Web Collaboration Wikis , Blogs , and Discussion Boards July 2007 Created by: Ashley Thoren

Quick Comparison Wiki – collaboration, multi-author, instantaneous post to one collective entry Blog – one author, means to comment, chronological entries Discussion Board/ Forum – discussion over posted topic, multi-author, avatars RSS Feed – self-updating access to a blog/wiki/forum

Wiki – collaboration, multi-author, instantaneous post to one collective entry

Blog – one author, means to comment, chronological entries

Discussion Board/ Forum – discussion over posted topic, multi-author, avatars

RSS Feed – self-updating access to a blog/wiki/forum

Wiki A wiki is a web application designed to allow multiple authors to add, remove, and edit content for a single article . The multiple author capability of wikis makes them effective tools for mass collaborative authoring. Several characteristics of wikis facilitate the multiple author capability. The most frequently used are: Quick and Easy Editing Navigation Systems Review and Revert Permissions Discussion Pages Note: This information was taken directly from the Wikipedia “ wiki ” article as it was the most comprehensive source. Wiki

A wiki is a web application designed to allow multiple authors to add, remove, and edit content for a single article . The multiple author capability of wikis makes them effective tools for mass collaborative authoring.

Several characteristics of wikis facilitate the multiple author capability. The most frequently used are:

Quick and Easy Editing

Navigation Systems

Review and Revert

Permissions

Discussion Pages

Note: This information was taken directly from the Wikipedia “ wiki ” article as it was the most comprehensive source.

Clicking the “Edit” button allows for direct alteration of an article which instantly changes the final homepage. There are no comments or discussion, but simply collaborative editing of one article. Many wikis now provide a simple WYSIWYG (“what you see is what you get” or syntactically, “wizzy wig”) editor. This allows contributors who are unfamiliar with traditional html or xhtml syntax an easy and intuitive way to edit. Wiki

Established public wikis like Wikipedia and WikiHow use navigational outlines and search functions to help organize their articles; as well as notifications to show the reader what kind of editing or source referencing the articles may need for validity. Note there is a section for “see also”, notes, references, and external links as well as hyperlinked words in the article itself that allow for further investigation by the reader. Wiki

Wikis allow for a comprehensive list of previous edits with a “history” function. The “edit summary” that follows is a short piece of text (usually one line) summarizing the changes. It is not inserted into the article, but is stored along with that revision of the page, allowing users to explain what has been done and why. Wiki

These tools allow you to go in and edit, remove, and/or review the current version. “Check Out” refers to the ability to lock or save a version of the wiki. The “Alert Me” function lets you enable the system to alert you when edits have been made to the wiki. Edits to versions show up using a colorized key for deleted and added material Wiki

How to Avoid WikiTrash Permissions Open access to wikis allows entry by spammers. Most wikis allow administrators to assign different levels of permissions to visitors to view, edit, create or delete pages. Assigning permissions helps prevent misuse of wikis but can also discourage genuine contributors. Discussion pages Authors frequently need to discuss page contents to reach consensus. Most wikis facilitate this by having a discussion page attached to each wiki page. These discussion pages are much like a discussion board or forum . Wiki

Permissions

Open access to wikis allows entry by spammers. Most wikis allow administrators to assign different levels of permissions to visitors to view, edit, create or delete pages. Assigning permissions helps prevent misuse of wikis but can also discourage genuine contributors.

Discussion pages

Authors frequently need to discuss page contents to reach consensus. Most wikis facilitate this by having a discussion page attached to each wiki page. These discussion pages are much like a discussion board or forum .

Blog Blog , a portmanteau of “web log,” is a collection of entries by an individual or small permissioned group of authors, written and displayed in chronological order. Blog can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog. Blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries. Blog

Blog , a portmanteau of “web log,” is a collection of entries by an individual or small permissioned group of authors, written and displayed in chronological order.

Blog can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

Blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries.

Content A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. They frequently have a sidebar of modules for outside links, extra information, or whatever else may pertain. Most blogs are primarily textual and are part of a wider network of social media, however some are done primarily in video (“vlog”). Blog

A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic.

They frequently have a sidebar of modules for outside links, extra information, or whatever else may pertain.

Most blogs are primarily textual and are part of a wider network of social media, however some are done primarily in video (“vlog”).

Organization Its chronological organization lends itself to simple dated archives. Blogs can be categorized to easily find pertinent information. Typically this is through a tagging function. Blogs can include a search function. Blog

Its chronological organization lends itself to simple dated archives.

Blogs can be categorized to easily find pertinent information. Typically this is through a tagging function.

Blogs can include a search function.

Comments The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of blogging. Readers may leave a message or question for the author of the article. The bottom of the article usually has a link to view and/or leave comments. Click on it, and it will either redirect you to a comment page, or insert a commenting interface into the current window. NOTE: these comments are directed at the originating content , as opposed to a discussion question for others to respond to. Responses to comments are nearly always made by the author. Blog

The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of blogging. Readers may leave a message or question for the author of the article.

The bottom of the article usually has a link to view and/or leave comments. Click on it, and it will either redirect you to a comment page, or insert a commenting interface into the current window.

Blog creation is typically very simple thanks to WYSIWYG capabilities. Depending on the interface used, you can add capabilities for photo, video, and audio. Many blog programs offer things like tagging , profiles, and privacy settings. Posting Blog

Blog creation is typically very simple thanks to WYSIWYG capabilities.

Depending on the interface used, you can add capabilities for photo, video, and audio.

Many blog programs offer things like tagging , profiles, and privacy settings.

Discussion Board/Forum An Internet forum is a web application for holding discussions and posting user generated content. Commonly referred to as web forums , message boards , discussion boards , (electronic) discussion groups , discussion forums , bulletin boards , or simply forums . The terms "forum" and "board" may refer to the entire community or to a specific sub-forum dealing with a distinct topic. Messages within these sub-forums are then displayed either in chronological order or as threaded discussions. Characterized by four main components. Organization Notifications/Updates Permissions Avatars and Posting Disc Bd

An Internet forum is a web application for holding discussions and posting user generated content.

Commonly referred to as web forums , message boards , discussion boards , (electronic) discussion groups , discussion forums , bulletin boards , or simply forums .

The terms "forum" and "board" may refer to the entire community or to a specific sub-forum dealing with a distinct topic.

Messages within these sub-forums are then displayed either in chronological order or as threaded discussions.

Characterized by four main components.

Organization

Notifications/Updates

Permissions

Avatars and Posting

Forums are typically organized into the categories, sub-categories and then threads. A thread is an actual line of discussion. A user may start their own thread or search for previous threads to ask a question and find answers from previous discussions. Disc Bd

Forums are typically organized into the categories, sub-categories and then threads. A thread is an actual line of discussion.

A user may start their own thread or search for previous threads to ask a question and find answers from previous discussions.

Notifications Forums frequently have a section where regular readers can update themselves and easily link to new material. The number of users and posts are shown. This helps users decide if their posts will be seen and answered. Disc Bd

Forums frequently have a section where regular readers can update themselves and easily link to new material.

The number of users and posts are shown. This helps users decide if their posts will be seen and answered.

Permissions Frequently a forum will have a set of rules and regulations to mediate the discussions. There is often a moderator who will go through and delete inappropriate or irrelevant posts. Registration for a forum is typical to keep users accountable for their words. Disc Bd

Frequently a forum will have a set of rules and regulations to mediate the discussions.

There is often a moderator who will go through and delete inappropriate or irrelevant posts.

Registration for a forum is typical to keep users accountable for their words.

Formatting and Posting Users’ posts are often accompanied by their “ avatar ” or “profile” located on the left hand side of their post. Forums offer the ability to quote or reply to previous posts. Since the text of the discussion goes in chronological order, it is fairly easy to follow a discussion. Editing posts requires the same simple posting capabilities as blogs and wikis but with much fewer editing options. Disc Bd

RSS/Web Feed An RSS feed or web feed is a way to easily stay current with continually updated content. The link will keep updated with the content; easier than manually checking sites. RSS is short for “Really Simple Syndication” (syndication being the term used to describe the publishing of a feed) RSS

An RSS feed or web feed is a way to easily stay current with continually updated content. The link will keep updated with the content; easier than manually checking sites.

RSS is short for “Really Simple Syndication” (syndication being the term used to describe the publishing of a feed)

How does RSS work? A content provider publishes a feed link on their site which end users can register with an aggregator program (also called a feed reader or a news reader ) running on their own machines This icon was introduced in Mozilla Firefox in order to indicate a web feed was present on a particular webpage and could be used in conjunction with the Live Bookmarks function. Click to visually walk through the process of setting up a simple RSS feed . RSS

A content provider publishes a feed link on their site which end users can register with an aggregator program (also called a feed reader or a news reader ) running on their own machines

This icon was introduced in Mozilla Firefox in order to indicate a web feed was present on a particular webpage and could be used in conjunction with the Live Bookmarks function.

Click to visually walk through the

process of setting up a simple RSS feed .

Aggregator/Feed Reader When instructed, the aggregator asks all the servers in its feed list if they have new content; if so, the aggregator either makes a note of the new content, makes a link to it, or downloads it. My Yahoo and iGoogle are both examples of aggregators where one can choose content such as the news, weather, and stock quotes through RSS feeds. They may also come in the form of live book marking, desktop, or email feeds (Attensa for outlook). RSS

When instructed, the aggregator asks all the servers in its feed list if they have new content; if so, the aggregator either makes a note of the new content, makes a link to it, or downloads it.

My Yahoo and iGoogle are both examples of aggregators where one can choose content such as the news, weather, and stock quotes through RSS feeds.

They may also come in the form of live book marking, desktop, or email feeds (Attensa for outlook).

Benefits to RSS Users do not disclose their email address Reducing exposure to threats associated with email: spam, viruses, phishing , and identity theft. No need to send 'unsubscribe' request users simply remove the feed from their aggregator or bookmarks Automatically "sorted“, ie each feed URL has its own sets of entries Unlike an email box where all emails are in one big pile and the email program has to resort to complicated rules/pattern matching. RSS

Users do not disclose their email address

Reducing exposure to threats associated with email: spam, viruses, phishing , and identity theft.

No need to send 'unsubscribe' request

users simply remove the feed from their aggregator or bookmarks

Automatically "sorted“, ie each feed URL has its own sets of entries

Unlike an email box where all emails are in one big pile and the email program has to resort to complicated rules/pattern matching.

RSS and Cisco Cisco implemented its own RSS feeds which can be subscribed to directly from the CEC homepage . RSS

Cisco implemented its own RSS feeds which can be subscribed to directly from the CEC homepage .

Example for Sales Teams When to use each tool and Why? Wikis – best for real-time collaboration over a body of text or presentation, frees up e-mail inbox of many e-mails for small edits Blogs – best for one author to share information and multiple readers to review, discussion over an already formed idea Forums – best for a conversational flow of ideas, discussion over a topic to create an idea RSS Feeds – best for review of consistently visited and updated web pages, to gather information

Wikis – best for real-time collaboration over a body of text or presentation, frees up e-mail inbox of many e-mails for small edits

Blogs – best for one author to share information and multiple readers to review, discussion over an already formed idea

Forums – best for a conversational flow of ideas, discussion over a topic to create an idea

RSS Feeds – best for review of consistently visited and updated web pages, to gather information

Resources for Further Exploration into Web Collaboration Wikis: Wikipedia WikiHow US-Commercial FoCom Blogs: Livejournal Xanga US-Canada Theater Voices Discussion Forums: A Sales Forum A Movie Forum Social Networking: Facebook MySpace LinkedIn Second Life Cisco in Second Life Mashups (web application hybrid): Wikipedia Article Video on Mashups GoogleMaps Mashup Example that shows map with earthquake, traffic, movie theater information and much more.

Wikis:

Wikipedia

WikiHow

US-Commercial FoCom

Blogs:

Livejournal

Xanga

US-Canada Theater Voices

Discussion Forums:

A Sales Forum

A Movie Forum

Social Networking:

Facebook

MySpace

LinkedIn

Second Life

Cisco in Second Life

Mashups (web application hybrid):

Wikipedia Article

Video on Mashups

GoogleMaps Mashup

Example that shows map with earthquake, traffic, movie theater information and much more.

Words to Remember Aggregators - is client software or a Web service which aggregates syndicated web content such as news headlines, blogs, podcasts, and vlogs in a single location for easy viewing. Avatar – picture associated with a personal profile, usually associated with web based identity End user – the person, or group of persons to end up actually using a product Mashup – a web app that integrates content from more than one source (Examples at the bottom of the linked article) Phishing – spamming users for information Syndicate – to publish content for a web feed Tagging – assigning categorical words to an article, post, or feed for further organization and searching capabilities Thread – line of discussion in a forum Vlog – video blog WYSIWIG – “What You See is What You Get” editing, an internal application The keywords are all linked back to a web based definition for further explanation.

Aggregators - is client software or a Web service which aggregates syndicated web content such as news headlines, blogs, podcasts, and vlogs in a single location for easy viewing.

Avatar – picture associated with a personal profile, usually associated with web based identity

End user – the person, or group of persons to end up actually using a product

Mashup – a web app that integrates content from more than one source (Examples at the bottom of the linked article)

Phishing – spamming users for information

Syndicate – to publish content for a web feed

Tagging – assigning categorical words to an article, post, or feed for further organization and searching capabilities

Thread – line of discussion in a forum

Vlog – video blog

WYSIWIG – “What You See is What You Get” editing, an internal application

How to create an aggregator RSS Feed in your own browser. Go to the preferred website that supplies a feed and click on the RSS icon. Select your preferred aggregator and click “Subscribe Now.” See how the RSS feed has automatically inserted itself into the iGoogle homepage. Click on the link to see the page’s content. Back to RSS Feeds