Blog v Wiki

There are clear distinctions and similarities between a blog and a wikipedia page. The similarities between the two would be both sites are composed by people that may not be credible or people who obtained a degree/career for publications. Both sources are not acceptable for official papers (such as homework or essays) because the information is not provided with proper validity. Lastly, both wikipedia and blogs has someone monitoring the activity. According to Wikipedia to Limit Changes to Articles on People by Noam Cohen, due to vandalism and falsification of information on certain wikipedia pages, wikipedia arranged for protection of these pages to prevent slander and negativity. Some wikipedia pages such as President Obama and dramatic celebrities (Britney Spears) are at the least semi-protected.

The main difference between Wikipedia page and blog is that wikipedia could be adjusted and changed by numerous people. Blogs could be posted and changed by the owner of the blog, however, other people are free to comment on certain blogs openly. A key difference as well is blogging is a form of passion. People who blog write mainly on what they have expertise in and what they care about (Pulled from the source How can we measure the influence of the blogosphere? by Kathy E. Gill) Meanwhile, wikipedia pages are just a list of information updated and edited by volunteers.

In assumption the use of convergence means changing from old forms/methods of media and information to the new (blogs/wikipedia/google searches/etc.), it is important for people to convert to using these new forms as sources is because it is readily and easily accessible. While wikipedia is not a valid source for papers and such, it is relatively reliable for the general public who wants quick information. Wikipedia is the most viewed and accessed page from Google search, hence it usually comes up as the first search link/page available. The new media era/day/age requires information so quickly, that blogs and wikipedia pages become a valuable source of information. Because people blog about things they are very passionate about, it almost creates a validity in what they write. They themselves try to gather facts and truths for their own interest, so when they post and write their own thoughts and opinion they include valid sources to back up their thoughts/ideas. To some extent blogs may also provide a quick and (to some degree) accurate opinion to certain matters. Thus far wikipedia has only been a way to profile celebrities, companies, and events. Wikipedia has much room for growth but I personally do not know what wikipedia could be used for. Wikipedia's purpose is to provide useful information at easy/quick access which it has lived up to its purpose. To repurpose or to use Wikipedia in a different manner, I really can't picture. (Sorry!)