Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Wikipedia, Is it Too Free?
Recently, Wikipedia has boomed as one of the Web's most popular news and information source according to Neilson NetRatings. When used most of the time, the information is accurate, but the content can be produced and edited by you. Based on Joe Brockmeier's article entitled "Is Wikipedia ripe for PR?" 2005, the author states how unlike other media, no one gets the last word on the Wikipedia. At first I was unaware that anyone could edit the info, but now that I know, it changes my opinion of the site. I feel like I still have to research the topic to make sure that it is correct. That's double the work.
Katie Hafner's article entitled, "Growing Wikipedia Revises It's 'Anyone Can Edit' Policy, 2006", what defines Wikipedia is the voluteer community and open participation. She states how the 'regulars' are the ones who edit the site.
Although voluteers make changes to the site, it is still regulated to some extent by the 'regulars'. Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, just wanted to provide free content to Internet users and now it has become a phenomenon. I think that Wikipedia is too free. the content is not scholarly but it does provide quick facts. In the end it's up to the user to use it.
Katie Hafner's article entitled, "Growing Wikipedia Revises It's 'Anyone Can Edit' Policy, 2006", what defines Wikipedia is the voluteer community and open participation. She states how the 'regulars' are the ones who edit the site.
Although voluteers make changes to the site, it is still regulated to some extent by the 'regulars'. Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, just wanted to provide free content to Internet users and now it has become a phenomenon. I think that Wikipedia is too free. the content is not scholarly but it does provide quick facts. In the end it's up to the user to use it.
