Wikis – The Disadvantages
A wiki is a tool allowing several users to join forces with each other by means of a group website. Each user can insert or vary the wording of the text as well as upload files, by merely using a web browser. Whilst there are many advantages to be had by using a wiki, it has to be said there are some disadvantages too.
• A wiki is web based which means that once put into cyberspace it can easily be found by others. Wiki’s can be made more secure by the use of a password but that will not guarantee that no-one else will be able to hack into it. It only takes one password holder to trust someone else, and before you know it your password will be know by all and sundry. Therefore, it you are working on a project which you really do not want anyone else to view, a wiki is probably not the best option for you.
• Although wikis do simplify matters when several people want to brainstorm and work together on projects by adding content to a group website, it still requires someone to keep tabs on what is being put on and this can get quite confusing. The great ideas of the team may turn into one big mess if no-one is controlling the content of material. It may help to solve this problem by designating one particular person to organize the wiki and its contents.
• There are always going to be less tech-savvy members of the group but they should be helped and encouraged by others in the team, to avoid the whole group losing out on the ideas they may have but are not confident enough to add to the wiki themselves
• It often happens that a particular member of the group is lazy about carrying out their share of the necessary work. This is when ideas get stolen and people not due to take the credit reap the benefits for ideas they are not really responsible for.
• What would happen if whilst traveling you lose your internet service or simply cannot find a connection? As the wiki is web based, you will not be able to access your work as you have no internet connection
• Another disadvantage is the fact that there are so many different types of wikis to pick from. How to install and back it up can sometimes cause bewilderment.
The above mentioned disadvantages are just a few of the things that can go wrong with a wiki and it is essential to realize that using a wiki can have many great advantages as well. You need to weigh up both the positive and negative sides before you decide on whether or not to use one. You may choose to dabble with one, maybe on a personal level in the beginning before progressing to the use of one for your business.
The Advantages of Using a Wiki
A wiki, also identified as joint software, permits a variety of users to insert, amend and remove content from a group website. The use of a wiki presents numerous advantages such as:
• Wikis are prepared for publication in a web browser. It makes no difference whether the user has a PC or a MAC or what type of software they use. As long as they have the internet, they have access to a wiki.
• The fact that you can access a wiki at any place where you have a web connection is a major advantage in itself. If you are on the move you do not have to take files with you; you simply log onto the wiki and all the information you need will be right at hand.
• By using a wiki you can share your work with all of the other users at a single time, so long gone is the time consuming task of emailing a huge document to several people, many of whom are unlikely to receive the email due to spam filters.
• Another benefit of using a wiki is that the drafts of documents are saved. If a group of people have changed a document a number of times and consider that using the original preamble would now work better than the amended version, they can simply revert back to the original.
• On a security level, a personal wiki can be protected with a password so you have no concerns about it being viewed by the general public.
• A wiki also provides the advantage of putting lots of ideas together and then going back to tidy them up when necessary or when you have time.
For instance, you could use a wiki to follow of all your outsourcing. A user account can be put in place for all virtual assistants, ghost-writers, graphic designers, creating a separate page for each project. Team members can then supply input on how far the project has got and what still need to be done.
When corresponding by means of a wiki there is no need to be concerned about emails going missing or getting deleted. . All communications will be stored inside the wiki. Another great tool for collaboration is that files can be uploaded to the wiki. If a ghost-writer relies on a virtual assistant to allocate editorial themes, they can just upload them to the wiki and they can be accessed by everyone at any time
By putting into practice the use of wikis in your business you will be proficient at staying on top of assignments and have a much improved sense of organization. You and your team will be able to see group goals in your mind’s eye and know exactly what actions are required in order to obtain those goals.
