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C-SPAN Interviews Wikipedia Founder
TrentL writes "Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales (aka Jimbo) was recently interviewed on C-SPAN's primetime program Q&A. Topics included the origins of Wikipedia, governing philosophy, and criticisms from members of the print encyclopedia community." From the article: "I had the idea basically from watching the growth of the free software movement. So all of the software that really runs the Internet, Linux, Apache, the Web serving software, it's all written by volunteers collaboratively working together using free licenses. And it's really good quality stuff."
Wikipedia is the GeoCities of encyclopedias. (Not that there is anything wrong with that.) Everybody gets a chance to do their thing, be an instant expert on a topic. Very empowering, probably a great ice-breaker at parties. And it's free. Obviously, it's un-cite-able beyond anything wider than a circle of friends.
The fact that it's a target for pranksters should also be obvious. Across America, in the back of schoolbuses, wagers are being made over who can give Elric of Melnibone a grandmother first, or how long that new play of Euripides will be undiscovered, or how many pro ball batting averages can be re-arranged for how long. It's fun to watch, probably fun to participate in, but you can't get bent out of shape by allowing yourself to take any of it seriously.
If information access is a part of how you make your living, or you are a genuinely serious student, you're paying for a subscription to britannica.com. Obviously.