Install a Wiki on Your Website

The Benefits of Implementing a Wiki

During the process of maintaining my own blog, I discovered that a Wiki proved to be the most effective method for presenting certain types of information. If you also manage a blog, you might consider developing more comprehensive guides or constructing knowledgebases. There are numerous compelling reasons to integrate a Wiki into your online presence.

A Wiki allows for detailed, technically focused showcases of your products, and facilitates contributions from users sharing their experiences. It can also function as a personalized blog format, a centralized information management system, or a collaborative platform. The versatility of a Wiki lies in its ability to serve all these purposes simultaneously.

Choosing MediaWiki

My preferred Wiki platform is MediaWiki, and this decision stems from two primary factors.

Firstly, it is the software framework powering Wikipedia, establishing a benchmark for functionality and suitability for broad applications.
Secondly, lacking specialized expertise in this area, I prioritized a solution I felt confident in utilizing, and MediaWiki offered that assurance.

To determine if your web hosting provider supports Wiki software, access your hosting account and log in to your cPanel. You may find pre-installed options available for immediate deployment. I personally use Bluehost ($2.95/month), which offers two Wiki installations through the Fantastico module, though neither is MediaWiki. Therefore, a manual installation will be necessary.

Downloading and Extracting MediaWiki

Download and Extract

Begin by visiting the official MediaWiki download page to obtain the latest version of the software.

Users of Windows operating systems need not be concerned; the file is in tar.gz format, but extraction can be performed directly on the webserver. Once the download is complete, upload the file to your webserver's file manager, or utilize an FTP client.

I recommend utilizing the built-in extract function, allowing the files to be extracted into the current directory. This will create a directory named 'mediawiki-1.11.0' (or the corresponding current version). Rename this directory to something simpler, such as 'wiki'. Your MediaWiki files will then be accessible at 'www.yourdomain.com/wiki/'.

Completing the Installation

Installation

The subsequent step involves directing your web browser to the 'config' directory, which would be 'www.yourdomain.com/wiki/config'. Follow the on-screen prompts, which should be relatively straightforward, until you reach the database configuration section. Unless you have specific requirements, I suggest leaving the default settings unchanged.

A Wiki may not automatically create the necessary database; therefore, manual creation might be required. Access your web hosting control panel and create a new database, along with a dedicated user account for it. Ensure the new user is granted administrative privileges or, at a minimum, read and write access. After this is completed, input the database name, username, and password into the installation form, and proceed with the installation. Successful installation will be indicated by a prominent message displayed in green.

Finally, return to your file manager and navigate to the 'config' directory (www.yourdomain.com/wiki/config). Move the 'LocalSettings.php' file to the root directory of your Wiki installation (www.yourdomain.com/wiki/).