The first collaborative wiki site was created in 1995.
Email predates the internet, and it was in use as early as 1965.
Of course, the internet and personal computers have made what
was a government and corporate concept accessible to the "common man" (or woman!). In fact, we've grown so comfortable with email, that we somtimes use it as a tool, when other tools would be more effective.

Email is a push communciation technique. In other words, the author wants to tell you something and she PUSHES it to you. Now, you might choose to delete or ignore it, but she dictates the timing of the contact. Email is an interruption medium.

Wiki is a pull communication technique. Here, the author (and with a wiki it's authors, plural) places the information in what she hopes is a logical place and users can access it (PULL it) when they want it. The timing is up to the user. Wiki is an interception medium.

Within the region, when is email the better tool?
And when wiki?

Email Strengths

• Time-Sensitive Notification - Sharing information that needs to get to everyone a tthe same time
• Presentation - one-way flow of info, where you are telling something and don't expect or need feedback
• Sending private information (sent to one person or a small group) - though keep in mind truly sensitive info should not be emailed

Wiki Strengths

• Collaborating - literally getting on the same page without the confusion of multiple email streams, different attachments, etc
  (see the model at upper right)
• Archiving - by placing information in a central repository, anyone can access it and know that it's the most accurate info
• Discussion - unlike email, the wiki discussions are stored with the topic at hand (on this site, that's the threads at the bottom)
• Finding what you need since the site has a search feature (versus searching your inbox, saved email, and deleted email)
• Keeping ideas connected by linking within the site (to related topics) or outside the site (to related websites)

Combining the two technologies can be very powerful. Wiki can leverage an email push to invite users to view recent updates and ask for their input and collaboration. So, which tool will work best for you? Depends on the topic and the timing.


Back to Wiki Toolbox
Back to Wiki Talk