Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia openly managed by everyday people like you and me -- also known as a life-saving resource for last minute college research assignments. As if Wikipedia could get any better...
...and it has! Or at least, it's about to VERY soon. Today, Wikipedia has been reported to hold over 6 million files equaling almost 8 terabytes of data. When I read this, I could not believe how much information that contained! And their new server is going to allow page editors to post videos, which will provide unique opportunities to garner more data. After all, pictures are worth a thousand words so moving pictures should be exponentially better, right?
Although Wikimedia proposed this idea two years ago, allowing video content has been postponed until now with reason. Most of the foreseen problems seemed to stem from technical and licensing concerns. With more space newly available on their server, Wikipedia now has to define how the logistics will pan out. Since this encyclopedia is unique with its public collaboration, the website is ruled by everyone. The company had to verify that their thousands of volunteers would be able to adjust to this major change -- another reason that Wikipedia's pages have not seen many drastic changes.
Wikimedia has to make the transition work, while avoiding being seen as another Flickr or YouTube site. In fact, Wikimedia's wants to avoid their destination as a place to watch personal vacation videos. And to top it all off, the buttons to load, edit, and play the videos must be easy to use and figure out for people less proficient with online tools.
Within the next few months, I'm excited to see the array of videos that will enhance the individual page's content. Although my biggest concern is already being addressed: who will monitor if the videos are appropriate? Will the videos be screened before they are published? Perhaps Wikimedia will rely on the public to report inappropriate, violent, or revealing content.
But at the same time, I'm curious to see how the videos will help certain pages. For example, if someone were to search for the "Oranges" page, it will be interesting to see what type of video will be posted. Will it focus on the cultivation, growth, or harvesting of an orange? Maybe it will also touch on the nutritional facts or where in the world it is grown.
Regardless, good things are constantly happening in the technology world with every blink of the eye. And Wikipedia is no exception.
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I'm really excited too for this addition! It does seem long overdue.
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