Yes, this is exactly what I felt last week. Totally disappointed with it. I have tried to edit some articles in the wikis, I even signed up for it, and it didn't let me do any editing. I have tried to add some useful links URL to library location, and it was telling me that: external links are better to add in the footnote or reference part. I was furious!!!! So, no luck on editing Wikis.
Yea yea, I know that wikipedia is a really powerful online free encyclopedia, it is dynamic, attractive, open to public, easy to access from anywhere with internet facilities. In one simple description: the 21st century online collaborative tool... But, I was told it is not an authoritative source from the first lecture I have in this course. I was taught as an information manager, I have to think of the following questions:
1. Do we(information profession) use it?
2. Do we encourage people to use it?
3. Do we train people to use it? If so, how do we train people to use the wiki with evaluative and critical eyes.
I also learned that, apart from wikipedia, there are a lot of other similar collaborative tool in the web. I list some of them here:
1. Encyclopedia of Life - an online collaborative encyclopedia between scientific community and the general public. Goal: to provide knowledge about all the world's organism or living species. This is done in a more controlled environment. It is authoritative and restricted. Information is more reliable.
2. Conservapedia - American, conservative point of view, wiki-based Web encyclopedia.
3. Scholarpedia - this is a peer-reviewed open-access encyclopedia. Articles in there are dynamic. They provide up-to-date and high quality of content.
4. Knol - Google version of collaborative encyclopedia. Knol = a unit of knowledge. Some pages are opinion pages, selling products, how to use product and etc.
5. Citizendium - this includes acticles with reliable, authoratitive and quality. The contributors must use their real name in posting articles.
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I've heard of the rules and restrictions to edit in Wikipedia. I've read the instructions, but gave up as I'm a real beginner in this tech-world. I've tried editing a newspaper article at nla instead (just played safe... hehehe...).
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I loved your blog layout!! It's so professional! Very easy to navigate and clear. I think I should improve mine as well.
ooo Thanks!! I just added some gadgets to this blog. They are easy to add.. just go to customise > layout > page element > click the add a gadget icon, blogger will offer you a whole list of it..
ReplyDeleteI love to 'decorate' my blog with gadgets.. but all this need time to do it.. And I haven't got much time with working casually, part time carer to my mom and part time study..