Wikis vs Blogs

I have the feeling that the main difference between wikis and blogs is that we turn to a wiki for information, and we go to a blog mainly for opinions. Those to ideas are very closely related but they are also distinctive at the same time. In her article “How to build your own Wikipedia”, Margaret Locher praises the main feature that wikis were created for.” By making it easier to gather and share information as well as record discussions about a subject, wikis (…) can help people improve their processes and get projects done faster”. Wikis are used mostly as collaboration tools, platforms to exchange information, share documents and ideas.

Blogs, on the other hand, are closer to journalism. Just as Kathy Gill claims in her article “How can we measure the influence of the blogosphere?”: “Not only does it provide many viewpoints on shared experiences, but it often also serves as a collective databank used to jog the faulty memories of those who write or report for major media.” We also turn to that outlet for information, but it is a different kind of knowledge then the one we find on a wiki.  

I’d call convergence a cause and an effect in one. Different media converge with one another (e.g. infotainment, TiVo) as a result of changes in today’s world, because people in charge of media look for new ways to get to more people. That new hybrids cause convergence of consumption, as people can now use different Medias simultaneously (we watch TV or read newspaper on our computers or other portable devices).

Blogs do allow for collaboration because they are a two way street. The authors allow for recipients to post their own comments as well as they can post material for all readers to see. Corporate blogs (e.g. for Dell or Wall Mart) were created for the single purchase of collaboration of many individual customers.
This is the first time I'm learning about wiki platforms, other than Wikipedia. I see the great potential they have in corporate world for information exchange. I'd have to explor more to find brand new application for it. The only obstacle I see, is that we all would have to have a class like this one, to be able to use that fantastic tool.