WIKIDEMIA: Looks like Wikipedia is taking a page from the book of its august progenitor, Encyclopedia Brittanica, with the Wikipedia Education Program. Fast Company describes the initiative here as a way to "conquer academia." It is being piloted in nine countries. Professors are getting invitations to contribute pieces and let their students fact-check, revise and cite them for credit. (Not to mention, this will also boost the amount of foreign-language content.) In March, Brittanica said it would quit printing books on paper; digital has been profitable since 2003. The killer fact: 85% of Brittanica's revenue comes from selling learning and instructional materials, leaving the classic encyclopedia business to chip in the other 15%. Although a nonprofit, Wikipedia could use that kind of income stream. And perhaps professors won't give you "the eye" when you cite Wiki sources for their papers.
