Wiki vs. Wikipedia — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 28, 2023
Wiki refers to a type of website that allows collaborative editing by users; Wikipedia is a specific online encyclopedia, utilizing wiki technology.
Difference Between Wiki and Wikipedia
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Wiki and Wikipedia are intertwined concepts in the digital realm, with wiki representing a broader category and Wikipedia being a specific instantiation of a wiki. A wiki is essentially a platform or a type of website that enables users to collaboratively create, modify, and organize content, usually through a web browser. It allows for communal contribution, making information dynamic and diverse. Wiki, as a concept, can be utilized for various purposes, creating collaborative environments where users can share knowledge and expertise.
Wikipedia, on the other hand, is a specific online encyclopedia that operates on wiki technology, allowing users to create and edit content collectively. It is a vast, multilingual repository of information, providing free access to a plethora of articles on diverse subjects. Wikipedia exemplifies the application of wiki technology, showcasing how collaborative efforts can lead to comprehensive and diverse knowledge bases.
The essential difference between a wiki and Wikipedia lies in their scope and application. While the term wiki denotes a collaborative technology allowing user-generated content, Wikipedia is a distinctive realization of this technology, aimed at providing encyclopedic knowledge to the public. Wiki platforms can be created for various subjects and purposes, whereas Wikipedia has a defined goal of being a universal encyclopedia.
In essence, a wiki is a technological framework that facilitates collaborative content creation and editing, allowing users to contribute to a shared knowledge pool. Wikipedia, leveraging this technology, has become one of the most extensive and widely used sources of information on the internet, symbolizing the power of collective knowledge and cooperation.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A collaborative website allowing user editing
A specific online encyclopedia using wiki technology
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Scope
Can be on any subject, broad
Focused on creating an encyclopedia, specific
Usage
Can be used for various collaborative projects
Used for providing encyclopedic knowledge
Accessibility
Varies, depending on the wiki
Free and open to public editing, with some restrictions
Objective
To facilitate collaborative content creation
To create a comprehensive, reliable knowledge base
Compare with Definitions
Wiki
Wiki facilitates collaborative content creation and modification.
The project’s wiki enabled team members to collaboratively document their progress.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia exemplifies collaborative knowledge creation.
Wikipedia’s extensive content is the result of countless contributors from around the world.
Wiki
It’s a platform allowing communal contribution to information.
The community wiki serves as a dynamic repository of shared local knowledge.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia has a defined goal of being a universal encyclopedia.
Wikipedia strives to offer comprehensive and unbiased information on an array of subjects.
Wiki
Wiki represents a technology framework for shared knowledge pools.
Using a wiki allowed diverse input and viewpoints to be collected and organized efficiently.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia utilizing wiki technology.
Wikipedia is often the first stop for quick information on a vast array of topics.
Wiki
A wiki is a user-editable website.
The company’s internal wiki allows employees to share knowledge and expertise.
Wikipedia
It is one of the most extensive and widely used sources of information on the internet.
The reliability of Wikipedia has made it a preferred source for initial research.
Wiki
It allows for dynamic, diverse information through communal contribution.
The course wiki became a vibrant space of learning and discussion for the students.
Wikipedia
It’s a multilingual repository providing free access to knowledge.
Wikipedia offers articles in multiple languages, making knowledge accessible globally.
Wiki
A wiki ( (listen) WIK-ee) is a hypertext publication collaboratively edited and managed by its own audience directly using a web browser. A typical wiki contains multiple pages for the subjects or scope of the project and could be either open to the public or limited to use within an organization for maintaining its internal knowledge base.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia ( (listen) wik-ih-PEE-dee-ə or (listen) wik-ee-) is a free content, multilingual online encyclopedia written and maintained by a community of volunteer contributors through a model of open collaboration, using a wiki-based editing system. Wikipedia is the largest and most-read reference work in history, and is consistently one of the 15 most popular websites as ranked by Alexa; as of 2021, it was ranked as the 13th most popular site.
Wiki
A collaborative website whose content can be edited by anyone who has access to it.
Wikipedia
Alternative case form of Wikipedia
Wiki
A collaborative website which can be directly edited merely by using a web browser, often by anyone with access to it.
Wiki
To research on Wikipedia or some similar wiki.
To get an understanding of the topics, he quickly went online and wikied each one.
Wiki
(intransitive) To contribute to a wiki.
Wiki
(transitive) To participate in the wiki-based production of.
Common Curiosities
Is Wikipedia reliable?
While generally accurate, Wikipedia is user-edited, so it is advisable to cross-check information.
Is every wiki a Wikipedia?
No, Wikipedia is a specific example of a wiki, focused on being an online encyclopedia.
Is Wikipedia free to use?
Yes, Wikipedia offers free access to its content and relies on donations for funding.
How is Wikipedia moderated?
Wikipedia has community moderators and automated bots to monitor edits and ensure reliability.
Who can edit Wikipedia?
While anyone can edit most articles, some are protected, requiring users to meet certain criteria.
Can a wiki be on any topic?
Yes, wikis can be created for a wide range of subjects and purposes.
Do all wikis allow for user editing?
While wikis are designed for collaborative editing, some may have restrictions on who can edit.
Can anyone create a wiki?
Yes, several platforms allow users to create their own wikis for collaborative projects.
How are wikis used in education?
Wikis are used for collaborative learning, allowing students to share knowledge and engage in discussions.
Can wikis have multimedia content?
Yes, wikis can incorporate various multimedia elements like images, videos, and audio.
Is a wiki a type of website?
Yes, a wiki is a specific type of website designed for collaborative content creation and editing.
Can Wikipedia be biased?
Wikipedia aims for neutrality, but user-contributed content may sometimes reflect bias.
Are there alternatives to Wikipedia?
Yes, there are several other online encyclopedias and information sources available.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
