Understanding the world of Wikipedia, Wikimedia, and wikis can be a bit confusing, but it's also fascinating. Did you know that Wikipedia is just one project under the Wikimedia Foundation? Wikis are collaborative websites where users can edit content, making them powerful tools for sharing knowledge. Wikipedia is the most famous wiki, but there are many others like Wiktionary and Wikibooks. Wikimedia supports these projects, ensuring they remain free and accessible. Ever wondered how Wikipedia maintains accuracy? It's through a community of dedicated volunteers. Want to know more? Let's dive into 40 intriguing facts about these platforms!
Understanding Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a vast online encyclopedia that anyone can edit. It’s a treasure chest of information on almost any topic you can think of. Here are some fascinating facts about Wikipedia:
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Wikipedia was launched on January 15, 2001. It was created by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger.
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The name "Wikipedia" is a blend of "wiki" and "encyclopedia." A wiki is a website that allows collaborative editing.
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Wikipedia is available in over 300 languages. The English version is the largest, with millions of articles.
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Anyone can edit Wikipedia. This open-editing model allows for a wide range of contributors.
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Wikipedia is a non-profit organization. It operates under the Wikimedia Foundation.
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There are over 6 million articles on the English Wikipedia. This number keeps growing daily.
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Wikipedia relies on donations. It doesn't run ads, so it depends on contributions from users.
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Wikipedia has a strict policy on verifiability. Information must be backed by reliable sources.
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There are bots on Wikipedia. These automated programs help with tasks like fixing links and reverting vandalism.
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Wikipedia has a "neutral point of view" policy. Articles must be written without bias.
Wikimedia Foundation
The Wikimedia Foundation is the backbone of Wikipedia. It supports and manages various wiki projects. Here are some key facts about the Wikimedia Foundation:
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The Wikimedia Foundation was established in 2003. It was created to support Wikipedia and its sister projects.
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It is headquartered in San Francisco, California. This is where the main operations are managed.
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The foundation oversees several projects. These include Wiktionary, Wikibooks, Wikiquote, and more.
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Wikimedia Commons is a media repository. It hosts images, sounds, and videos that anyone can use.
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Wikidata is a structured data project. It provides a central storage for data used by other Wikimedia projects.
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The foundation employs a small staff. Most of the work is done by volunteers.
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Wikimedia Foundation runs on donations. It holds annual fundraising campaigns to support its projects.
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It has a Board of Trustees. This board governs the foundation and makes major decisions.
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The foundation promotes free knowledge. It believes in making information accessible to everyone.
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Wikimedia Foundation collaborates with educational institutions. It works with schools and universities to promote open knowledge.
Wiki Technology
Wikis are a type of website that allows collaborative editing. They are used for various purposes, from encyclopedias to project management. Here are some interesting facts about wiki technology:
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The first wiki was created in 1995. It was called WikiWikiWeb and was developed by Ward Cunningham.
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The word "wiki" comes from Hawaiian. It means "quick" or "fast."
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Wikis use a simple markup language. This makes it easy for anyone to edit pages.
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Wikis can be public or private. Some are open to everyone, while others are restricted to certain users.
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They are used in education. Teachers and students use wikis for collaborative projects.
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Wikis are popular in business. Companies use them for knowledge management and documentation.
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There are many wiki software options. Examples include MediaWiki, TikiWiki, and DokuWiki.
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Wikis can include multimedia. Users can add images, videos, and audio files to pages.
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They support version control. This means you can see the history of changes made to a page.
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Wikis encourage community collaboration. They allow multiple users to contribute and improve content.
Fun Facts about Wikipedia and Wikis
Beyond the technical details, there are some fun and quirky facts about Wikipedia and wikis. Here are a few:
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Wikipedia has a "Did You Know?" section. It highlights interesting facts from new articles.
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There is a Wikipedia game. Players try to navigate from one article to another using the fewest clicks.
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Wikipedia has its own mascot. It’s a puzzle globe with missing pieces, representing the incomplete nature of knowledge.
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There are Wikipedia edit-a-thons. These events bring people together to edit and improve articles.
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Some articles are locked. High-profile or controversial topics may be protected to prevent vandalism.
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Wikipedia has a "Talk" page for every article. This is where editors discuss changes and improvements.
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There are Easter eggs on Wikipedia. Hidden jokes or messages can be found in some articles.
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Wikipedia has a "Random article" feature. This lets you discover new topics by chance.
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There are Wikipedia-themed merchandise. You can buy T-shirts, mugs, and other items with Wikipedia logos.
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Wikipedia has inspired other projects. Many other wikis have been created based on its model.
The Final Word
Understanding Wikipedia, Wikimedia, and Wiki platforms can be a game-changer. These tools offer a wealth of information at your fingertips. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, is a go-to for quick facts. Wikimedia supports various projects, ensuring free access to knowledge. Wikis, in general, provide collaborative spaces for users to share and edit content.
Knowing the differences and uses of these platforms helps you navigate the digital world more effectively. Whether you're a student, researcher, or just curious, these resources are invaluable. They empower you to find reliable information, contribute to collective knowledge, and stay informed.
So next time you need to look something up, remember these platforms. They’re more than just websites; they’re gateways to a world of knowledge. Happy exploring!
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