Shenanigans!!!!!

Today, Google announced plans for the creation of a new web-encyclopedia service dubbed “Knol.” In yet another of Google’s increasing list of web products and programs, Knol is intended to serve a similar purpose to that of Wikipedia, the web encylopedia whose millions of articles in dozens of languages have earned the loyalty of millions of students and internet users worldwide, much to the ire of teachers and librarians :D

Wikipedia’s status would seemingly insure it’s strength, yet Google’s planned change to the forumla, the inclusion of advertisements that would put money into the pockets of Knol users, is setting off alarms in the business and internet world. Google’s stocks, already surging, are bound to become even more valuable, while the creation of Knol pages may indicate that Google intends to retrieve its own pages in searches, with the opportunity to dominate other content providers on the web, including Wikipedia.

The bad press user generated sites, such as Digg and Wikipedia, is grossly overstated, in my opinion. The fact, is yes, anyone can edit an article on Wikipedia, but does it really make a difference? Try changing a significant article, such as “George Bush” or “Tsunami”, and if your fix is not correct or useful, then literally within minutes, it will be deleted, and changed back. Wikipedia thrives off of a loyal user base, one that consists not only of ignorant teens, but people all over the globe, from scientists to computer programmers, to college professors and perhaps most importantly, the quintessential “average Joe.” Wikipedia has a far more stringent rulebook than many realize, and any information must be properly referenced, and neutrality is always a serious concern, whether the topic is video game violence, or the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Wikipedia is user friendly, and it’s free. There is not motive, save the idea of free education, by the people, for the people, and it seems that this is an idea whose power has only begun to be implemented. Google might offer money for those who put in their efforts, but I’ll stick to Wiki.