This week I chose to review examples of three hosted wikis and compare features/functionality from the end user/reader rather than an author/creator perspective. Each of the examples reviewed used different wiki software and were reviewed for ease of navigation, organization and ease of editing.

Loundon County Public Library Loundonpedia (PBWorks/formerly PBWiki)

West Virginia Department of Education Webtop Documentation (Google Sites/formerly JotSpot)

Fox Dollhouse Wiki (Wetpaint)

Summary:

Organization and Ease of Navigation: Even for a standard Wetpaint styled wiki, relatively limited user navigation in Wetpaint remains an issue with fewer navigation options compared to the other wikis reviewed. The oversized banner that Fox Dollhouse has chosen to customize this site with seriously compromises navigation and the user experience. PBworks and Google Sites offer better organization and more navigation options for large sites with greater ease-of-use than does Wetpaint. A PBworks wiki implemented like the Loundon County Public Library Loundonpedia offers users tremendous usability and ease-of-use.

Ease of Editing: Wetpaint rules on the criteria of ease of editing assuming that no user is a techie and nobody including those managing the site wants the flexibility to use an HTML editor to add any bells and whistles not included among the Wetpaint defaults. Options are presented to users without jargon e.g. "watch" instead of subscribe to RSS. PBworks and Google Sites offer ease of editing with the added flexibility of an HTML editor. Google Sites offers a more user-friendly user interface than does PBworks.

Detailed Findings:

Navigation

PBWorks users that enter a PBWorks workspace have several navigation choices. The SideBar that appears on the right panel of the workspace contains folders with major categories of information that expand when clicked to reveal subcategories and file links within. Since the SideBar is always visible no matter what page one is on, the user does not have to navigate away from the page that he/she is on in order to preview what is on the rest of the site. Pages & Files provides a view of all folders and who they were last changed by along with the option to view filed and unfiled pages by folder.

Google Sites users also have several navigational choices. Like for PBWorks they can search through a clean SideBar with major categories that appear on the left panel. The Sitemap that appears on the left panel shows all pages and sub-pages on the site. Users can search by any matching key word anywhere on the site through the "Search Site" box that appears on the upper right. Subpages will show at the bottom in the footer of a given page. The view all button at the bottom of the Navigation is not apparent on this site, but Google Sites does make it available to viewers.

Users that enter a Wetpaint site have all but two navigation choices. Wetpaint does not offer functionality of either click and find all pages button or a site map that can show users the overall layout and content of the site. Wetpaint users landing on this site rely on a small search window of pages listed; on this site three-quarters of this window is buried below-the-fold. Furthermore, unless users figure out that they can stretch the size of the window to accommodate a growing list of pages, they are likely to become very frustrated with this site or any Wetpaint site that has a lot of pages. Wetpaint users also rely on tags; on this site the search results are buried below the fold. Unless the user figures out that they have to scroll to see the results, he/she will miss the available tags to search on. Both problems seriously discourage users from wanting to navigate this site as the only choice is to scroll below-the-fold through the pages and poke around page by page in a site that has no organizational structure.

Organization

PBWorks users can add pages without impacting folder categories that appear in the sidebar since page additions can be either be left unfiled or filed later. This allows for organic user contributions without creating anarchy in the hierarchy and folder structure. The "FEEDBACK/CONTRIBUTE" link on sidebar indicates user procedures for contributing to this site.

Google Sites users can also add pages and then move or attach them to the navigation at a later point.

Wetpaint offers users the functionality to add pages in parent-child relationship--as shown by the presence of a carrot and square dot. It also offers users the ability to add tags. This site illustrates what happens when the site isn't maintained or when users either don't know, can't be bothered or don't have naming or organizational conventions. Page navigation becomes a mess. At some point on this site, the add new page option appears to be turned off as it is not in its usual spot below the search box. An untrained public randomly adding or renaming pages, could easily disrupt the structure. At some point users on this siteappear to have been steered toward discussion threads that users could join in on or initiate which makes a lot of sense as it facilitates guided discussion. Interested users can easily reply, elect to watch this thread (e.g. subscribe to the RSS feed), email it or virally spread it through any one of many "share this" options.

Ease-Of-Editing

Wetpaint's EasyEdit button provides a no-miss and intuitive WYSYWIG editor to add content to a page. Users familiar with the standard chain link button will find the process of adding links easy. Persistent users who scroll down eventually figure out what they are supposed to do. There are many invitations and ways users are suggested to participate. Posting a reply is easy. Site designers suggest ways that that they want the user to contribute and embed numerous links to sign-up or get help on Wetpaint. Options are presented to users without jargon e.g. "Watch" thread instead of subscribe to RSS. If, however, anybody including those managing the site want any flexibility to use an HTML editor for any whatever reason such as adding a widget or gadget not included in Wetpaint, your hands are going to be tied down with Wetpaint.

PBworks content can be easily added and edited by users through either a conventional WYSYWIG or HTML editor though it is admittedly less untuitive than Wetpaint. Adding text, Web ready graphics and comments are easy. PBWorks does not have the same comment sharing feature that Wetpaint does. Adding links is less intuitive than for Wetpaint. A major advantage over Wetpaint is the flexibility it provides to add HTML code through the SOURCE button. This provides major functionality to add snippets of code that add bells and whistles to your site such as a Flickr slide show that is not included among the standard list of PBworks widget options.

Google Sites offers the option of both a WSYWIG and HTML editor like PBworks with a clearly marked HTML pencil button to indicate HTML editing capabilities. The process of adding/creating links is as intuitive as Wetpaint.

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