Is Wikipedia an encyclopaedia?
The Register has in interesting article discussing whether Wikipedia can really be described as an encyclopedia. The point isn’t whether it’s accurate or complete. (Nothing is totally accurate or complete.) No, the issue is the basic nature of the project. Because it generates its own references for the “facts” it includes, it cannot be suitable as a resource for serious research – the political infighting behind the articles and the potentially circular nature of its references mean that chasing down these facts becomes more trouble than it’s worth.
Wikipedia remains excellent as a casual source for information, but is it up to the job of being a serious encyclopedia?
pax et bonum
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