Blogs vs Wikis

Blogs and Wikis have their similarities and differences. According to Wikipedia on Wikis at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki a wiki is " a website that provides a collaborative modification of its content and structure directly from the website." On the other hand a Blog whose name derives from Web log, is different in how content is added. According to "How Can We Measure the Influence of the Blogosphere?" by Kathy E. Gill a blog is structured similar to a "collective diary." In a Blog the one who creates and posts the information is known as the blogger who is the only one who has access to post while the public may have the option to comment on the post, they do not have the access to directly edit the post. While on the Wiki anyone in the general public has access to it and can edit the page however they please. How can blogs be used for collaboration? Well blogs and wikis both have many uses. Blogs specifically can be used for collaboration because it can spread one persons view and share it with their audience. Thus, the people reading the blogs may have the same views or may have been persuaded by the bloggers post. For example they could have been sharing views on a specific product, a specific debate, or even their opinions on food. A wiki is used more as a database where people can all contribute to a specific topic for example this is shown in the Wikipedia on Wikis. Everything on that page is generated by the public, who slowly add bits and pieces of new information as the years progress. A new use for wiki's that has not been done yet might be to implement specific pages for certain things, for maybe things such as business projects, sharing of information on companies, where there may be some restrictions to what the public can do since it may hinder the company reputation. Convergence in todays world is important because it is in a sense another form of communication connecting people even though they may not be face to face in front of you. 

Amazon: Whether it has a positive or negative effect on the Future?

For my research project I will be talking about Amazon as a whole and its effect on the future. For example some positive effects would be how students can get their textbooks and materials for school quicker and cheaper on Amazon, Customers are able to purchase items from virtually anywhere they have internet whether it is at home or outside in Starbucks, and items that may be hard to find on your own can be found on Amazon with a click of a button. However with positives there are always negatives. Some negative effects may include a decline of traffic in local business, people go out less often to buy things, people may grow dependent to ordering online, it can also affect social interactions as people would be interacting less socially when ordering from Amazon. For my research topic, I will be looking more in depth into the effects of Amazon towards the Future. We will be able to see some positives and negative effects it may have and how this new media will continue to change our lives.