Blogs vs. Wikis

I prefer to blog several different topics over maintaining a wiki page any day.  On a blog, I can freely express myself about any topic of discussion and others can weigh in with their opinions or feelings.  Unlike the wiki, information has to be factual since it's used as a reference page by most.  A blog is a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style and a wiki is a website that allows collaborative editing of its content and structure by its users.

As Linda Weiser Friedman, professor of the Department of Statistics & Computer Information Systems at Baruch College in New York City, states, on pg. 14 of her paper on New Media, because of the convergence of media the world can access information so much faster than ever before with a variety of technology, from Smart TVs, Blogs, Twitter, the Internet, etc.  At the speed that news happens in the world, it's important that people have access to and receive information as it occurs. 

It would be interesting to see Blogs evolve to where two people can blog as an online conversation in blog format of course.  In order to achieve this blog sites would have to open the editing lines so that two writers instead of one can contribute to an article, not like someone commenting on the blog, however, like instant messaging is formatted. 

Until taking my New Media class I had never explored all the parts of Wikipedia.  Honestly, it's remarkable as to how many people can contribute to information on any topic.  I didn't know that there were so many other compartments such as a Community Portal, Help Desk, Reference Desk, sort of like a virtual library- who knew.  They also have a Site News page that updates on news happening around the world daily.  What I found most interesting is Wikipedia's "Village Pump" page, that allows for contributors to discuss Wiki itself and includes areas for technical issues and policies.  With so many portals of exploration and accessibility to information, I don't think there is anything at this time that Wikipedia lacks for its contributors, readers, etc.