Angie+Wilson

= **//__ Wikispaces versus PBWiki __//** =

//**Setup and Invitations**//
Wikispaces was very easy to set up and easy to navigate. I was sent a confirmation email and then I was on my way. I did not have any trouble figuring out how to initially set it up. PBWiki was also very easy to setup. One difference I noticed is that it had a short video clip that you could watch about PBWiki and it's uses. I did not see this in Wikispaces and I am not sure if that was an available option or not. I felt that PBWiki was a little harder for me to initially navigate and setup. This could be because I was looking for the same settings as Wikispaces.

**//Editing//**
Wikispaces made it very simple for me to go in and edit pages and make changes to existing pages. So far I have not had any trouble editing in Wikispaces. The only small problem I had was with uploading images. I am still trying to figure this out. I think this may be a user error!

PBWiki is also a very easy to use wiki program. I was able to create and edit pages without any problems. I was also able to upload and insert images very quickly. I did like this about PBWiki.

**//Page History//**
I did not notice very much difference between either Wikispaces or PBWiki when it comes to page history, with the exception of where the page history buttons are located (top and bottom). Both have an option to click and take you to the pages history.

**//Discussion//**
I really like usuing Wikispaces and feel that it is very clear and concise and easy to navigate. I am in the process of setting up a second grade wikispace for four second grade classes which will begin next month. Wikispaces has made it easy so far to set these up and make it very clear. I have run into a few issues with Wikispaces. One is that when you enter an email address it automatically takes you to a yahoo sign up form. I am not sure if this is a wikispaces issue or if it is a setting in my own computer. Further investigation will need to be pursued on this issue. So far I am very happy with wikispaces. In order to be able to compare the two wikispaces I set up a family wiki on PBWiki. It was very easy to set up and so far has been very simple to edit. It seems that there were a few more choices for templates in wikispaces whereas for PBWiki you need to upload your own templates. I think PBwiki is set up more for businesses and personal use whereas Wikispaces seems to be better for educational sites.

In both wikispaces and PBWiki you are notified by email if you choose this option when someone leaves a comment or an article in your space. I think this is nice and it will help me tremendously with my school site.

**// Security //**
  Both Wikispaces and PBWiki have levels of security which the user sets up initially or can change when necessary. I chose the option that indicates that the public can view the space but only users who I give permission to can edit content. The item I need to check into would be the option of allowing certain users to only add content to certain pages. I am not sure if this is an option in either program.

**// Contributions //**
In Wikispaces you can see who has contributed by going to your "manage space" section and clicking on "usage statistics". You go to the members tab at the top and can find edits and posts made by members. This would be how to track what students have done as they will be "members" of your space.

In PBWiki you receive a confirmation email when someone has contributed something to your space. I had trouble trying to get an answer as to whether you could track who makes the changes within the program. I also did not care for their help section. Instead of having a built in help section it took me to live help to see if someone had answered the question in an email. Luckily someone had and the answer was right there.

Although I have not spent a tremendous amount of time on either program, I think I have played with both enough to have a preference. At this point my preference is Wikispaces, although that may change as I do more editing and working with both spaces that I have created.