Author: Jagdeep Biling
ID: 328274
Web Logs and Wikis have grown in popularity in the past few years; they have been fixated into the mainstream providing a range of useful services. They are both user based websites, where users can add, edit and delete information content with the simplest of interaction for mass collaboration, which represent the online intersection of people and time (Werbach 2001). [1] The users range from political consultants, news services to the average Joe, used as a communication entity and a social paradigm. Interaction between people has evolved through time, and the Internet has opened a spectrum of different avenues for human interaction, are Blogs and Wikis the next revolutionary form of interaction entities?
It has been widely documented that Blogs and Wikis are the most explosive outbreak in the information world since the Internet itself. [2] Some argue that its just a fad, and will lose its appeal, but many sites have gained great popularity that provide blogging functionality of putting up user personal information and then connecting to networks all over the world, some of these include Facebook and MSN Spaces.
One of the fascinations is that something can be globally distributed via the click of a button, and then can be accessed real time anywhere in the world. With the Internet and technology offering a range of multimedia types to be posted, allows users to share experiences in real-time. An example of this is when the Tsunami occurred in Asia a couple of years ago, many people recorded the videos, which were posted on the internet soon after. [3] Something that traditional media services would need time to procure information and video footage before people can be informed over the world. [4] Deuze outlines how Blogs are becoming a new form of journalism that illustrates stories and experiences, which also allow readers to comment. [5]
Blogs and Wikis also allows for wanna-be writers to post their material, so Blogs and Wikis act as a distribution channel. A lot of the material does tend to be below publishing standards, but there is some outstanding material.
As human beings, we are social mammals and the need to socially interact is a must. Blogs and Wikis provide a process in which users can socially interact and share. This could be in the form of writing about day-to-day life to release frustrations to having a debate on a certain subject. There is also the ego gratification angle, where users feel the need to be the centre of attention, so they enjoy people reading information about them and commenting. [6]
However, there are certain controversies surrounding Blogs and Wikis, accuracy and validity of certain information can be brought into contention, with many traditional media services have a reputation to uphold about the credibility of their stories, and also legal considerations and the threat of being sued gives the user a sense of validity. There is also a range of legal liabilities to consider, such as users releasing confidential information about companies they work for and about other people, which can have serious consequences. Also putting up copyrighted media, such as music videos, a great example is Youtube where no one could be sued or stopped posting copyrighted material, now Google have purchased it they have had to remove much of the content, but it remains difficult to stop users from posting.
A new dawn of social interaction is among us, being able to communicate with anyone, anywhere in the world. Blogs allow for real-time discussions over the internet. Wikis become larger and more reliable through time and users adding and confirming information creating an ever-increasing database of information that can be accessed in 1 common area.
[1] Branum, J. 2001. The Blogging Phenomenon: An Overview and Theoretical Consideration, http://www.ajy.net/jmb/blogphenomenon.htm
[2] Pinto, J. 2005. Blog Phenonmenon all Around. http://www.isa.org/Content/ContentGroups/News/20051/September29/Pintos_Point__Blog_phenomenon_all_around.htm
[3] Pruitt, C. 2005. The Blogging Phenomenon: Who? How? Why?. http://www.digitaldivide.net/articles/view.php?ArticleID=86
[4]Kidman, A. 2005. The Blog Phenomenon. http://technology.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=28229
[5] Branum, J. 2001. The Blogging Phenomenon: An Overview and Theoretical Consideration. http://www.ajy.net/jmb/blogphenomenon.htm
[6] Dvorak, J. 2002. The Blog Phenomenon. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,81500,00.asp, TITLE
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