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