Wikipedia is still the master, but there's an online encyclopedia challenger: Citizendium. Launched in May, Citizendium (pronounced sit-ih-ZEN-dee-um) promises to strip Wikipedia of its popularity.
The game plan is to ensure Citizendium entries are accurate and have accountability. That's not exactly how Citizendium founder Larry Sanger puts it, of course. But what else can he mean when he says they'll improve on Wikipedia by "adding 'gentle expert oversight' and requiring contributors to use their real names"? Like if you want to write for us, supply some proof you really are who you claim you are.
Citizendium relies on a vetting process. Potential contributors need to submit a real name and biography, and agree to abide by the rules, which run almost 1000 words and read a little like a software licensing agreement.
It's cumbersome, sure, but I like the idea -- especially when I got wind of the Wikipedia "essjay" fandango.
Wiki Essjay Fraud
You haven't heard? It turns out that "essjay," a prolific Wiki contributor who claimed he was a tenured professor, was actually 24-year old Ryan Jordan, a community college dropout living in Kentucky. The New Yorker did a lengthy piece on Wikipedia, including an interview with "essjay"; they subsequently added an editor's note to the story, explaining how they were duped.
You can also read an interview in our sister publication, InfoWorld, with the Wikipedia founder; The Wiki entry on the fraud is also worth a look.
As far as I'm concerned, for anything but superficial topics, I'm going to take Wikipedia entries with a grain of salt. And definitely give Citizendium a first look.
What about you? Are you willing to give Citizendium a chance?
Unlikely to switch. Wikipedia is fine for me.