The value of “open source”
You might be wondering why I put open source in quotations in the title . It’s because I’m not referring to software per se but to the use of a particular pice of software, generally wiki software and specifically its use in Wikipedia.
How long will it take for what’s just happened in the Indian ocean to show up in Encyclopedia Britannica? Well let me save you the trouble - years. There is one small article on their website that has a few links to explanations but it is pitiful in contrast to here. There, at Wikipedia, you will find an incredible collection of information, well laid out, constantly growing, and with links to further information on parts of the topic. It is an organic growth of knowledge and the source of that knowledge is everyone who has something cogent to say about the topic. In other words the knowledge is “open source”. This is a great strength , albeit with some inherent weakneses.
By the time an article on this tragedy makes it into a traditional encyclopedia it will dusty history to most. When school starts up again next week after the Christmas break kids everywhere will be writing essays on this tragedy and need information now. Wikipedia provides that information in a manner that will truly educate those willing to spend time there. It proves the value of the internet in education and the value of taking knowledge out of the lockbox of presumed experts and putting it back in the hands of the people where it belongs. “Open source” rocks
