Week 7 Thing #16 Wikis

Hola gatos,

I found the playing this week on wiki's certainly the most useful of the program so far. Perhaps too, after the CPD Forum today, I was able to build on the knowledge gained from the elibraryWiki.

My 'issues' with wikis is the lack of control regarding the content. Users of wikis are also the creators. However from further exploration of wikis today, it struck me that if the scope/purpose of a wiki is clearly defined, then lack of control over content is no longer an issue.

For example, SJCPL wiki was a fantastic resource but I found the content would otherwise duplicate that found on the library's own website. How do library patrons know they are able to add their own resources to the wiki?

However, when looking at the example of Book Lovers Wiki, it is clearly known to users that the purpose of the wiki is to share book reviews and therefore, it works well.

I also liked the use of the wiki for the ALA 2006 Conference - I wasn't sure how a wiki could be used in this way. But the strength here is that the wikis is used collaboratively and the information can be update quickly by interested users.

Most importantly, the structure of the information contained in a wiki, will also contribute to it's use and ultimately success. Bull Run Library is an example of an unstructured wiki.

So, along with mice, birds and naps, wikis are something this little cat would like to get into.

Ciao for now

Carlos