So what is a wiki? Check out this Common Craft video on wikis:
Some of the benefits that make wikis so attractive are:
- Anyone (registered or unregistered, if unrestricted) can add, edit or delete content. That means a group of you can work on your wiki.
- Tracking tools within wikis allow you to easily keep up on what has been changed and by whom. Just in case someone accidentally deletes something!
- Earlier versions of a page can be viewed and reinstated when needed. Ditto above.
- And users do not need to know HTML in order to apply styles to text or add and edit content. In most cases simple syntax structure is used.
- For this discovery exercise, you are asked sign up for a PBWorks account (thing #5). After you've gotten your account go to our 23 Things n'@ Wiki and click on the page entitled "6 Things I Love About My Library" It is located on the right side of the screen in the sidebar .
- There will be instructions on this page for you to edit this page by putting up 6 things you love about your library (thing #6). For fun, think about when you'd use a wiki instead of a blog. Richard Nixon and President Kennedy will give you a few clues. In the comments section of this post, blog about your experience.
I'm proud to say that this was my first collaborative wiki experience. In college, I had created one but it was simply between me and my instructor, and frankly, a waste of both of our time. Ah, but I digress. Creating an account was simple and editing the page was just as easy.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't currently use wikis in my day-to-day experience, they could be very helpful. Perhaps the next time a group project rolls around, we can use a wiki instead of Google Docs...(which is also awesome for collaboration by the way)
Dani Thomas
Shaler North Hills Library
I signed up for an account at PBWorks.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was fun to list 6 things I love about my library!
I think it would be cool for the PA Lawmakers to see the many reasons why we love our libraries! Maybe, they won't cut Public Library Subsidy by 50%
Mindy
Monroeville Public Library
I use pbwiki/pbworks every day: It's the teen website at Sewickley. Sometimes it drives me crazy with its weird formatting glitches. I'll save something and it will save in a completely different position on the page, or some other strange thing.
ReplyDeleteI have never had that problem using wikispaces, which I <3. However, wikispaces is run by google, so google ads line the side of it. This can be annoying, especially if you're trying to use the wiki as a website for your library. But as a collaborative tool, or one for an event where you're not too worried about the ads, I recommend it. It's incredibly easy to format and customize.
kellypr from Sewickley, that is.
ReplyDeleteFairly simple.
ReplyDeleteJoe/Wilkinsburg
i was able to sign up for pb works acct wiki.watched the wiki video.i was able to edit the wiki and add my 6 things i love about my library, but i think some how i added my comment to the end of the person who posted prior to me. i'll take another look and then i'll rewatch the wiki vs blog info
ReplyDeletepeter
andrew bayne memorial library
bellevue, pa
Appreciated the brevity.
ReplyDeleteMarc/Wilkinsburg
It is done
ReplyDeletehaving trouble with comment showing up this is the thired time i tried.
ReplyDeletesigned up for pb wiki. posted my 6 things i love about my library.watched the wiki and wiki vs blog videos.
peter may
andrew bayne memorial
bellevue, pa
I've used Wikis before for classes, and this particular exercise demonstrated one of their drawbacks - that only one person can be editing the page at any given time. I eventually ended up having to "steal" the page from someone who had left it open without saving their content for over a half hour (sorry to the person I did that to!).
ReplyDeleteI wiki-ed! Had done this previously for SRC last year, so already had an account.
ReplyDeleteThe thought about sending reasons we love our libraries to legislators is a good one--perhaps that would be an actual list that we wiki-fy (We'd have one big list instead of individual lists.) An idea for that is this list of why authors like indy bookstores: http://www.kidsheartauthors.com/2008/12/why-authors-love-indies.html
Instead, we could make it why librarians like libraries. Or, enlist PA authors. Well, keep it simple. (I'm going to add this to the wiki)
suzi, northland
I had signed up for the PBWorks and I entered my 6 wonderful things about my library. This is very awesome. Thanks for showing us all these wonderful things. I just hope I am doing this correctly.
ReplyDeleteBev
Whitehall Library
I enjoyed this assignment.
ReplyDeleteAmy
East Liberty Branch
There are so many things I love about libraries. They teach you things you never dreamed of.
ReplyDeleteThat was easy! I could have written a lot more than "6 things"!
ReplyDeleteNancy @ Baldwin
Easy enough to figure out.
ReplyDeleteJess, Woods Run
I really enjoyed the nixon/jfk video. A good example of the fun of creative commons! Even though it did vilify blogs just a little bit.
ReplyDeleteI've never had to use a wiki before but I see how they are useful. It was incredibly frustrating to format and didn't want to let me change the font format from purple to black.
PS. the above comment is from Tessa @ Sheraden
ReplyDeleteMeghan from Carnegie Library of McKeesport. That was my first wiki. It was fun.
ReplyDeleteFinally! It took forever to “get on” this wiki site! I typed my list in Word and copied & pasted it so I could finish before a patron interrupted me and someone stole my time. It was a fun, quick, flash in the pan type of exercise!
ReplyDeleteJo Anne
Northland
fairly simlpe procedure
ReplyDeleteFrankie/wilkinsburg
I found it easy to sign up for a PB account and then to edit the Wiki and save my post. However, my post isn't showing up on the wiki. Hmmm. Looks like someone else is editing the wiki so I'll check back in about 30 minutes. Hopefully I completed the assignment correctly. It seemed easy enough!
ReplyDeleteI think this would be a great tool for working on a document collaboratively with others.
Joy, Shaler North Hills Library
First of all, I found out how useful collaborative sites such as PB Wiki can be. I got stuck after coming up with four things about my library. Then I decided to log into my PB Wiki account and look at the previous posts. Those posts gave me an idea of what I could add to my list. I am grateful for the previous contributions because they helped me complete this assignment!
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, I enjoyed PB Wiki because it was easy to use. It reminded me of using email. The only thing I struggled with was formatting my text once I typed it. I’m used to highlighting and right-clicking on text when I want to change something. Instead, I had to get used to using the formatting icons on the screen as well as the browser menu bars.
Whitney
Northland
This assignment was easy and fun.
ReplyDeleteThis was a fun assignment. I can see applications for a wiki in my M-F job in the school library. Seems like a perfect way for the teachers and other staff to coordinate efforts, which could always use some improvement.
ReplyDeleteRegina G./CLP SubPool
Can see use for Wikis more than the other tools we've learned about. Can't say as I see a connection between Nixon and Kennedy and blogs and wikis, but I'm sure someone who wants to give it more thought will!
ReplyDeleteKathy
Sewickley Public Library
I don't use wikis very often, but I think they can be a great way to collaborate with others.
ReplyDeleteAmanda
Brentwood Library
I'm very happy to learn about wiki and feel it is a tool that I'd be likey to use on a regular basis. I still have a lot to learn to use these things we've been working with.
ReplyDeleteJB at Northland
That was fun and seemed easy enough. I enjoyed my first foray into the world of the wiki and can see how it would be quite useful for a group project, as opposed to keeping track of a bunch of individual emails. I loved reading everybody's "6 things" and agree that there is much to love in our libraries. We are so lucky!
ReplyDeleteMy 6 Things I Love About the Library turned up
ReplyDeleteon the Front Page (that can't be good).I look forward to being more successful with the future assigments.
Forgot to add Barb/Carrick to my above comment
ReplyDeleteThis was my first Wiki editing experience. I have read the Wiki's for the Summer Reading Program but have never edited before. Pretty easy and fun! Thanks for keeping 23 Things interesting and fun. I like the Myspace instructional videos!
ReplyDeleteWikis are a way of life in the library world. We all have so many ideas and resources to share and wikis are a great way to share them. I have tried e-mailing everything back and forth and it is just not efficient. Wikis work well once everyone is on board with using them.:)
ReplyDeleteIt was easy to post. But maybe too easy? I think the page that was supposed to have the general information for week 4 and the instructions on how to post on the wiki seemed to be wiped out by others' 6 things postings.
ReplyDeleteI clicked on the 6 things link on the side and posted mine there. Is that what I supposed to do?
I signed up for an account at PB Works. I edited Linda's entry on the wiki about the 6 things she likes about the Penn Hills library. I often use that library, so I commented on it, rather than on my soon to be closed EL location (sigh).
ReplyDeleteTanya (Digital Services--CLP Main).
I enjoyed this assignment.
ReplyDeleteKathleen
Shaler
This was the easiest one so far.
ReplyDeleteShirley - Wilkinsburg
My PBWork looks kind of cool. Putting all mystuff in once is neat.
ReplyDeleteSimon
CLP-Knoxville
I enjoyed this lesson.
ReplyDeleteRuth CLP Knoxville
I posted my Six things I love about Northland. I was frustrated at first while I waited for the editing to open up. I am really enjoying myself.
ReplyDeleteKim E NPL
Natalie, it's all still there, and you did everything just fine.
ReplyDeleteSo glad everybody's having fun with the wikis, and I love the idea of creating one as support for the budget issue!!! Who knows - maybe our patrons would even want to contribute to it...
LAV
Well, I thought this was easy, but I had to do it twice - I think because somebody "stole my lock"! The nerve of these librarians.
ReplyDeleteHolly / Mt. Lebanon
Aside from reading entries on Wikipedia, I first used wikis when we needed to coordinate programming for SRC via the ACLA youth services wiki. I've also used the ACLA gaming wiki. They've been helpful, once I got the hang of it, but I admit I don't use them as much as I thought I might.
ReplyDeleteOops. Forgot to mention my library. Shannon from Mt. Lebanon.
ReplyDeleteSix things posted! *salutes* I already had a pbwiki account, but I'll have to go play with wikispaces to see how that compares. You know, in all that spare time we libratorzz have.
ReplyDelete-Meg from Northland
The assignment was easy and fun this week.
ReplyDeleteJane/Penn Hills Library
Posted my 6 things and a comment on the wiki (were we suppose to?) Thing #6 was easier than I thought. I like this!
ReplyDeleteMillie @ Andrew Bayne Lib.
I posted my 6 things on the wiki. Quite easy to use and edit. I have used the ACLA Youth Services wiki a few times, so this is not exactly new (thanks, Kelley B!)
ReplyDelete-Megan Fogt / CLP - Squirrel Hill
I loved the Common Craft Video. It was the best explanation of how a wiki works and why you would want to use one that I have ever seen. I had fun thinking about and posting my six things and especially reading the lists that other people created.
ReplyDeleteCathy L. - CLP Library Support Center
You all are doing great - and I love your ideas of how to use the Six Things I Love comments on the wiki page. You all are very creative. I will definitely use your comments to move our legislators. They won't know what hit them...
ReplyDeleteI kept getting locked out, too, and I wanted to move on and out - but it was great fun, and so interesting and encouraging, to read others' postings!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this week's assignment. I belong to several other wikis, so this is something I will use again.
ReplyDeleteI made a family wiki almost two years ago, and we have found it very useful. I set one up for a dinner club I am in, but no one used it I think because they did not understand what it was.
ReplyDeleteBarbara USC
This week's assignment was very easy as USC Library has its own wiki and we use it every day.
ReplyDeleteShylu - Upper St. Clair Library
I liked this week's assigment. It was fun to read what everyone likes at their library. It was an easy assignment. The directions were very clear and easy to follow.
ReplyDeleteMaureen USC
I posted my comment on the wiki page hmmmm. Anyway other than that it seems easy enough to be useful. pwk/npl
ReplyDeleteI haven't contributed to wikis very much in the past. I remember having to make a page on a wiki site for a library school class, but that was about the extent of my prior experience. I also remember that past experience being a lot more complicated than this was. I love the easy formatting on this version. It makes me more comfortable with the idea of possibly using/creating wikis in the future.
ReplyDelete-BrieAnn, Northern Tier
I really enjoyed learning about Wikis. The Commoncraft video gave an excellent introduction to the subject. I was so inspired that I sort of jumped ship on the assignment and suggested a slightly different twist in my contribution on the wiki. Isn’t collaboration the main purpose of a wiki? We’ve just been posting lists!
ReplyDeleteCathy (Northland)
First I must apologize to the person whose lock I stole (!) I'm one of those nervy librarians Holly mentioned...
ReplyDeleteThe problem was, I tried all day Wednesday (May 27th) to get on the Wiki, and every time I logged in, someone was editing the page. Then today I started trying early on, and the page was always being edited, once for a whole hour. When I was scheduled to go on the reference desk, I logged off and then on again, and the page was being edited by a different person (!) The message said the person had not written anything for 5 minutes. Nevertheless I again waited 15 minutes and then in desperation I did the unforgivable--I stole the lock...
Now comes the interesting part--apparently I did not do something right because this afternoon when I looked at the wiki, my 6 things were not there. Retribution? Anyway, this time I was able to find a spot when the wiki was not being used, and I logged on and typed in my 6 things. I think that probably in the real world, wikis are useful and not so hard to get on, because they are not being used by more than a hundred people...
--Ruth, Mt. Lebanon Library
I liked learning about the wiki. I can see where this would be a good way to plan and coordinate different events.
ReplyDelete--Lisa, Shaler Library
I had a hard time getting in but I did get it.
ReplyDeleteMy password wouldn't let me in.
But i got it done.
Linda
Bayne
I just like to say the word Wiki. Wiki, Wiki, Wiki. It is a happy word - don't you think?
ReplyDeleteI think the videos are entertaining and informative. Thanks for making it all so painless. (No librarians were harmed in the editing of this wiki.)
Diane
Bayne
At first I kept thinking of Wikis as one of the creatures in the Wizard of Oz (flying monkees, munchkins, wikis)but that just shows how forward thinking Frank L. Baum was!!
ReplyDeleteDiane, that saying should be a on a t-shirt! We could sell 'em to bring in revenue....
ReplyDeleteRuth, I'm hoping some enterprising wiki designer will create one that functions like GoogleDocs, where you can have simultaneous editors with no drama. I guess we can dream...
LAV
This was the easiest assignment. Or could it be I'm just becoming a little more knowledgeable after weeks 1 through 3? NAH! I'm hopeless!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I just enjoyed the opportunity to talk about our great library!
Charlie
Shaler
I started a wiki about a year ago for some of the most popular school assignment questions we get at the reference desk. It can be found at http://schoolassignments.pbwiki.com . It has become a pretty helpful resource for us and the students.
ReplyDeleteNeat assignment. Question: Would it have been better to choose an encyclopedic topic, say, "The History of Libraries In Allegheny County," rather than an opinion question, to illustrate how information is compiled on a wiki?
ReplyDeleteFor example, I could say, "CLAV was founded in 1776," and one of my coworkers could correct my entry to say "1923," plus add more information. Then people could see why a wiki is different from a blog.
Good assignment, though. I'm still coming up with #6 for my contribution.
While it was very easy to set up the account I didn't like that I got kicked out by someone else while I was thinking. Otherwise, I like the idea of collaborating in this way.
ReplyDeleteTracy
Monroeville Public Library
So far I am enjoying the Delicious account very much. I have been the administrator of 4 wikis for years now, and add to several blogs regularly. Every "cataloger" in Allegheny County has been invited to add to at least 1 wiki. The Cataloging Mentors run a wiki where anyone can ask questions about cataloging and we will reply ASAP. Wiki's can be very useful sometimes.
ReplyDeleteLesle
Shaler North Hills
Pretty easy and straight-forward. Wondering if I really have time to incorporate all these new tools and skills into my regular schedule.
ReplyDeleteI already have a pbworks account and love it.
ReplyDeleteKim - Sq Hill
Fun posting topic
ReplyDeleteJoelle - Main
Hi! I had a busy week last week and just had time for this assignment. I frequently use wikis. No problem editing 23 Things and I definitely had NO problem thinking about what I love about my library!
ReplyDeleteI was surprised that I'm a week late on this project and had to try several times because I was "locked out!" Didn't feel right "stealing the lock."
ReplyDeleteIt was easy to do. Thanks!
Elizabeth/Mt. Lebanon
I'm also a week late with the posting, as last week was a busy week. I frequently read articles on wikipedia, and view the acla youth services wiki, but this was my introduction to wiki authorship.
ReplyDeleteIan - CLP-Hill District
I had always heard about wikis, but I never really tried acutally using one. I plan on playing around with it a little bit more! I definitely did not have any hesitation finding 6 things that I loved about my library! This was a nice exercise! I feel very tech savvy.
ReplyDeleteSara Beth, Sewickley Library
I know some folks who do a wiki travel, and I've used wikipedia. I was surprised to see how easy this assignment was.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to see if I could post my comment about completing week 4 assignment on work computer, was unable to do so on home computer.
ReplyDeleteBarb/Carrick
I've made a PB and listed 6 things pretty simple now to use these two.
ReplyDeleteAlissa/Whitehall Public Library
This was easy. I wanted to write a lot more than six things.
ReplyDeleteMelissa Haas, Carnegie Library-Main
Once again I needed to reactivate an existing account for my 23 things assignment, PB Wiki this time. This has been good for catching me bak up on the things I should be doing!
ReplyDeleteIt took me a few minutes to realize that I was trying to type "6 things I love" in the wrong place. I clicked on Pages on the sidebar on the right to find the long list of other comments, and added mine to the bottom. I can certainly see how using a wiki would make it easy to carry out certain tasks, including having an ongoing discussion with people who aren't nearby.
ReplyDeleteDeb - CLP Main
It is wonderful when you read all the directions first prior to completing the assignment.
ReplyDeleteOnce you do this the assignment is easy.
Well, I found the Wiki lesson easy and fun. Not sure when I'll use it in real life, but I know it's not hard now. Finished it before I went back to RSS & Delicious. They were much harder!
ReplyDeleteThis was fairly easy to do. I do use the Catalogers wiki that Lesle (Shaler) wrote about but so far only as a reader. This can be a pretty handy thing to have. Anyway, had no problem coming up with 6 things that I love about my library. I'm enjoying seeing that most of us seem to like our work, colleagues and the public (except for the odd day/ patron now and then!)
ReplyDeleteOops, I'm at Mt Lebanon.
ReplyDeleteWhen I went to sign up for my PB account, I found that I had previously signed up and hadn't kept my password, so I had to reset it. The Wikki was easy and fun and I could see how it could be useful at work and in my personal life for planning events, etc.
ReplyDeleteGloria R. - Monroeville Public Library
I thought the wiki is a neat concept and can see its usefulness. I forgot to add my name to my comments and went back to edit my list and add my name but I could not tell whether this had been done. (Does the Wiki add your name automatically?) In any case, my name did not show up after my comments even after I had edited it.
ReplyDeleteI think that wiki is a great tool. It was easy to do and it would be very useful for a group to plan a big event.
ReplyDeleteJoanne - SNHL
Thank goodness BrieAnn took pity on me and helped me figure this assignment out! It wasn't bad once she showed me the ropes, but I may have been lost for good if it wasn't for her.
ReplyDeleteSharon - NTRL
It's never as easy as the video!
ReplyDeleteI managed to muddle thru- again. When this course is over I will go back and spend more time with the segments that I will
Cecilia Shaler North Hills Library
Yeah, I'm like a week behind here, but I added my 6 things to the Wiki under the name nataliesw. It was pretty fun, and I love having that kind of power, heheh.
ReplyDeleteNatalie
Northland Public Library
This was a fun one. It gave me a chance to really stop and think about how blessed I am to work here!
ReplyDeleteJohn
Shaler North Hills Library
I liked the opportunity to say why I love my library. And there are so many more reasons.
ReplyDeleteSusan
USC
I completed my WIKI assignment. I had some problems getting the program to save my
ReplyDelete"6 Things I Love About My Library". After several attempts it worked.
Jean, Shaler Library
I wasn't sure if we were supposed to post here or at PBWorks, or both, so I did both. I am doing the assignments, but remain uncertain about the benefits. Also, I'm still not sure how much help I could provide to a customer who needed assistance with these things.
ReplyDeleteLinda Z., Bethel Park
This assignment was easy, quick, and made me think what I love about my library. I enjoyed reading everyone else's list, too. I used the name kbyerly83 as my username.
ReplyDeleteKatie B
ACFree
took a while, but I got there...Kathy R - Crafton
ReplyDeleteThat was fun. It's nice, on a Saturday morning at work, to be reminded of exactly why I love my job so much -- even on Saturdays! :)
ReplyDelete~~ Pam (Monroeville)
This was the easiest exercise so far. Whew! It's a huge relief to know that some of this tech-stuff can actually be easy! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI worked on wikis and forgot to comment during the wiki week! Anyway, I like wikis but like everything else, the more urgent the need for one the more likely, when I start one, it will be edited frequently.
ReplyDeleteAnn
Lauri Ann West