Blogs Vs. Wikis

Blogs and Wiki's are both similar and different in many ways.

To compare, blogs and wikis are both forms of new media that spurred the emergence of Web 2.0. They both allow everyone, with access to the internet, to post their knowledge, ideas, and opinions. Both are interactive with their readers/users in the sense that if you use a wiki you may edit or add your own knowledge and with blogs you may comment on the blog. Both blogs and wiki's help users form communities. For example, http://streetfighter.wikia.com/wiki/Street_Fighter_Wiki, "The Street Fighter Wiki", allows users to pool their knowledge on street fighter in an easily accessible way and foster a community. Similarily, http://remotecontrol.mtv.com/category/shows/jersey_shore/, "The Jersey Shore Blog", allows users to connect with their favorite Jersey Shore cast members outside the show.

To differentiate, the main difference between blogs and wikis are their delivery format and intent. Blogs are more of an opinion-based and to express ideas while Wikis are a knowledge-based format and are intended to build an encyclopedia like environment.

            Convergence is important to blogs, wikis and other forms of new media because it brings people closer together and creates an all-inclusive society. Convergence in blogs allows people to post their comments and give feedback and different points of views to the poster and also allowing for collaboration. Convergence in Wikis allows different people to contribute their varying knowledge-bases on a specific subject thus creating a richer well of information.

One way that Wikis can be used newly but haven’t been fully utilized can be seen in the article “How to Use Wikis for Business” by Ezra Goodnoe. As companies become more technology based, they engage in more remote behavior rather than meeting in person. Companies can use Wikis to remotely collaborate on projects and share competitive intelligence throughout all aspects of the firm. Also, Small Firms could use Wikis to compile their syndicated information, such as research reports and surveys, to easily sell to other companies as Margaret Locher mentions in the article ‘More on how to build your own Wikipedia”.