Twickit presentation on the Webciety stage at CeBIT 2010

Twick.it hit the big stage. At least 150 people were listening to our vision of a universally accessible social glossary which we presented on the Webciety stage at the CeBIT. Not to mention the people watching the lifestream on the internet. After the presentation (which failed spectacularly) we had a professional photo shooting and met Sascha Lobo – Germany’s most famous blogger. By the way: More videos of the CeBIT are available at TwickitTV.

After driving through a snow storm for four hours we arrived at the CeBIT in Hannover and prepared the presentation. To make sure nothing could go wrong we installed and opened all the files on the laptop. All the presentation lady had to do was to press the right button. She messed it up, of course. Markus waited on stage for about a minute absolute ages before he could carry on. Luckily I made a backstage documentation of this historic #fail. At least we you have got something to laugh at feel sorry for.

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Definition of explanation

As Twick.it calls itself an explain engine – you will expect a convincing answer to the question: “What is an explanation?” I say: An explanation enlightens the listener. It clarifies something by stating the relevant facts. Logical, consistent, sensible – and straight to the point. On the other hand an explanation is interpretation of information directed towards a certain person or group. It relies on context, understanding and existing knowledge of the addressee. Thus every explanation is subject to discussion.

Synonyms for explanation

There are several synonyms for the word explanation: Account, description, reason, justification, rationalization, vindication, clarification, elucidation, explication, definition, enlightenment and so on. This list indicates that facts are central to an explanation. In order to explain something I require secure knowledge – and I have to argue my conclusions coherently. I have to reason. Unfortunately this is where objectivity ends. more>>

Twick.it is the original

When we started Twick.it – we had a vision: to create a collaborative encyclopaedia such as Wikipedia which would be as easy to use and straight to the point as Twitter. This is how we found the name: Twitter + Wikipedia = Twick.it. Of course we researched thoroughly that no similar tool existed in the internet. It was very important for us to create something new and not copy an American model. And that’s the way it is: Twick.it was the first encyclopaedia that applied the principle of preciseness – the strict limitation to the magic 140 characters. Naturally we did not expect to stay the only ones with this idea. For a few months we have been watching a little start-up in Berlin named Wikwik.it which we would like to introduce to you.

This is Wikwikit

Two names – one concept?

Isn’t it funny how similar the names Twick.it and Wikwik.it are? Both glossaries have an Italian domain and limit the explanations to 140 characters. What’s more: Just like Wikwik.it we started of with the slogan “Straight to the point” before we decided to drop it for the claim “The explain engine” which is easier to remember for a newbie. It’s really curious. If the guys of Wikwik.it weren’t so cute one could easily believe that they have shamelessly copied our whole concept. But wait: if they had copied us they would have also applied more of our functions. more>>

An answer to every question

Who are the Muffin Men? What does Hendrix chord stand for? What is the meaning of the abbreviation WWW? Many bloggers and writers use specialist terms and acronyms or cite names their readers have never heard of. They sometimes link to an external website which offers more information. The disadvantage of hyperlinks is obvious though: Some readers will not return to your own website. That’s why we developed the Twick.it Tool Tip. This plug-in allows every webmaster to display 140 character short explanations as tool-tip. Even better: By pressing the alt key and highlighting text the reader can decide himself which words he wants to have explained. Thus TTT can give an answer to every question.

For writers and readers

The Twick.it Tool Tip empowers both writer and reader: The author of an article can define topics which might need explaining. In addition the reader can check on every word of the whole text. This is how it works:

1. The author marks words with the html-command [ twickit]. TTT searches for the currently best explanation in our database and sets a link. As soon as the reader hovers above the link the tool-tip will be displayed. If the reader clicks on the link he will be forwarded to the equivalent Twick.it topic page.
2. On every website that installed the Twick.it Tool Tip the reader can mark any word, sentence or list for explanation. All he has to do is hit the alt key and highlight the text segment.

(An article about the installation of our tool-tip is in the making. Please bear with us.)

Future explanations

Webmasters can mark any word with the [ twickit]-command. If the marked word has not been explained at Twick.it yet – nothing will happen. The reader doesn’t notice. As soon as somebody writes a corresponding Twick – the word will be transformed into a link. This function helps your articles stay up to date.

Explaining whole articles

You can use the [ twickitall]-command to find explanations for whole articles. But beware: As our database is growing rapidly your article will be transformed into a confusing hyperlink graveyard. Therefore we would suggest using this function for lists only. Remember: Too much information distracts the reading process. And if you promote the Twick.it Tool Tip to your reader, the -command is superfluous anyway, as….

Highlights are better than hyperlinks

Every webmaster knows this problem: He cannot look into the head of his readers. Even if he could every reader has got individual questions. Look at this simple sentence for example: “John Lennon was the mastermind of The Beatles.” How am I to know which component of this sentence needs to be further explained to a certain reader? Maybe he has never heard of John Lennon. Maybe he spontaneously wants to know the meaning of the first name John. Maybe he is looking for basic information concerning the music group The Beatles or he would like an explanation for the term Mastermind.

Whatever question is on your reader’s mind: TTT brings the answer onto the screen – without the need of leaving the browser-window currently opened.

Explaining every word in the web

Twick.it’s Tool Tip functions in every language, in every browser and in every programming code. In theory we can explain every word in the web. It all depends on two factors: Users filling Twick.it with useful content and webmasters integrating and promoting it on their homepages. We believe this can create a win-win situation: The better the Twicks are, the higher is the use of external applications. The more external applications are in use, the greater is the competition and quality control for the best possible explanation.

Download WordPress plug-in

We have created a plug-in for the blog-software Wordpress which has been tested on several blogs and works fine. You can download it here. Installation is a matter of seconds – and the configuration is quite simple as well.

Feedback welcome

If you are a web developer or blogger and have tried the Twick.it Tool Tip please give us some feedback. Does the standard configuration harmonise with your website? Do you need additional functions or configuration presets? To all fans of Joomla and Typo3: Why don’t you programme a Twick.it Tool Tip yourself? The code couldn’t be any more simple and millions of downloads can’t do your reputation any harm. We would be happy to promote your Twick.it plug-in in our blog, Facebook fan page and Twitter account.

1. Knowledge is based on consent.

2. Sharing knowledge makes sense.

3. Knowledge is dynamical not set.

4. A short explanation is often more helpful than an overload of information.

5. Diversity is better than dogma.

6. The wisdom of the many produces better explanations than the knowledge of a single expert.

7. Quality and quantity are no opposites.

8. There is no “neutral point of view”:

9. Knowledge is formed by personalities.

10. Relevance depends on the point of view.

11. Knowledge can be explained, not edited.

12. Valuating is more efficient than arguing.

13. Positive support is more productive than regulation.

14. Entertaining knowledge attracts more attention and is spread more quickly than pure information.

15. A good links points to a source with relevant information.

16. Regarding knowledge “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

17. The more people join the explain engine the greater is the use for all.

18. There are more important things that knowledge!

    Family, friends, animals, nature, art, sport… – live.

Knowledge is an exiting expedition – not a crusade. The guidelines listed here are subject to discussion and not a credo carved in stone. The engagement in Twick.it should be fun for everyone and serve the use of the many.

Twick.it is not a scientific encyclopedia
such as Britannica, Wikipedia or Encyclopedia of Life – but an interactive, informative and entertaining explain engine.

Twick.it is not a classical search engine
like Google, Bing or Evri which uses bots to automatically index the web – but a knowledge data base filled and valuated by humans.

Twick.it is not a social network
á là Facebook or Linked in. There is no chat function – only the possibility to send direct mails (DM). The networking aspect is secondary and powered by topics.

Twick.it is not a microblog
such as Twitter where random news can be spread. Instead it is based on a structural encyclopedic basis.

Twick.it is not a counsel community
such as Ask.com or Yahoo Clever! No questions of individuals are answered. Instead topics are explained in a general way.

Twick.it is not a thesaurus
such as OpenThesaurus which only explains synonyms, abbreviations and specific terms. Twick.it is not limited to a certain area of topics.

Twick.it is not a slang glossary
such as UrbanDictionary which collects extraordinary topics.

Twick.it is not a bookmarking-tool
like Delicious or Mr. Wong where you can collect links on a neutral platform and tag and share them.

Twick.it is not a dictionary
such as LEO or Dict. But you can compare explanations of topics in different languages.

Twick.it is no…
cookbook, star forum, photo community, film data base, file sharing host, weapon dictionary, telephone book…

Twick.it is what you make of it!

Twick.it combines elements of the things it is not.

Twick.it could be described as a micro blog-encyclopedia in which you can explain specific terms, abbreviations, slang, synonyms and translations, which you can use to bookmark topics and build a topic driven social network. But most importantly the Twick.it search offers short, precise explanations written and valuated by humans.