02+Wiki+Evaluations

EVALUATION OF WIKI SPACES
Collaborated Evaluation by Vidya and Karen
 * 1) DESCRIPTION

Wikispaces was designed by Tangient LLC seven years ago. Wikispaces is a hosting service (sometimes called a wiki farm) based in San Francisco, California. Launched in March 2005 and is among the largest wiki hosts, competing with PBworks, Wetpaint, Wikia, and Google Sites (formerly JotSpot). Over the past year the company has seen an increase to seven million wikispaces users. Wikispaces is easy to use and can be customize for any forte to share your knowledge in the world and even create a community of enthusiasts; end result being a collaborative website revolving around your subject of choice. It offers both a free plan and paid plans starting at US$5 per month. The free plan allows a space of 2GB which translates into an enormous amount of content. However, using the free plan means that your wiki is readable by the public but only you and the people you choose can edit and change it. The option of private viewers will require you to join Wikispaces plus for a price of US$5 per month. The free Wikispaces plan also offers a generous feature set. Wikispaces also allows the option of customizing the wiki URL which takes the format of “yourchosenname.wikispaces.com”. The following are the main features for Wikispaces: > Wikispaces exudes a easy to use and easy to adopt outlook for all kinds of audiences. The creator has kept it simple in an attempt to keep the focus on the building content, interacting with other members and growing your community. Despite its simplicity, it offers fourteen different themes with standard set colours and layout and offers the ability to converse in eight different languages. The standard theme presents a gray and white professional outlook showing the page title to the top in a gray banner with the navigation panel to the right side of the wiki home page. This theme can be manipulated by users uploading pictures to use as the background or simply choosing from the colours in an attempt to personalized the wiki. There is also the discussion forum which is quite useful for classrooms, corpration and institutions who are using the website. It also allows for conference websites.  Wikispaces allows you to manage your pages and files using Web Folders (WebDAV). Since this wiki is on the **Plus** plan, there is limited WebDAV access. To get full access to WebDAV operations, you can upgrade to a Super-plan wiki.
 * 1) 2. FEATURES
 * Customizable themes: users can customize using standarded theme colours of with their own personal pictures and graphics.
 * The Wikispaces visual page editor is as easy to use as a word processor using wizzy wiki to make edits. It lets you format your text, insert images and files, and link to other pages using a simple toolbar. Editting can be difficult at times. Paid users can use Google Analytics
 * Data management: Wikispaces allows you to manage your pages and files using Web Folders (WebDAV). Since this wiki is on the **Plus** plan, there is limited WebDAV access. To get full access to WebDAV operations, you can upgrade to a Super-plan wiki.
 * Privacy and Encryption – uses secure socket layer technology (SSL) encryption. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) allows secure communication between the Wikispaces server and a web browser. While Wikispaces automatically protects sensitive information, such as passwords, with SSL, setting this option will transfer all information in SSL. Privacy of content with the assignment of creator/admin and user roles. Users can also grant flexible access for both private and public wikis.
 * Widgets which lets you embed rich content from all over the web, so putting a YouTube video or a Flickr slideshow into your page takes just seconds.
 * Easy Linking: Its allows you to select some text and select a location to the link.
 * Easy page reverting
 * Tracking and Statistics: Allows you to track how many visitors are coming to the site, how often edits and messages occur.
 * Storage: The wikispaces free plan has a storage capacity of 2GB and allows for easy of tracking via the details summary found in the “manage wiki” field. 
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">3. SITE PERSONALITY and STYLE:
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">4. SITE ORGANIZATION:

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Wikispaces was designed to be usable to everyone. Hence, when it comes to navigating the process is quite simple, clear and consistent. The standard navigation bar located on the left hand side of the page shows a dynamic layout of the links which can be added or deleted. The usability of the site is simple where new and/or existing users requires a second or two in studying the site’s navigation layout. Technical knowledge is not required. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">The site offers an array of themes and colours to tastefully create a unique and characteristic style. Users can also explore their artistic side by uploading pictures and personalizing the background. It encourages users to exploit their creativity. The site is user friendly to almost everyone. Wikispaces has built a visual editor that lets you see the layout and design of your page while you're editing it. No technical knowledge is required. Wiki markup may be used if you're so inclined. As mentioned it has a storage capacity of 2GB and the details of space usage can be found on the manage wiki link however it lacks the tool that notifies when the capacity is filled or is almost filled.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">5. SITE NAVIGATION:
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">6. SITE AESTHETICS

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">SUMMARY TABLE: <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">High <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Quality <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Content || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Easy to <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Navigate || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Varied/ <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Interesting <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Content || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Attracts <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">advertisers? <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">(this may not <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">be the site’s <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">policy) || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Allows <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">user <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">generated <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">content || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Contains <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">vertical sites <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">(content <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">specific sites <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">within the <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">wiki) || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Designed for <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">start-up/ small <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">businesses <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">YES/NO || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Designed for <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">large-scale <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">businesses <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">YES/NO || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Ease of editing <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">(can you learn it <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">fast?) || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Risk Level <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">(Is the site <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">popular?) (will <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">your content be <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">seen?) ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">CRITERIA || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Attractive
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">SCORE ** || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">2 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">2 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">1 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">3 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">1 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">2 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">no || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">no || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">1 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">2 ||

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Scoring <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">1 – High <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">2 – Medium <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">3 - Low

EVALUATION OF WIKIA
<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Description:

<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Wikia Inc. was founded by Angela Beesley and Jimmy Wales, creator of the free open source encyclopaedia Wikipedia. The concept was meant to include topics that may not be included in a traditional encyclopedia model namely- pop culture, gaming, entertainment, and lifestyle. Wikia invites it users to contribute information and opinions on topics as they know well. Wikia’s collaborative platform serves over 3 million registered users, more than 275,000 wiki communities and 50 million unique monthly visitors. Headquartered in San Francisco with offices in New York, London, and Poznan, Poland, Wikia continues to improve the user experience based on the feedback of its global member base. In the past year, Wikia has added to their wide list of features Chat, Video, <span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mobile <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">, and Trivia to enhance their communities and content.

<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Features

 * =====<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; line-height: 24px;">Licence fee $0 =====
 * =====Unlimited Storage and Bandwidth Quotas=====
 * =====<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Allows for Chat, Video, Mobile, and Trivia facilities =====
 * =====Topic Restrictions are enforced against hate speech etc.=====
 * =====Host Blocking- this is basic anti vandalism measure ,which allows you to block repeat offenders from accessing your wiki.=====
 * =====Optional use of CAPTCHA to avoid spam bots=====
 * =====Allows for media attachments and revisions=====
 * =====Allows for export of media in many different types including HTML, XML, CSS, PDF, RSS Feeds,ATOM Feeds.=====
 * =====Statistical view of user inputs, edits and pages usage.=====
 * =====Usability features include Section Editing,Double click editing, Tool bars and Access Keys.=====
 * =====Syntax features include Some HTML tags, Math Formulas, Footnotes Quoting and Internal comments=====
 * =====Linking Features include Camel case, FreeLinks, Backlinks, InterWiki, and Image Links.=====
 * =====Use of Access Control List gives you fine grain permission control. You can set up lists of Users ( perhaps in groups or roles) who are allowed to access to certain parts of your wiki, for operations such as viewing editing, creating new pages, etc.=====

<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Site Personality and Style:

<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Wikia exudes a youthful, artistic and expressionist outlook, where its style can be considered immensely pleasing to the eyes - an attribute that gives the site its large number of unique visitors monthly. Wikia carries a broad banner that attempts to interest new and current users to the latest gaming and lifestyle wikis. The banner is a burst of colour to the monochromatic black and white colours of the site. Below the banner are links to popular wiki sites that were created all of which are kept in a theme that appeals to the artistic genre, however it does not push customers away with over-the-top colours and graphics. The site was designed with the user in mind otherwise known as user-centered design, where the website meets the needs of the intended users via its design.

<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Site organization**//://**

<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">This site’s organization is well structured when it comes to having hyperlinks and pictures in their locations. The home page is not overwhelming the user with text information and most of all advertising. The use if top and bottom menus are appropriate. Nothing that is deemed unnecessary is given a space on the homepage. Everything is fitted into a category which helps to create structure. As such, the site is anything but busy and uncluttered, which is perfect for all audiences. This organization flows smoothly into the navigation of the system.

<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Site Navigation:

<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> When it comes to navigating, the process could be seen as quite simple, clear and consistent. The usability of the site is simple where new users and existing customers require perhaps a second or two in studying the site and understanding how it works. The site is also acceptable in repeated usability when considering, if a user was to revisit this site the navigation process wouldn’t be tiring, it would rather be straightforward and simple, as such there is better retention of users through the navigation process. The site also caters for disabled persons by providing small descriptions on products.

<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Site content:

<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">When it comes to content, Wikia has a diverse expanse of content which users can find rather easily without jumping through many hoops as it were. Content is amply categorised and structured. Additionally, it makes the customer explore what else is available on the site as it covers genres not easily found elsewhere. The content on the homepage is very appropriate, it reveal all the categories as advertised and even the ones not thought of. What users are provided with is appropriate in finding what they want. Sign up is easy and straight forward allowing novice user to not only access information but also to create their own wiki in a few simple steps. Tutorials and tips on wiki design also aid the novice and even the pro user to make the best wiki possible. Feedback and follow up on new users via email ensure that the user feels welcome to the Wikia community. The site has the capability to produce a personal or group wiki to a professional looking web page. Although when using more of the features it can become confusing for the novice user, incorporation of basic features with the tutorials make it an enjoyable experience.

<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Site Aesthetics:

<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">This site is very simple, and all the pictures, text and colours were tasteful but very appropriate. Colours coordinate with each other and the banner grabs the user attention matching the artistic expressionist outlook of the site. The site makes a new user spend time exploring new ideas and content not easily found and encourages self expression which is an attribute of the over 275,00 wiki communities that it hosts.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; line-height: 24px;">SUMMARY TABLE
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">CRITERIA ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Attractive High Quality Content ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Easy to Navigate ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Varied/Interesting Content ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Attracts advertisers? (this may not be the site’s policy) ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Allows **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">user generated content ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Contains vertical sites (content specific sites within the wiki) ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Designed for start-up/ small businesses **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">YES/NO ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Designed for large-scale businesses **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">YES/NO ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ease of editing **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">(can you learn it fast?) ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Risk Level **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">(Is the site popular?) (will your content be seen?) ** ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">SCORE ** || 1 || 1 || 1 || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 3 || 1 || 2 || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">YES || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> NO || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">1 || 2 ||

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Scoring <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">1 – High <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">2 – Medium <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">3 - Low

=EVALUATION OF WIKI DOT=

WIKDOT FOR PROJECT MANAGERS Compiled by S Deo, reviewed by J Ramnarine. //Italics are my contribution.//

__ Weaknesses __ // Limitations for use in Project Management //
 * • storage space limitations, (//additional space costs the user, limitations of 5 GB//)
 * • the syntaxes used are not compatible with other wikis (//document transfer is not allowed from one wiki to another//)
 * • More of an IT user website than PM (//development of the site instead of 'plug and play')//

__ Strengths __ // Customizable software for end user to develop unique site, adds strength to this software. // __ Opportunities __ // It's use in PM allows the user to benefit. // __ Threats __ // None note in original. //
 * • Allows page processing (ListPages Module) <span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS',sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">– users are given the capability to uses summaries, graphs, lists and reports.
 * • Supports large extension of widgets <span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS',sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">– chats and chatrooms (with Skype; et cetera), Calendars, Issue tracking and blogs.
 * • Privacy and Encryption <span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS',sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">– supports SSL encryption and privacy of content with the assignment of admin and user roles.
 * • Large wiki-specific supported forums (//assistance for the uninitiated PMr to manage the site//)
 * • Users can generate an income through advertising programs such Google AdSense.
 * • Customizable themes: users can customize standard themes with their logos, pictures and graphics. (//PMr can be identified with a specific sites, advertising//)
 * • Users can also grant flexible access for both private and public wikis.
 * • Each wikisite is given its own subdomain on Wikidot (//the PMr can expand single projects into portfolios//)
 * • // Dependent on external server to maintain files security, hackers can break-in. //
 * • // Dependent on Internet connection to access information and manage site. //

WikiDot was eminently known for being one of the world’s third largest wiki farms with an astounding 5.6 million pages of user-created content (as of September 24, 2010). WikiDot is a social networking service and wiki hosting service (wiki farm) originally intended for the use as a pure wiki site. The idea of WikiDot is ingenious when considering developers were willing to expand in the services and power capability of what a flat wiki could do. In fact, WikiDot’s construct follows a competitive software framework that was designed to support the development of dynamic websites, web applications, web services, database libraries, database access, templating frameworks, and session management. Wiki Dot allows users the ability to ‘build projects’ with a plethora of tools, services, widgets and more. Users are no longer in the static age of using plain text and pictures, but are allowed to express their capability and creativity by appending widgets and tools that will help them interact on a much deeper level with their project. It is that ability to interact with the software on such an acute and intrinsic manner, that helps to make the experience of using WikiDot that more novelty. Like most wiki sites, there are some limitation with the framework. For instance storage space seems to be one of the biggest problems not to mention, the syntaxes used in WikiDot are not compatible with other wiki syntaxes.
 * // Description: //**

The below shows some of the strong point features for WikiDot: //** Site Personality and Style: **// WikiDot offers users the ability to explore their creativity by taking the standard wiki structure and creating from it, a very personalized space. Themes are offered with standard set colours and layouts, however, through the use of CSS and coding, users are given the ability to design more complex sites. The standard WikiDot template offers a simple grey, white and black theme which exudes a professional and formal outlook. The colours are not bright and ‘blaring’, but rather they are calm and sophisticated. There is great potential to add and displace creativity and attention to detail.
 * // Features: //**
 * Allows page processing (ListPages Module) – users are given the capability to use summaries, graphs, lists and reports.
 * Supports large extension of widgets – chats and chatrooms (with Skype; et cetera), Calendars, Issue tracking and blogs.
 * Privacy and Encryption – supports SSLencryption and privacy of content with the assignment of admin and user roles. Users can also grant flexible access for both private and public wikis.
 * Each wikisite is given its own subdomain on Wikidot
 * Customizable themes: users can customize standard themes with their logos, pictures and graphics.
 * Users can generate an income through advertising programs such Google AdSense.
 * Large wiki-specific supported forums

//** Site organization: **// This site’s organization is totally dependent on the user’s specifications. Users have the ability to edit multiple pages with a standard set of tools for editing. Hyperlinks, widgets, photos, code and text are just a few of the options. Multiple features for the edit, allows users to control the type of content the site uses. A rule of thumb would be: keep the site uncluttered, clean and tidy. These factors help to further augment for better site navigation which is perfect for all audiences.


 * // Site Navigation: //** When it comes to navigating, the process is quite simple, clear and consistent. There is a standard navigation bar located to the top, which has a dynamic dropdown from which links can be added and deleted. Above the standard bar, is a space for a company logo/photo, conversely below the bar WikiDot gives users the ability to add content in the body of the page. The usability of the site is simple where new and/or existing customers require perhaps a second or two in studying the site’s navigation and layout. The site’s simplicity is key in maintaining user retention and usability, factors of which should not be displaced.


 * // Site Aesthetics: //** WikiDot is very simple, with standard text, pictures and colours decided per template. Colours coordinate with each other aiding in the general ambience being professional and simple. The reason for this might be because, the more elements added, the more distracting it becomes and the focus can be lost.