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May 17, 2000: This message was distributed by Papyrus News, a free e-mail distribution list on the global impact of information technology on language, literacy, and education. Feel free to forward this message to others, preferably with this introduction. For information on Papyrus News, including how to (un)subscribe or access archives, see <http://www.lll.hawaii.edu/web/faculty/markw/papyrus-news.html>.
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A major new encyclopedia project, Nupedia.com, is looking for informed and
enthusiastic people to help direct and construct an "open content" encyclopedia,
planned to become the largest general encyclopedia in history. Articles will be peer-reviewed and carefully
copyedited by means of a growing network of mailing lists. The project has significant
financial support, and its leaders and owners are committed to a years-long,
intensive effort. Among the project's
leaders, the excitement level is high at <http://www.nupedia.com>
In constructing this encyclopedia, we intend use the special opportunities
of the internet and hyperlinks to include articles written at varying levels of
generality and specialization.
(Programmers may be interested to know that the articles will be encoded
in XML format.)
We are in need of well-qualified writers, editors, and peer reviewers in all
areas, and will be doing searches for subject area editors. At present, we have about three dozen
Ph.D.'s, M.D.'s, and other highly-trained professionals who have generously
volunteered their time as Nupedia editors and peer reviewers. Most of these people are also advisory board
members who help shape Nupedia policy and procedure. We are all committed to creating an open, public, academically-respectable
institution.
What does it mean to say the encyclopedia is "open content"? This
means that anyone can use content taken from Nupedia articles for almost any
purpose, both for-profit or non-profit, so long as Nupedia is credited as the
source and so long as the distributor of the information does not attempt to
restrict others from distributing the same information. Nupedia will be "open content" in
the same way that Linux and the Open Directory Project (http://www.dmoz.com) are "open
source." As has been the case with
those projects, we plan to attract a huge body of talented contributors.
Indeed, since making our initial press release in March, over 1500 people
from around the world have signed up as Nupedia members.
Because Nupedia will be open content, it will be in a freely-distributable
public resource created by an international public effort. It is not an exaggeration to say that your contributions
would help to provide an international public a free education. We believe Nupedia is, thus, a project
worthy of your attention.
If you want to join us or stay apprised of the progress of Nupedia, please
take a minute to go to the Nupedia website at <http://www.nupedia.com/> and become a
member. (Becoming a member is quick,
easy, and free.) Please consult http://www.nupedia.com/steering.html
for details about steering committee positions and consult http://www.nupedia.com/policy.html
for a draft statement of Nupedia editorial policy.
Best regards,
Larry Sanger, Ph.D. expected May 2000 Philosophy, Ohio State
Editor-in-Chief, Nupedia.com
San Diego, California
P.S. If you wish to help promote this project -- something we would greatly appreciate -- please do forward this announcement to any *appropriate* forums and to colleagues you think may be interested (including your local/departmental mailing lists and newsgroups). Or, if you would rather that Nupedia make the announcement on a forum you frequent, please just give us a pointer to the forum and we can take it from there.
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