article imageWikipedia Could Shut Down Within 3 to 4 Months?

By Chris Hogg.
Subscribe to author
Feb 10, 2007 by  Chris Hogg - 35 votes, 48 comments
Share
Listen - Email - Print
Recipient email:
You can enter up to 10 comma-separated email addresses.
Your email:
optional
Message:
optional

It would be the end of one of the greatest Web domains every created on the Internet. Wikimedia says funding issues could force it to shut down in less than half a year.
"It seems that Florence Devourad, chairwoman of the Wikipedia Foundation, has warned the audience this morning...that they need more funds to keep servers up and running," writes one blogger in a recent post.
According to news coming from the blogosphere, the popular Web-based encyclopedia Wikipedia might be in some financial trouble that could result in disaster for millions of online folk who now call Wikipedia their online resource for everything.
“At this point, Wikipedia has the financial ressources to run its servers for about 3 to 4 months," Devourad said. "If we do not find additional funding, it is not impossible that Wikipedia might disappear”.
The announcement was made at Lift07, a conference about technology.
As this author notes, it's a good example of how difficult it is to find a viable business model in the days of the Internet.
There are a number of sites reporting this, but I'm not entirely certain about this story yet. Anyone who finds more up-to-date info is welcome to post more links below.
Here's to hoping something can be done to save the Wikis.
article:111165:35::0

Live like a rodent at the French 'hamster hotel'

If you've ever had the urge to spend a night or two as a hamster, you need to visit Nantes, France. For around $150 a night, you can do everything a hamster does, from spinning on a wheel to eating the animal's food to sleeping on a pile of hay.
Nov 21, 2009 by  David Silverberg in Travel - 2 comments

Easyjet apologizes for Holocaust Memorial photo shoot

Easyjet is a European regional carrier that has quickly carved out market share with discount prices and targeted marketing. However, a recent public relations faux pas is causing controversy.
Nov 21, 2009 by  Bob Gordon in Travel - 6 comments

Chicago Mayor Says Media 'Kicked' Oprah Out of Town

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley weighed in on the story that every Chicagoan has an opinion about, Oprah's departure happening eighteen months from now. Yesterday, Mayor Daley placed the burden of shame on the fifth estate.
Nov 21, 2009 by  Bob Gordon in Entertainment - 4 comments

TopFinds: Child Poverty in U.S., Creating Toothpick Cities

Investigating U.S. child poverty rates. A British TV station hires facially disfigured anchors to read the news. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 becomes the hottest video game of the year. These are the top stories making headlines around the world.
Nov 20, 2009 by  David Silverberg in Internet - 2 comments

Canada: No more H1N1 deaths than from seasonal flu

While headlines decry the rising H1N1 death toll, news is emerging that there have been no more deaths from this pandemic than from seasonal flu.
Nov 20, 2009 by  Lynne Melcombe in Health - 8 comments
apis-129892 apis-129889 apis-129886 apis-129867 apis-129865
Email:
Password:
Remember meForgot password?