With other popular Wiki’s out there, like Wikipedia and Wikileaks, you’d think having your own Wiki would be the best and obvious choice. However, what exactly is a Wiki? Though they have the same root word- both well known ones are completely different. Wikipedia is the ‘good’ site, information galore like an encyclopedia of the world, while WikiLeaks is a widely known for government secrets that were never meant for anyone to know. If you want a site where you are the only editor, then a Wiki is not what you are looking for. Wikis are infamous for allowing collaboration between all of their users. The editing process allowed by all is the only thing (besides the core word Wiki) that Pedia and Leaks have in common. Ward Cunningham is known as the Father of the Wiki, and even he wasn’t 100% sure what his own Wiki’s were meant to be for specifically. There is one common theme for ALL wiki’s however: composing, discussing, hyperlinking, collaboration, and communication. Enabled by a wiki software (or wiki engine- a form of a CMS) is different from blog systems. Wiki’s have very little structure, compared to blogs, which allows the wiki to change to the needs of the users/editors. Content is written using markup language- and sometimes rich-text editor software. Being open to edits from almost anyone, Wiki’s are open to vandalism (an ‘editor’ changing content to malicious, offensive, sometimes nonsense, and incorrect information) and open to malware attacks.
Blogs are more for an individual or a small group of people, the only ones with access to the editing process. Compared to wikis- which are informative pages- blogs are more daily journals, thoughts, or informative essays. You have the option to edit your blog to how you want it to present, with columns and different ways to navigate the different pages. Another option you can add is audio, videos, and pictures for your visitors to look at. Viewers can see past blogs you made, make comments on your posts and if you have the option, can subscribe to your blog so they’re notified of future posts. Creating a blog is super easy as well, ranging from free ones like blogger.com or wordpress.com to paid ones. It’s best to start with a free one, especially if you’re new to blogging- that way you can get your feet wet and get a better grasp of how to run one. Another great thing about blogs is the potential to earn money from running ad space on your page. There are many benefits- aside from potential cash flow- to having a blog, such as getting to know your customers/viewers and allowing them to get to know you and allow them to ask questions about your products. Blogs are strong communication tools and can provide quality content, can be used to advertise links, review other products, and even bring social change. The main thing with a blog though, is that it needs constant attention and posts; if you stop posting and maintaining it, you’re likely to lose all those loyal viewers you had as they’ve lost interest. Another good thing about blogs is they can be pretty much about anything. Your life, the business you run, or even an interest or hobby you have. That fact there should make it super easy to keep up with running your blog.
What Are Wikis, and Why Should You Use Them? (tutsplus.com)