MediaWiki #66
Architecture
MediaWiki is a free, open-source wiki software written in PHP, primarily designed for collaborative content creation. It requires server installation and administration, with content stored in a SQL database. The platform supports extensions and customizations using PHP and JavaScript, and offers a REST API for integration purposes.
Target Users
MediaWiki is suitable for a wide range of users, from individual hobbyists to large enterprises, particularly those seeking a platform for collaborative content creation and knowledge management. While it can be used by single content editors, its strengths lie in supporting teams of various sizes.
Legal
MediaWiki is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), a copyleft open-source license. It is developed and maintained by the Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization.
User Management
MediaWiki includes a built-in user management system, allowing administrators to define user roles and permissions. This facilitates collaborative editing and content management within the platform.
Content Editing
MediaWiki offers a web-based interface for content editing, complete with versioning and previewing capabilities. While it supports basic customization of content types and fields, advanced workflows and real-time collaboration are limited without additional extensions.
Content Display
MediaWiki allows for on-site display customization, though it lacks a centralized theme marketplace. Basic theming is possible, but advanced design changes may require frontend development skills.
Mobile Support
MediaWiki's default design offers limited responsiveness for mobile devices. Achieving full mobile compatibility may require additional configuration or extensions.
Multilingual Support
MediaWiki provides robust support for internationalization, including multilingual content management and user interfaces, making it suitable for global use.
Extensibility
MediaWiki is highly extensible through a variety of available extensions. While there isn't a centralized marketplace, numerous free extensions are available. Implementing significant customizations typically requires backend development expertise.
Commerce
MediaWiki does not include e-commerce features in its core functionality. While some extensions may offer related capabilities, it is not primarily designed for e-commerce purposes.
Costs
MediaWiki is free to download and use, with no associated licensing costs. However, expenses may arise from hosting, domain registration, and any professional services required for customization or maintenance.