Allan’s Transitory Blog

In reaction to Neil’s in-class question of what the word “wiki” actually meant, I decided to do some sleuthing of my own. Turns out I didn’t have to go far, just to the Dictionary app. Apparently the word is of Hawaiian origin and means “quick”.

So if you ever wondered, here’s the answer:

wiki |ˈwikē|
noun
a Web site that allows collaborative editing of its content and structure by its users.

ORIGIN
coined by programmer Ward Cunningham (1949- ), from Hawaiian wiki-wiki ‘quick-quick.’

Absolutely positively have to be always on top of your Second Life? On the way to work, in the supermarket or even from the computer to the toilet and back? Samsung heard your prayers. This Korean mobile giant is releasing a Second Life app for some of their phones on the second half of ‘08. I predict a fun new urban game while on the train: “Spot the Second Lifer with a two year mobile contract”. More in The Korea Times.

Ever been in a store, say Barnes & Nobles or Borders, and wonder what the price for that book your are holding would be on Amazon? Well, wonder no more. Amazon has recently introduced TextBuyIt, a mobile service that allows you to price check and even buy articles from the site.

The procedure is simple, just SMS them with the product in mind, reply back from the search results obtained, and in no time you could have bought something from Amazon even if you were standing on the Sci-Fi section at your local Borders.

Sneaky, ingenious and stores can’t do anythiiiiiing about it.

See below for an illustrative illustration that illustrates the illustrious way this service works.