WikiProblems

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What are the specific problems that wikis do not solve, but create?

: 1. Problems shared with other online communication systems
: 2. Technical problems
: 3. Problems related to the Content
: 4. Problems related to the Community
: 5. Problems related to the Founder
: 6. Problems related to the Visitors
: 7. Problems related to the Environment

1. Problems shared with other online communication systems

expected behaviour -- netiquette, ...
general online communication problems -- misunderstandings
conflicts -- types, conflict resolution
CommunityLifeCycle -- typical problems at various stages of development
LackOfTraffic -- too few users that click "edit"
ShortAttentionSpan? -- instant analysis and therapy
roles -- how to agree on a social situation, to interact within shared expectations
...

2. Technical problems

WikiDevelopment? -- how to keep the wiki "state of the art"
WikiTuning? -- how to adapt the wiki to fit to the community goals
WikiMarkupStandard -- standardization, how to make the wiki easy to use for everyone
...

3. Problems related to the Content

ReworkingProblems -- refactoring pages isn't easy
WikiQualityProblem? -- wiki is "work in progress" but it should always look good and invite participation at the same time
WikiAlignmentProblem? -- How to insert new topics into the existing framework of pages, how to avoid to follow old paths
CriticalMass? -- Too little valuable content, too few high quality pages to attract users
...

4. Problems related to the Community

constitutional problems -- what are the accepted rules, who makes the rules, rights
openness -- towards people, RadicalInclusiveness
topicality -- what is off topic, how strict is this handled
ownership -- content, reputation
...

5. Problems related to the Founder

goals -- visions and mission
leadership -- (GodKing, FirstServant, FirstAmongPeers?)
lack of resources -- funding
burnout -- how roles and tasks might be delegated
...

6. Problems related to the Visitors

JargonProblem -- specific local language shouldn't create an additional hinderance to understanding and participation
WikiMarkupStandard -- it should be easy for visitors to contribute to different wikis
DifficultPersons? -- WhatIsaTroll, CategoryDifficultPerson
...

7. Problems related to the Environment

InterWiki navigation -- TourBus, WikiNode, search engine coverage, how to lead visitors to your site ...
WikiSpam -- a threat to openness
CurrentWikidomProblems
...

See also: ProblemSolving, WikiForProblemSolving?

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