Hello again.

Last time, we explored the web by introducing five search engines. Now, we will introduce five wikis.

As Wikipedia defines it, a wiki is “a page or collection of Web pages designed to enable anyone who accesses it to contribute or modify content, using a simplified markup language. Wikis are often used to create collaborative websites and to power community websites.” Of course, we already know a very well-known wiki, and that is number one on my list. [img 404]1. Wikipedia. As we all know, Wikipedia is a well-known wiki site, in such an extent that Wikipedia equates to online research as Colgate equates to toothpaste (DISCLAIMER: this is all according to my perspective, and such, an IMO). As of now, Wikipedia boasts 2 653 000+ English articles (and that’s only in English; it currently supports 150+ languages… sorry, it’s TMTC for me.)Anyway, for those who don’t know, Wikipedia’s slogan is

“The free encyclopedia that anyone can edit”, and it is a “perpetual work in progress”, as they term it. For more info, visit Wikipedia’s entry on Wikipedia (recursion, anyone?).

2. Uncyclopedia. A spoof of Wikipedia, it is also an online encyclopedia whose goal is to make you laugh by making fun of things from animals to pr0n. As Wikipedia describes it, Uncyclopedia is an English-language wiki featuring satirically themed articles. Founded in 2005, it is formatted as a humourous parody of Wikipedia and aims ultimately to parody all encyclopedic subjects.[1] Originally an English-language wiki, the project currently spans over 50 languages. The English version has over 23,000 pages of content.

Be wary though, as Uncyclopedia also makes fun of very sensitive articles like religion and God. However, for those looking for fun and a thing to read for and laugh, this is a very apt site. For starters, I recommend you visit the following:

1. Bill Gates and the Windows Operating System, especially Vista2. Linus Torvalds and the Linux Operating System3. Steve Jobs and the Mac OS X4. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the Philippines Empire5. Santa Claus

You may also view more information about Uncyclopedia from Wikipedia’s page, or in Uncyclopedia’s own page. Also, Wikipedia has an entry on Unc[img 404]yclopedia.

3. Bulbapedia. This, as the name implies, specializes in Pokémon. In fact, it states that it is a “community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia”. This site is great if you want to search anything about pokemon, as it “is focused solely on documenting the Pokémon canon and the fandom surrounding it.” It also got its name from Bulbasaur, the first pokemon in the National Dex.

For more information, visit here.

4. MicrobeWiki. As the name implies, this specialize on microbes. You get the idea: bacteria, viruses, retroviruses… the Kingdom Bacteria. This is a very useful site for those searching about these life forms, and as a disclaimer, I used it a lot when I did my thesis. It is very informative, and like Wikipedia, can be also edited. Which can also be a downside, but considering its reassuring statement that it is “edited by students and monitored by microbiologists at Kenyon College”, I so think that you still get a high quality of information. (Anyway, if in doubt, you can check the results on other wikis and pages on the Internet, and books and scientific journals, of course.)

For more information on MicrobeWiki, you can visit here.

P.S. I like the site’s layout: not too much emphasis on white combined with purple (or is it lavender?). [img 404]5. Digimon Wiki. Actually, this site surprised me, because at the time of writing, I have only visited the site once. And that time is when I am “reviewing” the site, which means basically NOW.

Anyway, to deal with the specifics. Digimon Wiki, as you might already know, is “[a]n in-depth encyclopedia on all things Digimon, including anime, manga, video games, and toys[.]” Basically, it is like Bulbapedia (and is similar to it), but of course it focuses on Digimon. (As we all know, Digimon is a competitor of Pokemon).

I take credit on the site’s layout. As you might have seen, the first four sites resemble Wikipedia, with of course minor variations as changes in the logo and coloration. But basically, the sites’ layouts are the same. However, Digimon Wiki is somewhat different: though the way it presents its articles are basically the same with the other wikis, it do changed how the title bar and the sidebar are presented. Please see the attached picture and compare it with the others. (Honestly, it is somewhat minor, but if you are a recent visitor, it DOES differ significantly).

However, the site’s kind of drab. In contrast with the others which is somewhat peppered with colored images (making them somewhat slower to load), Digimon Wiki is somewhat devoid of it. In short, it is sparsely decorated. Try to fiddle around with the site to see what I’m talking about.

For more information on the site (as I am a new visitor, evidenced by my somewhat shallow review), go here.

Yeah, I know, it’s kinda short. But then, there are other wikis available on the net, tailored for specific purposes (e.g. Bulbapedia, Digimon Wiki, MicrobeWiki, and even Uncyclopedia). Of course, there are general-purpose too, such as Wikipedia. All you have to do is search for them on the net, which is basically what I’m doing for you. ;)

Do you think I missed something? misjudged something? Please feel free to comment below.

Until next time
P.S. Exploring The Web: 5 Sites To Visit Part I has been moved here.

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