Understanding Wikipedia
Since its founding in 2001, “Wikipedia” has exploded in growth, providing Internet users with millions of articles on a broad range of topics. But the accuracy of information on Wikipedia cannot be taken for granted. The site itself writes that "while some of the articles are of the highest quality of scholarship, others are admittedly rubbish...use [Wikipedia] with an informed understanding of what it is and isn't." To attain such an understanding, read on.
Expand All Guide SectionsWhat Wikipedia Is, and How it Works
Wikipedia, as the name suggests, uses a "wiki" system to build out its encyclopedia. What exactly is a wiki? The online dictionary Webopedia defines a wiki as "a collaborative Web site [comprising] the perpetual collective work of many authors…A wiki allows anyone to edit, delete or modify content that has been placed on the Web site…including the work of previous authors." Since Wikipedia is open to the public, anyone with an Internet connection is free to anonymously contribute to the online encyclopedia by either adding a new article or editing a previous author's work.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Wikipedia is largely controlled by a limited number of administrators who have the power to purge articles and ban editors. Like editors, these administrators remain anonymous and do not have to prove any expertise to establish their authority.
- Wikipedia itself warns readers that "We do not expect you to trust us....some articles are of the highest quality...(but) others are admittedly complete rubbish....we are not a primary source...use [Wikipedia] with an informed understanding of what it is and what it isn't."
- The first wiki Web site was created in 1995 by Ward Cunningham to promote a freer exchange of information between computer programmers. He got the word “wiki” from the Hawaiian word for “quick” and called his Web site “WikiWikiWeb.”
- Although Wikipedia is the most well known wiki Web site, it is hardly the only one. MakeUseOf.com has a great list of some of the cooler and more useful wiki sites out there.
- The corporate world has taken note of the usefulness of wiki technology and has begun to incorporate it internally. Companies ranging from Nokia to IBM and even the CIA have set up their own internal wikis to make information flow more efficiently.
- Wikipedia is a nonprofit that does not accept advertising and relies on donations to stay alive. Recently, the Los Angeles Times has described the financial difficulties facing Wikipedia due to this business model.
Dulcinea's Picks
For an overview of Wikipedia …
The Atlantic.com
has an in-depth look at the history of Wikipedia and its creators.
Ward Cunningham
, both the inventor of the word “wiki” and the creator of the first wiki Web site, provides an interesting correspondence between himself and linguists on the etymology of the now ubiquitous word.
Wikipedia
has an entry on itself that provides a comprehensive overview of its history, structure, criticisms and more. As with any Wikipedia article, there exists the possibility of factual shortcomings. Use the citations, found at the bottom of the page, to verify any information you may find.
The Colbert Report
Comedian Stephen Colbert takes a satirical view of Wikipedia. Though intended for laughs, it captures, in an entertaining fashion, why Wikipedia cannot be relied upon as a sole source of information.
For how it works …
North Carolina State University Libraries
has a short video that explains what Wikipedia is and how information is entered into Wikipedia. Take a tour of the "article," "discussion," "edit this page" and "history" tabs to go "beneath the surface" of Wikipedia.
HowStuffWorks
provides a good primer on the basics of wiki technology.
Using Wikipedia Effectively
With a database of over two million articles and an enthusiastic community of editors, Wikipedia ... read more »
Potential Flaws of Wikipedia
Wikipedia’s anarchic nature has led to some major criticism. Some of the more important and ... read more »
© 2010 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
