Wikipedia

I first discovered this online encyclopedia a few weeks ago via the default bookmarks installed in my Firefox web browser. It looks like any other online encyclopedia so I wasn't all that interested in it. However, I just read an article in Wired magazine that was fascinating. The Wikipedia a very unique site. It uses Wiki software that enables users (yes, that's you) to actually change the web page they are viewing. I don't mean just change your settings and how you view the page. But to actually change the page for ALL viewers. The Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia that enables the people who use it to post, and alter previously posted encyclopedia articles.

Most encyclopedias use the "one best way model". This is your standard format for every encyclopedia that you used in grammar school. The method involves large groups of experts writing specific articles that are then viewed by other experts. The Wikipedia has developed a whole new method for creating an encyclopedia. It does not have a name yet, but it basically involves thousands of normal people posting articles that are then reviewed by other normal people viewing it. The Wikipedia actually enables you to alter and correct existing articles.

The Wikipedia has gained a cult following and has swelled to over a million articles. Just for reference Microsoft Encarta only has 4,500 articles. The Wikipedia format has hit a nerve. People seem to get excited about the ability to post, and change the articles. However, this obviously opens a Pandora’s box. If anyone can alter the articles, they can alter them anyway they want. They can add pornography, incorrect facts, curse words etc etc. This could effectively crash, and burn the whole Wikipedia. The part I find amazing is that this does not happen. Sure there are people who do these pranks. However, they are generally corrected in a matter of minutes. There are so many Wikipedia users that they are almost instantaneously correcting these actions. Wikipedia has a built in program that allows people to set up watch lists for articles. Wikipedia then notifies them when there are changes. This enables people to monitor the subjects they wrote, or find important.

Overall Wikipedia is a fascinating site. I'm sure the information may sometimes not be as factually accurate or grammatically correct as the old thirteen-volume world Book you looked at in elementary school. However, it does seem to give it a run for its money. More importantly the Wikipedia contains much more information, and the articles tend to be very up to date.