==The Importance of Collaborating Online==

: '''If you want to see a YouTube video discussing WIKIs, here is a link: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY]

:'''Below are the written concepts (in case you prefer to have a printout of these concepts or suggestions):'''

:'''The concept of collaborating on-line is <u>not</u> new'''. Even the predecessor to the Internet ('''ARPAnet''') was developed by the U.S. military in the 60's using computer networking as a defensive counter-measure to discourage a Soviet nuclear "first strike". Out of this system rose the '''MAD doctrine''' (Mutually Assured Destruction). This, in turn, assisted in the reduction of nuclear arms via non-proliferation treaties.

[[Image:computerResource.png|thumb|500px|'''Since WIKI contents are accessible via the Internet, elements can be "woven" into a comprehensive and customized resource''' <br />(for example: a web-page). ]]

:'''Westminster United Church can survive without WIKIs'''. Technical aspects of this church (in terms of computers) only make up tiny elements of what the church does. In reality, it is the <u>contribution</u> of the church <u>members</u> and <u>volunteers</u> that keep the church operating.

:'''Contrary to general opinion, people don't mind having their WIKIs edited: they may even thank you!''' This author has created many WIKIs over a two year period. During that time <u>very very few</u> people have taken the time to edit those WIKIs. '''There is a mechanism that records WIKI <u>editing history</u> indicating both the edited content and username. The ability to see who edits a WIKI "levels the playing field"'''. The WIKI owner can always revert to a previous editing session to restore the WIKI to a previous period...

:Once content is stored in WIKIs, '''it is amazing in how many ways that content can be reused'''. For example, the Westminster Computer Lab resource [http://matrix.senecac.on.ca/~murray.saul/westminster/computerGuide_home.html /Guide on the Side/] has many tutorials that are recycled WIKIs (created over a series of months / years). This web-page resource was created from scratch within a 4 week period weaving-in existing WIKIs. It would have been IMPOSSIBLE for this resource to have been created within 4 weeks by one person without these on-line collaborative tools (especially WIKIs).

:'''This author is not expecting on-line collaborative to spark an immediate "revolution"''', but rather to serve as an effective tool to help "lighten the load" of church volunteers. Although not all volunteers may use this on-line tool immediately, it is possible that a few volunteers will start to use WIKIs. '''When others individuals view the success and time-saving benefit of on-line collaboration, their attitude towards on-line collaboration will probably change'''.

:Although using Wikis are easy, people could start to share documents online via '''Google Docs'''. This is a free service to allow individuals to share their documents such as '''word-processing''', '''spreadsheets''' and '''presentations''' with other groups, or to anyone via the Internet. The user can decide if the users can view or edit the document. Forms can be created to allow a user to embed into webpages, blogs or other social media to automatically update online documents.