Sticky Wiki

These are challenging times for the Wikipedia, and its parent organisation the Wikimedia Foundation.  The Wikipedia is among the most successful online initiatives.  It’s a free encyclopedia that anybody can edit.  Between vandals who purposly post incorrect and inaccurate information, and the recent revelation that one of it’s most prolific editors was far from what he claimed to be, there have been continuing challenges to its credibility.  Many colleges not only discourage use of the Wikipedia, but some professors have banned its use as a resource for research.  The Wikipedia is kind of like the ownerless neighborhood dog.  Everyone uses it, but it doesn’t get any real respect.

Meanwhile, the Wikimedia Foundation has branched out into many other areas including Wiktionary, a user editable dictionary, Wikibooks, a collection of free textbooks and manuals, and Wikinews, a user editable news service.

The Foundation is looking for an Executive Director.  The official job listing hasn’t been posted yet, but I can’t imagine who would be better for the job than a journalist.  I have experience at research, I can be proactive in public relations, and I have experience in fund raising for no-profits.

My main priorities will be to develop an aggressive campaign to increase public credibility and use in academic settings.  There are already some efforts to increase accuracy, and I would want to fast-track those efforts.  Even though it’s already one of the most used websites, I want to create the image of Wikipedia as the “go-to” place for information. Among other things I would create resources that can be used by and syndicated to traditional media sources such as newspapers, radio, and TV.  Since the Wikipedia is somewhat anonymous to the public at large, I would also make a point to become a public face for the Wikipedia and the Foundation.

It’s time to move the Wikipedia out of its mule status and turn it into a thoroughbred.