In the networked world, convergence, the combining of two or more things on a single platform, is especially prevalent. Modern media allows for the cooperation and collaboration between previously unconnected media platforms. While blogs and wikis share the commonality of the importance and implementation of convergence, the two platforms differ in how they collaborate, and the topics of collaboration.
Both blogs and wikis enable one with access to a computer, to contribute to global conversation, without any qualifications. The first prominent difference between blogs in wikis lay in this similarity. Although nearly any person can write a blog or a wiki, blogs are primarily opinions based pieces, while information written on wikis must include source citations. Despite hailing itself as a user-written encyclopedia, Wikipedia decided to assign trusted volunteers to approve public edits in an effort to limit inaccuracies that have stirred complaints for the company. In this way, wikis differ greatly from blogs, as public blogs are usually not restricted or required to include factual information because they often function as means of social commentary and online journals.
Wikis' use of citations in posts can be likened to the many blogs that as an act of convergence, include links to various stories that are related the topic addressed in the respective posts. Convergence in blogs and wikis are imperative because they facilitate the occurrence of global conversation. Links to different websites, and news stories provide a deeper understanding of the relevant topic. This type of convergence also facilitates collaboration between readers and writers by helping one understand another's point of view.
As seen in Michael Wilson's "Brooklyn Blog Helps Lead to Drug Raid," collaboration among bloggers can have great benefits such as, exposing criminal activity. Blogs allow civilians to voice complaints and observations on public platforms while amplifying the impact of their voices by the sheer number of participating collaborators. The number of participants adds a certain value to the conversation similar to the way that wikis are completed and successful due to the number of collaborators working toward creating posts for the user-based encyclopedia.
To continue the collaborative and convergent aspects of wiki, a new use for wiki can be for employees to detail their job performance overtime. The wiki would include a short bio about the employee, links to projects, presentations, and proposals completed at the company, and career highlights. This would promote employee performance and company-wide interaction.
Sources:
https://mconvergence.wordpress.com/about/
http://faculty.washington.edu/kegill/pub/www2004_blogosphere_gill.pdf
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/08/26/wikipedia.editors/index.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/26/nyregion/26bayridge.html
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