How It Works

What does SiteWriter do?

SiteWriter allows ordinary people like you and me to make web pages. You can pick up the basics in one minute and learn the finer points later.

At the heart of SiteWriter is a web page engine called wiki (from the Hawai'ian word "Wiki" meaning "quick"). You type plain text and SiteWriter turns it into web pages based on your customised template.

The wiki engine that SiteWriter uses is called phpwiki. It's a freely available open source application anyone can download from http://phpwiki.sourceforge.net

Do they mind? Nope. It may seem strange, but this is how Open Source software works! They're happy for us to use phpwiki to build your web site. Thanks guys!

Steve Wainstead

"I'm always tickled pink when PhpWiki shows up in new places!"

Jeff Dairiki

"As far as I'm concerned, I think it's a great idea."

So why do I need SiteWriter?

Erm. You don't. If you're comfortable with administering online databases and configuring php files, go right ahead and download the source code. We'll even give you a hand if you get stuck!

However, if that sounds like gibberish and you simply want a web site you can update with minimum effort, a SiteWriter-powered site may be just what you're looking for.

Established wiki-based sites

To see a big wiki (37,000+ pages) visit Wikipedia, "the free encyclopedia".

Or visit the site that started it all, the Portland Pattern Repository, the most well-known and widely used Wiki: http://c2.com/cgi-bin/wiki?WikiWikiWeb.

Next: Who's using SiteWriter?