Measuring Wiki Viability

From WikiSym 2008

An empirical assessment of the social dynamics of a large sample of wikis

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Camille Roth, CNRS

Dario Taraborelli, University of Surrey

Nigel Gilbert, University of Surrey

Wednesday, September 10, 15:30-17:00 @ B001

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Abstract

This paper assesses the content- and population-dynamics of a large sample of wikis, over a timespan of several months, in order to identify basic features that may predict or induce different types of fate. We analyze and discuss, in particular, the correlation of various macroscopic indicators, structural features and governance policies with wiki growth patterns. While recent analyses of wiki dynamics have mostly focused on popular projects such as Wikipedia, we suggest research directions towards a more general theory of the dynamics of such communities.