This document discusses wikis and their uses for genealogists. It defines a wiki as a website that allows users to easily add, edit, and link web pages using a simplified markup or WYSIWYG editor. Wikis can be used to publish nearly any type of information, including genealogy data, newsletters, historical records, and more. They provide a simple, collaborative tool for societies and groups to share information online at low cost.

1. Wikis for Genealogists
Dick Eastman
March 22, 2014

2. Today’s slides are available at:
http://www.eogn.com/hand
outs/wiki

3. What is a Wiki?
According to www.dictionary.com:
"a Web site that allows anyone to
add, delete, or revise content by
using a web browser."

4. What is a Wiki?
According to inventor Ward
Cunningham:
"The Simplest Thing that Could
Possibly Work"

5. What is a Wiki?
According to Wikipedia:
“A wiki is a website that allows the creation and
editing of any number of interlinked web
pages via a web browser using a simplified
markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor.
Wikis are typically powered by wiki software
and are often used collaboratively by multiple
users."

6. What use is a Wiki?
According to Wikipedia:
“Examples include community websites,
corporate intranets, knowledge
management systems, and note services.
The software can also be used for personal
notetaking."

7. What use is a Wiki?
In other words, a wiki is a
publishing system

8. What use is a Wiki?
A wiki can be used to
publish nearly any kind of
information.
It works well as an
encyclopedia.

9. What use is a Wiki?
Examples: genealogy
information, news, newsletters,
club bulletins, historical
information, schoolwork
assignments, music, videos,
pictures, and almost anything
else you can think of.

10. Why use a Wiki?
Simplicity
Anyone can do it.
Anyone can contribute.
Everything can be in hypertext.
Can include pictures, music,
videos, or more.

11. Why use a Wiki?
A wiki is a great
replacement for your
society’s publications!

12. Why use a Wiki?
A wiki also can contain a
database of census
records, tax lists,
paymaster records, or
other records of historical
interest.

13. Why use a Wiki?
Your society can publish
genealogical and historical
information at very low
expense.
Remember: it is a publishing
tool!

14. Why use a Wiki?
In most cases, ANYONE can
add or update information in
a wiki.
It is a great collaboration tool.
Remember: it is a publishing
tool!

15. Let’s Look at a Few Typical Wikis

30. Wiki-Wiki Bus at Honolulu Airport

31. Today’s slides are available at:
http://www.eogn.com/hand
outs/wiki