What Happened To Wikipedia's Founders?

Introduction

This tutorial explores the founding of Wikipedia and the journeys of its creators, Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger. Wikipedia has become an invaluable resource for students and researchers, yet its origins and the evolution of its founders' careers are less known. This guide will outline key events in their stories and the impact of their work, providing context for the role of Wikipedia in today’s information landscape.

Step 1: Understand Wikipedia's Background

• Wikipedia was launched in 2001 as a free online encyclopedia.
• It allows users to edit articles, leading to vast contributions from individuals worldwide.
• Despite initial concerns about accuracy, Wikipedia has improved over time due to community monitoring and citation of sources.

Step 2: Learn About Jimmy Wales

• Early Life: Born in 1966, Wales studied finance and later ventured into the online world.
• Career Path: He co-founded Bomis, a web portal, which laid the groundwork for Wikipedia.
• Motivation: Wales aimed to provide free knowledge to everyone, which culminated in the idea of Wikipedia.

Step 3: Discover Larry Sanger's Role

• Background: Born in 1968, Sanger earned a Ph.D. in philosophy.
• Contributions: Sanger was recruited by Wales to help establish Wikipedia and develop its framework.
• Key Idea: He emphasized the importance of a neutral point of view and verifiability in content creation.

Step 4: Explore Nupedia

• What is Nupedia: Before Wikipedia, Wales and Sanger launched Nupedia in 2000, a free encyclopedia with a formal editorial process.
• Challenges: Nupedia struggled due to its slow editorial process, which limited contributions.
• Transition to Wikipedia: The limitations of Nupedia led to the creation of Wikipedia, which allowed for more rapid and widespread contributions.

Step 5: Examine Wikipedia's Growth

• Rapid Expansion: Wikipedia quickly grew in content and contributors, becoming one of the largest reference websites.
• Community Contributions: The collaborative model attracted millions of volunteers, leading to increased accuracy and depth of information.
• Citations and Sources: Articles on Wikipedia are often backed by reputable sources, enhancing credibility.

Step 6: Jimmy and Larry Today

• Current Endeavors:
  • Jimmy Wales continues to advocate for free knowledge and has worked on various projects, including WikiTribune.
  • Larry Sanger has focused on projects aimed at improving information quality and addressing misinformation online.
• Impact on Knowledge Sharing: Both founders remain influential in discussions about information accessibility and the future of online knowledge.

Conclusion

The story of Wikipedia's founders is a testament to the power of collaborative knowledge-sharing platforms. Understanding their backgrounds and the evolution of Wikipedia can enhance your appreciation of this valuable resource. As you explore Wikipedia for academic or personal use, consider cross-referencing information and verifying sources for the best outcomes.