Please, make WordPress a bit like Wikipedia.

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Folks, here is my proposal to the WordPress developers:

Assign a great number of editors to some specific pages

Right now, if you are an editor in WordPress, you can edit any posts and pages. Hence, the administrator of a big group blog would not have many editors &#8212-because the blog posters would not like the idea that their colleagues can edit their posts.

But it would be great to be able to have a great number of editors for some specific pages. That way, any group blog powered by WordPress would be able to tap in the &#8220-wisdom of crowds&#8221- (see James Surowiecki book by the same name) &#8212-the same way Wikipedia does. For more on Wikipedia, see these two posts.

Collective intelligence (a.k.a. wisdom of crowds) is a mechanism at the heart of Google PageRank, Wikipedia, open-source software, prediction markets, etc. It is very powerful. WordPress could tap into that very easily, by allowing a page-by-page editing role.

The WP admin would set who are the editor(s) of a particular page &#8212-one registered person, two, a bunch of blog authors&#8230- or any internet citizens like in Wikipedia.

Thanks a lot for your attention. Contact me for more info, or leave a comment below.

NEXT: WordPress is a bit like WikiMedia (the software powering Wikipedia), now.

Previous blog posts by Chris F. Masse:

  • The definitive proof that FOR-PROFIT prediction exchanges (like BetFair and InTrade) are the best organizers of socially valuable prediction markets (like those on global warming and climate change).
  • Fairness Doctrine prediction markets
  • 2 MILLION TRADES LATER: Inkling’s play-money prediction markets are accurate —too.
  • Web Forums on Prediction Markets
  • Jason Ruspini will answer SOME of these CFTC questions. — 12 days left, Jason.
  • QUIZZ OF THE DAY: Which blog is the most open minded?
  • Prediction Markets TV — Will the controversial but indispensable Max Keiser (ex-HSX) stay true to his purpose, or will he f*** it up?

56 thoughts on “Please, make WordPress a bit like Wikipedia.

  1. Byrne Hobart said:

    If they don’t fix it, you could just make a wiki at wiki.midasoracle.org or something.

  2. Chris. F. Masse said:

    Byrner, indeed. I could use MediaWiki at wiki.midasoracle.org, if they don’t incorporate the wiki capabilities into WordPress..

    http://mediawiki.org/

    A third possibility would be that I search for a Wiki plugin for WordPress… or that I develop one.

  3. Inspirational Posters said:

    WordPress was developed for a single blogger in mind. The idea of having wordpress with multiple users came a bit after, with the boom of blogs. You can always find a wiki plugin to compensate though.

  4. estetik said:

    With so many spammers around I think this is not a good idea. Creating many editors will cause more time for you to spend checking the pages. So you have to select the editors very carefully.

  5. ffxi gil said:

    Agreed, it’s an interesting concept that would definitely get the cycle of creativity flowing. My concern is that it would also get the spam wheels turning with little ability to jam a stick in the spokes, if you know what I mean.

    Overall definitely something for discussion though. Is this something WordPress have acknowledged?

  6. Chris F. Masse said:

    Good point.

    Well, I know that Matt Mullenweg has read this post. That’s all I can say.

  7. Annie Maloney said:

    That would be a great idea. There are many platforms out there currently that are comprised of many, many authors/editors and they are powerhouses. They are extremely authoritative and offer the reader/consumer a never ending supply of different topics, ideas, perceptions. etc. I think it would be a great idea. Nice post.

  8. moserw said:

    Really good idea. Might not be good for all things, but there are certain things which WP users from all over can collectively contribute to and we all can learn and share from each other’s experiences. Even in a simple matter like plugins each has a different and personal favorite and if we could put all the plugins used collectively in a single place then how easy it would be to pick and choose new plugins that one has not heard of before.

  9. flower said:

    With so many spammers around I think this is not a good idea.

  10. Annie Maloney said:

    @flower – There are many sites that are setup this way and have little to no spam because they are moderated along with using anti-spam software. It takes some effort but it cold be done. It would not be just a free for all in terms of authors.

  11. Greg Roy said:

    hmm… it’d be tricky to make it safe against spammers without using up all the appilcations as anti-smamware and still make it run quickly and efficiently… then again, wiki seems to be doing just fine!

  12. Chris F. Masse said:

    @google serp: Yes, and thus, many plugins had to be re-written… or are still incompatible with the new WP…

  13. Tasarim said:

    @flower I agree with you, thats so true, there are so spammers so myabe that can be bad idea… thanks for content…

  14. jay said:

    great post. i fully agree with you

  15. Bob said:

    Thats a great concept!

    IF you do develop a plugin, let me know, ill even buy it off you =D

  16. new movies said:

    My concern is that it would also get the spam wheels turning with little ability to jam a stick in the spokes, if you know what I mean.

  17. Bob Lipply said:

    Not a bad idea, the quality would certainly improve.

  18. Bj?lkehuse said:

    Good idea, but the editors must be their responsibility proven, and not delay posts for weeks.

    /Zaga Bj?lkehuse – Denmark

  19. Navier said:

    With the surge of Web 2.0 these days, many website have been integrating their functions with Wikipedia!Wordpress + Wikipedia brings the biggest 2 W’s into the game :)Good idea (i do the same in my forum)

  20. skid-steer-guy said:

    I think you could certainly get around the issue of spam – like someone else said, Wikipedia seems to be doing just fine – and I do think this could really benefit in some cases.  I know I would have liked to have had a few more editors for some of my blogs in the past.

  21. Oyun said:

    With so many spammers around I think this is not a good idea. Creating many editors will cause more time for you to spend checking the pages. So you have to select the editors very carefully…

  22. Soft Maniac said:

    IMHO with WordPress you can build little “Wiki-like” project. Big projects needs special engine.

  23. Corey said:

    A WordPress Wiki would make a great addition to a WP blog as well allowing visitors to contribute as well.

  24. Dave - Online Poker Lover said:

    Hi There

    I think that wordpress is deliberately designed to leave this out by default. It is designed in the first instance for a single blogger. You can use a wiki plug-in to add this feature if you so choose, but I think the idea of wordpress default configurations is “blogging for beginners”.

    Think about your great Uncle Bill who wants to try out this blogging thing he’s heard about. He goes to wordpress and starts up a blog. Then come the Spammers, requesting access to edit his site. Bill, not knowing what these requests really mean & just clicking allows them access. Then all the inappropriate sites start filling up his blog… page after page. Your Uncle Bill not knowing how to stop them now gives up on this “silly blogging idea” and “knew he shouldn’t bothered with this modern mumbo jumbo to begin with.”

    WordPress now have one less satisfied customer who is running around telling all of his friends that this blogging stuff is garbage.

    Just MHO.

  25. Manish said:

    Great insight! I’d love to pay for this if available. :-)

  26. Nathaniel HackMaple said:

    WOOT LETS DO IT!!!!

    Wikipedia has almost all pages with a high pr.

    I think it is a good idea if we can seo all of wordpress’s pages.

    I dont think the wikipedia pages have the no follow tag so prob thats why almsot all the pages have a  high pr.

    But without the no follow tag, it might get a little dangerous.

    cya!

  27. Bass said:

    I’m not so sure I agree with this. WordPress has become the leader at what they do and one reason is that they haven’t lost focus. They do blogging and do it very well. There are already fine wiki engines available. Keep the focus WordPress.

  28. Nick said:

    I also do not think it would be a good idea, unless you have some moderaters moderating. Otherwise it will be spammed!

  29. Byrne Hobart said:

    If they don’t fix it, you could just make a wiki at wiki.midasoracle.org or something.

  30. Chris. F. Masse said:

    Byrner, indeed. I could use MediaWiki at wiki.midasoracle.org, if they don’t incorporate the wiki capabilities into WordPress..

    http://mediawiki.org/

    A third possibility would be that I search for a Wiki plugin for WordPress… or that I develop one.

  31. Inspirational Posters said:

    WordPress was developed for a single blogger in mind. The idea of having wordpress with multiple users came a bit after, with the boom of blogs. You can always find a wiki plugin to compensate though.

  32. estetik said:

    With so many spammers around I think this is not a good idea. Creating many editors will cause more time for you to spend checking the pages. So you have to select the editors very carefully.

  33. ffxi gil said:

    Agreed, it’s an interesting concept that would definitely get the cycle of creativity flowing. My concern is that it would also get the spam wheels turning with little ability to jam a stick in the spokes, if you know what I mean.

    Overall definitely something for discussion though. Is this something WordPress have acknowledged?

  34. Chris F. Masse said:

    Good point.

    Well, I know that Matt Mullenweg has read this post. That’s all I can say.

  35. Annie Maloney said:

    That would be a great idea. There are many platforms out there currently that are comprised of many, many authors/editors and they are powerhouses. They are extremely authoritative and offer the reader/consumer a never ending supply of different topics, ideas, perceptions. etc. I think it would be a great idea. Nice post.

  36. moserw said:

    Really good idea. Might not be good for all things, but there are certain things which WP users from all over can collectively contribute to and we all can learn and share from each other’s experiences. Even in a simple matter like plugins each has a different and personal favorite and if we could put all the plugins used collectively in a single place then how easy it would be to pick and choose new plugins that one has not heard of before.

  37. flower said:

    With so many spammers around I think this is not a good idea.

  38. Annie Maloney said:

    @flower – There are many sites that are setup this way and have little to no spam because they are moderated along with using anti-spam software. It takes some effort but it cold be done. It would not be just a free for all in terms of authors.

  39. Greg Roy said:

    hmm… it’d be tricky to make it safe against spammers without using up all the appilcations as anti-smamware and still make it run quickly and efficiently… then again, wiki seems to be doing just fine!

  40. Chris F. Masse said:

    @google serp: Yes, and thus, many plugins had to be re-written… or are still incompatible with the new WP…

  41. Tasarim said:

    @flower I agree with you, thats so true, there are so spammers so myabe that can be bad idea… thanks for content…

  42. jay said:

    great post. i fully agree with you

  43. Bob said:

    Thats a great concept!

    IF you do develop a plugin, let me know, ill even buy it off you =D

  44. new movies said:

    My concern is that it would also get the spam wheels turning with little ability to jam a stick in the spokes, if you know what I mean.

  45. Bob Lipply said:

    Not a bad idea, the quality would certainly improve.

  46. Bj?lkehuse said:

    Good idea, but the editors must be their responsibility proven, and not delay posts for weeks.

    /Zaga Bj?lkehuse – Denmark

  47. Navier said:

    With the surge of Web 2.0 these days, many website have been integrating their functions with Wikipedia!Wordpress + Wikipedia brings the biggest 2 W’s into the game :)Good idea (i do the same in my forum)

  48. skid-steer-guy said:

    I think you could certainly get around the issue of spam – like someone else said, Wikipedia seems to be doing just fine – and I do think this could really benefit in some cases.  I know I would have liked to have had a few more editors for some of my blogs in the past.

  49. Oyun said:

    With so many spammers around I think this is not a good idea. Creating many editors will cause more time for you to spend checking the pages. So you have to select the editors very carefully…

  50. Soft Maniac said:

    IMHO with WordPress you can build little “Wiki-like” project. Big projects needs special engine.

  51. Corey said:

    A WordPress Wiki would make a great addition to a WP blog as well allowing visitors to contribute as well.

  52. Dave - Online Poker Lover said:

    Hi There

    I think that wordpress is deliberately designed to leave this out by default. It is designed in the first instance for a single blogger. You can use a wiki plug-in to add this feature if you so choose, but I think the idea of wordpress default configurations is “blogging for beginners”.

    Think about your great Uncle Bill who wants to try out this blogging thing he’s heard about. He goes to wordpress and starts up a blog. Then come the Spammers, requesting access to edit his site. Bill, not knowing what these requests really mean & just clicking allows them access. Then all the inappropriate sites start filling up his blog… page after page. Your Uncle Bill not knowing how to stop them now gives up on this “silly blogging idea” and “knew he shouldn’t bothered with this modern mumbo jumbo to begin with.”

    WordPress now have one less satisfied customer who is running around telling all of his friends that this blogging stuff is garbage.

    Just MHO.

  53. Manish said:

    Great insight! I’d love to pay for this if available. :-)

  54. Nathaniel HackMaple said:

    WOOT LETS DO IT!!!!

    Wikipedia has almost all pages with a high pr.

    I think it is a good idea if we can seo all of wordpress’s pages.

    I dont think the wikipedia pages have the no follow tag so prob thats why almsot all the pages have a  high pr.

    But without the no follow tag, it might get a little dangerous.

    cya!

  55. Bass said:

    I’m not so sure I agree with this. WordPress has become the leader at what they do and one reason is that they haven’t lost focus. They do blogging and do it very well. There are already fine wiki engines available. Keep the focus WordPress.

  56. Nick said:

    I also do not think it would be a good idea, unless you have some moderaters moderating. Otherwise it will be spammed!

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