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In {{tag|software}} engineering, a project '''fork''' happens when developers take a copy of source code from one software package and start independent {{tag|Software development|development}} on it, creating a distinct piece of software.
<div style=float:right>{{Not a wiki}}</div>
In {{tag|software}} engineering, a project '''fork''' happens when [[developer]]s take a copy of source code from a specific software package, and then start independent {{tag|Software development|development}} on it, thus creating a distinct piece of 'new' software.


The term {{tag|fork}} is also used in the '[[wikisphere]]'.  For instance, the above text was forked from the [[English Wikipedia]]!  Most [[free content]] [[:Category:Wiki License|licenses]] allow people to copy material in part or whole to create their own versions of that content: be it a cultural work, a piece of [[:Category:Media|media]], software, or some intellectual pursuit.
The term '''{{tag|fork}}''' is also used in the '[[wikisphere]]'.  For instance, the above text was forked from the [[English Wikipedia]] wiki site!  Most [[:Category:Open content|free content]] [[:Category:Wiki license|licenses]] allow [[:Category:Wiki people|people]] to copy material in part or whole; to create their own separate versions of that content: be it a [[:Category:Culture|cultural]] work, a piece of [[:Category:Media|media]], software, or some intellectual pursuit.
{{TOC right}}
Sometimes, forking results in [[fragmentation]], whereby two separate [[Wiki community|wiki communities]] have overlapping but divergent goals.  There are strengths and weaknesses to this.  On the one hand, different communities can meet different needs, and problem-solve in new ways.  This also keeps one cultural work from being dominated or controlled by a [[God king|single individual]] or small subset of [[User|people]].  On the other hand, fragmentation can create redundancy, and confusion amongst people.


Sometimes, forking results in [[fragmentation]], whereby two separate [[Wiki community|communities]] have overlapping goals.  There are strengths and weaknesses to this.  On the one hand, different communities can meet different needs, and problem-solve in new ways.  This also keeps one cultural work from being dominated or controlled by a single individual or small subset of [[:Category:Wiki People|people]].  On the other hand, fragmentation can create redundancy and confusion amongst people.
[[Wiki]] forking typically starts as [[mirror]]ing, which is a similar concept; where one wiki site hosts <u>identical</u> content to another wiki site.


Forking starts as [[mirror]]ing, which is a similar concept where one site hosts <u>identical</u> content to another site.
{{See also|federated wiki (wiki)}}


:See also [[federated wiki (wiki)]].
==Wiki forking vs. wiki mirroring==
A [[mirror]] wiki site ''could'', or may also be described as an [[:Category:Archives|archive]].  It duplicates or re-uses content originated elsewhere (hopefully, with proper [[attribution]], and respecting its original [[:Category:Wiki license|license(s)]]), but a wiki mirror normally, is <u>not</u> an originator of <u>new content</u>.


Forking is common on [[:Category:Wikia|Wikia]], usually because of its constant [[:Category:Skins|skin]] changes, poor community support, [[global blocking]], social features, and / or independent servers being more versatile.  Where this occurs, the [[:Category:GoalAbandoned|abandoned]] Wikia version of the site invariably left [[:Category:OpenEdit|open]] and [[:Category:Dormant|dormant]], is commonly referred to as the '[[:Category:Spoon|spoon]]'.
A wiki fork creates an entirely new second project (sometimes, though not always, with an identical wiki site name); the wiki fork uses a common set of [[:Category:Wiki Topic|content]] as a starting point.  As the new wiki fork project matures, it builds a (new) [[community]], and creates its own new, unique content, and ultimately its own new identity.
 
In the global '[[wikisphere]]', the most significant fork was the creation of [[:Category:Wikivoyage|Wikivoyage]].  Wikivoyage started as a wholly independent fork of the earlier [[:Category:Wikitravel|Wikitravel]].  The Wikivoyage fork was seeded, and gained significant traction, after the original (private) [[owner]]s of Wikitravel latterly sold it to [[:Category:Internet Brands|Internet Brands, Inc.]] (a highly commercial, 'for profit' company), which then had the result of alienating the original Wikitravel community (whom like most open content wiki [[editor]]s, were all unpaid volunteers).
 
Conversely, the many various sites which merely provide an 'archived' copy of [[English Wikipedia]] content online (such as the [[NationMaster Encyclopedia]]) without originating new content are mirrors.
[[File:Spoon.jpg|thumb|300px|A '[[:Category:Spoon|spoon]]' is the term used to describe an original wiki site that was left, often [[:Category:Goal abandoned|abandoned]], following a {{tag|fork}}.|alt=]]
 
==On [[wiki farm]]s==
Forking is common on [[:Category:Wikia|Wikia]] (now known as Fandom), usually because of its forced [[:Category:Wikia skin|skin]] changes, poor community support, [[global blocking]], enforced social features, and a bombarding plethora of objectional on-screen [[:Category:Advertising|advertising]] (including video adverts); and also because independent hosting is more versatile, and more controllable.  Where [[:Category:Ex-Wikia|forking occurs]], the [[:Category:Goal abandoned|abandoned]] Wikia version of the site; invariably left [[:Category:OpenEdit|open]] and frequently [[:Category:Dormant|dormant]], is commonly referred to as the '[[:Category:Spoon|spoon]]'.


==Forked wiki articles on WikiIndex==
==Forked wiki articles on WikiIndex==
From the outset of [[WikiIndex]], the long-term goal is to have an entry and therefore an [[Template:Wiki|infobox]] for ALL wiki sites, even [[:Category:Dead|dead]] and/or dormant wiki.  Forked wiki are treated the same, therefore, we have a specific method of dealing with forked wiki.  Fundamentally, a forked wiki article will have two infoboxes, ideally on the same article.  The two versions of wiki can be separated on the same page by using [[template:Clear]], and this will prevent the prose of the forked wiki 'crowding' the infobox of the original wiki.
From the founding outset of [[WikiIndex]], the long-term goal has been to have an article entry page; and therefore an [[Template:Wiki|infobox]]; for <u>ALL</u> wiki sites, even [[:Category:Dead|dead]] and / or [[:Category:Dormant|dormant]] wiki sites.  Forked wiki sites are to be treated with exactly the same ethos; therefore, WikiIndex has a specific method of dealing with forked wiki.  Fundamentally, a forked wiki site [[article]] (and also any [[:Category:Wiki engine|wiki engine]] forks) ''should'' each have their own <u>separate</u> article page, with their own infobox and [[Template:Size|size template]].<!--Separate articles are preferred due to different page counts, wikiFactor values, edit modes, even differing wiki engines, etc--> The two separate wiki site article pages should be annotated at the top of their respective pages with a standard 'hatnote', specifically using [[template:For]]; this will give the reader of the article here on WikiIndex salient information, along with the required [[wikilink]], to either the original (spoon) wiki site, or its subsequent forked wiki site.


[[Mirror]]ed wiki ''may'' be treated different to forked wiki, in that both wiki (if both remain [[:Category:Active|active]]) will eventually contain differing content, and may ultimately form differing identities.  In these instances, we would have two (or more, for multiple mirrors) page articles here on WikiIndex.
[[Mirror]]ed wiki sites ''may'' be treated different to forked wiki sites, in that both wiki sites (if both remain [[:Category:Active|active]]) will eventually contain differing content, and may ultimately form differing identities.  In these instances, we would have two (or more, for multiple mirrors) separate page articles here on WikiIndex.  Again, just like the forked examples, a 'hatnote' template should be used on all article pages relevant to any mirrors, and the originating wiki site article.


[[Category:Fork| ]]
[[Category:Fork| ]]
[[Category:WikiIdea]]
[[Category:Wiki idea]]
[[Category:Glossary]]
[[Category:Glossary]]

Latest revision as of 18:08, 29 May 2024

This Fork article is
referring to a site which seems
not to be, or include, a wiki.
However, it still refers to, or is
pertinent to the subject of wikis.

In software engineering, a project fork happens when developers take a copy of source code from a specific software package, and then start independent development on it, thus creating a distinct piece of 'new' software.

The term fork is also used in the 'wikisphere'. For instance, the above text was forked from the English Wikipedia wiki site! Most free content licenses allow people to copy material in part or whole; to create their own separate versions of that content: be it a cultural work, a piece of media, software, or some intellectual pursuit.

Sometimes, forking results in fragmentation, whereby two separate wiki communities have overlapping but divergent goals. There are strengths and weaknesses to this. On the one hand, different communities can meet different needs, and problem-solve in new ways. This also keeps one cultural work from being dominated or controlled by a single individual or small subset of people. On the other hand, fragmentation can create redundancy, and confusion amongst people.

Wiki forking typically starts as mirroring, which is a similar concept; where one wiki site hosts identical content to another wiki site.

See also: federated wiki (wiki).

Wiki forking vs. wiki mirroring[edit]

A mirror wiki site could, or may also be described as an archive. It duplicates or re-uses content originated elsewhere (hopefully, with proper attribution, and respecting its original license(s)), but a wiki mirror normally, is not an originator of new content.

A wiki fork creates an entirely new second project (sometimes, though not always, with an identical wiki site name); the wiki fork uses a common set of content as a starting point. As the new wiki fork project matures, it builds a (new) community, and creates its own new, unique content, and ultimately its own new identity.

In the global 'wikisphere', the most significant fork was the creation of Wikivoyage. Wikivoyage started as a wholly independent fork of the earlier Wikitravel. The Wikivoyage fork was seeded, and gained significant traction, after the original (private) owners of Wikitravel latterly sold it to Internet Brands, Inc. (a highly commercial, 'for profit' company), which then had the result of alienating the original Wikitravel community (whom like most open content wiki editors, were all unpaid volunteers).

Conversely, the many various sites which merely provide an 'archived' copy of English Wikipedia content online (such as the NationMaster Encyclopedia) without originating new content are mirrors.

A 'spoon' is the term used to describe an original wiki site that was left, often abandoned, following a fork.

On wiki farms[edit]

Forking is common on Wikia (now known as Fandom), usually because of its forced skin changes, poor community support, global blocking, enforced social features, and a bombarding plethora of objectional on-screen advertising (including video adverts); and also because independent hosting is more versatile, and more controllable. Where forking occurs, the abandoned Wikia version of the site; invariably left open and frequently dormant, is commonly referred to as the 'spoon'.

Forked wiki articles on WikiIndex[edit]

From the founding outset of WikiIndex, the long-term goal has been to have an article entry page; and therefore an infobox; for ALL wiki sites, even dead and / or dormant wiki sites. Forked wiki sites are to be treated with exactly the same ethos; therefore, WikiIndex has a specific method of dealing with forked wiki. Fundamentally, a forked wiki site article (and also any wiki engine forks) should each have their own separate article page, with their own infobox and size template. The two separate wiki site article pages should be annotated at the top of their respective pages with a standard 'hatnote', specifically using template:For; this will give the reader of the article here on WikiIndex salient information, along with the required wikilink, to either the original (spoon) wiki site, or its subsequent forked wiki site.

Mirrored wiki sites may be treated different to forked wiki sites, in that both wiki sites (if both remain active) will eventually contain differing content, and may ultimately form differing identities. In these instances, we would have two (or more, for multiple mirrors) separate page articles here on WikiIndex. Again, just like the forked examples, a 'hatnote' template should be used on all article pages relevant to any mirrors, and the originating wiki site article.