Talk:Timeline of wikis

Full timeline

Year	Month and date	Event type	Details
1997		Wiki launch	CvWiki, one of the early wiki clones, is developed by Peter Merel. It introduces transclusion, backlinks, and "WayBackMode," setting a standard for future wiki applications.
1997			JWiki, the first implementation of WikiWikiWeb in the Java language, is released by Ricardo Clements. It is notable for being back-ended by a database.
1999		Wiki development	PikiPiki, a rewrite of WikiWikiWeb in Python by Martin Pool, is introduced. It aims to be a small program using flat files, excluding versioning features.
1999		Wiki development	Swiki, developed by Mark Guzdial and Jochen Rick, is written in Squeak. Swiki would contribute to the evolution of wiki engines.
1999		Development	UseModWiki, developed by Clifford Adams, introduced the square bracket syntax for linking words. It was a significant advancement from AtisWiki and CvWiki.
2000	April	Controversy	Four users attempt to reduce text related to wikis on WikiWikiWeb, leading to disputes and eventually the formation of WikiWikiWeb sister sites. The formation of sister sites such as MeatballWiki, WhyClublet, GreenCheeseWiki, and TheAdjunct would handle off-topic and specialized content, as well as the relocation of many pages from WikiWikiWeb.
2000		Wiki evolution	By this time, WikiWikiWeb, the first wiki, has evolved significantly. It has grown beyond its initial purpose, leading to the creation of sister sites like MeatballWiki. This evolution demonstrates the expanding utility and cultural development of wikis, which would become more diverse and specialized.
2002	January 25	Wiki launch	MediaWiki is launched as a free and open-source wiki software. Initially developed by Magnus Manske for Wikipedia, the software would be enhanced by Lee Daniel Crocker and maintained by the Wikimedia Foundation. MediaWiki supports large-scale collaborative projects with its robust features for content management and editing. Its flexibility and scalability makes it the preferred choice for Wikipedia and numerous other wikis worldwide, solidifying its role as a key tool in the development of collaborative online platforms.
2004	January	Software Launch	XWiki, an open-source Java wiki application, is released by Ludovic Dubost.
2004	October		MinorEdits checkbox is removed.
2004	December	Wiki launch	Encyclopedia Dramatica, a satirical wiki dedicated to mocking internet culture, is founded. The site quickly becomes infamous for its irreverent content and controversial approach to documenting online phenomena. It would remain a prominent figure in internet culture until its shutdown in April 2011, although it would be later revived by different administrators.
2005	October	Service Launch	Wetpaint, a wiki farm, is launched. It aims to create a platform for users to build community sites with rich media content, further diversifying the types of wikis available.
2005	October	Wiki launch	La Frikipedia, a Spanish-language parody of Wikipedia, is launched. Like its counterparts in other languages, La Frikipedia uses humor and satire to poke fun at Wikipedia's serious tone. It would become a popular site in the Spanish-speaking internet community, known for its irreverent take on various subjects.
2005	November	Wiki launch	Dan Bricklin, a pioneer in spreadsheet software, launches wikiCalc, a wiki-based spreadsheet application. WikiCalc allows users to collaboratively create and edit spreadsheets within a wiki environment, combining the flexibility of wikis with the functionality of traditional spreadsheet software.
2006	April	Wiki application launch	eTouch Systems launches SamePage, a wiki application aimed at enterprise users. SamePage offers a collaborative platform for project management, document sharing, and team communication, positioning itself as a comprehensive solution for corporate collaboration and content management.
2006	August	Service Launch	Wikidot, a wiki hosting service that allows users to create and manage their own wikis, is launched. It would become known for its versatility and use in a variety of fields, including education, gaming, and personal projects.
2006	November		Microsoft launches Office SharePoint Server 2007, introducing wiki and blog functionality within the enterprise environment for the first time. This release marks a significant step in integrating collaborative tools into Microsoft's widely-used productivity suite, catering to the growing demand for enterprise-level collaboration platforms.
2007	-	Wiki launch	Encyc, an alternative wiki to Wikipedia, is founded using PmWiki software. In 2008, it would transition to MediaWiki, reflecting a broader trend of adoption of the MediaWiki platform across various independent wiki projects.
2007	May		Metaweb launches Freebase, a platform designed to store information from Wikipedia and other sources in a structured, queriable format. Freebase aims to provide an organized repository of knowledge, facilitating more complex queries. Google would acquire Metaweb and Freebase in July 2010, integrating the technology into the Google Knowledge Graph launched in 2012.
2012	March	Wiki proposal	Wikidata is proposed as a Wikimedia Foundation project aimed at creating a collaborative database of structured data that could be used across all language versions of Wikipedia. Officially launched later that year, Wikidata would become a critical resource for improving data consistency and enabling more sophisticated querying across the Wikimedia ecosystem.
2012	March	Proposal	A proposal is made to have the Wikimedia Foundation host a wiki dedicated to travel advice. The proposal leads to a lengthy discussion and vote, culminating in a decision to incorporate Wikivoyage, a spinoff from the Wikitravel site, as a Wikimedia project. The move is met with legal challenges, but the community ultimately succeeds in launching the travel guide wiki.
2012		Wiki launch	MyWikis, a MediaWiki-based wiki farm, is launched. It provides a platform for creating and managing multiple wikis under a single umbrella, offering flexibility and scalability for various projects and communities.
2013	April		MindTouch Inc. ceases development of its open-source wiki software, transitioning entirely to a proprietary, hosted service model. This move reflects a broader trend in the software industry towards proprietary solutions, as companies seek more control over their products and revenue streams.
2013	July		Wetpaint, a company known for its wiki hosting service, sells its wiki operations to WikiFoundry. Wetpaint shifts its focus to hosting professionally generated content, marking a significant change in its business model. The sale represents the evolving nature of the wiki industry, as companies adapt to new market demands and opportunities.