Blogging Tools 16.10.2003

KM - Wiki as PIM ... who knew?

I continue to examine using wiki technology for mobile workers. So far, I have created a local install of MoinMoin, a Python wiki look a like for personal experimentation with wiki tools.

The weird thing was that without really consciously setting out to do it, I found it was a great way to manage my personal information. It just seemed such a natural way to organize information. I found myself quickly creating links to pages and then quickly adding the content... It was easy to link the information to multiple topics so that it was easy to find my stuff.

For example, I have to keep track of client contact data, status reports, assorted documents and comments while I work at a client site. It was quick to setup a customer list page, create the customer page, add a link to an engagement list, status reports, etc. You can easily create page templates for creating more structured content like status reports etc.

Also, all this stuff was quickly added to my user's home page ... and all full text searchable. It is 100% better than leaving it all buried in MS Word docs in a directory structure... Wiki as a PIM ... who would have thought.

Here is a great piece at Information Today by David Mattison on the same topic. It is also a fantastic summary of the various tools and includes a good comparison of blogs and wikis for the uninitiated.

Here are some links to others doing the same thing:

• WikiAsPim

• SingleUserWiki

Even Palm Wiki:

• PalmWikiWorld

• Palm Wiki Article

Here is a link to a quick standalone super easy to install wiki server. If you want to try this out, this is good way to start.

• Eddie's QuickWiki

Then, there is a WikiWeblogPIM. This site is looking for a combination of a Wiki, Pim and Blog.