How do wikis work?
A wiki allows anyone to easily update the content on the site. If you can use a simple word processor or send e-mail, you can contribute to a wiki.

Using the wiki

• Editing content
  A wiki typically provides a simplified interface to the site visitor who wishes to edit or to create content on the site. Generally there is an "Edit" button or "Edit Page" option on the webpage that will allow you to make changes. You can add text, edit text, reorganize content, etc. on the page just using the web browser on your computer. For some wikis, simple markup text (which differs by wiki engine or wiki farm), using a simplified language, may be required to format the content. However, most wikis now support a WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) interface, where you only need to type your content. Then, either the WYSIWYG editor options or simple tags may be used to bold, to underline, to italicize, or to color the text. Some wikis allow you to conveniently preview the Web page content as it would look to others before making changes and then easily save the content, continue making changes, or cancel the changes.

It is not necessary to know HTML (hypertext markup language) to create a website when using wiki technology. In fact, some wiki applications do not allow its users to include HTML tags that permit external links (i.e., to other websites by referencing URL addresses) in their content, in an effort to stop individuals who add inapplicable website references in an attempt to increase their ranking on search engines. However, some wiki applications permit external links using HTML URLs to be included in the content, but include other features to limit spammers (e.g, no follow options).

• Adding a new page
  It is also generally easy to add new page and links to the new page on existing pages on the site. However, how new pages are created often vary by wiki engine or wiki farm. On some wikis, you reference the new page's wiki name in the content (created by concatenating capitalized words or smashing the name together like NewPageName) and then either clicking on a questionmark which follows the new page name or by clicking on its reference on the page. On others, you select a "New Page" option to create a new page and then reference or link to it on an existing page.

• As pages evolve
  Wiki pages typically evolve and after some period of significant editing, or when the online discussion stabilizes. Some form of refactoring may occur. Refactoring involves adjustments to the content to render the information in the most accessible way. For example, additional pages may be created for subtopics noted, pages may be renamed, page content may be re-organized, or a new category may be introduced for the page content. Refactorings are typically done by the main contributors of the collection of pages or by the wiki organizer or wiki administrator, sometimes called the Wiki Master.

• Discussions about page content
  Wikis also often offer a discussion mode. If available, visitors may post comments or questions about a page's content. Comments or discussion posted for a page are often viewed in thread mode, that is, as a sequence of postings, separated by a horizontal line and signed by the author. Some wikis offer the discussion mode to all visitors and others only offer it to registered users or authors. Some wikis permit the wiki administrator to specify who can view or participate in online discussions about the content. On some wikis, where noting contributions is important (e.g., group voting), a tag can be added with the text posted to sign and to date the change.

Behind the scenes
A wiki is a simple web authoring tool. The content of the wiki page may often be created using a WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) editor or by entering simple mark-up language. The wiki software application will automatically translate the content to the HTML format required to display it. Every wiki page has a wiki name. Wiki names which occur on a page are automatically translated into hyperlinks to the corresponding wiki page by the wiki software application. Each wiki page includes an edit button, unless the page content is locked or restricted from editing by the wiki administrator or wiki organizer. A wiki server maintains a database of all the pages on the wiki. The wiki server typically automatically puts all the pages under revision control, so that the content for older pages can be restored in case of mistaken (or malicious) editing.

Notes - The Fine Print
On some wikis, some functions may be limited to only registered users or specific users included in the access control list