[Sig-bwp] Must Read: _Wikis: Tools for Information Work and Collaboration_

[Gerry Mckiernan]

***APOLOGIES FOR RECEIPT OF DUPLICATE POSTINGS***

Colleagues/

****************************************************A "MUST READ"******************************************************************

 _Wikis: Tools  for Information Work and Collaboration_ byJane E. Klobas (and contributors, notably Angela Beesley of Wikia)
(Oxford : Chandos, 2006).xxi, 229 p.  [39.95  Euros (paper) / 57 Euros  (hardcover)]

Wikis as information sources, as a form of publishing, and as tools for collaboration, are discussed in this book. The applications of wikis in library and information services, education and business are explored, with examples.The book begins with an overview of wikis, in the context of the increasing use of ‘social software’ in general and the trend towards a more interactive World Wide Web. The different kinds of wikis are identified and described. The advantages and problems associated with using wikis in information work and collaboration are discussed. One of the problems is simply that of finding wikis that deal with a particular topic or activity, and this is addressed through a discussion of directories, search engines and other finding tools. Later chapters cover the options for creating wikis and the management of a wiki. The book concludes with lists of resources related to wikis
    
An overview of social software in general and wikis in particular * what is social software?; what are wikis?; the different kinds of wikis that are available; the most common features of wikis; RSS and its use in wikis. The focus will be on the open and collaborative nature of wikis Wikis as information sources * how useful are wikis as sources of information?; advantages and problems associated with wikis as information sources; evaluating wikis as sources of information; some examples of wikis (drawn from across several fields including education, technology, business, journalism)Finding wikis * directories and search engines; problems associated with finding wikis Wikis in the field of library and information science * wikis dealing with library and information science as a topic; using information from wikis in providing information services; wikis created as part of an information service. Examples are providedWikis in business * public wikis created by commercial organisations and corporate wikis available on intranets within organisations. Examples are providedWikis in education * wikis as information tools and wikis as tools for collaboration in the educational setting; the use of wikis in teaching and learning. Examples are providedCreating a wiki - the options * an overview of the options; free wiki options; commercial wiki options; wiki hosting; add-ons to enhance a wiki Managing a wiki * an overview of the management issues associated with providing a wiki; planning for implementation of a wiki; making technical decisions; making decisions about and managing content; dealing with issues such as spam and intellectual property rights; allocating staff time and other resources to the development and maintenance of a wiki; promoting the wiki; evaluating the wiki project
Sources of information about wikis * printed sources; web-based sources 
 
 [ http://www.chandospublishing.com/catalogue/record_detail.php?recordID=111 ]

/Gerry 

Gerry McKiernan
Science and Technology Librarian
Iowa State University Library 
Ames IA 50011

gerrymck at iastate.edu