Rajiv's View

Jimmy Wales: How a ragtag band created Wikipedia

Wales begins by saying that there is nothing radical about Britannica since 1962.
Wikipedia, began with a very radical idea where anyone has access to the 'Sum of all knowledge'.
It is written using wiki software and is run by volunteers.
It is owned by the non-profit Wiki media Foundation founded by Wales.
The goal of Wikipedia is to empower anyone, which is why it has an open licensing model so that entrepreneurs can use the content anyway they like.
It is funded by donations and it takes surprisingly little to run.
It has 2 million entries.
Only 1/3rd of the traffic is to English websites.
It is more popular than New York Times.
NY times has several employees.

How good is it?

When quality checks are done, Wikipedia wins hands down.
It is not perfect.
The Bush-Kerry controversy articles were edited too often and had to be locked for a while.
The controversies in Wikipedia, the media fusses about, are overblown.
Most people seek neutrality.
No side has a monopoly on ideas.

How is quality managed?

Keeping the point of view neutral.
Wikipedians do not talk about the truth and objectivity.
Wikipedia does not take a stand on any subject.
Every change goes to a 'recent changes' page that many have as watchlists.
If someone vandalizes a page, the volunteers can restore that page.
Wikipedia does have edits by many users. -Only 18% is done by anonymous users.
It has 40 IRC channels and the people who work on the site are always in communication.
These are semi professional smart people.
Within the community the rules are left open ended.
Deleting is done based on a voting system, the 'Google' test, etc.
This is a more a dialog than a vote.

How is it Governed

In closing the Wikipedia people are not anarchists.
See the presentation here.

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