Week 11 Wikipedia

What is wikipedia?

Well as stated by Bruns (2008) in his lecture series Wikipedia is the, "collaboratively edited online encyclopaedia, in hundreds of languages, [an entity that] anyone can edit... with content creation process organised ad hoc by contributors". I think that the concept of Wikipedia is a marvellous one indeed. It provides the opportunity for online collaboration and the building of a peer reviewed based encyclopaedia. For it is like an independent channel, one that is free from commercial constraints and potential liberal biases.

With no major figurehead to pressure the authors of the entries and objectivity ensured by the process peer review Wikipedia offers a great channel for an independent look at matters which impacts us. Previously I have partaken in a university subject that called for the collaboration and creation of several Wikipedia like entries in an online environment and found the process to be quite enjoyable. The fact that you can add your own personal modifications to existing entries and create new entries yourself, is a process to which I found gave me great satisfaction.

The Wikipedia genre has grown substantially and offers users of the site a multitude of differing languages to select. This adds to unit discussion on the nature of the convergence of cultural boundaries, with the internet and sites such as Wikipedia a platform to transcend such barriers. This provides users with the opportunity to break down geographical constraints and feel free to publish their ideas in a peer orientated environment. Thus also leading on to further unit content such as online communities and social networking.

References

Bruns, A. (2008). KCB201 Week 11 Slidecast: Wikipedia http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/ (accessed May 10, 2008)