Wikinomics

Can you learn about Web 2.0 without spending more time staring at a computer screen? With Alan Sklar's unabridged recording of this book, the answer is yes. Consumers, businesspeople, and academics can benefit from this investigation into how online collaboration tools have the potential for transforming research and production. Sklar is a sophisticated reader whose well-known voice is a smooth platform for the authors' case studies of innovative information sharing. They provide an enthusiastic overview, and Sklar provides an engaging reading that will make listeners excited about returning to their computers to experience new technologies. R.F. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

Starred review from September 15, 2007
Tapscott ("The Digital Economy"), chief executive of New Paradigm, a think tank and strategy consulting company, and Williams, New Paradigms research director, present a fascinating analysis of the quickly changing world of Internet togetherness, also known as mass or global collaboration, and what those changes mean for business and technology. As most listeners know by now, the word "wiki" is short for wiki wiki in Hawaiian, which means quick, and the best known of these collaborative web sites is, of course, Wikipedia. While the interesting history and implications of Wikipedia are covered, along with its inevitable spin-offs, such as Scholarpedia, Conservapedia, and Lyricwiki, the authors also discuss the background and impact of other success stories of global collaboration and explain how these tools have been integrated within the business operations of Procter & Gamble, Boeing, and BMW, as well as numerous software and smaller niche companies. Tapscott and Williams nicely weave their solid analysis with the accompanying reasonable calls for concern that reliable sources of business or information may be overtaken by an anonymous mass mediocrity and the equally critical concern that free goods and services created by the masses compete with proprietary marketplace offerings. The authors also provide sound suggestions for business leaders who wish to harness the collective capabilities and genius of mass collaboration to stimulate innovation, growth, and success. Alan Sklars rich, deep bass narration maintains listener interest in this densely packed work. Highly recommended for business collections in university and larger public libraries.Dale Farris, Groves, TX

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.