Published text-based formats (Text on paper or online, includes blogs and wikis)

DRAFT

Text on Paper
Text on paper can include such items as bookmarks, tip sheets, Frequently Asked Question handouts, bibliographies, pathfinder or genre guides,
Word processed handouts from a face-to-face workshop or flip chart pages or notes produced in a face-to face interaction.

The advantages of a text-on-paper format are that production costs can be as inexpensive as a standard photocopy machine and plain paper. Multiple copies can be made from a single master. Almost all literate participants will be familiar with the format. Participants in a face-to-face interaction can go from the event with additional content in hand.

The disadvantages of text-on-paper are that the cost to gather data and prepare the original master can be expensive. The production costs can vary depending on the use of multiple colors, photos or graphics and the number of copies produced. Distribution beyond the face-to-face event involves packaging and postage, courier or other point-to-point delivery costs. Adding or updating information requires reproduction of the entire document and can result in confusion as multiple editions of the document are distributed.

Requirements for the Presenter: Human resource time to gather and word process the original document.

Research time to determine the level of sophistication and resulting costs for printing or reproduction.

Packaging and distribution costs if the item is to be distributed to remote users.

Requirments for Participants: Ability to read in the language used for the item.


Text Online
Text Online can include all of the items listed in Text on Paper if tools such as scannres, word processing files and a computer with storage is available.
The format can include some types of document that are text-based but unique to the online environment such as wikis and blogs.

Wiki is a piece of server software that allows users to freely create and edit Web page content using any Web browser. Wiki supports hyperlinks and has a simple text syntax for creating new pages and crosslinks between internal pages on the fly.
Wiki is unusual among group communication mechanisms in that it allows the organization of contributions to be edited in addition to the content itself.
Like many simple concepts, "open editing" has some profound and subtle effects on Wiki usage. Allowing everyday users to create and edit any page in a Web site is exciting in that it encourages democratic use of the Web and promotes content composition by nontechnical users.
Examples:
Ward’s Wiki http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?WelcomeVisitors
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki

A Blog is:
Noun: blog. A shared on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies - web log. Verb: blog (blogged,blogging) Write, edit or read a blog.
www.wordwebonline.com/en/BLOG

Examples:
Blogger www.blogger.com

Blogwise - A directory of Blogs http://www.blogwise.com/

BlogCity http://www.blog-city.com/bc/


Advantages of the Online Text formats:

The document can be updated without significant distribution costs if the presenter has access to a computer with word processing and the Internet.

Participants can access the information from remote locations if they have a computer with access to the Internet.

Participants can add information in real time.

Costs include:

the human resources to gather pertinent data

computer hardware with sufficient storage and word processing program to produce the document

Internet access costs

Costs to notify participants about the location of the data