How do wikis differ from groupware systems?
Groupware refers to programs that help people work together collectively while located remotely from each other. Some examples of groupware systems include Lotus Notes and Microsoft Exchange, both of which facilitate calendar sharing, e-mail handling, and the replication of files across a distributed system so that all groupware users can view the same information.
Groupware systems are described as "industrial-strength solutions with many collaborative features for corporate needs, but they cost." (from The Wiki Way, p. 12, by Ward and Leuf). These systems cost hard disk space, money, memory, upgrades, and time to learn how to use them effectively. They also often require other tools for Web space creation and maintenance, net-conferencing connectivity, and document creation. Your entire group will need access to the groupware in order to collaborate, which generally involves installing some software on your workstation. In contrast, Wiki is a "light" solution, a simplistic solution with a surprising amount of functionality for the size of the wiki source code and its general low overhead (e.g., a perl package and a Web browser) for those using wiki engines. If you use a wiki hosted solution on the web, a wiki farm, it's the most simplistic solution for you! This means there is no code to install and nothing to support, other than your content and your community! You can actually create your wiki in less than five minutes. I dare anyone to describe to me how they can get their groupware system up and running for a community in five minutes!
Image credit: Wikirectory.org
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