Finding green information can sometimes be a bit of chore – there are few centralized green information locations and sometimes the data is conflicting or reflects the source’s agenda – in fact there is a lot of green noise out there. Well, Jimmy Wales, co-founder of Wikia, Inc., and founder of the internet sensation Wikipedia, has created a new ecolicious online resource for the green community – Wikia Green. We caught up with Jimmy Wales in cyberspace to find out just what this Wikia Green is all about.
So, what is Wikia Green exactly?
Wikia Green is a project to create a central place for people to collaborate and share information about green topics. We feel this type of forum does not currently exist and there is a great need for a simple, yet comprehensive online information resource that is easily accessible to anyone looking for information on green-specific content.
Wikia Green will also foster a community where respectful debate and informed viewpoints can be heard. We think that Wikia serves as the perfect platform for this type of community because content can be easily contributed, edited or discussed in an open format, across the globe.
How's it going so far?
Wikia Green officially launched on September 9, 2008, but had been live on the Wikia.com site since March of 2008. Since its launch, we have had a lot of positive feedback from the larger green community and the media. We have seen a spike in traffic to the wiki and an increase in the number of articles created, as well as an increased interested in content sharing partnerships from some of the largest green sites on the web. We are very pleased with the results thus far and are excited to watch the site continue to grow.
The majority of green-focused content, especially on more controversial topics, is not easily accessible to the average citizen or dedicated supporters of the green movement.
Why does the environmental community need Wikia Green?
In today's crowded online landscape, it's often difficult for people to find simple and useful information on topics such as climate change and environmental sustainability. More often than not, this information is dispersed across multiple mediums (blogs, white papers, films, etc.) and sourced from many different (and sometimes conflicting) voices (government, corporations, consumer advisory groups, individual activists).
There is not a simple, central repository for the tremendous amount of knowledge and information on environmental subject matter. Moreover, the majority of green-focused content, especially on more controversial topics, is not easily accessible to the average citizen or dedicated supporters of the green movement. This is why we created Wikia Green - to give people a central, easy-to-understand information resource that will provide them with the content they need to educate themselves and form their own opinions about green issues and topics.
Is Wikia Green part of Wikipedia?
No. Wikia Green is a wiki community that is part of the Wikia, Inc. network of sites. Wikia, Inc. is my for-profit company and operates totally independently from Wikipedia.org and the Wikimedia Foundation.
There are very significant differences between the content and community on Wikia (and in turn Wikia Green) and Wikipedia. Content on Wikia Green is written with the average reader in mind so tends to be more accessible and relevant. Whereas Wikipedia's content is encyclopedic and sometimes quite theoretical and scientific, Wikia Inc.'s content is more malleable. In addition, Wikia Green's community is devoted to green causes and strives to build out the wiki to advance the green movement. On the other hand, Wikipedia's contributors tend to be dedicated to building out the larger encyclopedia and may not be as devoted to the green movement.
Who is the target audience?
Anyone who is passionate about the environment and knowledgeable about green topics is welcome to join us in creating a valuable information tool for everyone's use at Wikia Green.
We hope the site will become the trusted and comprehensive resource for all-things green.
How will Wikia Green operate? Similar to Wikipedia?
Wikia Green will operate like any wiki would and will rely on a community of people for content creation, editing and maintenance, as the site grows. Because Wikia, and therefore Wikia Green, operates on the same MediaWiki software that Wikipedia does, it is fair to say that Wikia Green will technically operate in a way that is similar to Wikipedia.
Content will be created and added to Wikia Green via the community that comes together to build out and maintain the site.
Who will use Wikia Green?
Wikia Green can by used by anyone who is looking for un-biased, comprehensive information on a green issue or topic. The site can also be used by someone who is passionate about a certain aspect of the green movement and wants to contribute information and help build out the Wikia Green site; however the information contributed must be impartial and not self-promoting.
What is your best vision of Wikia Green?
We hope the site will become the trusted and comprehensive resource for all-things green. Wikia Green will afford people the opportunity to educate themselves, share information and contribute to the larger green movement that has taken the world by storm. Over the next year, we hope Wikia Green continues to grow its community base and of course increase the amount of content on the site. We are also working to establish content sharing partnerships with key green industry players who are looking to expand their own sites with user-generated content and integrate the wiki technology into their webpage.
Do we need more 'green noise' on the internet?
I think there is always room for more information and more opinions on the Internet; however I think there was something missing from the larger online green community. That is why we created Wikia Green, which offers a unique perspective on green-facing topics because it is entirely built out and maintained by a diverse community of volunteers who are passionate about the environment, sustainable living and the overall wellbeing of the planet. Other sites that focus on green topics tend to be created or sponsored by one corporation or individual and do not take a collaborative approach like Wikia Green.
Will there be space for the diverse opinions?
As I mentioned previously, there is room for differing opinions and in fact, I think a multitude of information and opinions is what helps to create the most solid information. If the Wikia Green community can offer good content on both sides of issues like climate change, then I think the site, and its visitors, are better for it. Ultimately, it's up to the user to read both sides of the issue and make their own decision, but if they can find all of that information on Wikia Green, then we have accomplished our goal.
Visit: http://green.wikia.com/
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