Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Wikipedia Gets Competition from Google, Doctors

I love Wikipedia, but I've been trusting it less lately because I've been reading what's been going on behind the scenes.

It's never been a definitive source for me. I've always used other sources for back-up verification unless I'm watching Battlestar Galactica (the re-envisioned series, NOT the original) and wanted to know who might be the Fifth Cylon (if you don't understand that last part, just Wiki it).

Not everyone is enamored with the collaborative encyclopedia though, which prompted two competitors in the space.

Google launched an expert-driven site, which will not allow anonymous contributions, that it hopes will be Wikipedia 2.0. Ironically, you can read all about the project here at Wikipedia.

The project was announced at the end of last year with at least one goal: make a more definitive human encyclopedia that sidestepped some of the personal grudge-match fights that go on behind the scenes at Wikipedia.

Of course, we live in a niche-centric world these days so it's not surprising that another Wiki project -- this one from the medical field -- launched as well to give people a more accurate description of what's ailing them. The MedPedia Project aims to get the most accurate information from the best sources to give all of us a place to go to find out information about medical problems.

Underlying both projects though is the belief that Wikipedia has become untrustworthy -- at least in perception -- because of the anonymous nature of some of those who post.

Posted By Brad at 03:38 PM
Permanent Link: Wikipedia Gets Competition from Google, Doctors | Comments (2)

(2) Comments on Wikipedia Gets Competition from Google, Doctors

You might already know of this site, but you can get far more accurate and comprehensive Battlestar Galactica information at: http://www.battlestarwiki.org

Also, everyone on a Wikipedia is "anonymous", even if they have a user name. So just having a user name won't may you "known", your identity would have to be confirmed.

In looking around Knol, I've seen that Google has facilities where you can confirm your identity via your Credit Card # or even by entering a pin number on your cell phone number when you get called.

Something that Wikimedia should really look into, if it wants to be taken seriously by the academic and professional communities.

Comments by Joe Beaudoin Jr. : Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 10:39 AM

Hey Joe:

As a matter of fact, I do know Battlestar Wiki, which I'm not sure is a good thing.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

Comments by Brad King : Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 01:42 PM

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