Background...

I am an independent consultant, as a programmer, in a character-based language (Pick).  I am intrigued with Wiki's and the prospects of the kind of solutions they can offer.  Companies have been proofing the effectiveness for long enough time now so; I want to start to explore the potential of consulting solutions to companies using Wiki's.  here is what I am thinking…

1)    Ease of use – I have seen some Wikis that have an editing tools that looks a lot like a word processor.  This is essential.  The reason I believe it is essential is that the training of editing the pages is hopefully next to null.  If there is another editing format that a wiki has come up with that you may think is as easy, I am open.

2)    Text based Storage – I would like files to be stored in a text based format.  The reason is I can build (or buy) an ETL tool to load the information into a DW.  Using another DB restricts my options when I am ready to do this.

3)    Security – There MUST be a way to administrate security for viewing and editing.

4)    I prefer a Wiki that runs on a MS OS.  Sorry all, as much as I dislike this, I am here to reach to as many companies as I can.

5)    Hosting Solutions – I currently need a Hosting solution.  I want something more then a strick Wiki hosting solution.  For example, ixwebhosting.com has a Dokuwiki solution.  By having this, I have other tools at my disposal too.  I can build a proof of concept and they can keep it as a hosted solution or they can host it themselves.

6)    History Pages – Must have

7)    Again, I plan on using a simple (and Cheap) Wiki solution for companies who’s opportunities match this solution to get in the door.  This leads me to my last request…

8)    Once I am in the door, I want a Wiki to maintain the mid-sized to large projects that I will be building for them.  A Wiki with templates or formats that have proven track records to organizing project for software solutions.

Thanks - Shawn