Semantic Wiks - Can They Work? Structure vs. Simplicity

From WikiSym 2008

Thanks to everyone who came together on Monday to discuss the potential of wiki-like systems to support knowledge management and semantic structures.

We covered a number of topics, but especially focused on the difficulty of supporting users in creating semantic structures, which are by their very nature more complex than a standard wiki hypertext. A number of methods where suggested, including using forms to enter formal data, using introspection of the wiki structure to suggest classes and types, and having different modes for users of differing abilities.

We also discussed what it takes for a system to be classed as a semantic wiki. One point of view was that the essence of a wiki was the low bar and easy collaboration, and that any knowledge system like this would count. Another point of view was that Wiki's were all about emerging structure through writing and communication, and that only systems that supported knowledge creation in this way were really Wikis.

If there was a conclusion it was that Semantic Wikis need different types of UI and functionality depending on what they are being used for and who is the intended audience.

Attendees

(please add yourself to the list below if you came along)

• David Millard (University of Southampton)
• Yvonne Howard (University of Southampton)
• Mark Bernstein (Eastgate Systems)