Hi Dr Solomon,

Seems like if you want to start a wiki and study it, you don't need to ask for volunteers or offer payment. Even a $10 gift certificate would distort the underlying premise of starting and joining a wiki.

The wikis are out there, go Margaret Mead, jump in and observe, after a while ask for e-mail addresses if you want to have side conversations with participants.
Best to learn about the topic or have some prior knowledge--unless you're investigating how people learn from wikis (I learned a lot from these guys. This forum, Nick's first book-and offset numbers, a cedar board, a computer--and so far the best five years of my life.)

It also helps to learn the language and talk with the natives. Why does one post? (for this forum, for me? 1. I have a question that needs answering 2. I'm procrastinating working on my project 3. My curiosity's been fired up by something someone has posted 4. I just gotta let everyone, someone know something only these would understand or they would appreciate (see my shark and whale posts with video links) 5. I want to share a technique I've invented (or think I've invented) 6-8 I'm procrastinating doing other things and would rather hang out.

Wikis that suck: Most of those offering 'answers' The answers are usually obvious, incomplete, useless, wrong, missing (but surrounded by blinking ad links). Compare these wikis which probably start as commercial ventures.

Sure I'll sign up.