Minimal Wiki

What makes a Wiki a Wiki - from a technical point of view?

• Must pages be editable by all users?

• Are WikiWords really necessary?

• Must links be WikiWords?

• Are any text formatting markups mandatory (e.g. must there be a '----') for a Wiki?
  • Is a Wiki without lists a Wiki?

These matters are already dealt with on another page[*], but the short answer is that the key feature of a wiki is the ability for edits to be re-edited. A special case is a wiki used only by yourself. A wiki without a search facility may be awkward to use after a while, but is still a wiki, I suppose. Of course, links to other pages in the wiki must be easily accomplished, and basic markup must be provided for, else you have a wiki so severely handicapped that no-one would want to use it much.

A MinimalWiki must allow for a large (but not necessarily unrestricted) group of people to edit a page, link to other pages, and make new pages. This is typically done with an edit button on each page. There should not be a separate administrative interface (cf. WebLog) to make routine changes.

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MinimalWiki.AnotherPointOfView.DonaldNoyes.20091115:

• ItWorks as viewed from its user
• Does WhatWikiWorksFor
• Employs several different kinds of EasyToFind and EasyToUse WikiMarks
• Keeps in mind the EinsteinPrinciple
• Has JustSufficientImplementation
• User configurable selection set possibly from WikiPrinciples

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[*]

• WikiPrinciples lists "one possible minimal set".
• IdealInternetWikiEngine? lists a few "basic features".

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See ShortestWikiContest