Encyclopaedia Britannica prepares to take on Wikipedia

by Stevie Smith - Jan 28 2009, 13:00

While it perhaps has as many critics as it does users, there’s little denying that Wikipedia, oracle of (occasionally inaccurate) Web-based knowledge, is a startling feat of online user creation.

However, Wikipedia’s dominance could well be under threat after news that encyclopaedic giant Britannica is preparing to grant user additions and alterations to its own vast tomes of online information.

More pointedly, Encyclopaedia Britannica has recently revealed plans to allow external contributors to help shape the ever-expanding content of its official online Web site.

However, unlike Wikipedia’s more relaxed ‘anyone can play’ attitude, which can lead to often sensational vandalism and false reporting, Britannica’s user access will be restricted to registered users while official content editors will be given final approval on any and all proposed changes.

In order to qualify as a registered user and receive addition and alteration privileges, those looking to throw their weight behind Britannica’s expansion must first divulge their real names and home addresses to the service. Also, once approved, anyone contributing information to an article will have their name clearly listed on the article page for all to see.

Speaking last week with Australian publication the Sydney Morning Herald, Encyclopaedia Britannica president Jorge Cauz claimed that proposed article edits would be targeted by staff for approval or rejection within a period of just 20 minutes. However, also outlined that such an estimation could potentially grow depending on the volume of user participation.

Taking a swing at both Google and Wikipedia in criticising the worth of Britannica’s online rival, Mr. Cauz said that if he were the CEO or founder of Google, he would be “very [unhappy] that the best search engine in the world continues to provide as a first link, Wikipedia.”

Beyond the apparent search bias and estimated 12 million articles (2.7 million in English) presently holding Wikipedia as the Web’s favourite source of all-encompassing knowledge, Britannica will also have to contend with Google’s own user-sculpted Knol service.

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