Wikitravel

My first thought when hearing about the Wikitravel project was to add to the existing entry on Narragansett. I work for the DEM during the summer so I have information that could be added to the things to do section, particularly in the outdoors and beach categories. However, I'm afraid that the information I have may not be enough seeing how much is already on the page. My second choice was to add to the entry on South Kingstown. I could definitely add to the descriptions of most sections on this page. My third choice would be to create an itinerary for RI. Although it's my last choice, I know it is the better choice. I would not want to commit to one of my other choices only to find out that I did not have enough information to add to the entries. By writing my own itinerary, I can write about whatever I want, in the way I see RI.

Wikipedia

I think it is smart of Wikipedia to start checking edits before allowing them to show up on the website. There are many people that would, and have taken advantage of the opportunity to edit information. If people are searching for a certain topic it's clearly for a reason. They want to know factual information. They do not want to be directed to a page about Elvis and have it tell them that he was abducted by aliens and currently resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The article gives an example of a Wikipedia entry that had been edited with false information and that information ended up in the newspaper. The founders of Wikipedia must create some sort of barrier for "amateur editors" so that these slips do not happen again.
I constantly search things on Wikipedia. My searches tend to show Wikipedia as one of the top choices of websites. My teachers throughout high school and college have stressed to my classes that we are not allowed to use Wikipedia as a source of information for our papers. This is unfortunate since it would make researching topics very easy. I understand the reasoning why it is not a reliable source though. As a future teacher, I probably won't want my students using this website either. If it were reliable, and if edits were checked maybe people would think differently about researching information from Wikipedia.

Response to Wurman

As a Secondary Education major, this article was something I could relate to. Being an information architect requires many elements including a specifically chosen order of information and perspective. As a teacher, I will have to use these elements in the classroom. I will have to chose which information I teach my students, when I decide to teach certain pieces of information, and the level of importance of everything they will be expected to know in my classroom. I will also have to be conscious of the fact that each of my students will be looking at my lessons from a different perspective. They will see things differently than me so I will be responsible for making the information accessible to all. This seems to be the main idea behind Wurman's section on "L.A.T.C.H." You have to be able to group things together in an interesting way, but also be able to change it once in a while, mix it up a bit. As an information architect you cannot be monotonous. Variety is key to keeping people interested. Along with that, you must have a voice and personality. Wurman says that it doesn't matter if you have every single piece of information 100% accurate just as long as you display it well. If you are concerned with being completely accurate, your voice in the piece will be lost. It is better to share what YOU know and YOUR opinions rather than speak of ideas and thoughts that others had. Simply stating what others have already concluded is boring. and leaves others uninterested. You must find yourself in all of your endeavors inside the world of information and out.

Blogs as Clubhouses

After reading Suzanne Stefanac's piece on logs as clubhouses, I began to think about how they really are great ways of bringing people with similar interests together. People can share their views on topics, and already know they have something in common otherwise they wouldn't be on that blog in the first place! As Stefanac says, it becomes a community, no matter how big or small it may be. A blog might reach 10 people or 10,000 people but either way, the authors of blogs have a passion. Mr. Jalopy does not update his blog just for the thrill of seeing the number of views on his page increase, he simply likes to do it. If you are not passionate about what you are writing about, and your voice on the topic does not stand out, your internet audience will notice. Well-known blogs became such due to the author's presence in each of their posts. If amateur bloggers hope to get their blogs noticed they must be true to themselves and write from the heart.


some topics for my enthusiast blog include the following: Disney World, interesting vanity license plates I see, the experiences of being a wedding singer, the trouble with tourists, things other states may not know about RI

Response to Weblog History

It's interesting to think that weblogs picked up popularity in 1999. I was ten years old and do not recall hearing the word "blog" until quite some time after that. Just the year before, my parents bought our first computer for our house. So it would be a while before I became familiar with the world wide web. I've never had a blog myself, but thinking about the ones I follow online, it seems amazing that they are recognized internationally, whereas there are millions of bloggers around the world who may always go unnoticed.
Blogs seem to be the way of the future. As an Education major, I have been finding that there is a great emphasis on using technology in the classroom, blogs specifically. Many classes are now requiring a blog as part of course material. It seems to be a way for people to really express themselves at their own comfort level and on their own time and it is something I would consider continuing after this semester.