Wikipedia

Wikipedia media type="youtube" key="mp6HbF5WSFg?fs=1" height="385" width="480" align="center"

[|www.wikipedia.com] **//(Here is a link to Wikipedia)//**

//**About Wikipedia**//

Wikipedia is a free internet encyclopedia that is created and maintained by general users over the internet. Users can change up to anything on it (subject to restrictions and further changes or reversions). Like an encyclopedia, there is an unlimited number of subjects and topics. Terms and items in the description are cross referenced (linked) to other Wikipedia entries, making it extremely easy to complete your research. Since the entry and maintenance of subject material can be edited by any Internet visitor, the information should not be considered to be complete or the final answer, but is often accurate. Occasionally the entries may become overly complicated in an effort to provide neutral, objective, or comprehensive articles. It is a great tool for many people to find answers about almost anything. It is also in all of the main languages. People give the information, and the owners of the site check to make sure it is correct. //**Advantages of Wikipedia**//
 * anyone can edit
 * easy to use and learn
 * Wikis are instantaneous so there is no need to wait for a publisher to create a new edition or update information
 * people located in different parts of the world can work on the same document
 * the wiki software keeps track of every edit made and it's a simple process to revert back to a previous version of an article
 * widens access to the power of web publishing to non-technical users
 * the wiki has no predetermined structure - consequently it is a flexible tool which can be used for a wide range of applications
 * there are a wide range of open source software wiki's to choose from so licensing costs shouldn't be a barrier to installing an institutional wiki

//**Disadvantages of Wikipedia**//
 * Anyone can edit so this may be too open for some applications, for example confidential documentation. However it is possible to regulate user access.
 * Open to SPAM and Vandalism if not managed properly. There are easy ways to restore a page however, and on WikiEducator you must be logged in to edit pages so this reduces vandalism by automated spam bots.
 * Requires Internet connectivity to collaborate, but technologies to produce print versions of articles are improving
 * The flexibility of a wiki's structure can mean that information becomes disorganised. As a wiki grows, the community plans and administers the structure collaboratively.