Wikis, blogs, and other community tools in the enterprise

**The Role of Community Tools**

An effective online community utilizes a set of community tools, with each tool playing the role it is best suited for. Not all communities require the same types of support. Community tools can be grouped into five categories:

- **Wiki**

A wiki supports the creation of shared content in an open, community-guided way.

- **Blog or Web Log**

A blog facilitates easy information publishing from a single source (usually an individual) and makes it convenient for community members to register comments. Sometimes, it is also used for announcements, news updates, or simply expressing an opinion.

- **Email Lists and Forums**

These mechanisms support threaded discussions and are often used to simplify problem-solving and voting processes.

- **Web Sites and Web Portals**

Communities often have traditional websites and web portals that deliver more static or controlled information. Websites may serve as the public face of the community for non-members while also providing web applications for community members.

- **Components (Groupware)**

Components include team collaboration systems and document-centric systems such as Lotus® Domino®, Lotus Domino Document Manager, and Lotus QuickPlace®. These tools typically support more critical business processes where strict document control and enforceable business policies are required.

There have been attempts to use wikis as forums, but wikis inherently lack the ability to maintain chronological order, separate topics, or allow someone to easily follow the progress of a discussion. Additionally, since blog discussions are controlled by the blog owner, they cannot fulfill this role either. Commenters cannot initiate new topics. Similarly, due to their content management methods, websites and components usually cannot take on the role played by wikis. Unlike content-focused management systems, wikis are based on dynamic content contributed by individuals within the community, supporting the organic evolution of site content and structure. They allow collaborators to quickly make simultaneous changes without incurring process or workflow overhead. However, this characteristic forces the community to...

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