The Differentiation of Blogs and Wikis

Blogs and Wikis are forms part of the new media, as they were created and utilized by user of the internet. The content that is placed on these types of media is user generated and can be viewed by anyone with access to the blog/wiki page.

There are differences in who are the users of these mediums and how these forms of media are used.

Wikis are used by a community of people who collaborate to give information on a number of topics. Anyone with access to the server where the wiki is hosted can view and edit information on all wiki post. On Wikipedia, the best known wiki, there are billions of topics to view and edit, however most wikis are focused on more specific areas of interest.

Since wikis can be changed by anyone, this may allow someone to post inappropriate material, which would not be removed until another user edits the post. The LA Times tried to create a wiki on an editorial about the developments of the Iraq war, but had to shut down the wiki after two days. (Shepard).

The users of blogs are usually a single person or smaller groups of people who post content on the pages. Blogs are new forms of editorials and journals; as users get to post anything of interest to them and they are able to share their post with the billions of people online. Only users can edit the post but anyone can comment, which creates dialogue between the author and viewers

Bayridgetalk.com was an example of how a blog can be used and have reach expand outside of the its users. Writers of the blog posted about things that were going on in their community, including continuing disturbance at one of the homes.This led to an police investigation of the residence, where the authorities found out that illegal activity, which included drug selling, was taking place (Wilson).

Shepard, Alicia C. "Postings of Obscene Photos End Free-Form Editorial Experiment." The New York Times. The New York Times, 20 June 2005. Web. 28 Sept. 2014.

Wilson, Michael. "Brooklyn Blog Helps Lead To Drug Raid." The New York Times. The New York Times, 25 June 2008. Web. 28 Sept. 2014.