Blog vs. Wiki

According to dictionary.com, a "wiki is a web site that allows anyone to add, delete, or revise content by using a web browser;" as opposed to a blog which is defined as, "a web site containing the writer's or group of writers' own experiences, observations, opinions, etc., and often having images and links to other Web sites." As you can see from the dictionary definition's of blogs and wiki's, it is evident that there are clear differences between the two. A blog is created by an individual who states his opinions and invites people to comment with their own. According to the article by Melissa Gerry, "Celebrity Blogs: The Impact of New Media", "Through blogs, people are able to write about topics that interest them and comment freely on what is going on in their lives and the world around them." A wiki is made up of many minds. Wiki's do not deal with opinion like blogs do. Their purpose is to inform people with facts. However, the information found in wiki's may not always be true, while the information on someone's blog is only opinion, not to be taken as fact. While wiki's and blogs do have their differences, they also have similarities. One of these similarities is that they are both created by user's who intend to share their information/opinion with the public.

"How can blogs be used for collaboration?:"
Our CIS class is a perfect example of how blogs can be used for collaboration. As we posted our topics on our blogs, we received feedback from our fellow classmates. The feedback received might open the door to new ideas that someone hadn't thought of. Another way blogs can be used for collaboration can be found in the article "Brooklyn Blog Helps Lead to Drug Raid," by Michael Wilson. He writes about how neighbors in Brooklyn posted comments on a blog about two shady houses on their block and what they saw happening. A few months later and BAM!! the cops busted down the doors and arrested the people who lived in what turned out to be a crack house.

I think it would be interesting to use a wiki for consumer shopping. Instead of going to each store or brands website, you have one main website where companys post facts about their products. For example, lets say you were looking for a computer. You don't know if you want a mac or a pc, a dell or an hp, a notebook or a desktop. To help make your decision you go to this website with wiki's on each product. You click on ones that interest you and it displays them all side by side. It must have a "compare" feature so that one can compare different products to see which best fits their needs.