| Blog | Wiki | Forum | |
| Purpose |
Abbreviation of web log. Commentary or news on a particular subject. Typically combine text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages. Allows readers to leave comments in an interactive format. |
Collection of web pages designed so anyone can read, add, or edit content.
Collaboration is a key component where a group of people come together to share and build knowledge. |
A web application for holding discussions.
Also known as discussion groups, boards, bulletin boards. |
| Content Creator | Single content creator | Multiple Content Creators editing the same information. | Threaded Content. Frequently follows a question/answer format. |
| Moderation | A single user creates posts, others can reply in comments. The comments can be moderatored or unmoderated. | Any registered user can contribute, mistakes should be quickly edited. | Any registered user can create a original post or a reply. |
| Focus | Oriented around the thoughts of a person. The name implies a personal log. Information is sequential, often time oriented. | Oriented around information that multiple people can edit. | Conversation oriented. Question and reply format |
| Modification of Information | Usually information is frozen when the entry is made. New information is made in a new entry | Information can be continually modified. | Usually information is frozen when the entry is made. New information is added as a reply to the original posting. |
| Editing of Content | HTML. Most blog software has Rich Text Editors available. | Simplified markup language. Some wiki software has Rich Text Editors available | Text. Sometimes HTML. |
| Information Categorization | Category Tagging | Index of topics | Index of topics but frequently contributors will not create appropriate topics |
| Ownership of Information | Poster | Community | Community |
| Best suited for | An online diary–pulpit for an individual. Discussions on a topic | Information Sharing | Conversations |
| Example | E-Learning Council allows user blogs. | Wikipedia.org is the most famous. | E-Learning Council has a forum for the exchange of ideas. |
I wanted to thank Martha for a bunch of edits that made this post much better.