Google donates $2 million to support Wikipedia

[Calypso 464]

By Michael Liedtke, Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Google, the Internet's most profitable company, is giving $2 million to support Wikipedia, a volunteer-driven reference tool that has emerged as one of the Web's most-read sites.

The donation announced Wednesday matches the largest grant made so far to Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit group that oversees the 7-year-old Wikipedia. Ebay founder Pierre Omidyar also donated $2 million to Wikimedia six months ago through one of his investment arms.

The latest largesse has catapulted Wikimedia beyond its $10.6 million revenue target for its fiscal year ending in June. That goal had looked ambitious, given that it represented an increase of more than 20% from $8.7 million a year earlier.

But the worst recession since World War II evidently didn't dampen support for the Internet's most popular encyclopedia, which has more than 14 million entries written and edited by some 100,000 unpaid contributors in about 270 languages.

Read more here: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/hotsites/2010...wikipedia_N.htm

[scandal 951]

It's a symbiotic relationship. Wiki and Google both make each other stronger. Search for just about anything at random on Google - chances are a Wikipedia hit will be at or near the top, and chances are that's the source you're likely to click when researching something. The more content is in Wikipedia, the more valuable Google searches are, and the more Google can charge for ads. It's just plain good business sense for Google to promote Wikipedia. Plus, it fits in with their whole ethos of "doing well and doing good".

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It's a symbiotic relationship. Wiki and Google both make each other stronger. Search for just about anything at random on Google - chances are a Wikipedia hit will be at or near the top, and chances are that's the source you're likely to click when researching something. The more content is in Wikipedia, the more valuable Google searches are, and the more Google can charge for ads. It's just plain good business sense for Google to promote Wikipedia. Plus, it fits in with their whole ethos of "doing well and doing good".

Wikipedia has turned into one of the most reliable online encyclopedias.

[Calypso 464]

Wikipedia has turned into one of the most reliable online encyclopedias.

Read post # 2214 here.

[Danno 1,228]

Wikipedia has turned into one of the most reliable online encyclopedias.

But it is terribly biased.

Read Obama info and then Read Palins.

Take note how with Palin they slip in what they want by using the old "It was reported that..."

This way they are being factually correct by quoting a book or news article without being troubled with locating a real source.

SOme how these sometimes absurd charges against Obama, the Clintons and other on the Left never seem to show up in their bio.

Wiki is handy as Hell but not to be trusted for any controversial topic.... plain and simple.

[Nessa 23]

Kennedy was a democrat.

[BluesTraveler 0]

But it is terribly biased.

Depends on your viewpoint.... some feel it accurately describes the individuals. With controversial subjects there will always be a wide range of opinions. The Wikipedia editing police are not infallible.

With most scientific, historical accounts they tend to get a good portion of it correct. It is not the end all be all source. If you read it with an idea that the author(s) may or may not have written the account with a strong bias. It is ok.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

But it is terribly biased.

Chill out, man. You can always consult Conservapedia instead.

The entries there are just to your liking. Not biased at all. Just straightforward like in World Nut Daily or The American Stinker.

Barack Hussein Obama II aka Barry Soetoro[1][2][3](allegedly[4][5][6][7][8] born in Honolulu Aug. 4, 1961)...

Good stuff...

Edited February 20, 2010 by Mr. Big Dog