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In the news

In the news

Decline in print encyclopedias

Start Writing the Eulogies for Print Encyclopedias - The print encyclopedia appears to become the "first casualty in the end of print". Take for example the printed Encyclopedia Britannica, whose sales are now said to be 10 percent of what they were in 1990, but the company says that the print edition is still profitable. Other companies are not doing as well though; German encyclopedia Brockhaus might never appear in print again, while Gyldendal, a Danish publisher, is finding the online subscription model is "misguided". Despite nostalgic recollections of childhood memories of reading the encyclopedia, the "electronic hearth" is providing new opportunities for encyclopedias in providing information that updates quickly. Wikipedia is naturally cited as an example, in addition to the Encyclopedia of Life and the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

More trouble for Wikipedia

Open-Source Troubles in Wiki World - This week brings more coverage of the recent controversies surrounding the actions of Jimmy Wales. In what is said to illustrate growing pains, Wales has been accused of spending frivolously on his expense account and on intervening on the article about someone with whom he had a relationship. On top of that, there is now a new controversy about Wikipedia's relationship with venture capitalists Elevation Partners, after one of its partners helped find two large donors, although apparently in his personal capacity. The chair of the Wikimedia board, Florence Nibart-Devouard, has expressed concerns with becoming reliant upon venture capitalist donors, and said that the board recently passed a resolution requiring all donations larger than two percent of revenue be approved by board. Despite these controversies, it seems like there will always be a place for Wales, who is a "hero" in the Wikipedia community, the article says.

Other mentions

Other recent mentions in the online press include:




Also this week:
  • WikiWorld
  • News and notes
  • In the news
  • Dispatches
  • WikiProject report
  • Tutorial
  • Features and admins
  • Technology report
  • Arbitration report

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