A new, open-source search engine based upon the “wiki” concept has been introduced. It applies some of the same techniques and processes used in Wiki sites like Wikipedia or Wiktionary to a search engine. It went live on January 7th, 2008.

Like any search engine, Wikia search lets users enter one or more words and returns a list of websites which are related to them. However, there are a number of differences. For example, a “discuss these results” link is located at the top of each list of results; as with other Wiki based systems, it lets users start a discussion on the results to searches for a particular word or phrase.

Another interesting feature of Wikia is that an area for a “mini article” on the search keyword appears at the top of results; if an article has been created, it will appear there. Anyone can create or edit such an article, just like  wiki encyclopedia or dictionary pages. If utilized, this feature will allow users to find brief information on some subjects without using any of the websites listed in the search results.

Wikia also offers a People Search feature integrated into the web search, as well as a website rating system. If the cursor is placed over the number next to the word “Cached” below each result, a row of five stars will appear and users can click on a star if desired (based upon how well they rate the site in question).

As of January 15th (about a week after it went live), the  results Wikia provides are acceptable for some searches, but insufficient for finding information on many specific subjects. A message on the home page acknowledges this, and calls upon users to help improve the result quality. Another problem is that the site listings will not display on some web browsers, and parts of the results page are overlapped at low screen resolutions.

For the most part, websites based upon the wiki concept have strengths with regard to updating quickly and generating large quantities of content at little cost. On the other hand, wiki systems do little to reward contributors and are open to manipulation by marketers or people promoting specific beliefs and opinions.

Basically, this new Wiki-based search engine currently has some flaws which need correction (as do many sites right after they go live), but it offers an interesting alternative to typical search engines which may prove effective in the months and years to come.

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