Welcome to my attempt to learn to drive the technological innovation roller coaster as I try to decide which are the tastiest treats on the social networking smorgasbord.


Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Wikis in the public library

Since the advent of the wiki I have been keen to utilise the tool in the Local History area. To this end I have done little more than think and dream. However now I see from the Montana History Wiki that it is indeed possible and how it might be designed.

Thinking about it, it is not so much the technology that stops us initiating this project but the practicality of engaging our community. I have one serious hesitation in the local application of this technology and that is that most people with historical contributions will be of an age where they are hesitant or even down right terrified and incapable of contributing online. I guess one solution could be to line up several computer savvy volunteers who might transcribe the additions or corrections or whole entries for those unable to contribute for themselves.

Looking at the Montana wiki again this seems to be an issue for them as there are very few areas of the wiki that have been edited recently giving one the feeling that it is a staff created venture. Now this is a fine format for historical information to be presented online although a website is perfectly functional for this as well. if we do not engage the community enthusiastically to contribute we may as well save ourselves the trouble of delving into the new format.

Great potential but without great marketing and people power to enable contributions and the review of contributions, it remains a tool of great potential.

BAM

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