How do I develop a stand alone wikipedia style system that will work when I am not connected to the internet and will only be accessible by me?

If you have a Mac, Voodoo Pad is designed for this type of thing. It’s only $40, and has a free trial. I use it to organize the many aspects of projects I’m working on and have been happy with it.

TiddlyWiki is browser-based but does not require and internet connection.

+1 for TiddlyWiki

You could also install a web server and a blank copy of Wikipedia’s software on your computer. It’s free. MediaWiki

But if TiddlyWiki fits your needs, I would go with that for the simplicity.

@jaytkay How does one install a web server onto the computer….I found Apache, I guess I’m doing the right thing…

XAMPP is the I think the easiest way to install Apache.
http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html

I would highly recommend using a spare computer. Or using a virtual machine, like VirtualBox.

There is a learning curve on running a web server, and it’s nice to be able to wipe it and start fresh ( or goof up) without messing up the PC you depend on every day.

I second @Vortico‘s recommendation for TiddlyWiki. I’ve been using it on all of my browsers for a little over a year as a nominal home page and major links repository.

@Ltryptophan I’m curious to know what you do for a living… You seem to always ask questions that I’m thinking about…