This week for ISYS1166, I tried my hand a few 'sharing' and 'collaboration' websites and apps. Here are the three I chose to investigate:
Wikipedia
I never actually realised that Wikipedia is, in fact, a Wiki! This seems very silly of me, although the truth is, I didn't know what a Wiki was until I stated my MIM course! (How embarrassing!!)
My understanding of a Wiki is that it is a webpage/document that anyone is able to edit. Wikis are a fantastic online tool for group work, enabling all group members to simultaneously edit a single document or simply chat. For a website such as Wikipedia where users hope to find correct and up-to-date information, the capacity to allow anyone to edit this website indeed has a negative effect.
I myself must admit that I am guilty of 'editing' Wikipedia during my high school days. I remember being absolutely shocked at the prospect of being able to change this website and, doing Australian History in class at the time, proceeded to invent a middle name for Thomas L. Mitchell. He was known as Thomas Luigi Mitchell for the next 10 minutes until it was removed and I was admonished by the website!
I did not attempt editing Wikipedia again for this task, however I did use the Sandbox to create a little write up about my favourite place in the world, Easter Island!
Using the Sandbox was quite an enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, I was only able to obtain a picture of my work when it was still in 'edit' mode because as soon as I saved my work it would disappear!
Billion Graves
Alas, my attempt at trying to use the Billion Graves app failed epically. The concept of Billion Graves is rather innovative, if not a little creepy, although I can see the benefit of such an app to genealogists and those researching their family history. I downloaded the app onto my phone and it seemed to work well until I attempted to take photos, causing my phone to freeze! After several endeavours to use this app I gave up out of sheer frustration!
Flickr
Flickr is a website that I have heard about, however, I have never thought of setting up an account for myself. I gave it a go though and uploaded one of my favourite photos from when I was in Belarus. I also added metadata to my photo, giving it tags and a description.
Issues with privacy and ownership on the internet is something that I am very weary of, therefore I I think it's fantastic that you could actually set access and usage rights to photos on the Flickr and the ability to do so instantly converted me to a Flickr fan!
My photo has been set to public but I have set usage rights to non-commercial use. What I would like to explore, however is the validity of these usage rights on the internet and whether there are repercussions for people who do not adhere to these rules.
I will be adding more photos to Flickr in the future- follow me at my Flickr account: Christina_in_the_TARDIS
Hi Christina! I enjoyed reading about your experience with Wikipedia particularly with your edit Thomas Luigi Mitchell! :) It is great to see that you have had a go at many tools, sandbox, Billion Graves and Flickr! Your Flickr account is looking great! Keep up the awesome work! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Christina! you had explored many interesting tools such as Wikipedia, BillionGrave and Flickr.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you it should be some restriction to edit in Wikipedia and also your photo in Flickr seem wonderful!:) I looking forward for your next post.
Hey Christina, That's awesome that you've been cheeking enough to be 'naughty' on Wiki! I went to the Wikipedia seminar with Merrilee Proffitt in March and she persuaded me to join up and be a contributor, so I've done this, not to be naughty though, although that is VERY tempting :) I've also 'explored' the sandbox which is quite an adventure in itself, as you know :) I also had a very similar experience with the BillionGrave app and wonder why it's even recommended because it was so inadequate and a waste of time - for me anyway - I couldn't find the graves of important people, net alone those of the people who I knew personally. It seemed that the whole site depended on whether particular cemetaries downloaded their information into the site or not, not really well managed. Well, Flickr, did that and I prefer Tumblr and Pintrest by far :0 Cheers, Susanne
ReplyDeleteChristina Luigi Riabczenko! You are a rebel- it's the quiet ones you have to be careful of. Huan is going to be so amused reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteThinking maybe you should get into writing comedy TV scripts
Back in my high school days the most rebel thing I did was wag, no web use then!
Great flickr photo too
Luisa