USAID/W Online Community Products

The platforms are accessible via the internet and are designed to facilitate communication and collaboration among stakeholders. The USAID/W Online Community Products include the Extranet, Intranet, and INTERACT platforms, which are accessible via different channels. The Extranet is accessible via the internet, while the Intranet is accessible via a linked workstation or SBC. The INTERACT platform is also accessible via the internet. Membership to these platforms is not required, but access to certain features and content may be restricted to approved users. The platforms feature a range of tools and functionalities, including user-generated content, blogs, wikis, forums, and personalized profiles. The USAID.gov platform is built on Drupal 5.5 and features static HTML, Horde email, Simple Machine Forums, and MediaWiki. The platform is currently being migrated to Sharepoint, which will provide a more dynamic and user-friendly experience. The platforms also provide access to other government intranets, such as the State Department's intranet and Intelink.gov. The Clearinghouse, located at dec.usaid.gov, provides a centralized repository of development experience and resources. Members of the community can form specialized groups and access content based on their user privileges. In contrast, the Wikipedia platform is an open wiki that is accessible to the general public. It is one of the most visited sites in the US and allows anonymous contributions. However, the USAID/W Online Community Products do not allow anonymous contributors, and each group has its own wiki with disconnected content. The Diplopedia and Intelipedia platforms, used by the State Department and Intelligence communities, respectively, provide access to controlled unclassified information and feature separate wiki versions for Secret and Top Secret information.