QEDWiki

see http://services.alphaworks.ibm.com/qedwiki/

QEDWiki is a browser-based assembly canvas used to create simple mashups. A mashup maker is an assembly environment in which the creator of a mashup uses software components (or services) made available by content providers. QEDWiki is a unique Wiki framework in that it provides both Web users and developers with a single Web application framework for hosting and developing a broad range of Web 2.0 applications. QEDWiki can be used for a wide variety of Web applications, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Web content management for a typical collection of Wiki pages
• traditional form processing for database-oriented CRUD (Create/Read/Update/Delete) applications
• document-based collaboration
• rich interactive applications that bind together disparate services
• situational applications (or mashups).

QEDWiki also provides Web application developers with a flexible and extensible framework to enable do-it-yourself (DIY) rapid prototyping. Business users can quickly prototype and build ad hoc applications without depending on software engineers. QEDWiki provides mashup enablers (programmers) with a framework for building reusable, tag-based commands. These commands (or widgets) can then be used by business users who wish to create their own Web applications.

Demo

-- Contributors: PeterThoeny - 04 Oct 2006, CarloSchulz - 28 May 2008

Discussion

QEDWiki is an Application Wiki built by IBM, currently in prototype stage. Power users can build working application pages that mash up content from different data sources. You can change into application builder mode where you can then drag widgets (discrete pieces of code with both development and runtime rendering capabilities) onto the design surface. Each widget has a property sheet and allows you, to bind it to other widgets or data sources. A simple example would be a contact list widget connected to a Google map widget. By attaching the two together, as you scroll your contacts in the list, the Google map widget will show you a map of the address of your contact. The binding happens on the web page, e.g. is not server side.

QEDWiki is based on the Zend framework. Widgets are built in PHP by programmers and are stored server-side. Applications are built by power users, e.g. no programming experience is required.

At this time it is not clear if the software will be open sourced.

• http://devzone.zend.com/node/view/id/678 - article at Zend Developer site: QEDwiki, IBM, and "Situational Applications"
• http://opensource.sys-con.com/read/275559.htm - Presentation by David Boloker: "QEDWiki, A Web 2.0 Application Assembler for the Mass Market" at the AJAXWorld Conference, Santa Clara, CA, 04 Oct 2006

I first got to know about this new wiki at a QEDWiki Demo at the MashupCamp on July 2006.

There are similarities to the TWiki platform, both are platforms to build applications. The big difference is that TWiki does mostly work server side, with an application possibly spanning many pages. In QEDWiki, an application glued together on one web page.

I am writing this at the AJAXWorld conference during a QEDwiki presentation. IBM will make the wiki available at the IBM alphaworks website by the end of the year.

-- PeterThoeny - 04 Oct 2006

At http://hinchcliffeandcompany.com/screencasts/qedwiki.html a screencast of QEDWiki is currently available. It is a 12 minute cast demonstrating the creation of a small situational, mashup application using google maps in QEDWiki - pretty much a demonstration of the example descriped above.

While TWiki is pretty ascii-intensive, it is clear that a lot of work has gone into AJAX and GUI/drag'n'drop-functionalities in QEDWiki.

-- SteffenPoulsen - 21 Jan 2007

I wonder how much ascii-intensive work will be done from the millions of new iPhones that will soon be in "idle hands" on subways around the world ? Next to none would be my guess. By the looks of this demo, QEDWiki is the next KillerApp in the Web2.0, Wiki, MashUp & SituationalApplications arena. The integration with Google's many widgets also looks keen. Next question: can TWiki do that ?

-- KeithHelfrich - 22 Jan 2007

To me wikis are really more about philosophy than tech (WabiSabi).

- I am looking forward to seeing how many of the base wiki characteristics are preserved intact in this prototype once it is released.

Regarding your question: Yes, of course - if there is community interest

-- SteffenPoulsen - 22 Jan 2007