BLOG POST: BLOGS vs. WIKIS

Blogs are like a personal internet journal, where users can describe opinions or observations about the world her or she live in.Blogs contain posts, or written content that is dated and listed in reverse chronological order. People can comment on the text that has been written and also include links to other sites that are relevant.

Wikis, as described in the article "How to Use Wikis For Business," by Ezra Goodnoe, are "essentially web pages that anyone can create or edit." Goodnoe also states that Wikis simplify the tedious and confusing natur of emails that follow divergent paths. The wiki is collaboration software that allows non-technological employees to easily adpot a way to stay organized. The software enables users to easily exchange information. Content can also be updated without any real lag time. Users can simply sign on and make a change. Later users can then see the change and either keep it or revert the document back to the original form.

Like a blog dates are used to document the changes that are made. Unlike blogs, Wikis are more collaborative. Users do not need to leave comments or opinions, because they can alter whatever they disagree with. Wikis are also just as cost efficient as blogs. All users need is a computer and the internet. Blogs can also include hundreds of posts. Wikis can similarly hold various corporate documents, making them excellent for businesses. As described in the article, "An Internal Wiki That's Not Classified," by Noam Cohen, Diplopedia, a wiki used by the State Department, is one way workers can collaborate and share information. While blogs allow users to share an opinion or knowledge in a particular subject, they can be biased. Wikis are constantly edited and changed, allowing users to update and add information instantaneously, providing a less biased picture.

With so many new technologies constantly being created, users are demanding that different types of technological tools offer the same capabilities. This phenomenon is called convergence. For example as we use our personal computers we are able to access the internet. We therefore become accustomed to this ability, and expect that other tools like cellphones also have this type of technological ability. The same principle applies for services like GPS in phones, cars and even music devices.

Blogs can be used for collaboration because many times writers include sources from other internet locations. By including this hyperlink readers able to learn more and also search similar sites for relevant content. Readers are also able to leave comments and reactions to the content they read. These comments are then linked to the blog post, allowing even more readers to interact with the posted material. Bloggers also cross link their posts to other blogs that address similar topics. With these tools users can find a plethora of information, and even create large on-line communities.

One new way to use wikis would be to create ongoing projects where students are assigned a topic at the start of a semester. The students can then add and remove information as they follow companies and their research throughout the semester. At the end of the term they can have a wealth of knowledge that has been updated frequently. Their research can then be published alogn with videos and pictures.