Blogs vs. Wikis

Blogs and wikis are two media tools. Both were made possible due to the new online technology. Both are similar in terms of usage: anyone can do blogging or collaborate in a wiki. Both are a form of journalism. Blogs and wikis are perfect examples of role convergence which is one of the essential features of new media. Internet gave people a power of two way communication. This power may be fully exercised in wikis and moreover in blogging; role of a user is converged with the role of an author. The same person becomes producer and consumer of information at the same time.

However, blogs and wikis are not the same thing. Thus, unlike wikis blogs are written by identifiable authors, who have control over their posts. Blogs are mostly created by people who have passion for writing, for expressing themselves and there personal ideas. Nevertheless, blogs can be used collaboratively as well. For example, as described in an article by Michael Wilson "Brooklyn blog helps lead to drug raid", the blog topic started by one person was developed by others. People collaborated, and it helps them to bring attention of the police to drug abuse in the building. On contrary, most wikis give a chance to everyone to participate in its creation. Therefore, wiki is a product of collaboration of many, while blog is a product of one. Wiki are designed in a way which allows people to work on their product as a team. The most known example of wiki is a Wikipedia. An article "An Internal wiki that's not classified" by Noam Cohen tells about a Diplopedia, a wiki created by contribution of all who works in a State Department. However, wikis are not limited to creation of text material. They are used for business discussions in place of meetings etc. I am sure wiki technology may be applied broader on college blackboards as a helpful tool for students to work on their team projects.