Wikipedia is a free, online encyclopedia created through open collaboration where anyone can edit or update articles to maintain a neutral point of view. Founded in 2001 by American entrepreneur Jimmy Wales, it has grown to become one of the largest reference websites, providing a quickly updatable source of information for education, business, and personal use through articles contributed by its worldwide user base.

1. WikipediaBy: Robert Schrupp

2. OverviewFreeEasy AccessOpen CollaborationNeutral StanceAccountsFive PillarsTo freely provide all human knowledge

4. HistoryFounded January 15 (Wikipedia Day), 2001Originally an enhanced, wiki version of NupediaWikipedia“wiki”, Hawaiian for quick, fastPortmanteau of “wiki” and encyclopedia.com vs. .org

5. Jimmy WalesFounded WikipediaAmerican Internet entrepreneurFirst founded Bomis (men’s web portal)Bomis funded Nupedia then Wikipedia

6. PurposeA free, quick access, updatable encyclopediaCollaborativeFirst, BiasedNeutrality Later

7. ContentEncyclopediaNewsDiscussionsComes from users … any users

8. UsesEducationFreeBusinessQuickHomeUpdated

9. How is Wikipedia?Free …Easy to useFirst place for informationCitations

10. Similar SitesEncyclopedia BritannicaSlightly more reliable than Wikipedia (4 vs. 3)UncyclopediaParody

11. Research, Pros/ConsUnreliableSometimesNeutralityEventuallyUpdatedHugeSimple CommentWikipedia Explained