The age of the interactive web Users Rule

In the beginning, the web only went one way. Someone behind the server "got the content ready," and it appeared to the user as a sculpted, read-only display. Then came HTML forms and CGI scripting, tools that brought the client into the game, but the opportunities for input were carefully orchestrated through the labor-intensive efforts of high-priced web developers. Users wanted more, and over the next round of Internet re-invention, a new web emerged. With this month's cover story, we invite you to the world of the Wiki and Blog.

The tools featured in this issue bring a new level of cooperation and collaboration to the web. And best of all, you don't need a PhD to implement these powerful tools. We'll show you how an everyday Linux user can set up and manage a collaborative website using the applications the experts are using.

You'll learn about:

COVER STORY

Mediawiki | 22 TWiki | 29 Drupal | 36

• Mediawiki - the tool behind the famous collaborative encyclopedia Wikipedia. Mediawiki is a tool for organizing web-based collaboration communities. Users can enter notes, additions, and revisions to web documents. Mediawiki provides version control, access control, and other useful features for easy and effective cooperation.
• TWiki - Like Mediawiki, TWiki is a leading open source Wiki. You'll learn how to install and configure the TWiki collaboration platform. We'll also take you on a tour of the TWiki user interface, with a special emphasis on the challenges of a Wiki in the enterprise. We'll show you how to use the best features of TWiki in your own collaborative environment.
• Drupal - a tool for building dynamic websites. We'll show you how to use Drupal to create community sites, weblogs, and custom web applications.

Whether you're a web professional, a community volunteer, or an everyday Linux user, you'll find something to remember in this month's Wiki and Blog cover story.