eastwikkers : 33 Wikis: #4 -- Flu Wiki

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This is the fourth installment in "33 Wikis," a close look at best practices in wiki-based collaboration. Each day -- for 33 days -- we look at one wiki and briefly describe what the wiki is for, why we like it, and what we can all learn from it. If you want to nominate a wiki, please let us know. On day 34 we will post a public wiki featuring info on all nominees.

Several readers of this blog have nominated "Flu Wiki" for the "33 Wikis" round-up. We thank Shaula Evans, Zoli Erdos, and others.

What this wiki is for: "The purpose of the Flu Wiki is to help local communities prepare for and perhaps cope with a possible influenza pandemic. This is a task previously ceded to local, state and national governmental public health agencies.... But no one, in any health department or government agency, knows all the things needed to cope with an influenza pandemic." "Flu Wiki" serves as a virtual clearinghouse of current information on the spread of flu strains, public policy, and legal issues. It also has a lively discussion forum, dealing with questions as small and specific as "recipes using can goods only." That's one of the beautiful things about a wiki -- the easy ability to support and archive micro-conversations.

Why we like it: Not only is this wiki timely; it also aims to fill the substantial gap that exists between community needs and institutional resources. As the organizers note, "Flu Wiki is not meant to be a substitute for planning, preparation and implementation by civil authorities, but instead is a parallel effort that complements, supports and extends those efforts." We also like it because it employs a similar "wisdom of the crowds" approach to information gathering that Healthline (Eastwick client) is using on "Flu Central."

What we can all learn from it: If wikis can be shown to be useful in bridging the gap between needs and existing services, we'll see many more projects like this. "Flu Wiki" is a wiki worth watching.