Tune-Up #6: Wikis & Google Documents

Part 1: Wikis

DEFINE
Sure, “wiki” sounds funny and it’s fun to say, but it’s also a term for a powerful tool that is being used by a lot of people to collaboratively build a website and share information. In fact, more than one-third of American adult internet users (36%) consult the citizen-generated online encyclopedia Wikipedia, according to a new nationwide survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. If you’re part of this 36% who use Wikipedia, you’re already on your way to understanding wikis. In this task, you’ll learn more about what wikis are and how they work. You’ll also get a chance to participate by editing a wiki created just for the TPTuneUp.

For a quick, entertaining introduction to wikis, check out this video tutorial called Wikis in Plain English. You can also read about how wikis work on one of these websites:
· How Stuff Works: "How Wikis Work"
· Wikipedia article: “Wiki”

DISCOVER
Hopefully, now that you know how wikis work, you’re also excited about the possibilities for using wikis in libraries. Take a look at how these libraries are using wikis to improve staff work or provide services to their patrons:
· Ohio University Libraries Biz wiki
· University of Minnesota Libraries Staff Website
To see more examples of libraries using wikis, check out the 10 Things "librarywikis" bookmark on del.icio.us.

DO
1. The best way to learn about wikis is to actually contribute to one. Find a wiki that you would want to contribute to. You can just go to google and type in a subject you like and the word wikis. For example, sports wikis or young adult fiction wikis. There should be listings of different wikis that you can contribute to. Wikipedia is a famous one that you can easily contribute to. You just have to make an account. Here's the link. You don't have to set up a wiki for this section. Just blog about any wikis that you would like to contribute to.

Part 2: Google Tools and Online Productivity

DEFINE
This week's TPTuneUp involves an essential part of most people's online lives... yes, we're talking about Google. One reason Google is able to come up with so many innovations is because Google engineers are asked to spend 20% of their work time (1 day per week) to work on pet projects that interest them. Google essentially requires their employees to "think outside the box" in order to continually come up with great new stuff. Imagine if every library did that!

One of these productivity tools is Google Docs, a tool for creating text documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Even if you swear by Microsoft Office, Google Docs provide some extra features that are definitely worth checking out. For more on that, we'll let the Common Craft people do what they do so well once again:

DISCOVER
Take a look at Google's products. Try stuff out and have fun! If you don't know where to start, focus on the tools listed under the "Communicate, show & share" category.

DO
1. Let's take a closer look at Google Docs. Log in with your Google username and password and try creating a document.
2. Write a blog entry about your thoughts on the Google tools you looked at.

Now get ready for TPTuneUp #7: Instant Messaging, Podcasts, and Downloadable Audios.