Blog v Wiki
Both blogs and wikis allow individuals and groups of people to communicate information through a platform and provide a place where these individuals can give feedback. They differ in how they give feedback however. For blogs, individuals can provide feedback in the form of comments. While for wikis, users are able to provide a form of feedback through editing the content on the wiki directly on that page. Another difference is that a blog is usually controlled by a person or a group of people - whoever has access to the editing tools(or username/password). It's an alternative to publishing so not everyone can input on the persons work. This person(s) would be able to control what information they want to portray that is available to the people. A blog shows the audience who posted something or who comments on those posts. The blog facilitator also has the ability to screen comments or postings. Meanwhile, as mentioned previously, a wiki allows anyone who can see the page to edit information to their liking. In "Wikipedia Looks Hard at Its Culture", the author mentions that the management at Wikimedia Foundations acknowledges that their model leaves them vulnerable to exploitation - people may take advantage of it to monetize or pursue a political agenda. These wiki pages do not need the permission of the blog facilitator in order to edit a wiki page. So it's possible people may edit something on those pages for their own self gain. However, on a more positive note, wikis can be see more as a collaborative page where everyone can put their ideas while blogs are from a personal standpoint and individuals can comment and give feedback on that topic. Both blogs and wikis provide a platform where individuals can express their viewpoint whether it be in the form of words, video, images etc. They both have the option to be public for everyone to see or private if they want to.
Convergence in todays networked world is in an important part of allowing open communication of thoughts and ideas into a platform. To have a platform where individuals can share experiences or thoughts on something can really give feedback on various aspects of a persons life. For example, a blog can be used for collaboration to enhance a consumers experience in a certain store. This can be seen in the article "Walmart Tastemakers Write a Blunt and Unfiltered Blog". In the article it states, "The result is an intensely personal window into the lives, preferences and quirks of the powerful tastemakers at WalMart, the nation’s largest retailer,who have spent years shielded from public view." There was a blog site called "Check Out" that became a forum of Walmart's consumers feedback on merchandise. This forum portrayed the personal lives and tastes of these individuals who would just go on rants on their merchandise. In the end, Walmart was able to get quick feedback on merchandise and give them insight on what they should put on their shelves in stores.
A new way to use wiki can possibly in the research field. While it is easy to edit someone else's content on a wiki, I think the use of citing an individuals sources and background would be a helpful way to show the audience it is reliable. Say a group of people in the medical field want to research on something specific - such as a cure. Wiki can be used as a collaborative space for these individuals to add on to their research and make sure they are not repeating the same mistakes as other researchers.
Sources:
Wikipedia Looks Hard at Its Culture by Noam Cohen, NY Times, Aug 31, 2009. available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/business/media/31link.html
Wal-Mart Tastemakers Write a Blunt and Unfiltered Blog, NY Times, March 3, 2008, p. C1, at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/03/business/03walmart.html
Convergence in todays networked world is in an important part of allowing open communication of thoughts and ideas into a platform. To have a platform where individuals can share experiences or thoughts on something can really give feedback on various aspects of a persons life. For example, a blog can be used for collaboration to enhance a consumers experience in a certain store. This can be seen in the article "Walmart Tastemakers Write a Blunt and Unfiltered Blog". In the article it states, "The result is an intensely personal window into the lives, preferences and quirks of the powerful tastemakers at WalMart, the nation’s largest retailer,who have spent years shielded from public view." There was a blog site called "Check Out" that became a forum of Walmart's consumers feedback on merchandise. This forum portrayed the personal lives and tastes of these individuals who would just go on rants on their merchandise. In the end, Walmart was able to get quick feedback on merchandise and give them insight on what they should put on their shelves in stores.
A new way to use wiki can possibly in the research field. While it is easy to edit someone else's content on a wiki, I think the use of citing an individuals sources and background would be a helpful way to show the audience it is reliable. Say a group of people in the medical field want to research on something specific - such as a cure. Wiki can be used as a collaborative space for these individuals to add on to their research and make sure they are not repeating the same mistakes as other researchers.
Sources:
Wikipedia Looks Hard at Its Culture by Noam Cohen, NY Times, Aug 31, 2009. available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/business/media/31link.html
Wal-Mart Tastemakers Write a Blunt and Unfiltered Blog, NY Times, March 3, 2008, p. C1, at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/03/business/03walmart.html
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