the Customers of Dynix who have been emailing SQL queries to the list for years and we have all been madly saving them on our own PCs, sometimes never to be seen again. Now they can all be accessed via a simple taxonomy in one location.
The Australian CODA group also used a wiki when planning our recent conference – cuts down the stream of emails and allows everyone to edit. I only wish I had known about wikis when planning my mother-in-law’s 90th birthday recently. It would have lessened the angst and drama of the flurry of emails amongst family members.
Cindy Boke’s presentation on wikis was so effective I had to restrain myself from setting one up instantly (well it was late at night).
Another good resource is the Wiki Toolbox 30+.
And The Cataloging Wiki for our intrepid cataloguer Dogsister.