Collaboration with MediaWiki Software –Building Communities with Wiki Open-Source Software

The greatest problem  I’ve had building online mega success was the reliance on proprietary software.  I had a period of about 6 years during which the software that I had to depend on just didn’t work.

Towards the end of 2006, I started to look at open-source software, start with WordPress.  My world started changing from that moment.  I discovered that many of the processes and applications that I wanted to maintain online could be managed using free software that was open-source.

When the software was not the obstacle, the paramount concern was the idea –given an idea that was brilliant, the software was there to manage a community. Also, keep in mind that in any business, specially in your efforts to make money online, the first concern is to keep your costs as low as possible.  After the idea “gains traction” you’ll have plenty of time to expand and get the help you need to build your enterprise.  When you start, just keep costs low and stick to MediaWiki type software to prove your concept.  Even when you idea takes off, MediaWiki software may be all that you need to keep going!

My MediaWiki Review Continues…

With confidence I went about creating sites and building on ideas.  My most used software is WordPress CMS –Content Management System.  However, the CMS limits what can be done.

MediaWiki

Now I am turning to MediaWiki software to address the needs of three sites that are part of the sites that  Rich Sage Community Members are building.  The communities of biig.com, nextsuperstock.com and savepedia.com are all using Wiki software to get the job done.

Here are the Benefits of MediaWiki Soffware:

• It’s free –cannot beat that.
• Takes 5 minutes to install and 3rd party ‘extensions’ allow custom solutions.
• The software is updated often with a robust community providing support.
• Wiki software provides a perfect way to manage a community of people dedicated to updating and maintaining a unique web site.
• It’s scaleable and uses MySQL, again an open-source solution that is proven.
• Lastly, programmers can easily manage the growth and maintanence of the software because of the large development community.

This is the same software that is running such popular sites as WikiPedia.

Perfect Uses of MediaWiki Software:

• Communities that are specific to any topic.
• Large directory managed by members.
• Help/Support site.
• Back-end INTRA net.
• Membership site.

The uses of the MediaWiki software is numerous.  If you know of another use of this software, please leave a comment.  The advantage of this free software is that for just about $20 –hosting plus the cost of a domain, you can get started with an online presence and test your ideas.  As the idea grows, you can expand your horizons.

There is never a better time to make money online –the software is there, the hardware is inexpensive –you’ll just need to “rent” such hardware monthly.  The knowledge is available for free online.  What more is needed?  Your *brilliant* idea.

Carpe Diem,
Rich Sage